Media: MIKE REED

The owner of flagship newspaper USA Today, Gannett is the largest newspaper group in the nation with more than 600 papers, and under Reed’s leadership, the company’s digital revenue
has skyrocketed.

In 2021, Gannett’s digital revenue exceeded $1 billion for the first time, comprising one-third of the media company’s revenue. Meanwhile, the company’s print advertising and circulation revenues have decreased, however, with print ad revenue falling by 10% in the fourth quarter of 2021. Additionally, Gannett’s workforce has been cut nearly in half compared with staffing levels before its 2019 merger with GateHouse Media Inc.

In June, Reed announced he was restructuring the company into two business units. Gannett Media will focus on news, content and operations. Digital Marketing Solutions will help businesses attract customers. “Improving the efficiency of our operations will enable the acceleration of Gannett’s digital future as a data and technology subscription-led business,” Reed said.

The former CEO of GateHouse, Reed has served on the boards of the Newspaper Association of America (now the News Media Alliance) and The Associated Press, as well as the advisory board at the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.