Aug 27

Written by: News Account
8/27/2010 11:31 AM

USA TODAY announced today an executive management team and new departments that will be in charge of transforming USA TODAY into a multi-media company. Around 130 jobs - about nine percent of the workforce - are anticipated to be cut this Fall as Gannett and USA Today put more emphasis on digital.  The team includes:

Rudd Davis will join USA TODAY as VP/business development, heading a new department which will develop and secure new business opportunities and partnerships including brand licensing, content syndication, acquisitions and joint ventures. Davis will also assume oversight of USA TODAY's retail, hotel and education-based partnerships.

Jeff Dionise has been appointed VP/product development and design, a new department which will focus on research and development of new USA TODAY products across the brand. Dionise will also be responsible for refinements and enhancements to current USA TODAY products.

Heather Frank has been named VP/vertical development, overseeing the department dedicated to the creation and implementation of new as well as existing vertical content areas. Frank was previously general manager of USA TODAY's "Your Life" health and lifestyle vertical, which will launch in September.

Brad Jones has been named Senior VP/circulation charged with growing print circulation and working collaboratively with business development and sales and marketing to build and deliver client-based solutions that maximize customer relationships and revenue opportunities.

Steve Kurtz has been named ViP/digital development, with a new department which will focus on developing and maintaining technology and systems to support USA TODAY's existing dotcom, mobile, iPhone and iPad platforms. Kurtz will also oversee the development as well as acquisition of digital and emerging platform space.

Ross Schaufelberger has been named VP and general manager of the new USA TODAY Sports, which will be distinguished as a national brand and provide a sports platform for USA TODAY sports content as well as multiple media content assets and products from Gannett-wide properties.

Myron Maslowsky, USA TODAY's VP/finance since 2002, has been appointed to the newly created position of Senior VP/ group finance and administration. In addition to USA TODAY Finance, Maslowsky will now also oversee USA TODAY's Information technology and human resources departments.

Also announced in USA TODAY group finance and administration was the naming of Susan Motiff to the newly created position of VP/strategic planning, analysis and support. Motiff will oversee financial analysis and modeling for USA TODAY brands, including planning for and analysis of business and development opportunities.

John Hillkirk, editor, also announced two new appointments in USA TODAY news. Susan Weiss, has been named executive editor, content; and Chet Czarniak has been announced as executive editor, content distribution and programming for USA TODAY's print, dotcom and mobile/apps news and information platforms.

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