Gannett Closes Majority Investment in Grateful Ventures
October 04 2017 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Propels Company into Lifestyle Verticals and
Brings New Opportunities to Advertisers
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), parent company of USA TODAY
NETWORK, has closed a majority investment in Grateful Ventures, LLC
(“Grateful”), an online media and publishing company which focuses
on building lifestyle content and monetization strategies for
high-influence food and cooking websites and bloggers.
This investment will expand and diversify USA TODAY NETWORK’s
portfolio and audience, and significantly increase the number of
Gannett’s owned and operated digital sites. As a part of USA TODAY
NETWORK, Grateful will launch in 2018 into several new
personality-driven lifestyle categories with long-tail content,
videos, live interactions, event integrations and passion topics to
create deep, meaningful connections with readers across multiple
platforms. These new initiatives with Grateful will increase USA
TODAY NETWORK’s advertising offerings through influencer marketing,
branded content and events sponsorships with consumers who are
deeply engaged.
“We are impressed by Grateful’s vision to provide original,
high-quality content in high-passion categories,” said Maribel
Perez Wadsworth, Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation
Officer. “Their focus on building relationships with influencers,
who have an authentic voice and resulting strong following, is a
winning formula. And we look forward sharing these premium content
experiences with our existing viewers as well as appealing to new
audiences.”
The initial focus will continue with Grateful’s vision in the
food & cooking category. USA TODAY NETWORK, through its
content, scale and promotion, will accelerate Grateful’s build out
of Thanksgiving.com as the top destination for all holiday-related
food and cooking content, and drive growth in its blogging network,
Food Blog Stars. Additionally, USA TODAY NETWORK and Grateful will
further develop its social media platform created exclusively for
food bloggers, FoodBlogs.com.
Founded in 2014, Grateful reaches an audience of approximately
8.5 million food enthusiasts each month. The founders, Kyle Cox,
CEO, and Justin Rainbow, CTO, have extensive expertise in lifestyle
media: In 2003, Cox founded SheKnows Media, where he worked with
Rainbow, who served as the Director of Architecture. SheKnows is
premium digital media company for women that focuses on food,
parenting, beauty, health, fitness and more. The company was sold
in 2012 while holding the top spot in comScore’s lifestyle
category.
“We are incredibly excited to join forces with such a dynamic,
diverse and innovative company as Gannett,” said Cox. “As someone
with a background in both print and online media, I know how
extraordinary it is to team up with a company that touches the
lives of millions. Thanks to USA TODAY NETWORK’s reach and wealth
of creative and professional resources, the new opportunities
available to Grateful are truly unparalleled.”
Headquartered in downtown Phoenix, Grateful will be expanding
the team to support the development and launch of the new lifestyle
sites, such as beauty & style, parenting, health & fitness
and more. Additionally, the company has plans to build a
state-of-the-art video-production and photography facility, which
will include a kitchen studio to regularly produce original video
series and shows.
About GannettGannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is an
innovative, digitally focused media and marketing solutions company
committed to strengthening communities across our network. With an
unmatched local-to-national reach, Gannett touches the lives of
more than 110 million people monthly with our Pulitzer-Prize
winning content, consumer experiences and benefits, and advertiser
products and services. Gannett brands include USA TODAY NETWORK
with the iconic USA TODAY and more than 100 local media brands,
digital marketing services companies ReachLocal and SweetIQ, and
U.K. media company Newsquest. To connect with us, visit
www.gannett.com.
About Grateful VenturesGrateful Ventures
(www.grateful.ventures) is an online media and publishing company,
focusing on building content and monetization strategies for high
value domains. Grateful Ventures was founded on the principle of
“good people doing good” and has committed to promoting gratitude,
giving, education and empowerment through creative charitable and
service projects.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171004005449/en/
For investor inquiries:Gannett Co., Inc.Stacy Cunningham,
703-854-3168VP, Financial Planning &
Analysisinvestors@gannett.comorThe Blueshirt GroupJonathan
Schafferinvestors@gannett.comorFor media inquiries:Stephanie
TackachDirector, Corporate Communications &
PRStackach@gannett.com
New Gannett (NYSE:GCI)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
New Gannett (NYSE:GCI)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024