Audience Producer

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE : GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a scalable, growth‑focused media and digital marketing solutions company. We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve. Our portfolio includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprising the national publication USA TODAY and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly‑owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. We also operate the digital marketing solutions brand LocaliQ and the events division USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures.

The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an Audience Producer to join our audience engagement team. The ideal candidate has experience creating and optimizing visual content for social media, can connect journalism ranging from breaking news to enterprise investigations with audiences across visual‑first platforms, and enjoys brainstorming creative, data‑informed engagement tactics for new and existing platforms.

This role focuses heavily on Instagram, TikTok, and other emerging video‑first or community platforms to reach new and underserved audiences. The position will involve creating vertical videos, scroll‑stopping social cards, and innovative audience engagement plans, building loyalty and strengthening brand consistency. Candidates should have a strong sense of what resonates on each platform, be a clear communicator, and be comfortable explaining strategy and advocating best practices across the newsroom.

Responsibilities

Help manage and develop growth strategy for azcentral’s social media accounts, including emerging video‑driven platforms.

Lead initiatives to reach younger and underserved audiences through innovative, visual‑first storytelling.

Pitch, produce, and edit vertical video content.

Create and guide Instagram design decisions that strengthen brand consistency and engagement.

Collaborate with reporters, editors, and visual teams on rollout plans for enterprise and investigative projects.

Monitor platform trends, algorithm updates, and audience behaviors to inform strategy.

Brainstorm and pitch audience engagement initiatives and experiments that include user‑generated content and interactive formats.

Communicate performance insights and platform best practices clearly across teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism, or related field, or equivalent experience.

At least 1–3 years’ experience managing social media for a news organization.

Demonstrated expertise in vertical video production and visual editing for social platforms.

Strong eye for design and storytelling through Instagram carousels and social cards.

Experience with Adobe Premiere, Cap Cut, or similar video editing tools.

Familiarity with analytics and social management tools such as Social News Desk, True Anthem, Parse.ly, or Meta Business Suite.

Proven ability to communicate ideas clearly and work collaboratively across newsroom teams.

Experience with TikTok, Instagram Reels, Pinterest, Threads, Reddit, and other emerging platforms.

Application Instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order :

Your resume (one to two pages)

A cover letter outlining your approach to the role

Links to 3–5 examples of digital storytelling, vertical videos, or social graphics that best reflect your work

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

Gannett Co., Inc. is a proud equal‑opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws in the jurisdictions where Gannett employs employees. We will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and / or any other process in connection with an individual’s application for employment with Gannett Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact the Recruitment Department at Recruit@gannett.com.

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