MCLEAN, Va., July 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) today named Jason Taylor president and publisher of The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, MS. Taylor will also serve as U.S. Community Publishing (USCP) East Group regional president, where he will oversee the Hattiesburg (MS) American and Montgomery (AL) Advertiser, in addition to The Clarion-Ledger. Taylor succeeds Leslie Hurst, who is retiring at the end of the month.
"Jason is a proven leader with sustained advertising and marketing success throughout his career," said Robert Dickey, Gannett's USCP president. "He will be a great addition to the Jackson community and will continue to build upon the accomplishments achieved by Leslie during her distinguished career."
Hurst has spent nearly 30 years with Gannett. She started her career in 1987 as marketing services director for The Times in Shreveport, LA. Over her tenure, she has worked in nine markets and served as president and publisher of Gannett media organizations in Hattiesburg, MS, Huntington, WV, Boise, ID, Lansing, MI and Lafayette/Opelousas, LA.
"Leslie's career with Gannett has taken her across the country. While her address may have changed, her results never did," said Dickey. "She was a consistent bright spot within the company, highlighted by her multiple Gannett President's Ring awards for outstanding performance."
Taylor comes to The Clarion-Ledger from the Chattanooga (TN) Times Free Press, where he served as president. During his time in Chattanooga, the Times Free Press saw increased circulation and sales revenues. Prior to the Times Free Press, he was advertising director and senior vice president of sales and marketing for The Honolulu (HI) Advertiser, which at the time was a Gannett property. He has also served as general manager for The Times in Gainesville, GA. Taylor got his start at Gannett's The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, TN, where he served in numerous roles including director of sales and marketing.
Taylor is married with three children.
About Gannett
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is an international media and marketing solutions company that informs and engages more than 110 million people every month through its powerful network of broadcast, digital, mobile and publishing properties. Our portfolio of trusted brands offers marketers unmatched local-to-national reach and customizable, innovative marketing solutions across any platform. Gannett is committed to connecting people – and the companies who want to reach them – with their interests and communities. For more information, visit www.gannett.com.
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