Larry Kramer named publisher of USA Today

[May 15, 2012]  MCLEAN, Va. (AP) -- Gannett Co. has named media industry veteran Larry Kramer as USA Today's new president and publisher.

Kramer is replacing David Hunke, who announced last month that he will become chairman of the newspaper until September, when he retires.

Kramer, 62, has four decades of experience in the media industry, much of it developing online publications. He was founding president of CBS Digital Media and helped create the financial news site MarketWatch.com, which is now part of News Corp. Earlier, Kramer worked at the San Francisco Examiner and The Washington Post.

Gannett said Kramer's task will be to develop and execute a strategy for the newspaper as it transitions to the digital age. Like many other newspapers, USA Today has been trying to boost revenue from its digital operations.

Gannett didn't offer specifics in Monday's announcement, but it has said it plans to expand its USA Today sports media group and relaunch the company's online, mobile and tablet products. Kramer's job will include overseeing USA Today's Reviewed.com website, which publishes reviews on consumer products.

USA Today has the nation's second-highest circulation, at 1.8 million, roughly the same as a year earlier.

[Associated Press]

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