Gannett rebrands to USA Today Co.
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Gannett, the largest newspaper publisher in the U.S., is rebranding to USA Today Co. effective Nov. 18, the company said Tuesday.
Why it matters: The rebrand is meant to lean into the community focus of USA Today and help reinforce the company's reputation as nonpartisan. USA Today's network is comprised of more than 200 local news publications.
- "We are changing our name and rebranding to embrace our most notable masthead — which is committed to delivering fact-based news, unbiased coverage and essential content that meets audiences in the center," the company's CEO and chair Mike Reed said in a statement.
Zoom out: The rebrand comes as Gannett and other media companies face lawsuits and editorial pressure from the Trump administration.
- President Trump last year sued the Des Moines Register, which is owned by Gannett, and its top pollster, alleging "brazen election interference" and "fraud" over a poll the newspaper published showing Trump on track to lose Iowa in the 2024 presidential election.
Between the lines: In a statement, Gannett emphasized the rebrand coincides with the launch of USA Today's "USA 250" editorial initiative, which honors America's 250th birthday.
- "Rooted in its founding as 'America's Newspaper,' the Company is a diversified media organization empowering and enriching communities across the country," it said.
Catch up quick: Gannett was founded in 1906 by Frank Gannett, who incorporated the company 17 years later after acquiring six newspapers across four upstate New York cities. It began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in 1969.
- The company underwent a slew of mergers over the next few decades, helping to scale its local footprint dramatically. It launched USA Today, a national newspaper, in 1982.
- In 2019, Gannett merged with GateHouse Media, another large newspaper chain, to become the country's largest newspaper holding group.
- The company has spent the past six years drastically cutting costs and streamlining operations to focus on digital growth.
- The company said last week that, for the first time in its history, it expects more than half of its total revenue to come from digital next quarter.
What's next: The company's common stock will begin trading under the ticker symbol TDAY on the New York Stock Exchange on Nov. 18.
