Payne Named Gannett’s Chief Digital Officer

David A. Payne has been named senior vice president and chief digital officer of Gannett Co. Payne will also be a member of the Gannett Management Committee.

Payne joins Gannett from ShortTail Media Inc., where he was president and CEO of the video ad technology start-up he co-founded in 2008. From 2004 to 2008 he was SVP-GM of CNN.com, which produced and distributed all of CNN’s digital services, including CNN.com, CNN Mobile, CNN.com Live, and CNN Video on Demand.

Gannett has hundreds of newspaper, TV and national websites that reach 52 million unique users monthly, or about 24% of the Internet audience, as measured by comScore Media Metrix. The company’s digital portfolio includes PointRoll, the industry leader in rich media advertising, and ShopLocal, its retail division and leader in multichannel shopping and advertising services. The company says its digital business has grown 44% in the last two years and, with revenue of almost $1 billion, makes up 18% of Gannett’s total revenue.

“David has an incredible track record developing and leading digital operations in the media industry,” said Gracia C. Martore, Gannett president-COO. “He has tremendous digital content and advertising experience and understands media distribution, sales and marketing. He clearly has his finger on the pulse of what consumers and advertisers want in today’s digital world.”

During his career at Turner Broadcasting, Payne also served as SVP of business operations and development at CNN (2001-04); SVP-GM of CNN/Sports Illustrated Interactive (2000-01); VP of legal and business affairs for Turner Sports and VP and team counsel for Turner Sports Teams (1994-2000); and as counsel for Turner Entertainment Group (1993-94).

Prior to joining Turner, Payne was an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington; an associate of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Washington; and a producer and weekend assignment editor at KUTV Salt Lake City.

He holds a law degree from Duke University School of Law (JD with honors), and received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree, cum laude, in public policy studies, from Duke University.