tronc Announces National Digital Strategy

CHICAGO, Feb. 07, 2018 -- With an enhanced balance sheet following the sale of the California News Group, tronc, Inc. is embarking on a national digital growth strategy through its newly reorganized Tribune Interactive division, which will operate the digital functions of the company, as well as pursue strategic growth investments and acquisitions, such as its newly announced majority ownership in high growth consumer reviews and e-commerce company, BestReviews. 

Tribune Interactive (TI) will be the home to tronc’s digital assets and functions, including product development and engineering; digital subscriptions and marketing; the studios unit which is responsible for video, audio, and new content formats; national digital sales; and, digital corporate and business development. TI will also include syndication unit TCA and recently acquired, The Daily Meal.  TI will launch, partner with, invest in and acquire digital businesses and accelerate growth of new digital and diversified revenue streams. The group will also continue to develop and distribute national digital content to each of the brands within tronc, as well as across affiliated web and mobile properties, partners and social platforms.

TI will be led by newly reinstated executive Ross Levinsohn as CEO.  Mickie Rosen will serve as President and Lewis D'Vorkin as Chief Content Officer, joined by Ben Gerst, as Chief Technology Officer; Mark Campbell, leading digital subscriptions and marketing; and, Rob Angel, leading corporate and business development. Following an independent investigation and a report to the Board of Directors finding no wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Levinsohn, the Board determined to reinstate Mr. Levinsohn and appoint him Chief Executive Officer of Tribune Interactive, LLC. Tribune Interactive will be based in Chicago, with offices in New York and Los Angeles, and will report to tronc, Inc. CEO Justin Dearborn.

“We are excited to continue to build the future of the company through product and digital content innovations and distribution initiatives, as well as strategic partnerships and acquisitions to accelerate growth,” said Dearborn.  “We are pleased that Ross will be back to work.  We have great confidence in him and the team to deliver value for our shareholders through growing digital audiences for our award-winning journalism, new creative content and product initiatives, and growing digital and diversified revenue streams.”

About tronc, Inc.
tronc, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRNC) is a media company rooted in award-winning journalism.  Headquartered in Chicago, tronc operates newsrooms in 8 markets with titles including the Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News, The Baltimore Sun, Orlando Sentinel, South Florida's Sun-Sentinel, Daily Press, The Morning Call of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Hartford Courant.  Our legacy of brands has earned a combined 57 Pulitzer Prizes and is committed to informing, inspiring and engaging local communities.

Our brands create and distribute content across our media portfolio, offering integrated marketing, media and business services to consumers and advertisers, including digital solutions and advertising opportunities.

Contacts:

Media Relations:
tronc
Marisa Kollias
312.222.3308
[email protected]

Investor Relations:
tronc
Aaron Miles
312.222.4345
[email protected]