Associate Video Producer

Gannett Co; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

USA TODAY seeks an Associate Producer, Visual Content to join its national photo and video team. The role blends content programming, AI-assisted video production, and visual storytelling focused on entertainment, red carpet moments, celebrity interviews, and trending topics.

You will create, optimize, and distribute visual content across platforms, drive audience growth and revenue, and utilize AI-powered platforms for scalable workflows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, digital media or related field.
• 2-5 years of newsroom, digital media, content production, audience engagement, or visual storytelling experience for an entertainment news publisher or brand.
• Experience programming content and producing video for digital platforms.
• Strong understanding of SEO, audience development, analytics, and content optimization.
• Experience with analytics tools such as Parse.ly and Google Analytics.
• Excellent headline writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Strong news judgment, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Knowledge of AP Style.
• Comfortable working independently in a remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Program and optimize visual content across USA TODAY and Network sites, mobile apps, articles, playlists, galleries, and social platforms.
• Serve as a centralized programming resource with real-time editorial decisions to maximize audience engagement.
• Monitor analytics using Parse.ly and Google Analytics to inform programming strategy.
• Monitor real-time entertainment trends to identify opportunities and adjust content strategy.
• Write compelling headlines, metadata, descriptions, and promotional copy optimized for SEO and audience growth.
• Distribute and manage content from in-house and third-party sources while ensuring rights compliance.
• Manage automated and third-party video feeds, playlists, and related content experiences.

Skills

SEO

Analytics

Headlines

Communication

Editorial judgment

Deadlines

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, digital media or related field

Tools

Parse.ly

Google Analytics

Adobe Premiere

Photoshop

Job description

USA TODAY is seeking an Associate Producer, Visual Content to join its national photo and video team. This role combines content programming, AI-assisted video production, and visual storytelling through galleries and playlists. This role will be specifically focused on USA TODAY's entertainment vertical and will play a critical role in identifying and covering red carpet moments, celebrity interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and viral entertainment trends. We're looking for a digital-first journalist who understands audience behavior, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and can create, optimize, and distribute visual content across platforms. This role will help drive audience growth, engagement, and revenue through strategic programming and scalable content production using AI-powered platforms and tools.

Content Programming & Distribution

• Program and optimize visual content across USA TODAY, Network sites, mobile apps, articles, playlists, galleries, and social platforms.
• Serve as a centralized programming resource, making real-time editorial decisions to maximize audience engagement and content performance.
• Monitor analytics using tools such as Parse.ly and Google Analytics to inform programming strategy.
• Monitor real-time analytics and entertainment trends to identify visual opportunities and adjust content strategy accordingly.
• Write compelling headlines, metadata, descriptions, and promotional copy optimized for SEO and audience growth.
• Identify, source, and distribute the most relevant in-house, third-party, and publicly available content while ensuring editorial quality and rights compliance.
• Manage automated and third-party video feeds, playlists, and related content experiences.

AI-Assisted Video Production

• Serve as the national hub for AI-assisted video creation using platforms such as Stringr, Wochit, and future automation tools.
• Produce high-volume short-form video content for breaking news, service journalism, entertainment, sports, obituaries, trending topics, and high-interest local stories.
• Create vertical video optimized for platforms including TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook, and YouTube Shorts.
• Repurpose automated and AI-generated content for owned and social platforms.
• Fulfill newsroom video requests and support priority local markets and network editorial initiatives

Visual Curation

• Create and curate entertainment photo galleries that capture the emotion, artistry, and defining moments of celebrities, events, and fan culture.
• Program visual experiences into articles, section fronts, and promotional placements across the Network.
• Source and manage visual assets from the USA TODAY Network, wire services, and approved third-party providers.

Editorial Collaboration

• Maintain high standards for editorial quality, accuracy, and brand consistency.
• Collaborate with local and national newsroom teams on coverage planning, major events, and visual storytelling opportunities.
• Support the USA TODAY Network by answering questions, troubleshooting workflows, and sharing best practices.
• Develop training materials and assist with newsroom education initiatives related to video production, programming, galleries, playlists, and AI-powered workflows.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent delivery of high-quality visual content across video, galleries, playlists, and promotional experiences.
• Growth in audience engagement metrics, including views, watch time, click-through rates, article engagement, and content consumption.
• Increased adoption of AI-assisted production workflows that improve newsroom efficiency while maintaining quality standards.
• Strong content discoverability through strategic programming, SEO optimization, and effective distribution tactics.
• Successful support of major news, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, and breaking news coverage initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, digital media or related field.
• 2-5 years of newsroom, digital media, content production, audience engagement, or visual storytelling experience for an entertainment news publisher or brand.
• Experience programming content and producing video for digital platforms.
• Strong understanding of SEO, audience development, analytics, and content optimization.
• Experience with analytics tools such as Parse.ly and Google Analytics.
• Excellent headline writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Strong news judgment, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Knowledge of AP Style.
• Comfortable working independently in a remote environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Stringr, Wochit, True Anthem, or similar platforms.
• Experience creating photo galleries, playlists, and audience-focused visual experiences.
• Familiarity with Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, Canva, or similar editing tools.
• Experience using AI tools for content creation, automation, and audience optimization.
• Knowledge of video rights management and content licensing.
• Experience producing content for social and mobile-first platforms.

Who You Are

• A digital-first storyteller with strong audience instincts.
• Obsessed with celebrities, movies, music, Hollywood, red carpets, and trending moments.
• Equal parts programmer, producer, and visual curator.
• Passionate about analytics, optimization, and content performance.
• Curious about AI and emerging newsroom technologies.
• Organized, collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working at scale.

Schedule

This role requires flexibility, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and breaking-news coverage as needed.

The hourly rate for this role will range between $$24.28 and $37.94. Variable incentive compensation, including commissions, is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, education level, location, and union representation, if applicable