Interactive Account Executive, Video, Audio, and Casual Gaming | Puzzle Verticals

Gannett Co., Inc.; Dallas (TX); Remote; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Gannett Co., Inc. is seeking an Interactive Account Executive to drive significant revenue through strategic partnerships in multimedia sales. This role involves closing high-value deals in video and audio content, managing client relationships, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve ambitious growth targets. The position offers competitive compensation, a supportive team culture, and the opportunity to shape the future of interactive media.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Opportunities for ongoing professional development

Qualifications

• Proven track record in closing multimillion-dollar deals.
• Established relationships with brand and agency contacts.
• Familiarity with branded content and digital media metrics.

Responsibilities

• Drive $5 million in revenue in the first year.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of brand partnerships.
• Collaborate with editorial and creative teams on proposals.

Skills

Sales Expertise

Negotiation Skills

Relationship Management

Analytical Skills

Tools

CRM Systems

Job description

Interactive Account Executive, Video, Audio, and Casual Gaming | Puzzle Verticals

Job Description

Posted Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 4:00 AM

|Current Gannett Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through OKTA|

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a scalable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve. Our current portfolio of trusted media brands includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, uses innovation and software to enable small and medium-sized businesses to grow, and USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, our events division, creates impactful consumer engagements, promotions, and races. Gannett open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at Gannett, you should be completing an application onGannett Careers viaDayforce .Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. To connect with us, visitwww.gannett.com

Interactive Account Executive - Video, Audio, and Casual Gaming | Puzzle Verticals

Location: Role is Remote with some travel. Can be located in any of these 7 key markets for consideration: Dallas, TX; San Francisco, CA; Miami, FL; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Washington, D.C.

About Us

We’re a major media organization operating a large network of news sites, including over 100 local newspapers, a unified national news platform, and dedicated sports and lifestyle channels. Our multimedia group, anchored by a portfolio of series, special projects, and daily content in news, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and more, drives millions of views and listens every month across our O&Os, YouTube, social channels, streaming, podcast, and emerging platforms.

We’re seeking a Interactive Sales Executive with a proven track record in closing high-value sponsorships and partnerships in video and audio to generate substantial revenue for our multimedia portfolio including our existing puzzle site and the broader forthcoming PLAY experience. Your success will help power flagship multimedia brands such as our good-news vertical Humankind, lifestyle video flagship Problem Solved, our expansive sports multimedia portfolio, expanding entertainment and lifestyle verticals, audio storytelling and series, and much more. Creating and scaling successful brand partnerships across social media will be a key area of focus in this role. Some of our multimedia brands have built large-scale, highly engaged social media audiences and we are seeking a sales leader to innovate in this space, creating significant revenue streams from our popular social series, while at the same time building on the success of direct-sold campaigns across our O&Os.

Role Overview

As our Interactive Account Executive, you will be responsible for driving $5 million in revenue in your first year—with a goal to double that in your second year—by securing strategic brand deals, sponsorships, and custom advertising programs. You’ll leverage your established industry relationships to partner with top-tier advertisers across Pharma, Financial Services, Automotive, Media, CPG, Technology & Telecom.

You’ll collaborate and ideate with editorial and creative multimedia team leaders and your success will directly impact the growth and profitability of our multimedia portfolio, a key pillar of long-term growth for our content division.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end sales cycle to achieve $5M in sponsorship revenue first year, doubling to $10M by year two.
• Identify, prospect, and cultivate relationships with key decision-makers across multiple verticals Pharma, Financial Services, Automotive, Media, CPG, Technology & Telecom.
• Build a robust pipeline of brand partnerships, premium sponsorships, and custom advertising packages for our multimedia portfolio.
• Strategic Partnership Development
• Develop compelling sponsorship opportunities leveraging the scale of our multimedia portfolio, especially video and audio, in verticals spanning news, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle.
• Collaborate with cross-functional content teams to craft integrated programs for both proactive, targeted pitches and RFP responses.
• Client Relationship Management
• Serve as the primary point of contact for brand partners, nurturing long-term relationships and maximizing recurring revenue streams.
• Conduct client-facing presentations, proposal development, and quarterly/annual business reviews to ensure partners see strong ROI.
• Managing complex sales cycles, including presentations, negotiations, and contract closures.
• Market & Product Insight
• Stay ahead of digital advertising trends, sponsor needs, and industry developments (especially in the digital video ecosystem including social media and influencer-style content-creator approaches)
• Develop data-motivated analysis and recommendations for quantifying opportunities.
• Feed back market intelligence to internal stakeholders, helping shape sponsorship packages, product enhancements, and editorial alignments.
• Performance Reporting & Forecasting
• Maintain accurate records of deal progress, revenue forecasts, and pipeline health in CRM systems.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on sales progress, insights on market demand, and recommended strategies to reach revenue targets.
• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Creative, and Operations teams to execute sold campaigns seamlessly.
• Understanding client needs while identifying and developing new business opportunities with major advertisers.
• Provide guidance or mentorship to junior sales or account managers who may support partnership activations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven Sales Track Record : 2+ years in digital media sales, sponsorship sales, or partnership development with a consistent record of closing high-value, multimillion-dollar deals.
• Industry Relationships : Established network of brand and agency contacts across Pharma, Financial Services, Automotive, Media, CPG, Technology & Telecom (additional verticals a plus).
• Strategic Selling & Negotiation : Demonstrated ability to build custom sponsorship solutions, negotiate large contracts, and influence C-level decision-makers.
• Revenue Accountability : Comfortable owning a $5M+ annual quota with the ambition and structure to double revenue by the second year.
• Digital Media Expertise : Familiarity with branded content, native advertising, integrated sponsorship packages, and performance metrics (CPM, CPA, brand lift).
• Strong Communication Skills : Exceptional presentation abilities, adept at creating proposals and delivering pitches.
• Analytical & Results-Driven : Competent using CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar), with data-oriented approaches to pipeline management.
• Team Player : Able to collaborate with internal product, editorial, and marketing teams to craft innovative solutions that delight advertisers and resonate with audiences. Bridges sales with product, editorial, and marketing teams to deliver advertiser solutions that align with audience engagement.
• Willingness to Travel: Ability to meet clients and attend industry events as needed (estimated 20-30% travel).

What We Offer

• High-Impact Opportunity : Spearhead major sponsorship deals for an established brand reaching over 140 million unique visitors monthly, with robust puzzle and gaming verticals poised for rapid expansion.
• Competitive Compensation : Base salary plus aggressive commission/bonus structure aligned with your revenue achievements.
• Growth Trajectory : Play an integral role in evolving our new PLAY experience, shaping strategic partnerships and influencing product innovation.
• Supportive Team Culture : Collaborate with passionate, forward-thinking colleagues in marketing, editorial, and product—focused on delivering engaging casual entertainment to a massive audience.
• Comprehensive Benefits : Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and opportunities for ongoing professional development.

Join us in powering the next big leap in interactive puzzles, casual gaming and video as our Interactive Account Executive and help shape a new era of audience engagement across our expansive media network!

The annualized base salary for this role will range between $70,000 and $80,000. Base compensation is reflective of many factors, including, but not limited to, the market in which one lives/works, individual education level, skills, certifications and experience. Note: variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable.

Gannett Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where Gannett employs employees. In addition, Gannett Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with Gannett Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact Gannett Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at [e-mail].