Sports Reporter - University of Michigan
Req #25556
Our current portfolio of media assets includes USA TODAY, local media organizations in 46 states in the U.S., and Newsquest, a wholly owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom with more than 120 local news media brands. Gannett also owns the digital marketing services companies ReachLocal, Inc., UpCurve, Inc., and WordStream, Inc., which are marketed under the LOCALiQ brand, and runs the largest media-owned events business in the U.S., USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures.
To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com.
Sports Reporter - University of Michigan
The Detroit Free Press/freep.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a champion journalist to cover primarily University of Michigan football and men’s basketball.
Detroit boasts a robust college audience that reaches more than 50 million readers annually, and a huge portion of that comes from our coverage of the Wolverines’ hallmark sports.
The ideal candidate will be the leading writer, reporter and voice for U-M sports for Gannett, with special emphasis on revelatory enterprise and giving our audience news, information and analysis on the maize and blue.
In all, the best person for the job will use their sharp journalistic edge to draw readers to freep.com and engage a national audience.
The writer will be effective reach audience on multiple channels, be it social media (especially Twitter, Facebook and Reddit), possible podcasts (hosted by themselves or other opportunities) other cutting-edge platforms. There will also be additional responsibilities in helping lead our coverage for other Wolverine teams, when necessary.
We are looking for someone with a nose for news and the know-how to present that news to readers across out platforms, in print, on screens and in ears.
We need someone raring to make our coverage better with impactful and provocative enterprise and who wants to be part of a winning team. There is no ambition too big for this role.
Responsibilities:
- Produce content in a variety of formats that connects with readers and grows our audience and digital subscriptions.
- Break news quickly in a competitive market.
- Establish themselves as an authority on the athletes and the program they cover.
- Engage and interact with Michigan sports fans on social media and use those platforms to help reach potential readers.
- Develop sources for deeper dives into important topics and issues related to the beat.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least 5 years of reporting/editing experience.
- Proficiency building a brand on social media.
- Effective communicator; able to get along with diverse personalities.
- Able to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing industry.
- Knows how to use time efficiently in a 24-hour newsroom.
- Works collaboratively within a cross-functional environment.
- Deep understanding of and curiosity about competition for our customers’ time and money.
- Self-motivation and self-direction.
- Applies innovative, creative thinking to support Free Press goals.
- Writing, spelling, grammar, AP and local style.
- Command of media law and Principles of Ethical Conduct.
- This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
- Employment is contingent on passing a post-offer pre-employment background check, motor vehicle record check & drug screen.
How to Apply:
We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:
- Your updated current resume – one to two pages.
- A cover letter that outlines your interest in the position and how you would approach the job.
- Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.
It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.
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Other details
- Job Family UNION
- Job Function Consumer
- Pay Type Salary
- Required Education Equivalent Experience