Columnist/Sports

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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.

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The Commercial Appeal/commercialappeal.com seeks a sports columnist. Memphis is a vibrant sports city with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis with men's basketball coach Penny Hardaway and a football team expected to earn a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff. And that's just some of the highlights. We're looking for someone to tell stories about the people who make the sports fabric of Memphis. You will be the voice of the sports section and in many cases the voice of the Commercial Appeal.

Responsibilities:

• Create smart, thoughtful, engaging, sophisticated content in a variety of formats on Memphis and regional sports to help grow audience. The focus will be on professional and college sports, but also state-wide and national topics that help readers understand the sports world. Urgency – the ability to react quickly to events – will be crucial.
• Provide leadership on developing audiences on Facebook, Instagram and emerging social platforms.
• Display creativity in everything from developing column ideas to writing SEO-friendly headlines to sharing content socially to having an eye for images and video.
• Be among the strongest reporters and storytellers in our newsroom, able to write quickly and with voice, and also bring a sense of fun to the job.
• Be comfortable appearing on camera and in front of a crowd.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong social media skills.
• Ability to work well on deadline.
• Ability to write with accuracy and precision.
• Excellent communication and time-management skills.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.  

Application Instructions   

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: 

1. Your resume – one to two pages. 
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job. 
3. Links to no more than three published stories, writing samples. 

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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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 [email protected].