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Michael Safran Named Senior Vice President of Sales For USA TODAY

Monday 15. October 2012 - Michael Safran has been named senior vice president of sales for USA TODAY, Mary Murcko, Gannett's president of National Sales, announced today. He is responsible for the overall leadership of USA TODAY's national advertising sales strategy. Safran will join USA TODAY on October 22.

“We are delighted to have Michael join the USA TODAY team,” said Murcko. “He is a proven executive with a respected background in cultivating key advertising partnerships with national clients. With his extensive experience in media sales and his firm understanding of the needs of the USA TODAY brand, I know Michael will be a tremendous asset to the National Sales team.”
Prior to joining Gannett, Safran served as associate publisher of Time. Earlier in his career, he held several sales leadership positions with Sports Illustrated including national sales director and New York advertising director.
“I am excited about the opportunity to lead the USA TODAY sales team, particularly at this very important moment in the company’s history,” said Safran. “With the launch of USA TODAY’s re-imagined products we have an exciting new suite of products to offer our customers. I look forward to helping USA TODAY continue to grow by bringing its innovative products to even more advertisers.”
Safran earned his bachelor’s degree in political science at University of Rochester in New York. He is on the board of directors for the International Advertising Association.