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Gannett
Annual Report 2012

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FY2012 Annual Report · Gannett
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20 12  A NN UA L  RE P ORT

GANNETT CO., INC.  •  7950 JONES BRANCH DR., MCLEAN, VA 22107  •  WWW.GANNETT.COM

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B U I L D I N G   C O M M U N I T Y  T H R O U G H   C O N N E C T I O N

GH01AR2013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

2012 Financial Summary ..................... 1

Letter to Shareholders ........................ 2

Board of Directors ............................... 7

Company and Divisional Officers ........ 8

Photo Credits .................................... 90

Form 10-K

C O M PA N Y   P R O F I L E

Gannett is a leading international media 
and marketing solutions company, deliv-
ering best-in-class content and services 
across an integrated, multi-platform 
portfolio. It is committed to serving the 
greater good of the nation and the com-
munities it serves.

It is Gannett’s vast portfolio of iconic 

national brands, such as USA TODAY 
and CareerBuilder, as well as its unique 
local media organizations in more than 
100 communities across the U.S., which 
sets the company apart. Gannett provides 
consumers with the information they 
seek and connects them to their com-
munities of interest through multiple 
platforms including web sites, mobile  
and tablet products, print publications 
and TV stations. 
  Gannett’s understanding of its  
communities and its local market rela-
tionships, many of which have spanned 
decades, gives the company a strong 
advantage.  
  As a digital media leader, the com-
pany provides access to content on more 
than 400 local mobile and tablet products 
and leading applications for iPad, iPhone, 
Kindle and Android. Through key acquisi-

tions and partnerships, Gannett continues 
to accelerate its digital strategy.
  Gannett also helps businesses grow 
by providing marketing solutions that 
reach and engage their customers across 
the company’s diverse platforms. Gannett 
Digital Marketing Services serves as a 
one-stop shop for digital marketing  
services to help tens of thousands of 
small and medium-sized businesses use 
digital technology to more effectively 
reach their customers.
  Gannett’s properties cover a wide 
range of geographies, demographics and 
content areas, which combine to form a 
uniquely powerful and comprehensive 
portfolio of offerings for consumers and 
clients alike. 
  Gannett reaches 54.6 million unique 
visitors monthly or about 24.7% of the 
U.S. Internet audience via digital plat-
forms, including CareerBuilder.com, the 
nation’s top human capital solutions site, 
USATODAY.com, USA TODAY Sports 
Digital Properties and more than 100 
digital platforms affiliated with its local 
media organizations across the country. 
Gannett also provides its content through 
82 daily U.S. publications, including  

USA TODAY, a multi-platform news and 
information media company and the  
nation’s largest-selling daily print publi-
cation. The company publishes about  
480 magazines and other non-dailies 
including USA WEEKEND. 

Likewise, Gannett subsidiary News-

quest is one of the United Kingdom’s 
leading regional community news provid-
ers with 17 daily paid-for titles, more than 
200 weekly print products, magazines 
and trade publications, and a network of 
web sites. More than 9 million unique  
users access Newsquest’s network of 
news web sites each month.

In addition, the company operates 23 

television stations in 19 U.S. markets with 
a total market reach of nearly 21 million 
households, 18.1% of the U.S. popula-
tion. Each of these stations also operates 
locally oriented digital platforms offering 
news, entertainment and advertising 
content.  Through its Captivate subsidiary, 
which operates video screens in elevators 
of office buildings and select hotel lobbies 
across North America, the company’s 
broadcasting group delivers news, infor-
mation and advertising to a highly desir-
able demographic in key urban markets.

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SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

GANNETT STOCK
Gannett Co., Inc. shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol GCI. 
The company’s transfer agent and registrar is Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. General inquiries and 
requests for enrollment materials for the programs described below should be directed to 
Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 64854, St. Paul, MN 55164-0854 or by telephone at 
1-800-778-3299 or at www.wellsfargo.com/contactshareownerservices.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) provides Gannett shareholders the opportunity to 
purchase additional shares of the company’s common stock free of brokerage fees or service 
charges through automatic reinvestment of dividends and optional cash payments. Cash 
payments may range from a minimum of $10 to a maximum of $5,000 per month.

AUTOMATIC CASH INVESTMENT SERVICE FOR THE DRP
This service provides a convenient, no-cost method of having money automatically 
withdrawn from your checking or savings account each month and invested in Gannett stock 
through your DRP account.

THIS REPORT WAS WRITTEN 
AND PRODUCED BY EMPLOYEES 
OF GANNETT.

Vice President and Controller 
Teresa S. Gendron 

Assistant Controller 
Cam McClelland

Corporate Consolidations Team 
John Dalton
Dimeterice Ferguson
Suzanne Kuo
Lorraine Licayan
Mark Ramsey
Aisha Simpson
Eva Wrublesky

DIRECT DEPOSIT SERVICE
Gannett shareholders may have their quarterly dividends electronically credited to their 
checking or savings accounts on the payment date at no additional cost.

Director/Corporate 
Communications
Laura Dalton

ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of shareholders will be held at 10 a.m. (E.T.) Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at 
Gannett headquarters.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE   
We have posted on our web site (www.gannett.com) our principles of corporate governance, 
ethics policy and the charters for the audit, transformation, nominating and public 
responsibility and executive compensation committees of our board of directors, and we 
intend to post updates to these corporate governance materials promptly if any changes 
(including through any amendments or waivers of the ethics policy) are made. This site also 
provides access to our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and 
current reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC. Our chief executive officer and our chief 
financial officer have delivered, and we have filed with our 2012 Form 10-K, all certifications 
required by the rules of the SEC. Complete copies of our corporate governance materials and 
our Form 10-K may be obtained by writing our Secretary at our corporate headquarters.

In accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, our chief executive officer, 
has certified, without qualification, that such officer is not aware of any violation by Gannett 
of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
News and information about Gannett is available on our web site. Quarterly earnings infor-
mation will be available around the middle of April, July and October 2013. Shareholders 
who wish to contact the company directly about their Gannett stock should call Shareholder 
Services at Gannett headquarters, 703-854-6960.

Gannett Headquarters
7950 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA  22107
703-854-6000

Creative Director/Designer 
Michael Abernethy

Printing 
Action Printing, Fond du Lac, WI

PHOTO CREDITS:

Page 7: Directors’ photos by 
Stacey Wolf, Gannett and  
Gretchen Ortega. Martore by 
Ralph Alswang.

Photo credits for the Cover and  
Pages 2-5 can be found on  
Page 90 of the 10-K.

Printed on recycled paper. 

This report was printed using 
soy-based inks. The entire report 
contains 10% total recovered 
fiber/all post-consumer waste.

 
 
 
 
F I N A N C I A L   S U M M A R Y

Operating revenues, in millions

In thousands, except per share amounts

10                                                                                               $5439
11                                                                                            $5240
12                                                                                              $5353

Income from continuing operations attributable to Gannett Co., 
Inc. before asset impairment and other special items, in millions               

10                      
11                      
12                      

              $591 (1)
   $518 (1)
        $551 (1)

Income per diluted share from continuing operations before 
asset impairment and other special items       

10                           
11                           
12                           

              $2.44 (1)
   $2.13 (1)
          $2.33 (1)

Operating revenues .......................... 
Operating income   ........................... 
Income from continuing operations 
attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. ....... 
Income per share from continuing 
operations  – diluted  ........................ 
Income from continuing operations
attributable to Gannett Co., Inc.
before asset impairment and other 
special items (1) ............................... 
Income per diluted share from 
continuing operations before asset  
impairment and other charges (1) .... 

2012 

2011 

$ 5,353,197  $ 5,239,989 
$  789,755  $  830,791 

Change
2%
(5%)

$  424,280  $  458,748 

(8%)             

$ 

1.79  $ 

1.89 

 (5%)                        

$  551,061  $  518,193 

6%            

$ 

2.33  $ 

2.13 

 9%

91,874  $ 

(10%)
(20%)
(19%)     
(4%)            
 27%          
1%
233%

$  697,994  $  775,261 
$  138,204  $  173,608 
$ 1,432,100  $ 1,760,363 
$ 6,379,886  $ 6,616,450 
$ 
72,451 
$ 2,350,614  $ 2,327,891 
0.24 
$ 

Free cash flow (2) ............................. 
Working capital ................................ 
Long-term debt  ............................... 
Total assets ....................................... 
Capital expenditures  ....................... 
Shareholders’ equity......................... 
Dividends declared per share  .......... 
Weighted average common
shares outstanding – diluted ............. 
(1)  Results for 2012 exclude pre-tax asset impairment and other special items 
of $178 million ($127 million after tax or $.54 per share). Results for 2011 
exclude pre-tax asset impairment and other special items of $146 million  
($59 million after tax or $.26 per share). Results for 2010 exclude pre-tax  
asset impairment and other special items of $71 million ($23 million after  
tax or $.10 per share). These charges are more fully discussed in the Manage-
ment’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Opera-
tions and the Consolidated Financial Statement sections of this report. 
(2)  See page 77 of Gannett’s Form 10-K for a reconciliation of free cash flow,  
a non-GAAP financial measure, to net cash flow from operating activities.

0.80  $ 

236,690 

242,768 

 —     

ANNUAL  1    REPORT

 
                             
 
                             
 
                             
 
   
            
 
   
            
 
   
            
 
           
 
 
L E T T E R   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S

Dear Fellow Shareholders:
Gannett had a terrific year in 2012.  
  With our 100-plus local media organizations, strong na-
tional brands and marketing solutions that scale from local 
to national and back again, we are uniquely positioned to do 
what no other can.
  We have deep local market knowledge, trusted products, 
effective services, an expansive reach and a strong financial 
profile. For us, 2012 was a year of effectively leveraging all of 
our advantages and launching a bold new strategy to redefine 
Gannett from the inside out. 
  With the Board of Directors’ support and our employees’ tena-
cious resolve, we are on the offense at Gannett. We are leaning 
into our challenges and transforming them into opportunities.
  While we expect 2013 to be a challenging year when com-
pared to 2012, it will be just as important as we continue to suc-
cessfully follow through and execute on what we started. We 
are confident that our efforts will continue to strengthen our 
market position and lead to a stronger future.

In 2012:

•	 We	achieved	our	first	year-over-year	company-wide	revenue	

growth since 2006;

•	 We	strengthened	and	differentiated	our	U.S.	Community	
Publishing platform through the launch of the all-access 
content subscription model, which drove circulation rev-
enue increases for the first time since 2006. We are meeting 
or exceeding our revenue and operating profit goals;

•	 Our	Broadcasting	segment	had	its	best	year	in	history	and	

took market share, with most stations gaining position in 
their markets; 

•	 Total	digital	revenue	across	Gannett	increased	19	percent	

and represented almost 25 percent of total revenue. We also  
funded nearly $75 million in strategic product, platform  
and efficiency initiatives.

	 Our	clear	sense	of	purpose	is	at	our	core	and	helps	guide	
what we do. Each of our media organizations fosters con-
nections among friends and neighbors, schools and students, 
voters	and	politicians,	consumers	and	businesses.	The	more	
trusted connections we build, the stronger our communities 
grow. We are a company that is committed to working for the 
greater good of the communities we serve – a commitment that 
never wavers – as we embrace our new blueprint for growth as 
a digital media company.

In February 2012, we laid out our plan to return Gannett to 

sustainable revenue growth and increased profitability while 
positioning the company for expansion in the digital era. 
  We are happy to report that our comprehensive strategy to 
leverage our powerful local brands, national scale and financial 
strength is working and we are once again gaining momentum. 
In 2012, through the combination of a 150% increase in our 

annual dividend to $.80 per share and the accelerated share 
repurchase program that we announced in February, we paid 
more than $158 million in dividends to shareholders and 

ANNUAL  2    REPORT

 
 
 
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY 
INSPIRES MILLIONS TO VOLUNTEER

For more than 20 years, USA WEEKEND’s Make A Difference Day 
has inspired millions of Americans each year to volunteer in their 
communities.  Last fall marked the first time all Gannett markets 
organized volunteer projects and led employ-
ees in service to their communities. A total 
of 136 Gannett-led efforts were organized 
nationwide involving nearly 27,000 employees 
and community members, helping an esti-
mated 478,000 people. The Gannett Founda-
tion provided grants to each unit to partner 
with local nonprofits.  

Among the efforts:
•  Detroit Free Press employees 
were among more than 550 
volunteers and 100 skilled 
workers who boarded up  
185 dangerous vacant homes 
on the city’s west side.
•  In Annandale, VA, 120 

volunteers, including staff 
from Gannett corporate, USA 
TODAY, WUSA-TV and Gan-
nett Healthcare Group painted 
classrooms, constructed play-
grounds and sandboxes and 
landscaped the ACCA Child 
Development Center, which 
serves disadvantaged children.

•  In Atlanta, WXIA 11Alive em-
ployees joined 350 HandsOn 
Atlanta volunteers who fanned 
out to 11 sites across the 

city. Among the good deeds: 
delivering meals to the sick, 
building a community garden 
and tutoring disadvantaged 
kids.

•  In the Cincinnati area, more 
than 70 Enquirer Media 
employees worked on four 
Habitat for Humanity homes 
under construction.

•  In Palm Springs, The Desert 
Sun partnered with Klein  
Clark Sports for the 27th  
Annual Palm Springs Tram 
Road Challenge. Desert Sun 
staffers were among the 1,500 
volunteers with proceeds 
benefiting the 21-member 
agencies of the United Way  
of the Desert.

purchased approximately 10.3 million shares for $154 million. 
This	was	only	the	first	installment	on	our	plan	to	return	a	total	
of approximately $1.3 billion in capital to shareholders by 
2015. In 2012, we produced a total return to shareholders of 
41%	compared	to	16%	for	the	S&P	500	overall.	
	 Our	operating	revenues	totaled	$5.4	billion	in	2012,	an	
increase	of	over	2	percent	from	2011.	This	represented	our	 
first year-over-year revenue increase since 2006. Revenue  
from digital businesses and offerings company-wide reached 
$1.3 billion, a record, or nearly 25 percent of total revenue. 
Profitability was up as well, with net income attributable to 
Gannett excluding special items up 6.3 percent. Non-GAAP 
earnings per diluted share for the full year totaled $2.33, an 
increase	of	over	9	percent	from	2011.	
  We continue to make significant progress on a broad range 
of initiatives that are bringing our strategy to life – even as we 
deliver on our promise to return more value to shareholders.

GROWTH STRATEGY
Our	growth	strategy	is	aimed	at	achieving	three	main	objectives: 
•	 Enhance	our	local	core	news	and	marketing	businesses;
•	 Leverage	our	hometown	and	brand	advantages	and	 

accelerate growth by entering into or expanding high 
growth businesses;

•	 Continue	to	optimize	our	assets	and	maintain	a	strong	
financial profile to fund our growth while delivering  
increased shareholder value. 

  We are implementing this strategy through an ambitious, 
aggressive but attainable plan to achieve long-term revenue and 
margin goals while transforming Gannett into a digital power-
house.	The	plan	is	built	upon	unique	Gannett	advantages,	includ-
ing our position as a trusted source of relevant, reliable, valued 
news and information in our markets and the close working 
relationships we have with more than 150,000 small to medium- 
sized businesses. We also are leveraging our strong financial 
position, which is the result of many years of prudent financial 
stewardship. Maintaining a strong balance sheet and appropri-
ately and carefully allocating our investment dollars are Gannett 
hallmarks that remain fundamental to our approach.

KEY INITIATIVES AND BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
Since	announcing	our	new	strategy	and	capital	allocation	plan,	
we have moved quickly on many fronts and made excellent 
progress across all areas of our business.  
  We created an integrated national sales organization in 
2012 to fully leverage our local-to-national reach. Gannett has 
a	unique	offering	when	our	national	brands	like	USA	TODAY	
and	USA	WEEKEND	are	combined	with	our	100-plus	local	
brands.	The	organization	is	committed	to	growing	national	
advertising revenues across Gannett’s robust publishing and 
digital businesses. 
	 One	of	our	major	strategic	initiatives	last	year	was	the	
rollout of our new all-access content subscription model in 
78 local domestic publishing markets on time, on plan and on 

ANNUAL  3    REPORT

L E T T E R   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S

budget.	This	program	makes	our	unique,	local,	high-quality	
content available when and how consumers want it, digitally or 
in	print.	The	subscription	trends	we	are	seeing	are	very	encour-
aging, including the growth of digital subscriptions. Nearly all 
the digital-only subscriptions are new, with about two-thirds 
coming from a mostly younger demographic that has never 
subscribed; another third are consumers whose subscrip-
tions have lapsed and now are coming back for our content. 
As a result of this successful rollout, circulation revenue grew 
company-wide for the first time in six years and resulted in 
$20 million of additional operating profit in 2012. We expect to 
generate an $80 million increase in operating profit in 2013.  
Through	Gannett	Digital	Marketing	Services	(GDMS),	we	
launched new and expanded offerings aimed at helping tens of 
thousands of small and medium-sized businesses in our markets 
use digital technology more efficiently and effectively to reach 
their	customers.	By	year’s	end,	we	completed	the	planned	GDMS	
rollout and were offering a robust suite of digital services in all 
of	our	publishing	and	broadcast	markets.	Our	offerings	range	
from	our	own	products	such	as	DealChicken,	an	online	coupon	
and special offers site, which tripled revenue in 2012 compared 
to 2011, to Internet advertising and social media optimization 
services. In the third quarter, we added new social engagement 
advertising and consumer loyalty applications through the ac-
quisitions	of	BLiNQ	Media	and	Mobestream	Media,	respectively.	
Our	GDMS	offerings	open	attractive	new	opportunities	in	a	fast-
growing business segment and enable us to deepen our long-

standing relationships with advertisers, who continue to look to 
us as a familiar, knowledgeable and trusted partner. In this first 
year	of	introducing	our	new	GDMS	offerings	and	services,	we	
are very pleased with our continued progress and the response 
we are getting from customers and advertisers. As we enter 2013, 
our	talented	GDMS	team	is	bringing	in	new	business	at	an	accel-
erated rate, customer satisfaction is high and repeat business is 
strong.	We	are	very	enthusiastic	about	GDMS’s	prospects	for	the	
coming years and see tremendous opportunity. We will continue 
to invest prudently in this initiative as well as look at acquisi-
tions to fill in product or capability gaps. 

In	September,	we	relaunched	our	iconic	USA	TODAY	brand	

as a multi-platform news and marketing company optimized 
for the digital era.  We built on the brand’s strong founda-
tion and developed a new brand identity that communicates 
a more modern, anywhere, anytime news leader that truly 
has its finger on the pulse of the nation. We put content front 
and	center,	invited	readers	to	“Join	the	Nation’s	Conversation”	
and	reinforced	to	our	audience	that	USA	TODAY	is	the	“go-to”	
news source for smart, concise, meaningful reporting with 
redesigned	print	and	web	products.	Results	of	this	“reimagined”	
USA	TODAY	prove	that	the	re-launched	products	and	brand	
are making a difference with our audiences across multiple 
platforms, and our advertisers have supported us with over 
100	digital	campaigns	since	September	2012.	In	fact,	in	2012	
USA	TODAY’s	app	made	the	list	of	top	10	most	downloaded	
free	news	apps	on	iTunes	and	received	“Best	User	Experience”	

ANNUAL  4    REPORT

 
	
GANNETT AND GREAT JOURNALISM

Gannett has a strong commitment to producing great journalism and as a result, 
consumers trust our brands. Our industry peers, too, recognize our good work.  
This year one of our own, Patti Dennis, vice president and news director at KUSA-TV 
in Denver, was named News Director of the Year by Broadcasting & Cable magazine. 
Her honor is well deserved, as were our other local, regional and national 

awards won by many of our media organizations and journalists. To highlight just 
some of our excellent work: Three of our media organizations – The Detroit Free 
Press, KARE-TV in Minneapolis-St. Paul and KUSA – won a total of four national  
2012 Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital 
News Association (RTNDA). USA TODAY won the prestigious 2013 
Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award, and USA TODAY, along with The 
Arizona Republic and the Burlington (VT) Free Press, were among 

finalists in the 2012 annual Pulitzer Prize competition. 
Other awards are highlighted on www.gannett.com. 

from	Digital	Hollywood.	USA	TODAY	also	was	named	“Mobile	
Publisher	of	the	Year”	by	Mobile	Marketer.	

In	addition	to	creating	those	USA	TODAY	award-winning	
tablet and mobile apps, Gannett Digital steamed ahead with its 
mobile team rolling out more than 200 other mobile products 
in 2012, including new iPad apps for our Gannett broadcast 
stations.
  During 2012, we also built out and streamlined our  
USA	TODAY	Sports	Media	Group	to	fully	leverage	one	of	the	
country’s strongest local and national sports news and infor-
mation franchises. As a result, Gannett digital sports platforms 
now attract on average more than 22 million unique visitors 
monthly and consistently rank among the top five digital 
sports	destinations.	Our	goal	is	to	have	some	35	million	unique	 
visitors per month by 2015, and have one of the industry’s most 
recognized and effective sports marketing platforms in place. 
In	the	U.K.,	Newsquest	has	done	a	great	job	of	managing	
in a challenging environment and it is looking at its own set 
of strategic initiatives that include focusing on growing digital 
advertising. 
	 Our	Broadcasting	division	delivered	its	best	year	in	history,	
punctuated by record revenues and profitability along with 
significant growth in market share. In total, Broadcasting con-
tributed operating income of approximately $444 million, an 
increase of 47 percent compared to 2011.

Its results were driven by a record level of political adver-
tising	revenue,	which	reached	$150	million	for	the	year.	Our	

TV	stations	earned	a	significant	increase	in	election-year	ad	
spending through effective inventory management, strong sta-
tion	ratings	and	a	very	good	footprint	in	key	states	like	Colo-
rado,	Florida,	Ohio	and	Virginia.	They	also	took	full	advantage	
of	record	viewership	of	the	2012	Summer	Olympics	and	a	new,	
locally focused sales strategy to achieve $37 million in bill-
ing, an increase of nearly 60 percent compared with the 2008 
Summer	Olympic	Games	in	Beijing.	Year-over-year	retransmis-
sion revenue increased by 21 percent and we expect it to be 
a significant contributor to results in 2013. Broadcasting also 
benefited from new digital products and capabilities. 
	 CareerBuilder,	our	industry-leading	online	recruiting	and	
employment information company, delivered another solid 
year of revenue and market share growth while expanding its 
reach in key international markets and adding important new 
capabilities.	CareerBuilder	continues	to	operate	the	largest	
job board in North America, attracting some 22 million unique 
visitors	each	month.	Internationally,	CareerBuilder	is	gaining	
momentum to be the leading franchise in key European, Asian 
and	South	American	markets.	Its	sites,	combined	with	partner-
ships	and	acquisitions,	give	CareerBuilder	a	presence	in	more	
than 60 markets worldwide. Its overseas operations grew by 
20	percent	year-over-year.	In	September,	CareerBuilder	made	
a bold move in the fast-growing online recruitment field by 
acquiring	Economic	Modeling	Specialists	Intl.	(EMSI),	an	eco-
nomic software firm specializing in gathering and interpreting 
large amounts of employment data and labor market analysis. 

ANNUAL  5    REPORT

	
	
 
 
L E T T E R   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S

Combining	this	unique	capability	with	its	global	platform	 
enables the company to deliver deeper, broader employment 
data and insight that will change the way companies recruit. 
The	EMSI	acquisition	builds	on	CareerBuilder’s	already	suc-
cessful Workforce Analytics offering.
  Gannett	Publishing	Services	(GPS),	initially	formed	in	2011,	
is an integrated nationwide business that now provides custom-
er	service,	pre-media	services	(photo	toning	and	ad	production	
for	both	digital	and	print),	printing	and	distribution	for	all	81	
local	U.S.	Community	Publishing	newspapers	and	USA	TODAY.	
In	2012,	its	first	full	year	of	operation,	GPS	leveraged	economies	
of scale and best-in-class processes to deliver significant cost 
savings as well as leveraged its assets to grow new revenue by 
providing services commercially to other publishers. 

2013 AND BEYOND
In 2012, Gannett embarked on a new course and moved 
quickly to put plans and investments into action to create 
one of the nation’s premier media and marketing solutions 
company for the digital era. For the first time in years, Gannett 
is playing offense, taking strategic steps to shape our future. 
We are convinced that when it comes to our communities, our 
investors and our employees, nothing is more important than 
our success in building a strong, profitable business driven by 
our sense of purpose.  
  We anticipate that the economy and changing industry con-
ditions will continue to present challenges in 2013. In addition, 

our extraordinary achievements in 2012 set a high bar, fueled 
by	expanding	our	political	and	Olympic	revenue	to	historical	
company proportions. But, we know that our plan is sound and 
we are confident in our ability to execute our strategy. We have 
an exceptional leadership team that is determined to move our 
transformation	forward	quickly.		Our	many	advantages	include	
our employees who are dedicated to ensuring that Gannett 
remains a vital resource for the millions of consumers and 
tens of thousands of advertisers who rely on us, and that we 
continue to be an important and positive presence in the com-
munities we serve. 
  Based on our successes in 2012, we are exceptionally well 
positioned to accomplish all we have set out to do and are fully 
committed to delivering increased value to our shareholders. 
We are confident we will succeed.

Marjorie Magner,

Chairman of the Board

Gracia Martore,

President and Chief Executive Officer

ANNUAL  6    REPORT

 
MAGNER

MARTORE

CODY

ELIAS

HARPER

LOUIS

MCCUNE

MCFARLAND

NESS

SHAPIRO

(a)  Member of Audit Committee.
(b)  Member of Transformation Committee.
(c)  Member of Executive Committee.
(d)  Member of Executive Compensation Committee.
(e)  Member of Nominating and Public Responsibility Committee.
(f)  Member of Gannett Leadership Team.

B O A R D   O F   D I R E C T O R S

MARJORIE MAGNER
Chairman,	Gannett	Co.,	Inc.	Managing	
partner, Brysam Global Partners, a private 
equity firm investing in financial services 
with a focus on consumer opportunities 
in emerging markets. Formerly:	Chairman	
and	CEO,	Citigroup’s	Global	Consumer	
Group. Other directorships: Accenture; 
Ally	Financial	Inc.	Age	63.	(a,c,d)

GRACIA C. MARTORE 
President and chief executive officer. 
Formerly: President and chief operating 
officer,	Gannett	Co.,	Inc.	(2010-2011);	
Executive vice president and chief finan-
cial	officer,	Gannett	Co.,	Inc.	(2006-2010);	
Senior	vice	president	and	chief	financial	
officer,	Gannett	Co.,	Inc.	(2003-2006).	
Other directorships: MeadWestvaco 
Corporation;	FM	Global.	Age	61.	(b,c,f)

JOHN E. CODY
Former executive vice president and chief 
operating officer of Broadcast Music, Inc. 
Other Directorship:	Tennessee	Performing	
Arts	Center.	Age	66.	(a,c)

DUNCAN M. MCFARLAND
Retired chairman and chief executive 
officer,	Wellington	Management	Company,	
LLP.	Other directorships:	NYSE	Euronext,	
Inc.;	and	The	Asia	Pacific	Fund,	Inc.,	a	
closed-end registered investment company 
traded	on	the	New	York	Stock	Exchange.	
Age	69.	(a,c,d)

SUSAN NESS 
Principal,	Susan	Ness	Strategies,	a	com-
munications policy consulting firm.
Other directorships: J. William Fulbright 
Foreign	Scholarship	Board;	Vital	Voices	
Global	Partnership.	Age	64.	(e)

NEAL SHAPIRO 
President and chief executive officer, 
WNET.org.	Other directorships and 
trusteeships:	American	Public		Television;	
Investigative	Reporters	and	Editors	(IRE);	
Investigative	News	Network	(INN);	the	
Board	of	Trustees,	Tufts	University	and	
the	alumni	board	of	Communications	and	
Media	Studies	program,	Tufts	University.	
Age	54.	(b,e)

HOWARD D. ELIAS
President and chief operating officer, 
Global	Enterprise	Services.	Formerly: 
President and chief operating officer,  
EMC	Information	Infrastructure	and	
Cloud	Services,	Executive	Office	of	the	
Chairman;	President,	EMC	Global	 
Services	and	Resource	Management	
Software	Group,	Executive	Vice	President,	
EMC	Corporation.	Age	55.	(b,d)

ARTHUR H. HARPER
Managing	partner,	GenNx360	Capital	
Partners, a private equity firm focused on 
business-to-business companies. Formerly: 
President	and	CEO	of	General	Electric’s	
Equipment	Services	division.	Other direc-
torship:	Monsanto	Company.	Age	57.	(d,e)

JOHN JEFFRY LOUIS
Co-founder	and	former	chairman,	Parson	
Capital	Corporation	(1992-2007).	Other 
directorships:	S.	C.	Johnson	&	Son,	Inc.;	
Johnson Financial Group, Inc.; and a 
commissioner	of	the	U.S./	U.K.	Fulbright	
Commission.	Age	50.	(a,b)

SCOTT K. MCCUNE
Vice	president,	Global	Partnerships	and	
Experiential	Marketing,	The	Coca-Cola	
Company.	Age	56.	(b,e)

ANNUAL  7    REPORT

•  Member of the Gannett Leadership Team.
 n  Member of the U. S. Community Publishing Operating Committee.
 u  Member of the Gannett Broadcasting Operating Committee.

C O M PA N Y   &   D I V I S I O N A L   O F F I C E R S

Gannett’s principal management group is 
the Gannett Leadership Team, which coor-
dinates overall management policies for the 
company. The U. S. Community Publishing 
Operating Committee oversees operations 
of the company’s U.S. Community Publish-
ing Division. The Gannett Broadcasting 
Operating Committee coordinates manage-
ment policies for the company’s Broadcast 
Division. The members of these groups are 
identified below.

The managers of the company’s vari-
ous local operating units enjoy substantial 
autonomy in local policy, operational details, 
news content and political endorsements.
     Gannett’s headquarters staff includes 
specialists who provide advice and assis-
tance to the company’s operating units in 
various phases of the company’s operations.
     Below is a listing of the officers of the 
company and the heads of its national 
and regional divisions. Officers serve for a 
term of one year and may be re-elected. 
Information about one officer who serves as 
a director (Gracia C. Martore) can be found 
on page 7.

Maryam Banikarim,	Senior	Vice	
President	and	Chief	Marketing	Officer.	
Age 44.•

Lynn Beall,	Executive	Vice	President,	
Gannett Broadcasting, and President 
and	General	Manager,	KSDK-TV,	
St.	Louis,	MO.	Age	52.u

William A. Behan,	Senior	Vice	President,	
Labor	Relations.	Age	54.•

Tom R. Cox,	Vice	President,	Corporate	
Development. Age 35.

Paul Davidson,	Chairman	and	Chief	
Executive	Officer,	Newsquest.	Age	58.•

Robert J. Dickey,	President,	U.S.	Com-
munity Publishing. Age 55.n•

Teresa S. Gendron,	Vice	President	and	
Controller.	Age	43.

Victoria D. Harker,	Chief	Financial	
Officer.	Age	48.•

Michael A. Hart,	Vice	President	and	 
Treasurer.	Age	67.

ANNUAL  8    REPORT

Larry S. Kramer, President and Publish-
er,	USA	TODAY.	Age	62.•

Kevin E. Lord,	Senior	Vice	President	
and	Chief	Human	Resources	Officer.	
Age 50.•

David T. Lougee, President, Gannett 
Broadcasting. Age 54.u•

Todd A. Mayman,	Senior	Vice	President,		
General	Counsel	and	Secretary.	Age	53.•

David A. Payne,	Senior	Vice	President	
and	Chief	Digital	Officer.	Age	50.•

Barbara W. Wall,	Vice	President	and	
Senior	Associate	General	Counsel.	
Age 58.

John A. Williams, President, Gannett 
Digital	Ventures.	Age	62.•

Jane Ann Wimbush,	Vice	President,	
Internal Audit. Age 62. 

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                     to                     

Commission file number 1-6961
GANNETT CO., INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia
(Address of principal executive offices)

16-0442930
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

22107-0910
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (703) 854-6000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
The New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Yes  

    No  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.     

Yes  

    No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to 
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    
Yes  

    No   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every 

Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) 
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 
Yes  

    No  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and 

will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by 
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K (Check box if no delinquent filers). 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a 
smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” 
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).     Yes  

    No  

The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the closing sales 
price of the registrant’s Common Stock as reported on The New York Stock Exchange on June 22, 2012, was $3,123,094,828. 
The registrant has no non-voting common equity.

As of February 3, 2013, 229,626,485 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The definitive proxy statement relating to the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 7, 2013, 

is incorporated by reference in Part III to the extent described therein.

 
 
 
Page

3

24

25

25

26

26

27

28

28

45

46

80

80

82

82

82

82

82

INDEX TO GANNETT CO., INC.
2012 FORM 10-K

Part I

Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Legal Proceedings.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part II

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities . . . . . . .

Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Item No.

1

1A.

1B.

2

3

4

5

6

7

7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8

9

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9A.

Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

11

12

13

14

15

Part III

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part IV

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

82

2

 
 
PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Company Profile

Gannett is a leading international media and marketing solutions 

company, delivering content and services across an integrated, 
multiplatform portfolio. 

As a digital media leader, the company provides access to 
content on many different platforms, provides digital marketing 
services to businesses that help them use digital technology more 
effectively, and provides Internet-based human resource solutions.
Gannett’s rich portfolio of iconic national brands, such as 
USA TODAY and CareerBuilder, as well as its unique local brands 
in more than 100 communities, set the company apart and provide a 
strong brand advantage. Gannett’s properties cover a wide range of 
geographies, demographics and content areas, which combine to 
form a uniquely powerful and comprehensive portfolio of offerings 
for consumers and commercial clients alike. 

Gannett’s connection to, and understanding of, its communities 

and its local market relationships – many of which have spanned 
decades – provide the company with strong advantages. 

Gannett provides consumers with the information they seek and 

connects them to their communities of interest through multiple 
platforms including web sites, mobile and tablet products, print 
publications and TV stations. Gannett helps businesses grow by 
providing marketing solutions that reach and engage their customers 
across the company’s diverse platforms.   

The company generates digital revenues through online content 

subscription fees and advertising in its various digital platforms 
including more than 130 publishing web sites, 21 TV web sites, the 
management of social engagement advertising campaigns and 
customer loyalty programs, a daily coupon and deal business, and 
online recruitment services. Gannett reaches 54.6 million unique 
visitors monthly or about 24.7% of the U.S. Internet audience, as 
measured in December 2012 by comScore Media Metrix, via web 
sites supported by industry-leading platforms, including 
CareerBuilder.com, the nation’s top human capital solutions site, 
USATODAY.com and USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties. 
Gannett also provides its content through 82 daily U.S. 
publications, including USA TODAY, a multi-platform news and 
information media company and the nation’s largest-selling daily 
print publication. In September 2012, USA TODAY celebrated its 
30th anniversary, re-launching a new print design format and 
enhanced digital platforms to provide fresh new ways of interacting 
with content. The company also publishes about 480 magazines and 
other non-dailies including USA WEEKEND. Likewise, Gannett 
subsidiary Newsquest is one of the United Kingdom’s leading 
regional community news providers with 17 daily paid-for titles, 
more than 200 weekly print products, magazines and trade 
publications, and a network of web sites. More than 9 million unique 
users access the Newsquest network of news web sites each month.
In addition, the company operates 23 television stations in 19 

U.S. markets with a total market reach of nearly 21 million 
households, 18.1% of the U.S. population. Each of these stations 
also operates locally oriented digital platforms offering news, 
entertainment and advertising content. Through its Captivate 
subsidiary, which operates video screens in elevators of office 
buildings and select hotel lobbies across North America, the 
company's broadcasting group delivers news, information and 
advertising to a highly desirable demographic in key urban markets. 

Many of the company’s digital offerings are tightly integrated 

within its existing infrastructure and publishing or broadcasting 
product offerings, and reported within the operating results of its 
Publishing and Broadcasting Segments. In addition, the company 
also separately reports a Digital Segment which includes stand-alone 
digital subsidiaries including CareerBuilder, ShopLocal, PointRoll 
and Reviewed.com. 

During 2012, CareerBuilder, the largest online job site in the 

U.S., continued to grow its reach domestically, expand 
internationally and enhance its product set. It has a presence in more 
than 60 markets worldwide, and a focus on technology solutions and 
niche sites.  In 2012, CareerBuilder acquired Economic Modeling 
Specialists Intl. (EMSI), which specializes in gathering and 
interpreting vast amounts of labor market data and employment 
information. The company believes that combining EMSI’s “Big 
Data” expertise with CareerBuilder’s leading practices and processes 
will enable CareerBuilder to deliver deeper and more targeted 
employment and labor market information to customers. During 
2012, CareerBuilder also continued to grow its global businesses 
with the acquisitions of Top Language Jobs in the U.K., the leading 
global online job site for multi-language jobs and candidates, and 
Ceviu, the leading information technology job board in Brazil.

PointRoll provides online advertisers with rich media marketing 

services. In October 2012, Gannett acquired Rovion, a rich-media 
advertising company whose primary product, Ad Composer, 
includes a self-service technology platform that enables the full 
development and deployment of rich media and mobile HTML5 ads 
by clients who do not have coding expertise. Rovion is being 
integrated into PointRoll’s operations and technology platform, 
which will be leveraged across the entire Gannett network to fulfill 
the needs of agencies and advertisers. In early 2011, Gannett 
acquired Reviewed.com, which operates a group of product-review 
web sites that provide comprehensive and comparative reviews for 
technology products such as digital cameras, camcorders and high-
definition televisions as well as household products and services.
Complementing its core Digital, Publishing and Broadcasting 
segments, the company has made significant strides accelerating its 
digital strategy through key investments and partnerships in the 
online space. These include a partnership investment in the highly 
successful Classified Ventures, which owns and operates the 
Cars.com and Apartments.com web sites. 

To enhance the company’s delivery of these products and 

platforms, Gannett reorganized its local marketing services efforts in 
late 2011 and created Gannett Digital Marketing Services (GDMS). 
GDMS provides a one-stop shop for digital marketing services to 
help tens of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses use 
digital technology to more effectively reach their customers. To 
further expand the scope of its digital marketing products and 
services, and continue to enhance its robust digital solutions product 
suite, Gannett acquired BLiNQ Media, which helps companies 
advertise and engage with consumers on Facebook and other social 
networks, and Mobestream Media, which, through its Key Ring 
application, provides a consumer loyalty mobile platform for all 
major types of smartphones.

Business Transformation and Initiatives:  2012 was a 

watershed year as Gannett launched a new strategic direction for the 
company. Gannett laid out a new strategy to return the company to 
sustainable revenue growth and increased profitability while 
positioning it for expansion in the digital era.  

3

The company’s growth strategy is aimed at achieving three main 

objectives: 

•  Enhance its local core news and marketing operations to make its 
local franchises stronger and its ties with the communities even 
deeper;

•  Leverage its hometown and brand advantages to accelerate 

growth by entering into or expanding high potential businesses;

•  Optimize its assets and maintain a strong financial profile to 

improve efficiency and effectiveness, allowing the company to 
self-fund growth while delivering increased shareholder value. 

The company also announced a new capital allocation plan, 
which aims to return over $1.3 billion to shareholders by 2015.  As 
part of that plan, the company increased the annual dividend by 
150% to $0.80 per share; and launched a new $300 million share 
repurchase program in February 2012. Against these targets, in 2012 
alone, through the combination of the increase in the company’s 
annual dividend and the new share repurchase program, Gannett 
paid more than $158 million in dividends to shareholders and 
repurchased approximately 10.3 million shares for $154 million. 

The company is implementing the growth strategy through a plan 

built to leverage Gannett advantages. These include the company’s 
long history of being a trusted source of relevant, reliable, valued 
news and information in its markets and the close working 
relationships the company has with more than 150,000 small to 
medium-sized businesses.  

To implement the strategy, Gannett is committed to revitalizing 
local and national news and information capabilities while enabling 
subscribers to access Gannett content across a variety of digital 
platforms as well as print. The new digital platforms broadened 
access to content, and also opened new ways for advertisers and 
marketers to engage with consumers. 

Gannett created an integrated national sales organization in 2012 

to fully leverage its local-to-national reach, growing national 
advertising revenues across Gannett’s robust publishing and digital 
businesses. 

At the same time, Gannett pursued strategic initiatives in seven 

primary categories: Digital Relaunch & Mobile; USA TODAY 
Sports Media Group; Digital Marketing Services; All-Access 
Content Subscription Model; Gannett Publishing Services; Sourcing; 
and Space Consolidation.  

Gannett made significant progress in implementing its strategy 

across each of its business segments – Publishing, Broadcast and 
Digital. Progress on these strategic initiatives is highlighted below:

•  The Digital Relaunch and Mobile initiative focused on building 
out its software and infrastructure for a “One Gannett” platform 
and creating new award-winning desktop products and mobile 
apps.  Digital teams migrated more than 400 mobile and desktop 
sites to a single ad server from historically different ad servers. 
Gannett also created a new digital content management system; 
built and deployed the U.S. Community Publishing (USCP) 
online subscription system; and relaunched 
USA TODAY.com. In addition, the mobile team built and 
launched over 200 mobile products, including new USCP tablet 
editions, multiple USA TODAY mobile products for phone and 
tablet, and the Broadcasting iPad apps. USA TODAY was named 
Mobile Publisher of the Year by Mobile Marketer, and its new 
site received the Cutting Edge award from FWA/Adobe.

•  USA TODAY Sports Media Group covers sports from the local 
high school level through college and professional teams and 
continues to leverage USA TODAY’s 30-year relationship with 
American sports fans by driving growth in the digital sports 
market. In 2012, USA TODAY Sports Media Group streamlined 
coverage and became one of the nation’s top five digital sports 
destinations with over 20 million unique visitors each month.  
Group highlights include:

•  Acquisition of Fantasy Sports Ventures/Big Lead Sports, a 

leading digital sports site in North America. 

•  Rolling out USA TODAY’s Sports Pulse digital content 

syndication to all local markets, which included content from 
USA TODAY Sports, Gannett’s more than 100 local media 
brands, Sports On Earth (a joint services agreement between 
USA TODAY Sports and Major League Baseball Advanced 
Media) and the hundreds of sites within USA TODAY Sports 
Digital Properties such as thebiglead.com and mixed martial 
arts site MMAjunkie.com, among others.  

• 

Increased partnership with UFC and continued expansion of 
relationships with other league partners such as NASCAR 
and the PGA Tour. 

•  Relaunching USA TODAY’s Sports section in print and 

online. 

•  Re-branding US PRESSWIRE, its dedicated sports image 
service providing coverage for nearly 10,000 events each 
year, to USA TODAY Sports Images.

•  Relaunching and re-branding its high school sports web site, 
highschoolsports.net, as USA TODAY High School Sports 
(www.usatodayhss.com), which anchors the group’s 
comprehensive national coverage of all boys’ and girls’ high 
school sports throughout the country, as well as for the more 
than 100 local media properties within the company.

•  GDMS was created to provide a one-stop shop for digital 
marketing services to help tens of thousands of small and 
medium-sized businesses in Gannett markets use digital 
technology to more effectively reach customers. GDMS enables 
Gannett sites to deepen their long-standing relationships with 
advertisers, who see Gannett local media as familiar, 
knowledgeable and trusted partners. 

•  By year-end, the planned GDMS roll out was complete and 
Gannett’s local publishing and broadcast markets were 
offering clients a broad suite of digital services such as daily 
deals, coupons, loyalty programs, email marketing, search 
engine optimization and online marketing.  

•  Gannett completed acquisitions of BLiNQ Media, a company 
which helps businesses advertise and engage with consumers 
on Facebook and other social networks, and Mobestream 
Media, which through its Key Ring application, provides a 
consumer loyalty mobile platform for all major types of 
smartphones. 

•  GDMS expanded DealChicken, its daily deals offering, to 12 

new U.S. Community Publishing markets in 2012. 
DealChicken has been rolled out within 72 markets, helping 
local area merchants create and expand their brand awareness 
as well as deliver a loyal following of repeat customers.

4

•  USCP continued to transform itself as it successfully 

•  Reviewed.com, a group of product review web sites that provide 

implemented the roll-out of its all-access content subscription 
model for its local media in 78 markets across the U.S. This 
program makes USCP’s unique, local, high-quality content 
available when and how consumers want it, digitally or in print. 
The subscription model built on earlier 2010 tests in three 
markets and 2011 research efforts, offers a variety of options to 
consumers and advertisers. All subscriptions include full web, 
mobile, e-Edition and tablet access, with subscription prices that 
vary according to the frequency of print home delivery. Single-
copy print editions continue to be sold at retail outlets. 
Circulation revenues increased 8% in 2012 at the company’s 
local domestic publishing units driven by the impact of the all-
access roll out.  The focus in 2013 will shift to enhancing 
operations and growing digital subscribers.

•  2012 was the first full year of operation of Gannett Publishing 

Services (GPS), which centralized the circulation, print 
production and consumer sales and services functions of USCP, 
USA TODAY, and Gannett Offset divisions under one 
organizational structure. GPS provides printing services from 43 
U.S. locations. This allows Gannett publishers to focus on 
strengthening the core elements of their local business – which 
are providing valued news and information, building advertising 
sales and expanding their strong community ties. GPS also 
opened up new revenue generation opportunities in third-party 
production, printing and packaging services as an integrated 
nationwide business. 

•  Throughout 2012, Gannett took a number of steps under its 

sourcing initiative to create greater efficiencies, including driving 
savings through outsourcing, centralization, renegotiations of 
vendor contracts and demand management.

•  The space consolidation initiative continues to evaluate 

opportunities to optimize Gannett’s real estate portfolio, which 
include selling older, under utilized buildings and relocating to 
more efficient office space; reconfiguring space to take 
advantage of leasing and subleasing opportunities, as well as 
other options. For example, Gannett’s Los Angeles office moved 
to more efficient space and Chicago offices consolidated 
locations in 2012. A number of Gannett properties, including 
those in Westchester, NY, and Des Moines, IA, were put on the 
market and new, more collaborative-designed leased space is 
currently under construction. During 2012 alone, Gannett 
executed 12 real estate transactions, realizing proceeds of nearly 
$40 million. 

Business portfolio: The company operates a diverse business 
portfolio, established through acquisitions and internal development. 
Some examples of this diversification are:

•  CareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, 

helping companies target, attract and retain talent. Its online job 
site, CareerBuilder.com, is the largest in North America with the 
most traffic and revenue.

•  PointRoll, a leading multi-screen digital advertising and 

technology company that enables advertisers, agencies and 
publishers to create, deliver and measure interactive online 
video, rich media display, mobile and social campaigns.

•  ShopLocal, a leader in multichannel shopping and advertising 

services.

comprehensive, comparative reviews of technology and 
household products and services. Reviewed.com is a key element 
in the company’s consumer media strategy.

•  USA WEEKEND, a weekly magazine carried by more than 800 
local publishers with an aggregate circulation reach of 22.5 
million.

•  Clipper Magazine, a direct mail advertising magazine that 

publishes more than 450 individual market editions under the 
brands Clipper Magazine, Savvy Shopper and Mint Magazine in 
29 states.

•  Gannett Government Media, which operates military and defense 
publications and has expanded into the broadcasting and online 
arenas. Gannett Government Media collaborates with Gannett 
Washington, D.C., TV station WUSA to produce “This Week in 
Defense News” which airs on Sunday mornings.

•  Gannett Healthcare Group publishes magazines specializing in 
news, continuing education opportunities and employment 
opportunities for nurses and allied health professionals with a 
combined circulation of 730,000. Its websites, Nurse.com, 
TodayinPT.com and TodayinOT.com feature news, continuing 
education opportunities and employment opportunities for allied 
health professionals. Gannett Healthcare Group also operates 
Gannett Education, which delivers continuing education 
opportunities to nurses and allied health professionals and 
includes ContinuingEducation.com and PearlsReview.com, an 
online nursing certification and continuing education web site.

•  GDMS was established to aggressively maximize scale and 
further enhance Gannett’s product offerings. GDMS, a cross-
divisional organization, includes GannettLocal, DealChicken, 
Clipper’s Double-Take Deals, ShopLocal, BLiNQ Media and 
Mobestream Media. The new business organization helps the 
company better leverage its local sales forces across divisions 
and maximize its ability to build, acquire or partner to deliver the 
high-quality digital marketing solutions needed to help 
customers succeed in Gannett markets and beyond. It is also 
responsible for product fulfillment functions such as building 
web sites, e-mail marketing, search engine marketing, search 
engine optimization, daily deals, mobile loyalty and social media 
marketing; expansion of GannettLocal in building a high-quality 
telemarketing sales force to work with small customers; and 
training and integrating the sales forces at the company’s 100-
plus local media properties.

Strategic Acquisitions: In October 2012, Gannett acquired 
Rovion. Rovion’s primary product, Ad Composer, includes a self-
service technology platform that enables the full development and 
deployment of rich media and mobile HTML5 ads by clients who do 
not have coding expertise.

In September 2012, Gannett acquired Mobestream Media, 

developer of the Key Ring consumer rewards mobile platform (“Key 
Ring”) available on all major smartphones. Consumers download the 
free Key Ring application to scan and store existing loyalty cards, 
join new rewards programs, get mobile coupons and other 
promotional offers delivered to their smartphones. 

Also in September 2012, CareerBuilder acquired a controlling 

interest in EMSI. EMSI is an economic software firm that 
specializes in employment data and labor market analysis. EMSI 
collects and interprets large amounts of labor data, which is used in 
work force development and talent strategy.

5

In August 2012, Gannett completed the acquisition of BLiNQ 

Media, LLC, a leading global innovator of social engagement 
advertising solutions for agencies and brands. BLiNQ helps 
companies advertise and engage with consumers on Facebook and 
other social networks. 

In June 2012, the company acquired Quickish. Quickish is a 
sports aggregator that offers a summary and a link for sports stories 
throughout the day.

In April 2012, CareerBuilder acquired two new businesses: 
Ceviu and Top Language Jobs. Ceviu is the leading information 
technology job board in Brazil. Top Language Jobs is Europe’s 
number one language specialist recruitment job portal. It operates 
the largest global network of job boards dedicated to multilingual 
job seekers looking for work internationally.

In February 2012, the company invested in HotelMe LLC, a 
company engaged in the business of providing authenticated hotel 
and lodging travel reviews.

In January 2012, the company acquired the assets of Fantasy 
Sports Ventures/Big Lead Sports, a leading sports digital site. This 
business is an important addition to the USA TODAY Sports Media 
Group, positioning it as one of the top five sports sites on the web. 

In previous years, the company also invested in a full 

complement of digital offerings. For example, in November 2011, 
the company acquired the mixed martial arts web site, 
MMAjunkie.com, one of the leading online news destinations for the 
sport and a content provider for several print, online and TV outlets.
Also in November 2011, the company purchased a minority 
stake in ShopCo Holdings, LLC (ShopCo). ShopCo provides a 
common online shopping platform which allows ShopCo advertisers 
to reach consumers in order to assist them in making informed 
purchasing decisions.

In September 2011, CareerBuilder acquired JobScout24, which 

solidified CareerBuilder’s position as one of the top three online 
recruitment sites in Germany.

In August 2011, the company acquired US PRESSWIRE, a 
global leader in the creation and distribution of premium digital 
sports images to media companies worldwide. US PRESSWIRE 
operates within the USA TODAY Sports Media Group and provides 
daily sports photo coverage for all of the company’s publishing and 
broadcast properties.

In June 2011, the company acquired Nutrition Dimension, which 

provides continuing education, certification and review programs 
and other educational content for nutrition, fitness and training 
professionals.

In May 2011, CareerBuilder acquired JobsCentral, a leading jobs 

board in Singapore that also has a fast-growing presence in 
Malaysia. 

In January 2011, the company acquired Reviewed.com, a group 
of product-review web sites that provide comprehensive reviews for 
technology products such as digital cameras, camcorders and high 
definition televisions. Its operations have been expanded to cover 
other household items and consumer services.

In March 2010, CareerBuilder purchased CareerSite.biz, parent 
of three successful career-related operations in the U.K., two online 
recruitment niche sites targeted to nursing and rail workers as well as 
a successful virtual career-fair business.

The company also owns a 23.6% stake in Classified Ventures, a 

highly successful online business focused on real estate rental and 
automotive advertising. The company’s equity in the earnings of 
Classified Ventures grew by 25% and 20% in the years 2011 and 
2012, respectively.

With these acquisitions and investments, the company has 

established important business relationships to more broadly 
leverage its publishing and online assets, as well as products and 
operations to enhance its online footprint, revenue base and profits.

6

Digital operations – Publishing and Broadcasting
Gannett Digital’s mission is to be the catalyst for revenue growth 
and innovation by developing products that delight and engage 
consumers while driving increasing monetization. At its core, 
Gannett has numerous original content assets, including its national 
brand, USA TODAY, and more than 100 local print and television 
brands, as well as a large audience reach. In December 2012, 
Gannett’s total online U.S. Internet audience totaled 54.6 million 
monthly unique visitors, reaching about 24.7% of the Internet 
audience, as measured by comScore Media Metrix.

In 2011, Gannett Digital was reorganized into a product 

development and shared services organization that supports, hosts 
and manages the key infrastructure for the company’s digital 
operations, including databases, applications, templates, architecture, 
user experience, project management, digital video production, 
mobile and web development, distribution, packaging, ad solutions, 
and paid content systems.

Following the reorganization, Gannett Digital developed an 
aggressive roadmap aimed at developing next generation mobile, 
tablet and browser experiences for Gannett’s properties and 
integrating the company’s back-end editorial, publishing and 
advertising platforms.  In 2012, Gannett Digital made significant 
progress on the roadmap through:

•  Building and launching an entirely new platform underlying 
USATODAY.com, including new publishing tools, content 
databases and front-end design. The platform was designed to be 
extended with appropriate modifications to the remainder of 
Gannett’s properties.  

• 

Introducing a new advertising strategy for USATODAY.com 
focused on higher impact, higher value advertising units in order 
to drive better results for marketers.

•  Training hundreds of journalists on new publishing tools that 
enable device-specific programming (desktop, tablet, mobile 
phone).

•  Building and launching new or updated mobile and tablet 

applications for USA TODAY (iPhone 2.0, iPad 3.0, Kindle Fire 
2.0, Windows 8), Broadcast (iPad, Android and Kindle) and U.S. 
Community Publishing (iPhone, Android, HTML5 iPad apps).  
These product launches, in addition to the robust growth of 
consumer adoption of mobile phones and tablets, contributed to 
20% and 81% year-over-year growth in Gannett-wide mobile/
tablet visitors and page views, respectively.

•  Building and launching the Video Production Center in Atlanta, 
housed at WXIA-TV, which enables all Gannett properties to 
stream live and on-demand video on desktop, mobile phone and 
tablet.  In December 2012, on-demand video views and live 
video plays across company publishing and broadcast businesses 
reached 22.8 million, up 65% year over year. Creating and 
licensing more video content and better promoting video via 
redesigns drove this growth.

•  Converting hundreds of sites to a new ad serving platform across 

desktop, mobile phone and tablet that will offer Gannett 
increased capabilities, including better forecasting, improved 
campaign delivery pacing, and better utilization of inventory.

• 

Introducing new technologies to improve diagnostic and 
performance testing of software and implementing a private 
cloud computing environment to provide greater flexibility for 
deployment and reconfiguration of services in production.    

Additionally in 2012, Gannett Digital supported the roll out of 
USCP’s new all-access content subscription model.  Key projects 
included the development of hundreds of new mobile and phone 
tablet products, as noted above, and deploying the e-commerce 
subscription platform associated with USCP’s online and mobile 
sites. 

Throughout the year, USA TODAY continued its leadership role 
in mobile media by developing a broad product portfolio to address 
established and emerging platforms and devices. Both 
USA TODAY’s iPhone and iPad applications continue to be strong 
performers in the news category; the latest iPhone application 
reaches 1.8 million monthly visitors and has over 2.7 million 
downloads, while the iPad application reaches 1.7 million monthly 
visitors and has over 4.1 million downloads. In addition to products 
for Apple’s iOS, USA TODAY has also built products for Android 
systems and Microsoft systems. Gannett Digital’s mobile product 
development successes in 2012 were recognized across the industry: 
the USA TODAY iPhone 2.0 was awarded “Best User Experience” 
by Digital Hollywood; “Best Mobile Application” by Editor & 
Publisher; and USA TODAY was named “Mobile Publisher of the 
Year” by Mobile Marketer. 

Looking ahead to 2013, Gannett Digital will be focused on 

extending the platforms built in 2012, inclusive of the new 
publishing tools, content databases, front-end design and ad 
management to the Broadcast and USCP divisions. Specifically for 
USCP, the relaunch of their digital platforms is aimed at enhancing 
the subscriber value and driving digital-only subscriptions.  Gannett 
Digital will also continue to enhance the platforms, including new 
feature enhancements for USA TODAY, and help develop sponsored 
content opportunities, Gannett-wide databases and data-driven 
interactive features.  

Video remains a key growth opportunity for Gannett. The Video 

Production Center will continue to enable more content sharing 
across the Gannett network (of both internal and external content) 
and share best practices across the company about video content 
production and programming. Additionally, the VPC will be building 
a small studio to enable live webcasting.  

Finally, the company's mobile team will be focused on building 

uniform code bases for iOS, Android and Windows, which can be 
deployed across all Gannett properties, developing ongoing feature 
enhancements to existing products and creating new products, 
including new tablet applications for the USCP properties. 

Business Segments: The company has three principal business 

segments: Publishing, Broadcasting and Digital, which includes 
CareerBuilder, PointRoll, ShopLocal and Reviewed.com. Operating 
revenues and income from web sites, mobile and tablet products 
associated with publishing operations and broadcast stations are 
reported in the Publishing and Broadcast Segments, respectively.
Financial information for each of the company’s reportable 
segments can be found under Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and 
Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 
10-K.

Publishing/United States
Affiliated web sites of the company’s U.S. publications, including 
USA TODAY, reach 33.5 million unique visitors monthly.  The print 
products reach 11.1 million readers every weekday and 12.7 million 
readers every Sunday. Together they provide critical news and 
information from their customers’ neighborhoods, across the nation 
and the globe.

At the end of 2012, the company operated 82 U.S. daily 

publications, including USA TODAY, and over 480 non-daily local 
publications in 30 states and Guam. The USCP division and 
USA TODAY are headquartered in McLean, VA. At the end of 2012, 
U.S. Publishing had approximately 18,100 full- and part-time 
employees, including 7,200 employees in the newly formed Gannett 
Publishing Services.

The company’s local publishing operations are managed through 

the USCP division. These publishing operations are positioned in 
small and medium sized markets; this geographical diversity is a 
core strength of the company. A listing of the markets can be found 
on pages 18 to 23 of this report.

USA TODAY was introduced in 1982 as the country’s first 

national, general-interest daily publication. It is produced at facilities 
in McLean, VA, and transmitted digitally to offset printing plants 
around the country. It is printed at Gannett plants in 13 U.S. markets 
and commercially at offset plants, not owned by Gannett, in 23 other 
U.S. markets. In 2012, the USA TODAY brand was re-launched as a 
multi-platform news and marketing company. 

During 2012, USATODAY.com hosted on average 19 million 
unique visitors, with 75 million visits and 188 million page views 
per month. Organic search increased more than 28% from 2011 to 
2012. USA TODAY mobile traffic page views increased 137.2% 
year over year, to over 5.2 billion page views in 2012.

All of the company’s local publishing operations and affiliated 
web sites are fully integrated with shared support, sales and service 
platforms.

Other businesses that complement, support or are managed and 
reported within the Publishing Segment include: USA WEEKEND, 
Clipper Magazine, Gannett Government Media, Gannett Healthcare 
Group, Gannett Publishing Services, Big Lead Sports, USA TODAY 
Sports Images, USA TODAY High School Sports, and BNQT.

  The National Sales Team represents the company’s advertising 

operations working with national advertisers in reaching and 
engaging local consumers; Gannett Direct Marketing offers direct-
marketing services; and Gannett Media Technologies International 
develops and markets software and other products for the publishing 
industry and provides technology support for the company’s 
publishing and web operations. Gannett Publishing Services 
manages the production and other publishing services for all of these 
businesses and also oversees third-party commercial printing and 
delivery activities for all U.S. publishing locations.

7

News, information and editorial matters:  In 2012, USCP 
journalists focused on producing high-value, unique content to 
support the new all-access content subscription model. Their job was 
to provide value to readers of all platforms. Among the initiatives 
designed to deliver value:

•  The “Content Evolution” program focused on creating platform-
perfect content that serves the needs of key audiences on each 
platform by time of day, from social media to mobile web, to 
desktop and the daily print edition. In one example, the 
Springfield (MO) News-Leader recently began offering the 
Evening Edition on its mobile web site, summarizing the top 
stories of the day in digestible bites that make for easy browsing 
by mobile readers. At The Arizona Republic in Phoenix, a tablet 
edition – AZ Today – debuted in December as a weekly news 
magazine. It focuses on telling the week’s most compelling 
stories in depth, with use of photography, video and interactive 
graphics to create a rich reading experience for evening tablet 
readers.

Each of these initiatives is designed to promote unique, high-

value local content that will drive dramatic transformation.

The company’s domestic daily publishing operations received 

Gannett’s wire service in 2012 and subscribe to The Associated 
Press. Some publishing operations use supplemental news services 
and syndicated features as well.  

The company operates news bureaus in Washington, DC, and 
four state capitals – Albany, NY; Baton Rouge, LA; Trenton, NJ; and 
Tallahassee, FL.

In 2012, Gannett publishing operations and journalists received 

national recognition for their excellent work:   

Three newspapers were named finalists in the Pulitzer Prizes in 

Journalism: 

•  The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, was recognized in the 
Breaking News category for comprehensive coverage of the 
mass shooting that involved former U.S. Rep. (D-AZ) Gabrielle 
Giffords. The Arizona Republic was recognized for its 
exemplary use of journalistic tools to tell an unfolding story. 

•  Strategic investments in news-gathering efforts have enhanced 

•  The Burlington (VT) Free Press was recognized in the Editorial 

local expertise in key coverage areas and raised the overall level 
of sophistication on digital platforms, particularly in social 
media, driving value by showcasing the expertise and 
personalities in its newsrooms.

•  Shared Design Studios were created, staffed with top designers 
from across the country to provide the sophisticated design that 
print readers demand. The studios now handle all aspects of 
design for most print publications.

•  Nearly all USCP reporters, photographers, videographers and 

columnists were equipped with smartphones and other devices in 
early 2012, enabling the company’s content-gatherers to write, 
photograph, shoot and edit video, while connecting with readers 
over social media in real time. This investment has helped 
reshape the modern definition of a journalist. It has buttressed 
Gannett’s journalists’ competitive edge and allows them to tell 
stories with greater color and speed than ever before. The 
smartphones are part of a larger investment to equip journalists 
with the tools they need to excel at their jobs. They also received 
an additional 1,800 tablets and other items to reach audiences 
across multiple platforms. In 2013, journalists will be trained to 
become advanced video storytellers who deliver compelling 
content to viewers.

•  Smartphones will continue to be an important tool as the 

company continues to make its publishing systems more efficient 
and integrated. In 2012, smartphones allowed the company’s 
journalists to publish and share video content across all divisions 
of the company through the Brightcove app. In 2013, Gannett 
will enable more content created on smartphones to move 
directly into its publishing systems allowing for selective 
syndication for audiences and advertisers around the nation.

•  The company's publishing operations organized an aggressive 

approach to leveraging the viral aspects of social media in 2012. 
Journalists are using social media to share the work they are 
doing, source new material and engage with readers in new 
ways. Gannett began using a social management platform tool 
that allows better tracking and analysis. This tool enables 
insights into community conversation trends. By way of 
example: In November 2012, journalists set up a national, 
coordinated effort to share breaking news through a 24/7 Super 
Storm Sandy Social Media Desk.  Gannett staff from as many as 
18 different markets took shifts to help cover the social media 
response and publishing for news organizations affected by the 
storm over a span of three weeks.   

Writing category. Aki Soga and Michael Townsend were 
recognized for a campaign that resulted in the state’s first reform 
of open government laws in 35 years. 

•  USA TODAY was named in the Explanatory Reporting category. 
Tom Frank’s series explained how state lawmakers pump up 
their pensions. Frank examined thousands of pages of pension 
laws from all 50 states to untangle the obscure language behind 
pension perks. 

USA TODAY won the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award for 

investigative multimedia reporting for a report that uncovered 
hundreds of forgotten lead factories and their health hazards. The 
award is presented by the Columbia Journalism School.

The Detroit Free Press, MI, won a 2012 National Edward R. 
Murrow Award for “Living with Murder,” a video documentary that 
explored the toll of homicide in Detroit neighborhoods. 
Videographer Romain Blanquart, Reporter Suzette Hackney and 
Deputy Director Photo/Video Kathy Kieliszewski produced the 
documentary. The awards are presented by the Radio Television 
Digital News Association and honor excellence in electronic 
journalism. 

Five newspapers were among winners in their circulation 
categories in the 2012 Associated Press Media Editors (APME) 
Journalism Excellence Awards competition:

•  USA TODAY received a Digital Storytelling and Reporting 

award for its 14-month investigation, “Ghost Factories: Poison in 
the Ground,” which revealed the locations of long-forgotten 
factories and the amount of toxic lead left behind.

•  The Burlington (VT) Free Press won a First Amendment award, 
for its investigation of the handling of warrants by the Vermont 
judiciary, which revealed negligence at every level of the legal 
system; and a Digital Storytelling and Reporting award, for 
breaking news coverage during the Occupy Burlington 
encampment.

•  Asbury Park (NJ) Press won a Public Service award for its report 

on a cluster of suicides by teens and young adults in the 
Manasquan, NJ area.

•  Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, SD, won a Public Service award for 

“Fighting DUI” about the cost of cracking down on DUIs.

•  The News-Press in Fort Myers, FL, won a digital storytelling and 
reporting award for its package, “Loving Ingrid,” about a woman 
who suffered a traumatic brain injury.

8

• 

In addition, The Arizona Republic, AZ, was one of three finalists 
selected for APME’s Innovator of the Year Award. It was cited 
for the convergence of print, broadcast and online in its web site, 
AZCentral.

Journalists at five Gannett newspapers were cited in the Society 
of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Awards for excellence in 
journalism. 

•  Keith Runyon, The Courier-Journal at Louisville, KY, won for 
“Hospital Merger: A Series of Editorials” in Editorial Writing.

•  Candace Page, Burlington (VT) Free Press, won for “Hard 

lessons of the tweed” in Feature Reporting. 

•  Douglas Walker and Keith Roysdon, The Star Press at Muncie, 

IN, won for “For a Child’s Sake: The epidemic of child abuse” in 
Public Service journalism.

•  Andrew West, The News-Press Media Group at Fort Myers, FL, 

won for “Hope for Haiti” in Feature Photography.

•  The Burlington (VT) Free Press won for “Occupy Burlington” 

shooting in Online, Deadline Reporting.

Three Detroit Free Press business reporters, Greg Gardner, Brent 

Snavely and Chrissie Thompson, won a Gerald Loeb Award for 
business journalism in the breaking news category for their stories 
about contract negotiations last year between GM and the UAW.
The Army Times’ Sean Naylor won top honors for his 

investigative series, “The Secret War in Africa,” from the Military 
Reporters and Editors Association. 

Writers at four Gannett newspapers won awards in the Society of 

American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW) 17th Best in 
Business competition. The awards honor excellence in business and 
financial journalism across all news platforms: 

•  Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, won for 

“Business Taxes” in the Explanatory category.

•  Patrick Peterson, FLORIDA TODAY, Brevard, FL, won for 

“Bright Idea Man” and “Scrap Daddy” in the Feature category.

Results from 2012 studies conducted by Scarborough Research 

indicate that Gannett local media organizations reach more than 
seven in 10 adults each week – more than eight in 10 each month. 
Under the all-access content subscription model rolled out to 78 sites 
during 2012, more than half of readers access Gannett content on 
two or more platforms.

The company has gathered audience aggregation data for 52 

Gannett markets and will continue to add more data in 2013. 
Aggregated audience data allows advertising sales staff to provide 
detailed information to advertisers about how best to reach their 
potential customers and the most effective product combination and 
frequency.  This approach enables the company to increase its total 
advertising revenue potential while maximizing advertiser 
effectiveness.

Scarborough Research measures 77 of the nation’s top markets. 

In a report on market penetration, the number of adults in a 
community who access a publication and its related web site, it 
noted that more than 3 out of 4 adults in the Rochester, NY, market 
in a given week either read the print version of the Rochester 
Democrat and Chronicle or visited its web site 
(democratandchronicle.com), making it the top-ranked publishing/
web operations in the country for integrated audience penetration. 
Gannett publications also hold the second (Gannett East Wisconsin) 
and third (The Des Moines Register) positions in the Scarborough 
Research rankings. These markets are industry leaders because they 
understand and aggressively pursue different audiences for different 
platforms - true audience aggregation.

In addition to the audience-based initiative, the company 

continues to measure customer attitudes, behaviors and opinions to 
better understand customers’ digital use patterns and use focus 
groups with audiences and advertisers to better determine their 
needs. In 2009, the USCP research group launched an ongoing 
longitudinal study to measure audience and sentiment of consumers 
in key markets. To date, the group has conducted more than 31,000 
interviews for the study.

The group also supported the content evolution initiative in 2012 

by conducting consumer research in 74 markets to determine the 
topics readers are most interested in seeing covered in their Gannett 
local daily newspaper.

•  Dick Hogan, The News-Press in Fort Myers, FL, won for 

Advertising: USCP has advertising departments that sell retail, 

“Flopping: Fraud Runs Rampant” in the Investigative category.

•  Thomas Frank, USA TODAY, won for “Public-Sector Pensions” 

in the Investigative category.

FLORIDA TODAY in Brevard, FL, won first place for a features 

web site in The Society for Features Journalism competition for 
reader engagement. 

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, was honored by the 
National Press Club for its breaking news coverage of the Tucson 
shooting that involved former U.S. Rep. (D-AZ) Gabrielle Giffords. 
The Tennessean at Nashville was a finalist in the 2012 Online 

Journalism awards from the Online News Association for 
outstanding breaking news coverage of Occupy Nashville.

In Lafayette, IN, Journal and Courier sportswriter Mike Carmin 
was named recipient of the 2012 Mel Greenberg Media Award from 
the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. 

Audience research: As Gannett’s publishing businesses continue 

their mission to meet consumers’ news and information needs 
anytime, anywhere and in any form, the company remains focused 
on an audience aggregation strategy. The company considers the 
reach and coverage of multiple products in its communities and 
measures the frequency with which consumers interact with each 
Gannett product.  

classified and national advertising across multiple platforms 
including print, online, mobile, tablet and niche publications. The 
company has a national ad sales force focused on the largest national 
advertisers and a separate sales organization to support classified 
employment sales – the Digital Employment Sales Center. 
Additionally, GannettLocal provides marketing specialists to small 
and medium sized businesses, and Gannett Client Solutions groups 
provide customized marketing solutions. The company also has 
relationships with outside representative firms that specialize in the 
sale of national ads. 

Retail display advertising is associated with local merchants or 
locally owned businesses. In addition, retail includes regional and 
national chains – such as department and grocery stores – that sell in 
the local market. 

Classified advertising includes the major categories of 

automotive, employment, legal, real estate/rentals and private party 
consumer-to-consumer business for merchandise and services. 
Advertising for classified segments is published in the classified 
sections, in other sections within the publication, on affiliated digital 
platforms and in niche magazines that specialize in the segment. 
National advertising is display advertising principally from 

advertisers who are promoting national products or brands. 
Examples are pharmaceuticals, travel, airlines, or packaged goods. 
Both retail and national ads also include preprints, typically stand-
alone multiple page fliers that are inserted in the daily print product.  

9

The division’s audience aggregation strategy gives it the ability 
to deliver specific audiences that advertisers want. Although some 
advertisers require mass reach, many want to target niche audiences 
by demographics, geography, consumer buying habits or customer 
behavior. With Gannett’s continued partnership with Yahoo! and 
enhancement of its digital portfolio with in-house digital marketing 
services, the company’s local media organizations are able to 
enhance audience delivery for customers by offering behavioral 
targeting. Whether it is mass reach or a target audience, the 
company’s publishing sites identify an advertiser’s key customers 
and develop advertising schedules that combine products within a 
site’s portfolio to best reach the desired audience with the 
appropriate frequency.  

USCP continues to use online reader panels in 19 markets to 
measure advertising recall and effectiveness, article response, and 
identify consumer sentiment and trends. The reader panels include 
nearly 30,000 opt-in respondents who provide valuable feedback on 
over 7,800 advertisements and 4,800 news articles. This capability 
allows markets to provide deeper insights for advertisers and return-
on-investment metrics that are in high-demand from customers.

The company’s consultative multi-media sales approach has been 

tailored to all levels of advertisers, from small, locally owned 
merchants to large, complex businesses. Along with this sales 
approach, the company has intensified its sales and management 
training and improved the quality of sales calls. Digital product 
integration, sales skills and a Gannett five-step consultative sales 
process were focus areas in 2012 with formal training delivered in 
all Gannett markets. Front line sales managers in the company’s 
largest 20 markets participated in intensive training to help them 
coach their sales executives for top performance. 

A major company priority is to realign the USCP sales 

organizations to match customers’ needs while creating additional 
efficiencies to lower the cost of sale.  USCP local media 
organizations designed their sales teams around three general groups 
of customers: strategic regional, key local and small local 
controllable accounts. The structure aligns sales and support 
resources to customers’ needs and provides efficient service and 
affordable packages to smaller accounts and customized, innovative 
solutions to larger, market-driven clients. The structure includes 
digital specialists who expand online share in the local market for 
retail and classified verticals, including Cars.com, Homefinder.com, 
Apartments.com and CareerBuilder.com.  There are also product 
specialists in larger markets who focus on growing niche advertisers 
in non-daily publications.

To better serve local customers and win market share, the 

company created five Gannett Client Solutions Groups. Functioning 
much like local ad agencies, the groups develop highly designed 
creative campaigns to give customers a competitive edge in the 
marketplace. The campaigns are comprehensive and often extend 
beyond the local media organization’s product portfolio, providing a 
high level of service. 

The national ad sales team is responsible for large national retail 
accounts. These resources give national customers a single point of 
contact for all Gannett markets, enable Gannett to have more 
strategic conversations, allow teams to respond better to customers’ 
needs, and focus local sales personnel on advertisers in their local 
markets they know best. 

This national team works with the national sales resources of 
Digital, Broadcast and USA TODAY to create multi-market, multi-
platform solutions for national advertisers scalable across the 
country.

Ad revenues from affiliated online operations are reported 

together with revenue from print publishing.

Online operations: The company’s local publishing digital 
platforms showed continued strength in growing audience in 2012, 
with visitors increasing by 6% year over year as measured internally.  
More users accessing the full web site on mobile devices and 
improved search engine optimization for article searches drove the 
increase.

USCP completed the development and deployment of access 
management software across 78 local market web sites, allowing 
subscribers access to all content, while limiting the access of non-
subscribers to a small number of articles per month, designed to help 
them try the services.

In support of the all-access content subscription model, the 
company invested in a significant expansion of mobile offerings 
across local markets, including native applications for iPhone and 
Android smartphones and iPads and tablet-optimized web sites. The 
mobile audience continued to grow in 2012, ultimately making up 
11% of total page views, with mobile web sites and the native 
iPhone applications leading the way. Through the all-access content 
subscription model, the company made a clear commitment to 
provide consumers with the content they most want on the devices 
they use to access news and information about their local 
communities. Mobile page views nearly doubled, and mobile visitors 
increased 45% in 2012 on a year over year basis.

Another key initiative in 2012 was the implementation of a 

social media content management software tool to ensure the 
division’s journalists and marketing and customer service teams 
could more effectively manage multiple social media profiles and 
significantly increase their responsiveness and engagement with 
consumers.

Gannett continues to enjoy a long standing relationship of trust 
in the local business community. Its advertising sales staff delivers 
solutions for its customers and helps small and medium size 
businesses navigate the increasingly complex and diverse world of 
digital marketing. In 2012, the company further expanded its GDMS 
suite of products and continued its partnership with Yahoo! to offer 
more digital solutions to advertisers.  Through this, Gannett is able 
to offer its customers expanded digital reach.    

The overriding objective of USCP’s online strategy is to provide 

compelling content that best serves its customers. A key reason 
customers turn to a Gannett digital platform is to find local news and 
information. The credibility of the local media organization, a 
known and trusted information source, includes its digital platforms 
(tablet and mobile applications and its web site) and differentiates 
these online sources from competing online products. This allows 
Gannett’s local media organizations to compete successfully as 
information providers. 

A second objective in the company’s online business 

development is to maximize the natural synergies between the local 
media organizations and local digital platforms. The local content, 
customer relationships, news and advertising sales staff, and 
promotional capabilities are all competitive advantages for Gannett. 
The company’s strategy is to use these advantages to create strong 
and timely content, sell packaged advertising products that meet the 
needs of advertisers, operate efficiently and leverage the known and 
trusted brand of the local media organization. 

Gannett Media Technologies International (GMTI) provides 
technological support and products for the company’s domestic local 
media organizations and Internet activities, including ad software 
and database management, editorial production and archiving, and 
web site hosting. In addition, GMTI provides similar services to 
other media companies.

10

Non-daily operations: The publication of non-daily products 
continued to be an important part of Gannett’s market strategy for 
2012. The company produces non-daily publications in the U.S. 
including glossy lifestyle magazines, community publications and 
publications focused on one topic, such as health or cars. The 
company’s strategy for non-daily publications is to appeal to key 
advertising segments (e.g. affluent women, women with children or 
young readers). Non-daily products help print operations increase 
overall impressions and frequency for advertisers looking to reach 
specific audience segments or in some cases, like community 
weeklies, provide a lower price point alternative for smaller 
advertisers with specific geographic targets, thus helping to increase 
the local media organization’s local market share.

Circulation: Detailed information about the circulation of the 
company’s newspapers may be found later in this Form 10-K. In a 
trend generally consistent with the domestic publishing industry, 
circulation volume declined. However, year over year circulation 
revenues increased 5.0% and digital access increased across all 
publications. USCP has approximately 46,000 digital-only 
subscribers.

The company's all-access subscription prices are market specific.  

For example, all-access pricing that includes Monday through 
Sunday print home delivery ranges from $28 per month per printed 
bill ($25 EZ Pay) to $14.35 per printed bill ($13 EZ Pay).  All-access 
that includes home delivery of only the Sunday print edition ranges 
from a high of $17 per printed bill ($15 EZ Pay) to a low of $6 per 
printed bill ($5 EZ Pay). For USCP publications, all-access 
subscriptions make up 78% daily (home delivery) and 73% Sunday 
of total net paid circulation. EZ Pay grew from approximately 50% 
at the end of 2011 to approximately 60% one year later across 
Gannett sites, excluding USA TODAY. 

More than 70% of the 82 Gannett publications (or 60 

publications) had a single copy price increase in 2012. For USCP, 
single copy represents 13% of daily and 25% of Sunday net paid 
circulation volume.   

The single copy price of USA TODAY at newsstands and 
vending machines was $1.00 in 2012. Mail subscriptions are 
available nationwide and abroad, and home, hotel and office delivery 
is available in many markets. Approximately 76% of its net paid 
circulation results are from single-copy sales at newsstands, vending 
machines or provided to hotel guests. The remainder is from home 
and office delivery, mail, educational and other sales.

At the end of 2012, 71 of the company’s domestic daily 
publications, including USA TODAY, were published in the 
morning, and 11 were published in the evening.  

Production: Product quality and efficiency improvements 
continue in several areas, as continually improving technology 
allows for  greater speed and accuracy and led to continued 
consolidation of job functions for all divisions of Gannett now 
managed by Gannett Publishing Services. That efficiency trend is 
expected to continue through 2013.

The three Gannett Imaging and Ad Design Centers (GIADC) 
serve 79 publishing properties, including all USCP dailies except 
Detroit and Guam.  In addition to the USCP sites, USA TODAY and 
Gannett Broadcast properties are now included. The GIADC also 
supports projects for Deal Chicken, Gannett Digital and the Client 
Solutions Group. Fourteen external customers also utilize the 
GIADC for imaging and/or ad production.

In 2012, the GIADC built 1.2 million ads. Additionally, the 
GIADC processed over 3.7 million images in 2012 and also created 
170 Creative Campaigns as part of a program which allows sales 
representatives to work directly with a team of highly creative artists 
to target particular customers and develop a comprehensive 
multimedia program.  

Digital needs continue to evolve rapidly for the company’s 
customers. The GIADC is training in custom rich media utilizing 
technology offered by two other Gannett companies, PointRoll and 
Rovion. The GIADC began assuming commercial work in 2012 for 
external customers and plans to continue this work in 2013.

At the end of 2012, all 82 domestic daily newspapers (including 
USA TODAY) were printed by the offset process and the majority at 
44-inch web and on 45 gram paper. Also at year end, more than 73 
percent of its domestic community daily publications were either 
printed in Gannett-owned facilities that print multiple daily 
publications or by non-Gannett printers.

Design Studios now handle the layout, design and selection of 
nation/world content of Gannett’s daily newspapers, and the design 
of Gannett’s non-daily print publications. The Design Studios are 
located in Asbury Park, NJ; Nashville, TN; Louisville, KY; Des 
Moines, IA; and Phoenix, AZ.  

By the end of 2012, almost all USCP and USA TODAY 

employees were utilizing a common content management system.  
The common content management system enables communication 
and collaboration needed to build strong design remotely. The 
studios are operationally efficient while enhancing design in 
publications across the company.

Gannett Publishing Services: Improving the efficiency and 
reducing the cost associated with the production and distribution of 
the company’s printed products across all divisions remains an 
important strategic initiative for Gannett. In 2011, GPS was formed 
to directly manage all of the production and circulation operations of 
Gannett’s 81 domestic community newspapers, USA TODAY and 
Gannett Offset.

GPS leverages Gannett’s existing assets, including employee 
talent and experience, physical plants and equipment, and its vast 
national and local distribution networks. The objectives of the new 
unit are to optimize commercial services, leverage expertise, 
standardize best practices to optimize efficiency and eliminate 
duplication. This in turn allows local unit management to focus on 
growing audience, content and revenue development working with 
GPS management to focus on consumer sales and the transition of 
the company’s print subscribers to multi-media subscribers on the 
all-access content subscription model.

GPS is responsible for imaging, ad production, internal and 
external printing and packaging, internal and external distribution, 
consumer sales, customer service and direct marketing services.  
GPS is generating revenue gains from the sale of pre-media services, 
commercial printing, and third party product delivery. It also is 
generating cost savings from outsourcing selected production and 
distribution activities, through standardizing best practices across 
Gannett’s printing and distribution networks and through the 
elimination of operational redundancies.

Competition: The company’s publishing operations and affiliated 

digital platforms compete with other media for advertising. 
Publishing operations also compete for circulation and readership 
against other professional news and information operations and 
amateur content creators. Very few of the company’s publishing 
operations have daily competitors that are published in the same city. 
Most of the company’s print products compete with other print 
products published in suburban areas, nearby cities and towns, free-
distribution and paid-advertising publications (such as weeklies), 
and other media, including magazines, television, direct mail, cable 
television, radio, outdoor advertising, telephone directories, e-mail 
marketing, web sites and mobile-device platforms.

Digital platforms, which compete for the principal traditional 

classified advertising revenue streams such as real estate, 
employment and automotive, have had the most significant impact 
on the company’s revenue results.

11

The rate of development of opportunities in, and competition 
from, digital media, including web site, tablet and mobile products, 
is increasing. Through internal development, content distribution 
programs, acquisitions and partnerships, the company’s efforts to 
explore new opportunities in the news, information and 
communications business and in audience generation will keep 
expanding. The company continues to seek more effective ways to 
engage with its local communities using all available media 
platforms and tools.

Environmental regulation: Gannett is committed to protecting 

the environment. The company’s goal is to ensure its facilities 
comply with federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and 
to incorporate appropriate environmental practices and standards in 
its operations. The company is one of the industry leaders in the use 
of recycled newsprint, increasing its purchases of newsprint 
containing recycled content from 42,000 metric tons in 1989 to 
198,000 metric tons in 2012. During 2012, 43% of the company’s 
domestic newsprint purchases contained recycled content, with an 
average recycled content of 42%.

The company’s publishing operations use inks, photographic 
chemicals, solvents and fuels. The use, management and disposal of 
these substances are sometimes regulated by environmental 
agencies. The company retains a corporate environmental consultant 
who, along with internal and outside counsel, oversees regulatory 
compliance and preventive measures. Some of the company’s 
subsidiaries have been included among the potentially responsible 
parties in connection with sites that have been identified as possibly 
requiring environmental remediation. Additional information about 
these matters can be found in Part I, Item 3, Legal Proceedings, in 
this Form 10-K.

Raw materials - U.S. & U.K.: Newsprint, which is the basic raw 

material used in print publication, has been and may continue to be 
subject to significant price changes from time to time. During 2012, 
the company’s total newsprint consumption was 452,745 metric 
tons, including consumption by USA WEEKEND, USA TODAY, 
tonnage at non-Gannett print sites and Newsquest. Newsprint 
consumption was 7% less than in 2011. The company purchases 
newsprint from 22 domestic and global suppliers.

In 2012, global newsprint supplies were adequate. The company 
has and continues to moderate newsprint consumption and expense 
through press web-width reductions and the use of lighter basis 
weight paper. The company believes that available sources of 
newsprint, together with present inventories, will continue to be 
adequate to supply the needs of its publishing operations.

Newspaper partnerships: The company owns a 19.49% interest 

in California Newspapers Partnership, which includes 19 daily 
California newspapers; a 40.64% interest in Texas-New Mexico 
Newspapers Partnership, which includes six daily newspapers in 
Texas and New Mexico and four newspapers in Pennsylvania; and a 
13.50% interest in Ponderay Newsprint Company in the state of 
Washington.

Joint operating agencies: The company’s publishing subsidiary 

in Detroit participates in a joint operating agency (JOA). The JOA 
performs the production, sales and distribution functions for the 
subsidiary and another publishing company under a joint operating 
agreement. Operating results for the Detroit JOA are fully 
consolidated along with a charge for the minority partner’s share of 
profits. Through May 2009, the company also published the Tucson 
Citizen through the Tucson JOA in which the company held a 50% 
interest. Because of challenges facing the publishing industry, 
combined with the difficult economy, particularly in the Tucson area, 
the company ceased publication of the Tucson Citizen on May 16, 
2009. The company retained its online site and 50% partnership 
interest in the JOA, which provides service to the remaining non-
Gannett publication in Tucson. The company’s share of results for 

the Tucson operations are accounted for under the equity method, 
and are reported as a net amount in "Equity income in 
unconsolidated investees, net.”

Publishing/United Kingdom
Newsquest produces 17 daily paid-for publications and more than 
200 weekly publications, magazines and trade publications in the 
U.K., as well as associated web sites and a wide range of niche 
products. Newsquest operates its publishing activities around 
regional centers to maximize the use of management, finance, 
printing and personnel resources. This enables the group to offer 
readers and advertisers a range of attractive products across the 
market. The clustering of titles and, usually, the publication of a free 
print product alongside a paid-for print product, allows cross-selling 
of advertising serving the same or contiguous markets, satisfying the 
needs of its advertisers and audiences. Newsquest produces free and 
paid-for print products with quality local editorial content. 
Newsquest also distributes a substantial volume of advertising 
leaflets in the communities it serves. Most of Newsquest’s paid-for 
distribution is outsourced to wholesalers, although direct delivery is 
employed as well to maximize circulation sales opportunities.

Newsquest’s publishing operations are in competitive markets. 

Their principal competitors include other regional and national 
newspaper and magazine publishers, other advertising media such as 
broadcast and billboard, Internet-based news and other information 
and communication businesses.

Newsquest revenues for 2012 were approximately $484 million, 

down 5% in local currency reflecting the continuing difficult 
economy. While print advertising revenue categories declined, 
digital ad revenues grew by 10% in local currency. As in the U.S., 
advertising, including ad revenue from online web sites affiliated 
with the publications, is the largest component of Newsquest’s 
revenue, comprising approximately 69%. Circulation represented 
23% of revenue. Printing for third-party newspaper publishers 
accounts for most of the remainder of revenue.

Recognition for Newsquest’s editorial achievements included a 
variety of Scottish Press Awards won by The Herald, Sunday Herald 
and Evening Times, which included awards in the following 
categories: front page, campaign, scoop, reporter, financial 
journalist, journalist, cartoonist, columnist and young journalist of 
the year prizes; as well as seven European Newspaper of the Year 
awards for excellence.  In addition, a campaign which seeks to 
encourage correct grammar and concise writing named the 
Worcester News as England’s top regional daily.

In 2012, the “Queen’s Diamond Jubilee” was celebrated across 
the U.K.  A message of thanks on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II was 
sent to the Telegraph & Argus after copies of six “Diamond Decades 
Jubilee” commemorative supplements and the shortlist supplement 
for the publication’s “Queen’s Jubilee Portrait Competition” were 
forwarded to her with a letter from the editor.  More than 3,500 
children from 107 schools entered the “Queen’s Jubilee Portrait 
Competition” competition.

Newsquest newspapers continued to campaign on local issues.  
For example, The Westmorland Gazette’s “Shorter Journeys Longer 
Lives” campaign culminated in a 2,000-plus people march through 
the streets of Kendal, U.K. It prompted Britain’s Prime Minister to 
set up a summit meeting to promote “swift and positive” action to 
bring a radiotherapy unit to Kendal’s Westmorland General Hospital. 
The proposed unit would dramatically trim a 140-mile round trip to 
the Royal Preston Hospital for 400 local South Cumbrian cancer 
patients.

In Winchester, the Hampshire Chronicle celebrated 240 years of 
continuous publishing with a special supplement focusing not only 
on the history of the paper, but how it is moving forward into the 
digital age.

12

Following the successful launch of regional farming products in 
2010 and 2011, Three Counties Farmer was launched in 2012. The 
Newsquest Specialist Media unit successfully launched Reward in 
June. Reward is a new information product for the workplace 
benefits sector.

Trials have taken place in three markets for significant changes 
in cover prices and editorial content, involving two daily products 
and one weekly product. Initial results are in line with expectations, 
and Newsquest intends to roll out further changes in selected 
markets following market research on how to develop its products in 
those markets.

There were 4,300 Newsquest employees at year end, a decrease 

of 3% compared to 2011. Efficiency initiatives included the 
consolidation of a number of back-office functions. Total costs in 
local currency were 5% lower year-over-year as a result of the range 
of efficiency measures taken.

Digital operations: Newsquest continues to actively seek to 
maximize the value of its local media brands through digital 
channels. Newsquest’s most recent data indicated that an average of 
9.1 million unique users accessed the Newsquest site network each 
month during the period July-December 2012.

Newsquest’s total digital ad revenue increased by 10% in local 

currency. Online banner revenues grew by 26%, propelled by 
improved audiences, increased local resourcing and sales activity. In 
Scotland, the group’s wholly owned market leading recruitment web 
site, s1, increased revenues by 9% from 2011.

Digital Segment
The Digital business segment includes CareerBuilder, as well as 
PointRoll, ShopLocal and Reviewed.com. At the end of 2012, the 
Digital Segment had approximately 2,600 full-time and part-time 
employees.

CareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, 
helping companies target, attract and retain talent. Its online job site, 
CareerBuilder.com, is the largest in North America with the most 
traffic and revenue. 

Headquartered in Chicago, IL, CareerBuilder at the end of 2012 

had approximately 2,200 full-time and part-time employees.

Currently, CareerBuilder operates in the U.S., Europe, Canada, 
Asia and South America.  Its sites, combined with partnerships and 
acquisitions, give CareerBuilder a presence in more than 60 markets 
worldwide. CareerBuilder offers everything from employment 
branding, and talent and compensation intelligence to recruitment 
solutions. Most of the revenues are generated by its own sales force 
but substantial revenues are also earned through sales of 
employment advertising placed with CareerBuilder’s owners’ 
affiliated media organizations. It also has a long-term strategic 
marketing agreement with Microsoft.

In 2012, CareerBuilder acquired EMSI, which collects and 
interprets large amounts of employment data which is used in 
workforce development and talent strategy. CareerBuilder plans to 
leverage the EMSI acquisition to enhance their workforce analytics 
platform creating an unmatched repository of historical and real-time 
labor information. CareerBuilder also continued to grow its global 
businesses with the acquisitions of Top Language Jobs in the U.K., 
the leading global online jobsite for multi-language jobs and 
candidates, and Ceviu, the leading information technology job board 
in Brazil.

PointRoll is a multi-screen digital advertising technology and 

services company. PointRoll enables advertisers, agencies, and 
publishers to create, target, deploy, and optimize digital campaigns 
in real time across any digital channel including display, rich media, 
in-stream video, mobile, tablet and more. PointRoll provides the 
creative tools, analytics and expertise marketers need to effectively 

13

engage consumers and convert them into buyers and brand 
supporters. Founded in May 2000, PointRoll has been instrumental 
in the evolution of digital engagement and has evolved beyond the 
expandable banner ad to offer marketers the ability to find 
consumers wherever they are across any digital platform and deliver 
a relevant brand or direct response experience, dramatically 
improving ad effectiveness while gaining actionable insights. 
PointRoll is headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, and maintains 
offices across the U.S. In October 2012, Gannett acquired Rovion. 
Rovion’s primary product, Ad Composer, includes a self-service 
technology platform that enables the full development and 
deployment of rich media and mobile HTML5 ads by clients who do 
not have coding expertise.  Rovion is being integrated into 
PointRoll’s operations and technology platform and will be 
leveraged across the entire Gannett network to fulfill the needs of 
agencies and advertisers.  

ShopLocal, the leader in multi-channel marketing services, offers 

a complete suite of innovative digital solutions which connect 
advertisers and consumers, both online and in-store. ShopLocal’s 
industry-leading SmartProduct business solutions (SmartCircular, 
SmartCatalog and SmartDelivery) enable more than 100 of the 
nation’s top retailers, including Target, Macy’s, Home Depot, CVS, 
Staples, Toys“R”Us, Walgreens, Kohl’s and Sears, to deliver highly 
interactive, targeted and localized promotions to shoppers through 
use of online circulars, display advertising, search, social media, 
digital out of home and mobile. ShopLocal is headquartered in 
Chicago, IL.

Competition: For CareerBuilder, the largest online employment 
site in North America, the market for online recruitment solutions is 
highly competitive with a multitude of online and offline 
competitors. Competitors include other employment related web 
sites, general classified advertising web sites, professional 
networking and social networking web sites, traditional media 
companies, Internet portals, search engines and blogs. The barriers 
for entry into the online recruitment market are relatively low and 
new competitors continue to emerge. Recent trends include the 
rising popularity of professional and social media networking web 
sites which have gained traction with employer advertisers. The 
number of niche job boards targeting specific industry verticals has 
also continued to increase. CareerBuilder’s ability to maintain its 
existing customer base and generate new customers depends to a 
significant degree on the quality of its services, pricing, product 
innovation and reputation among customers and potential customers.
For PointRoll, the market for rich media advertising technology 

solutions is highly competitive with a number of competitors. 
Competitors include divisions of larger public media and technology 
companies, and several earlier-stage independent rich media, 
dynamic ad, video, mobile, and social advertising technology 
specialists. The barriers to entry in the rich media market are 
moderate. Recent trends include the shift towards audience-centric, 
exchange-based media buying, entry of dynamic ad generation 
specialists, the move towards automated creative design tools, and 
the shift toward video content online with associated in-stream 
advertising opportunities. Increasingly, marketers and their agencies 
are looking for advertising technology providers that can scale 
across media platforms, including rich media, video and mobile. 
PointRoll’s ability to maintain and grow its customer base and 
revenue depends largely on its continued product innovation, level 
of service quality, depth of marketing analytics and ultimately the 
effectiveness of its rich media advertising and resulting customer 
satisfaction.

For ShopLocal, the market for digital store promotions is 
highly competitive and evolving as digital media transforms 
marketing programs. ShopLocal competitors in the online circular 
space are few, but very active. Recent trends include a surge in 
mobile usage driven by smartphone adoption (53% of cell phone 
users according to comScore) as well as “showrooming” in which 
the consumer researches prices at other competitive stores while 
shopping via mobile phone. Media fragmentation continues to 
challenge retailers and ShopLocal is well positioned to deliver 
solutions to meet this challenge. ShopLocal’s distribution 
capabilities allows retailers and brands to distribute any type of deal 
content to social, advertisements, third-party web sites and any other 
digitally connected devices. 

Regulation and legislation (for digital segment businesses and 

digital operations associated with publishing and broadcasting 
businesses): The U.S. Congress has passed legislation which 
regulates certain aspects of the Internet, including content, copyright 
infringement, taxation, access charges, liability for third-party 
activities and jurisdiction. In addition, federal, state, local and 
foreign governmental organizations have enacted and also are 
considering other legislative and regulatory proposals that would 
regulate the Internet. Areas of potential regulation include, but are 
not limited to, user privacy and intellectual property ownership. With 
respect to user privacy, the legislative and regulatory proposals 
would regulate behavioral advertising, which specifically refers to 
the use of user behavioral data for the creation and delivery of more 
relevant, targeted Internet advertisements. Some Gannett properties 
leverage certain aspects of user behavioral data in their solutions.

Broadcasting Segment
Gannett Broadcasting had its best year in history in 2012 with record 
revenues and record operating income along with significant share 
growth. Operating revenues finished 25% above last year for the full 
year. The company benefited from both record Olympic and political 
revenues this year.  

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games were the most viewed 
television event in U.S. history. More than 219 million Americans 
tuned into the games, and Gannett local stations helped drive those 
numbers. KUSA in Denver was the top rated NBC affiliate in adults 
ages 25 to 54. Gannett stations in Atlanta and Minneapolis were 
second and third respectively. With Gannett TV stations in St. Louis, 
Cleveland and Phoenix, six out of the top ten NBC affiliates were 
Gannett stations.  Gannett brought a lot of new major local 
advertisers into the 2012 Olympics and is already working with them 
on renewals for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. Gannett Broadcasting 
finished the Olympics with $37 million in billing, up 58% from the 
Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Gannett TV stations have a solid footprint for strong political 
activity and ended the year with $150 million of political revenue, a 
company record by a significant margin, leveraged through strong 
stations and strong local news positions (approximately $4 million of 
political advertising aired during the Olympics and is included in 
both the political and Olympic categories).

Digital revenues in the Broadcasting Segment finished up 11%, 

and retransmission revenues for the year finished 21% above last 
year.

At the end of 2012, the company’s broadcasting division, 
headquartered in McLean, VA, included 23 television stations in 
markets with nearly 21 million households covering 18.1% of the 
U.S. population. The broadcasting division also includes the 
Captivate Network. 

At the end of 2012, the broadcasting division had approximately 
2,600 full-time and part-time employees, approximately 1.1% more 
than at the end of 2011.

14

The principal sources of the company’s television revenues are: 

1) local advertising focusing on the immediate geographic area of 
the stations; 2) national advertising; 3) retransmission of the 
company’s television signals on satellite and cable networks; 4) 
advertising on the station’s web and tablet and mobile products; and 
5) payments by advertisers to television stations for other services, 
such as the production of advertising material. The advertising 
revenues derived from a station’s local news programs make up a 
significant part of its total revenues. Captivate derives its revenue 
principally from national advertising on video screens in elevators of 
office buildings and select hotel lobbies. As of year-end, Captivate 
had over 10,000 video screens located in 25 major cities across 
North America.

Advertising rates charged by a television station are based on the 
ability of a station to deliver a specific audience to an advertiser. The 
larger a station’s ratings in any particular day part, the more leverage 
a station has in asking for a price advantage. As the market fluctuates 
with supply and demand, so does the station’s pricing. Almost all 
national advertising is placed through independent advertising 
representatives. Local advertising time is sold by each station’s own 
sales force.

Generally, a network provides programs to its affiliated 

television stations and sells on its own behalf commercial 
advertising for certain of the available ad spots within the network 
programs. The company’s television stations produce local 
programming such as news, sports, and entertainment.

For all of its stations, the company is party to network affiliation 

agreements as well as cable and satellite carriage agreements. The 
company’s 12 NBC-affiliated stations have agreements that expire 
on Jan. 1, 2017. The agreements for the company’s six CBS affiliates 
expire on Dec. 31, 2015. The company’s three ABC affiliates have 
agreements which expire on Feb. 28, 2014. The company’s two 
MyNetworkTV-affiliated stations have agreements that expire in 
October 2014.

In 2012, the company completed retransmission negotiations 
with several providers including cable and satellite operators. All are 
multi-year agreements that provide the company with significant and 
steady revenue streams. There are no incremental costs associated 
with this revenue and therefore all of these revenues contribute 
directly to operating income. Retransmission revenues are expected 
to grow significantly in 2013.

As part of the company’s growing engagement and innovation 

with social media, Gannett joined 9 leading television broadcast 
groups and invested in a long-term commercial partnership with a 
Silicon Valley-based start-up called ConnecTV.  ConnecTV, 
launched in 2012, is a social television network for TV fans. On Feb. 
5, 2012, Gannett entered into a public “Beta” testing period with 
ConnecTV for the kickoff of Super bowl XLVI. Consumers used the 
ConnecTV service on their iPads and computers to experience 
“synced” companion news, polls, player bios and to participate in 
online chats with other social TV users.   

In June 2012, with a significantly improved technology platform 

and user interface as well as the addition of a core content-
development team, ConnecTV “soft launched” its new product with 
digital promotions and TV spots across the Garnet Media Co., LLC 
stations, including Belo Corp., Cox Media Group, E.W. Scripps Co., 
Gannett Broadcasting, Hearst Television Inc., Media General Inc., 
Meredith Corp., Post-Newsweek Stations Inc., Raycom Media and 
Schurz. In August 2012, the social TV service was used by 100,000 
consumers as its Olympics coverage for the “second” screen rolled 
out with special companion Games content. 

The ConnectTV engineering team also developed a first-ever Ad 

Sync Network that synchronizes the television advertising 
experience with companion marketing on the second screen – 
enabling users to take action on a TV ad that includes the ability to 
Buy Now, Find the Closest Store, Play Product Videos, Enter a 
Contest and other “activations” that extend the TV branding 
experience.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, ConnecTV signed a Charter 
Programming revenue deal with CBS Television Distribution 
focused on “Entertainment Tonight” tuned-alerts and co-marketing. 
This effort also features Entertainment Tonight-ConnecTV co-
branded television spots and digital promotion, as well as 
“Entertainment Tonight” talent appearing in ConnecTV’s 
WATERCOOLER chat venue.

ConnecTV was honored this past year as “The Best Ubiquitous 
Social TV Network” by the Social TV Summit as its numbers and 
industry awareness continued to grow.

Programming and production: The costs of locally produced 
and purchased syndicated programming are a significant portion of 
television operating expenses. Syndicated programming costs are 
determined based upon largely uncontrollable market factors, 
including demand from the independent and affiliated stations within 
the market. In recent years, the company’s television stations have 
emphasized their locally produced news and entertainment 
programming in an effort to provide programs that distinguish the 
stations from the competition, to increase locally responsible 
programming, and to better control costs.

Gannett TV stations led the way in covering major news events 

during 2012. Gannett’s 12 NBC stations were front and center for 
the 2012 London Olympics and were home to Super Bowl XLVI. 
While the company’s broadcast markets had no local team in the 
Super Bowl game, Gannett stations took advantage of the enormous 
audience and four stations were among the top 10 rated stations 
(adults ages 25 to 54) for the 2012 Super Bowl: KARE in 
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN (No. 3), KUSA in Denver, CO (No. 6), 
WXIA in Atlanta, GA (No. 8) and WKYC in Cleveland, OH (No. 9).
 Maximizing its use of cross-divisional content and resource 
sharing for the 2012 London Olympics, Gannett Broadcasting sent 
teams from eight stations to London where they combined forces 
with USA TODAY to provide the most comprehensive coverage of 
any local media group. Hundreds of stories produced stateside, 
combined with hundreds of live shots outside Olympic Stadium, 
helped Gannett TV stations dominate coverage. Highlights included 
KUSA in Denver’s coverage of hometown four-time gold medalist 
Missy Franklin and WXIA in Atlanta co-anchoring its morning show 
from London during the Games. Gannett Broadcasting also teamed 
with USA TODAY and USCP to provide extensive coverage of 
Hurricanes Isaac and Sandy. Locally, KUSA led coverage of a tragic 
movie theater shooting in Aurora, CO, and followed with 
informative coverage of the worst wild fire season in a decade. 
KPNX and Republic Media were honored for their coverage of a 
massive dust storm that blanketed Phoenix, and First Coast News in 
Jacksonville, FL, produced in-depth coverage of a local high school 
student who was killed during a confrontation over loud music.

Tampa was the host city of the 2012 Republican Convention and 

WTSP in Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL, anchored live from the 
convention for five straight days. WTSP provided hours of extended 
coverage that included nightly 7 p.m. specials, expanded 11p.m. 
newscasts, fact-checking political spots and working with 
USA TODAY to provide a live webcast each day. 

Gannett Broadcasting also continued its pursuit of providing 
innovative, relevant local newscasts to consumers using its “9 Areas 
of Focus” as a guide. Two areas of particular attention for stations in 
2012 were the “Watchdog” and “Advocacy” categories. WUSA in 
Washington, DC, took on the issue of teenage drinking;  WXIA in 
Atlanta investigated wrongful parking fines; KUSA in Denver 
showed how dozens of children have been “Failed to Death”; KPNX 
in Phoenix produced a series called “30 Ways in 30 Days,” which 
highlighted how consumers could help Arizona’s children in need; 
WLTX in Columbia, SC, broke news of the cyber intrusion of the 
South Carolina Department of Revenue’s web site by data thieves 
and, working with The Greenville (SC) News and USA TODAY, 
reported the stories of hundreds of thousands of residents who had 
personal information compromised; WFMY in Greensboro, NC, 
worked with Guilford County schools to encourage students to read 
three million books in three months, and, for the first time, the 
school district reached its goal; and, as a result of reporting by 
WMAZ in Macon, GA, a railroad crossing gate was installed where 
a woman had been killed by a train.        

 Gannett Broadcasting began rolling out a new graphics and 
music package at year end, with full implementation expected to be 
completed in April 2013. Based on feedback from viewers, the new 
look is clean, sharp and easy to read and uses USA TODAY’s 
signature section color-coding system; news is blue, money is green, 
sports is red, life is purple.

Gannett Broadcasting stations continue to be recognized by their 

peers for outstanding work. KARE in Minneapolis-St. Paul and 
KUSA in Denver won three national Edward R. Murrow awards for 
locally produced work. In addition, thirty-one regional Edward R. 
Murrow Awards were presented to Gannett television stations, 
including three Overall Excellence Awards received by KARE, 
WGRZ in Buffalo, NY, and KTHV in Little Rock, AR. WXIA in 
Atlanta was recognized with three National Association of Black 
Journalists Awards of Excellence in three different categories. Along 
with the Gannett Graphics Group, six Gannett broadcasting stations, 
WXIA, WCSH in Portland, ME, KPNX in Phoenix, AZ, WZZM in 
Grand Rapids, MI, WKYC in Cleveland, OH, and WGRZ won 
Promax Awards in promotion and marketing and Gannett TV 
stations across the country combined to win more than 100 AP and 
Regional Emmy Awards for outstanding journalism. KUSA won its 
13th straight Colorado Broadcasters Station of the Year Award, and 
WUSA was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) 
for its series on teenage drinking.    

Competition: In each of its broadcasting markets, the company’s 

stations and affiliated digital platforms compete for revenues with 
other network-affiliated and independent television and radio 
broadcasters and with other advertising media, such as cable 
television, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, out-of-home 
advertising and Internet media. Other sources of present and 
potential competition for the company’s broadcasting properties 
include home video and audio recorders and players, direct 
broadcast satellite, low-power television, radio, video offerings (both 
wire line and wireless) of telephone companies as well as developing 
video services. The stations also compete in the emerging local 
electronic media space, which includes Internet or Internet-enabled 
devices, handheld wireless devices such as mobile phones and 
tablets, social media platforms, and digital spectrum opportunities 
associated with DTV. The company’s broadcasting stations compete 
principally on the basis of their audience share, advertising rates and 
audience composition.

With the Democratic Convention in Charlotte, NC, WFMY in 

The Broadcast Segment continues to focus on increasing 

Greensboro, NC, anchored its newscasts from the convention as 
well. Both WTSP’s and WFMY’s efforts reflect a division-wide 
commitment to providing informative political coverage to 
consumers. 

engagement on all platforms with local customers. As was the case 
the last several years, Gannett television stations saw very strong 
growth in digital metrics as the stations’ content remains in high 
demand and product improvements continue to be favorably 

15

received by consumers. Overall in 2012, online visitors increased 
20%.  Mobile page views are up 195% in 2012, and customers are 
consuming more content when they visit. Mobile page views per 
visitor are up 65%, primarily because of the iPhone, Android and 
Weather apps. Preliminary numbers are positive for the recently 
launched iPad apps, and the company expects greater consumer 
adoption with increased tablet penetration.

Video remains the most valuable content from an advertising 
perspective. On demand video plays increased 33% in 2012 while 
live video plays increased 500%. This is a result of continued 
technology improvements, workflow enhancements and viewer 
demand. Often breaking news happens when people are at work and 
unable to view a traditional TV. Desktop and mobile video are 
allowing company broadcast stations to reach consumers no matter 
where they are, or which device they have available.  

Broadcast focused on building engagement in social media in 

2012. The synergistic relationship between social media and 
television is strong. From major sporting events such as the Super 
Bowl, March Madness and the Olympics to major news events like 
the shootings in Newtown, CT, and Aurora, CO, to national and local 
election coverage to entertainment programming such as “The 
Voice,” social media influenced what people watched, what they 
shared and what they talked about. Gannett Broadcast Facebook fans 
increased over 33% in the last half of 2012 and Twitter followers 
were up over 21%. 

Regulation: The company’s television stations are operated 
under the authority of the Federal Communications Commission 
(FCC), the Communications Act of 1934, as amended 
(Communications Act), and the rules and policies of the FCC (FCC 
Regulations).

Television broadcast licenses are granted for periods of eight 
years. They are renewable upon application to the FCC and usually 
are renewed except in rare cases in which a petition to deny, a 
complaint or an adverse finding as to the licensee’s qualifications 
results in loss of the license. The company believes it is in 
substantial compliance with all applicable provisions of the 
Communications Act and FCC Regulations. Nine of the company’s 
stations, including two stations with pending renewal applications 
from 2004, filed for FCC license renewals in 2012. As of Feb. 15, 
2013, the renewals remain pending and the company expects the 
renewals filed in 2012 to be granted in the ordinary course.  The 
company will be filing additional license renewal applications in 
2013, including three for stations with pending renewal applications 
filed in 2005, and anticipate that these applications also will be 
granted in the ordinary course.

FCC regulation also limits concentration of broadcasting control 

and regulate network and local programming practices. FCC 
Regulations governing multiple ownership limit, or in some cases 
prohibit, the common ownership or control of most communications 
media serving common market areas (for example, television and 
radio; television and daily newspapers; or radio and daily 
newspapers). In addition, the Communications Act includes a 
national ownership cap under which one company is permitted to 
serve no more than 39% of all U.S. television households (the 
company’s 23 television stations currently reach approximately 
18.1% of U.S. television households). FCC rules permit common 
ownership of two television stations in the same market in certain 
defined circumstances, provided that at least one of the commonly 
owned stations is not among the market’s top four rated stations at 
the time of acquisition and at least eight independent media “voices” 
remain after the acquisition.

FCC regulation prohibits a television station owner from owning 
a daily newspaper in cases where the station’s contour encompasses 
the newspaper’s city of publication. In 2007, the FCC granted a 
permanent waiver authorizing the company’s continued ownership 
of both KPNX-TV and The Arizona Republic in Phoenix, AZ. The 
FCC also adopted a waiver standard for the newspaper/broadcast 
cross-ownership rule, but the pertinent part of the order was vacated 
on appeal, and thus the waiver standard never went into effect. The 
appeals court rejected a challenge to the FCC’s retention of the local 
television ownership rule. In addition, the FCC has commenced a 
new review of its ownership rules, as it is required to do every four 
years, and this review may result in additional rule modifications. 
The FCC has proposed to retain the local television ownership rule 
(but is seeking comment on a possible waiver standard for smaller 
markets), and has proposed a modest relaxation of the newspaper/
broadcast rule (similar to the waiver standard that the FCC had 
adopted during the last ownership review that was rejected in court). 
However, the waiver standard may be of limited value for the 
company in permitting expanded ownership opportunities, because it 
contains presumptions that, in the top 20 television markets, 
common ownership of a television station and a daily newspaper 
may be permitted only if the station is not one of the top four rated 
stations; most of the company’s stations are rated number one or two 
in their markets.  The FCC’s notice of proposed rulemaking also 
seeks comment about shared services agreements and local news 
agreements, including whether such arrangements should be 
attributable for purposes of the ownership rules. An order in this 
proceeding is expected in 2013.

Congress and the FCC are considering possible changes to the 

Communications Act and to other FCC regulations, respectively, 
including the rules concerning retransmission consent (which govern 
cable and satellite operators’ carriage of the signals of the company’s 
stations); the statutory cable and satellite copyright regime; and the 
rules and policies concerning the specific amount and type of public-
interest programming required to be carried by broadcast stations to 
satisfy their license obligations and requirements concerning the 
disclosure of such programming efforts. The current retransmission 
consent rules are working overall. There continues to be few 
retransmission disputes with virtually all negotiations completed 
successfully. In addition, as authorized by and pursuant to certain 
requirements established by Congress in 2012, the FCC is seeking 
comment on rules to govern a “repacking” of the television 
spectrum, which may entail the company’s stations moving to 
different channels, having smaller service areas, and /or accepting 
additional interference.

Employees
At the end of 2012, the company and its subsidiaries had 
approximately 30,700 full-time and part-time employees including 
2,200 for CareerBuilder. At certain operations, headcount reductions 
were made in 2012 as part of efficiency and consolidation efforts.

Approximately 10% of those employed by the company and its 

subsidiaries in the U.S. are represented by labor unions. They are 
represented by 60 local bargaining units, most of which are affiliated 
with one of seven international unions under collective bargaining 
agreements. These agreements conform generally with the pattern of 
labor agreements in the publishing and broadcasting industries. The 
company does not engage in industry-wide or company-wide 
bargaining. The company’s U.K. subsidiaries bargain with two 
unions over working practices, wages and health and safety issues 
only.

The company has a 401(k) Savings Plan, which is available to 
most domestic non-represented employees and unionized employees 
who have bargained participation in the plan.

16

During 2008, substantially all of the participants in the Gannett 

The company also is focused on being energy efficient. Its 

headquarters building received the Leadership in Energy and 
Environmental Design (LEEDS) EB certification, and the company 
has relocated many employees in other facilities to newer, more 
energy efficient offices. 

Gannett has installed more energy efficient HVAC systems and 
appliances in many of its buildings. In 2011-2012 alone, Gannett’s 
HVAC upgrade program resulted in a reduction of 10.7 million 
kilowatt hours of annual electricity use. In 2012, Gannett also 
invested in energy efficient lighting upgrades at two locations. For 
2013, Gannett has identified new projects estimated to reduce power 
consumption further by approximately 2.8 million kilowatt hours 
annually.

The Gannett Green Operating Employee Group serves as a 
forum to review and recommend “green” ideas and practices. The 
group maintains an intranet site that provides an accessible, 
informative and interactive resource highlighting new and innovative 
green best practices which help Gannett businesses and properties 
develop more sustainable operating practices.

Many of Gannett's media organizations cover environmental and 

sustainability issues and inspire action. One good example is 
USA TODAY, which was recognized for “Ghost Factories: Poison in 
the Ground.” The series won four national awards, including the 
Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award from the Columbia Journalism 
School. The investigative report uncovered hundreds of forgotten 
lead factories and the toxic lead left behind. The series drew calls for 
action from seven U.S. senators and led the EPA to re-examine 
health risks at 464 sites nationwide.

Make A Difference Day, created by USA WEEKEND, is the 

nation’s largest day of volunteering. For more than 20 years, 
USA WEEKEND has mobilized millions of people across the U.S. 
for this National Day of Doing Good. Together with its hundreds of 
carrier newspapers and longstanding partners Points of Light and 
Newman’s Own, it rallies millions of people in a single day to help 
the change communities they live in. Volunteer efforts often include 
projects such as planting trees or gardens, cleaning up trash, planting 
sod and other environmentally beneficial tasks. 

The Gannett Foundation is a corporate foundation sponsored by 

the company. Through its Community Grant Program, Gannett 
Foundation supports non-profit activities in the communities in 
which Gannett does business and contributes to a variety of 
charitable causes. One of Gannett Foundation’s community action 
grant priorities includes environmental conservation.

General Company Information
Gannett was founded by Frank E. Gannett and associates in 1906 
and was incorporated in 1923. The company listed shares publicly 
for the first time in 1967. It reincorporated in Delaware in 1972. Its 
more than 230 million outstanding shares of common stock are held 
by approximately 7,960 shareholders of record in all 50 states and 
several foreign countries. Gannett’s headquarters is in McLean, VA, 
near Washington, DC.

Retirement Plan (GRP) and the Gannett Supplemental Retirement 
Plan (SERP) had their benefits under these plans frozen.  
Amendments were made to the existing Gannett 401(k) Savings Plan 
(401(k) Plan) and the Gannett Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP).   
Most participants whose benefits were frozen under the GRP and, if 
applicable, the SERP received higher matching contributions under 
the 401(k) Plan. The matching contribution rate generally increased 
from 50% of the first 6% of compensation that an employee elects to 
contribute to the plan to 100% of the first 5% of contributed 
compensation. The company also makes additional employer 
contributions to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of certain long-service 
employees. The DCP was amended to provide for Gannett 
contributions on behalf of certain employees whose benefits under 
the 401(k) Plan are capped by IRS rules.  Participants whose benefits 
were frozen will have their benefits periodically increased by a cost 
of living adjustment until benefits commence.

The company provides competitive group life and medical 
insurance programs for full-time domestic employees at each 
location. The company pays a substantial portion of these costs and 
employees contribute the balance.

The company and its subsidiaries have various retirement plans, 

including plans established under some collective bargaining 
agreements.

As is the practice in the U.K., Newsquest employees have local 

staff councils for consultation and communication with local 
Newsquest management. Newsquest provides its employees with the 
option to participate in a retirement plan. In October 2010, after 
discussion with its pension plan trustees and employees, the decision 
was made to close the Newsquest defined benefit plan to future 
accrual, effective March 31, 2011. The plan closure was made to 
reduce pension expenses and funding volatility and was part of a 
package of measures to address the plan’s deficit. Some of the 
savings from closing the defined benefit plan were offset by 
increased membership in Newsquest’s defined contribution plan.

A key initiative for the company is its leadership and diversity 
program that focuses on finding, developing and retaining the best 
and the brightest employees, as well as a diverse workforce that 
reflects the fabric of the communities Gannett serves.

Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives
Gannett is committed to making smart decisions to protect the 
environment and manage its environmental impact responsibly.  
Being a good corporate citizen is a core value and the company has 
taken a number of steps to reduce its environmental impact and 
underscore its commitment to sustainability.

The company has been an industry pioneer in switching to 
environmentally-friendly press products, such as low-VOC (Volatile 
Organic Compound) washes and fountain solutions and citrus-based 
press cleaners. All colored inks and many black inks the company 
uses are soy-based rather than petroleum-based, and delivered in 
reusable containers. Gannett’s waste ink is recycled, either on-site or 
at the manufacturer’s facility. The company continues to minimize 
landfill usage by collecting used paper, plastics and other materials 
for recycling and has substantially reduced water usage by switching 
to dry methods of photo processing and plate processing.

Gannett has reduced green house emissions by using newsprint 

vendors who practice sustainability, switching to light-weight 
newsprint, reducing the size of the newspapers printed, and using 
recycled and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified newsprint 
where available. 

17

Mobile and Tablet: Gannett powers more than 400 local mobile and tablet products and also partners with mobile service providers to 
power news alerts and mobile marketing campaigns. Gannett has also developed and deployed leading applications for iPad, iPhone, 
Kindle, Android and Windows.

MARKETS WE SERVE

DAILY LOCAL MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS AND AFFILIATED DIGITAL PLATFORMS

Average 2012 Circulation - Print and 
Digital Replica and Non-Replica
Afternoon

Morning

Sunday

39,851

Founded
1829

State
Territory
Alabama

City
Montgomery

Arizona

Phoenix

Arkansas

Mountain Home

California

Palm Springs

Salinas

Visalia

Colorado

Fort Collins

Delaware

Wilmington

Florida

Brevard County

Guam

Indiana

Fort Myers

Pensacola

Tallahassee

Hagatna

Indianapolis

Lafayette

Muncie

Richmond

Iowa

Des Moines

Iowa City

Kentucky

Louisville

Louisiana

Alexandria

Lafayette

Monroe

Opelousas

Shreveport

Maryland

Salisbury

Local media organization/web site
Montgomery Advertiser
www.montgomeryadvertiser.com
The Arizona Republic
www.azcentral.com
The Baxter Bulletin
www.baxterbulletin.com
The Desert Sun
www.mydesert.com
The Salinas Californian
www.thecalifornian.com
Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare
Advance-Register
www.visaliatimesdelta.com
www.tulareadvanceregister.com
Fort Collins Coloradoan
www.coloradoan.com
The News Journal
www.delawareonline.com
FLORIDA TODAY
www.floridatoday.com
The News-Press
www.news-press.com
Pensacola News Journal
www.pnj.com
Tallahassee Democrat
www.Tallahassee.com
Pacific Daily News
www.guampdn.com
The Indianapolis Star
www.indystar.com
Journal and Courier
www.jconline.com
The Star Press
www.thestarpress.com
Palladium-Item
www.pal-item.com
The Des Moines Register
www.desmoinesregister.com
Iowa City Press-Citizen
www.press-citizen.com
The Courier-Journal
www.courier-journal.com
Alexandria Daily Town Talk
www.thetowntalk.com
The Daily Advertiser
www.theadvertiser.com
The News-Star
www.thenewsstar.com
Daily World
www.dailyworld.com
The Times
www.shreveporttimes.com
The Daily Times
www.delmarvanow.com

18

30,654

296,934

8,960

37,077

8,441

17,774

19,736

78,961

55,633

61,183

36,824

33,830

16,484

516,753

1890

1901

43,719

1927

1871

1859

24,679

1873

108,750

1871

76,469

1966

84,388

1884

54,315

1889

39,685

1905

14,276

1944

157,749

291,842

1903

25,225

20,586

9,602

99,328

10,297

33,769

1829

26,762

1899

14,856

1831

199,125

1849

1860

138,224

234,561

1868

18,337

27,561

23,344

5,303

36,018

16,374

24,486

1883

37,725

1865

26,191

1890

6,533

1939

47,310

1871

22,729

1900

 
 
 
DAILY LOCAL MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS AND AFFILIATED DIGITAL PLATFORMS

Average 2012 Circulation - Print and 
Digital Replica and Non-Replica
Afternoon

Morning

Sunday

20,345

Founded
1900

14,175

212,235

41,283

10,832

16,909

21,303

55,843

33,586

25,376

41,201

97,375

14,219

45,131

27,442

18,440

12,394

33,617

15,175

10,451

23,963

110,088

71,642

30,353

851,546

1832

58,625

1855

15,815

1843

25,897

1900

27,157

1861

10,577

14,067

1897

67,595

1837

52,958

1893

27,730

1885

66,055

1870

144,562

1879

18,139

1884

59,414

1875

34,034

1879

22,335

1900

1864

45,379

1904

23,183

1828

1815

32,615

1785

154,557

1833

90,758

1829

46,234

1870

State
Territory
Michigan

City
Battle Creek

Detroit

Lansing

Livingston County

Port Huron

Minnesota

St. Cloud

Mississippi

Hattiesburg

Jackson

Missouri

Springfield

Montana

Great Falls

Nevada

Reno

New Jersey

Asbury Park

Bridgewater

Cherry Hill

East Brunswick

Morristown

Vineland

New York

Binghamton

Elmira

Ithaca

Poughkeepsie

Rochester

Westchester County

North Carolina

Asheville

Local media organization/web site
Battle Creek Enquirer
www.battlecreekenquirer.com
Detroit Free Press
www.freep.com
Lansing State Journal
www.lansingstatejournal.com
Daily Press & Argus
www.livingstondaily.com
Times Herald
www.thetimesherald.com
St. Cloud Times
www.sctimes.com
Hattiesburg American
www.hattiesburgamerican.com
The Clarion-Ledger
www.clarionledger.com
Springfield News-Leader
www.news-leader.com
Great Falls Tribune
www.greatfallstribune.com
Reno Gazette-Journal
www.rgj.com
Asbury Park Press
www.app.com
Courier News
www.mycentraljersey.com
Courier-Post
www.courierpostonline.com
Home News Tribune
www.mycentraljersey.com
Daily Record
www.dailyrecord.com
The Daily Journal
www.thedailyjournal.com
Press & Sun-Bulletin
www.pressconnects.com
Star-Gazette
www.stargazette.com
The Ithaca Journal
www.theithacajournal.com
Poughkeepsie Journal
www.poughkeepsiejournal.com
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
www.democratandchronicle.com
The Journal News
www.lohud.com
Asheville Citizen-Times
www.citizen-times.com

19

 
 
 
DAILY LOCAL MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS AND AFFILIATED DIGITAL PLATFORMS

State
Territory
Ohio

City
Bucyrus

Chillicothe

Cincinnati

Coshocton

Fremont

Lancaster

Mansfield

Marion

Newark

Port Clinton

Zanesville

Oregon

Salem

South Carolina

Greenville

South Dakota

Sioux Falls

Tennessee

Clarksville

Jackson

Murfreesboro

Nashville

St. George

Utah

Vermont

Burlington

Virginia

McLean

Staunton

Wisconsin

Appleton

Fond du Lac

Green Bay

Manitowoc

Marshfield

Oshkosh

Sheboygan

Stevens Point

Wausau

Wisconsin Rapids

Local media organization/web site
Telegraph-Forum
www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com
Chillicothe Gazette
www.chillicothegazette.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
www.cincinnati.com
Coshocton Tribune
www.coshoctontribune.com
The News-Messenger
www.thenews-messenger.com
Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
www.lancastereaglegazette.com
News Journal
www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com
The Marion Star
www.marionstar.com
The Advocate
www.newarkadvocate.com
News Herald
www.portclintonnewsherald.com
Times Recorder
www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com
Statesman Journal
www.statesmanjournal.com
The Greenville News
www.greenvilleonline.com
Argus Leader
www.argusleader.com
The Leaf-Chronicle
www.theleafchronicle.com
The Jackson Sun
www.jacksonsun.com
The Daily News Journal
www.dnj.com
The Tennessean
www.tennessean.com
The Spectrum
www.thespectrum.com
The Burlington Free Press
www.burlingtonfreepress.com
USA TODAY
www.usatoday.com
The Daily News Leader
www.newsleader.com
The Post-Crescent
www.postcrescent.com
The Reporter
www.fdlreporter.com
Green Bay Press-Gazette
www.greenbaypressgazette.com
Herald Times Reporter
www.htrnews.com
Marshfield News-Herald
www.marshfieldnewsherald.com
Oshkosh Northwestern
www.thenorthwestern.com
The Sheboygan Press
www.sheboyganpress.com
Stevens Point Journal
www.stevenspointjournal.com
Central Wisconsin Sunday
Wausau Daily Herald
www.wausaudailyherald.com
The Daily Tribune
www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com

20

Average 2012 Circulation - Print and 
Digital Replica and Non-Replica
Afternoon

Morning

Sunday

3,883

Founded
1923

8,135

10,027

1800

136,280

263,630

1841

17,887

6,416

11,624

35,478

51,217

31,842

13,817

18,199

10,723

108,397

15,520

28,532

1,732,918

13,073

40,482

10,198

43,824

10,204

14,238

14,441

3,688

5,846

8,007

4,590

1842

1856

9,641

1807

25,895

1885

8,073

1880

11,218

13,985

1820

2,629

1864

13,763

1852

42,581

1851

96,767

1874

48,030

1881

18,100

1808

28,302

1848

15,152

1848

218,728

1812

18,591

1963

34,723

1827

1982

16,271

1904

53,777

1853

13,440

1870

64,878

1915

12,001

1898

8,072

1927

19,568

1868

18,013

1907

17,589
21,292

1873

1903

1914

7,965

15,456

7,998

 
 
 
DAILY PAID-FOR LOCAL MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS AND AFFILIATED DIGITAL PLATFORMS/NEWSQUEST PLC

City
Basildon

Blackburn

Bolton

Bournemouth

Bradford

Brighton

Colchester

Darlington

Glasgow

Glasgow

Newport

Oxford

Southampton

Swindon

Weymouth

Worcester

York

Local media organization/web site
Echo**
www.echo-news.co.uk
Lancashire Telegraph
www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
The Bolton News
www.theboltonnews.co.uk
Daily Echo
www.bournemouthecho.co.uk
Telegraph & Argus
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
The Argus
www.theargus.co.uk
The Gazette**
www.gazette-news.co.uk
The Northern Echo
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
Evening Times
www.eveningtimes.co.uk
The Herald
www.heraldscotland.com
South Wales Argus
www.southwalesargus.co.uk
Oxford Mail
www.oxfordmail.co.uk
Southern Daily Echo
www.dailyecho.co.uk
Swindon Advertiser
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
Dorset Echo
www.dorsetecho.co.uk
Worcester News
www.worcesternews.co.uk
The Press
www.thepress.co.uk

Circulation*
Monday-Saturday
29,125

Founded
1969

20,870

19,740

24,825

24,163

22,399

15,259

38,479

45,942

45,493

21,437

17,556

29,973

16,837

16,313

13,305

24,312

1886

1867

1900

1868

1880

1970

1870

1876

1783

1892

1928

1888

1854

1921

1937

1882

*    Circulation figures are according to ABC results for the period January - June 2012
**   Publishes Monday-Friday

Non-daily publications: Essex, London, Midlands, North East, North West, South Coast, South East, South and East Wales, South West, 
Yorkshire

GANNETT DIGITAL
CareerBuilder: www.careerbuilder.com
Headquarters: Chicago, IL
Sales offices: Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Edison, NJ; 
Houston, TX; Los Angeles; Minneapolis, MN; Moscow, ID; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Orlando, FL; Overland Park, KS; Philadelphia, 
PA; San Bruno, CA; Scottsdale, AZ; Seattle, WA; Washington, DC
International offices: Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Singapore, Spain, 
Sweden, United Kingdom, Brazil, Indonesia
PointRoll, Inc.: www.pointroll.com
Headquarters: King of Prussia, PA
Sales offices: Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Toronto, Canada
ShopLocal: www.shoplocal.com
Headquarters: Chicago, IL
Sales office: Chicago, IL
Reviewed.com: www.reviewed.com
Headquarters: Boston, MA

21

 
TELEVISION STATIONS AND AFFILIATED DIGITAL PLATFORMS

State/District 
of Columbia
Arizona

City
Flagstaff
Phoenix

Arkansas

Little Rock

California

Sacramento

Colorado

Denver

District of
Columbia
Florida

Washington

Jacksonville

Tampa-St. Petersburg

Georgia

Atlanta

Maine

Macon

Bangor

Portland

Michigan

Grand Rapids

Minnesota

Minneapolis-St. Paul

Missouri

St. Louis

New York

Buffalo

North Carolina Greensboro

Ohio

Cleveland

South Carolina Columbia

Tennessee

Knoxville

Station/web site
KNAZ-TV
KPNX-TV
www.azcentral.com/12news
KTHV-TV
www.todaysthv.com
KXTV-TV
www.news10.net
KTVD-TV
www.ktvd.com
KUSA-TV
www.9news.com
WUSA-TV
www.wusa9.com
WJXX-TV
WTLV-TV
www.firstcoastnews.com
WTSP-TV
www.wtsp.com
WATL-TV
www.myatltv.com
WXIA-TV
www.11alive.com
WMAZ-TV
www.13wmaz.com
WLBZ-TV
www.wlbz2.com
WCSH-TV
www.wcsh6.com
WZZM-TV
www.wzzm13.com
KARE-TV
www.kare11.com
KSDK-TV
www.ksdk.com
WGRZ-TV
www.wgrz.com
WFMY-TV
www.digtriad.com
WKYC-TV
www.wkyc.com
WLTX-TV
www.wltx.com
WBIR-TV
www.wbir.com

Weekly 
Audience (a)
(b)
1,155,000

Founded
1970
1953

Channel/Network
Channel 2/NBC
Channel 12/NBC

Channel 11/CBS

Channel 10/ABC

Channel 20/MyNetworkTV

Channel 9/NBC

Channel 9/CBS

Channel 25/ABC
Channel 12/NBC

Channel 10/CBS

417,000

866,000

590,000

1,201,000

1,763,000

366,000
461,000

1,243,000

Channel 36/MyNetworkTV

883,000

Channel 11/NBC

1,642,000

Channel 13/CBS

Channel 2/NBC

Channel 6/NBC

Channel 13/ABC

Channel 11/NBC

Channel 5/NBC

Channel 2/NBC

Channel 2/CBS

Channel 3/NBC

Channel 19/CBS

Channel 10/NBC

199,000

106,000

306,000

374,000

1,345,000

1,028,000

520,000

562,000

1,122,000

292,000

443,000

1955

1955

1988

1952

1949

1989
1957

1965

1954

1948

1953

1954

1953

1962

1953

1947

1954

1949

1948

1953

1956

Captivate Network: www.captivatenetwork.com
Headquarters: Chelmsford, MA
Advertising offices: Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Toronto, Canada.

(a) Weekly audience is number of TV households reached, according to the November 2012 Nielsen book.
(b) Audience numbers fall below minimum reporting standards.

22

USA TODAY/USATODAY.com
Headquarters and editorial offices: McLean, VA
Print sites: Albuquerque, NM; Atlanta, GA; Columbia, SC; Denver, CO; Des Moines, IA; Eugene, OR; Everett, WA; Fort Lauderdale, FL; 
Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Kankakee, IL; Las Vegas, NV; Lawrence, KS; Los Angeles, CA; Louisville, KY; Milwaukee, WI; 
Minneapolis, MN; Mobile, AL; Nashville, TN; Newark, OH; Norwood, MA; Oklahoma City, OK; Orlando, FL; Phoenix, AZ; Plano, TX; 
Rochester, NY; Rockaway, NJ; St. Louis, MO; Salt Lake City, UT; San Jose, CA; Springfield, VA; Sterling Heights, MI; Tampa, FL; 
Warrendale, PA; Wilmington, DE; Winston-Salem, NC
Advertising offices: Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI; Los Angeles, CA; McLean, VA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA

USA TODAY Sports Media Group: www.bigleadsports.com; www.kffl.com; www.thehuddle.com (subscription); www.hoopsworld.com; 
hoopshype.com; mmajunkie.com; bnqt.com; www.baseballhq.com (subscription); www.quickish.com; www.venturethere.com; 
www.schedulestar.com; www.usatodayhss.com
Headquarters: New York, NY
Advertising offices: Los Angeles, CA; McLean, VA; New York, NY

USA TODAY Travel Media Group
Headquarters: McLean, VA
Advertising offices: McLean, VA

USA WEEKEND: www.usaweekend.com
Headquarters and editorial offices: McLean, VA
Advertising offices: Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA

Gannett Digital Marketing Services: BLiNQ Media: www.blinqmedia.com; DealChicken: www.dealchicken.com; Clipper Digital: 
www.clippermagazine.com; www.couponclipper.com; www.DoubleTakeDeals.com; GannettLocal: www.gannettlocal.com; Mobestream   
Media (Key Ring): www.keyringapp.com
Headquarters: Chicago, IL
Sales offices: Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; McLean, VA: New York, NY

BLiNQ Media: www.blinqmedia.com; bam.blinqmedia.com
Headquarters: New York, NY
Advertising offices:  Atlanta, GA; Cambridge, MA; Chicago, IL; New York, NY 

Mobestream Media: www.keyringapp.com
Headquarters: Dallas, TX

Clipper Magazine: www.clippermagazine.com; www.couponclipper.com; DoubleTakeDeals.com
Headquarters: Mountville, PA

Gannett Healthcare Group: www.GannettHG.com; www.GannettEducation.com; www.ContinuingEducation.com; www.Nurse.com; 
www.TodayinPT.com; www.TodayinOt.com; www.PearlsReview.com
Headquarters: Falls Church, VA
Regional offices: Dallas, TX; Hoffman Estates, IL; San Jose, CA
Publications: Nurse.com, Today in PT, Today in OT

Gannett Government Media Corp.
Headquarters: Springfield, VA
Regional office: Los Angeles, CA
Publications: Army Times: www.armytimes.com, Navy Times: www.navytimes.com, Marine Corps Times: www.marinecorpstimes.com, Air 
Force Times: www.airforcetimes.com, Federal Times: www.federaltimes.com, Defense News: www.defensenews.com, Armed Forces Journal: 
www.armedforcesjournal.com, C4ISR Journal: www.c4isrjournal.com, Training and Simulation Journal: www.tsjonline.com, Military Times 
EDGE: www.militarytimesedge.com

Gannett Media Technologies International: www.gmti.com 
Headquarters: Norfolk, VA
Regional offices: Cincinnati, OH; Phoenix, AZ

Non-daily publications: Weekly, semi-weekly, monthly or bimonthly publications in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, 
Delaware, Florida, Guam, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, 
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin
Gannett Publishing Services
Headquarters: McLean, VA 
Sales office: Atlanta, GA

Gannett Direct Marketing Services, Inc.: www.gdms.com
Headquarters: Louisville, KY

Gannett Satellite Information Network: McLean, VA

GANNETT ON THE NET: News and information about Gannett is available on its web site, www.gannett.com. In addition to news and other information 
about Gannett, the company provides access through this site to its annual report on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, its current reports on 
Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after the company files or furnishes them electronically to the Securities 
and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certifications by Gannett’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are included as exhibits to the company’s 
SEC reports (including the company’s Form 10-K filed in 2012).

Gannett also provides access on this web site to its Principles of Corporate Governance, the charters of its Audit, Transformation, Executive 

Compensation and Nominating and Public Responsibility Committees and other important governance documents and policies, including its Ethics and 
Inside Trading Policies. Copies of all of these corporate governance documents are available to any shareholder upon written request made to the company’s 
Secretary at our headquarters address. In addition, the company will disclose on this web site changes to, or waivers of, its corporate Ethics Policy.

23

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information contained or incorporated by 
reference into this Form 10-K, prospective investors should consider 
carefully the following risk factors before investing in our securities. 
The risks described below may not be the only risks we face. 
Additional risks that we did not yet perceive or that we currently 
believe are immaterial may also adversely affect our business and 
the trading price of our securities.

Deterioration in economic conditions in the markets we serve in 
the U.S. and the U.K. may depress demand for our products and 
services
Our operating results depend on the relative strength of the economy 
in our principal publishing, digital and television markets as well as 
the strength or weakness of national and regional economic factors. 
Generally soft economic conditions and uneven recoveries in the 
U.S. and U.K. have had a significant adverse impact on the 
company’s businesses, particularly publishing. If conditions remain 
challenging or worsen in the U.S. or U.K. economy, all key 
advertising revenue categories could be significantly impacted.

Competition from alternative forms of media may impair our 
ability to grow or maintain revenue levels in core and new 
businesses
Advertising produces the predominant share of our publishing, 
digital, and broadcast revenues, with affiliated web site, mobile and 
tablet revenues being an important component. With the continued 
development of alternative forms of media, particularly electronic 
media including those based on the Internet, our businesses may face 
increased competition. Alternative media sources may also affect our 
ability to generate circulation revenues and our television audience. 
This competition may make it difficult for us to grow or maintain 
our print advertising, circulation and broadcasting revenues, which 
we believe will challenge us to expand the contributions of our 
online and other digital businesses.

A decline in the company’s credit ratings and continued 
volatility in the U.S. credit markets could significantly impact 
the company’s ability to obtain new financing to fund its 
operations and strategic initiatives or to refinance its existing 
debt at reasonable rates as it matures
At the end of 2012, the company had approximately $1.43 billion in 
long-term debt, of which $205 million was in the form of 
borrowings under bank credit agreements, and the balance was in the 
form of unsecured notes. This debt matures at various times during 
the years 2014-2018. While the company’s cash flow is expected to 
be sufficient to pay amounts when due, if operating results 
deteriorate significantly, a portion of these maturities may need to be 
refinanced. Access to the capital markets may at times be affected by 
our credit ratings and conditions in the economy. A decline in our 
corporate credit rating could make future borrowings more 
expensive, and volatile credit markets could make it harder for us to 
obtain debt financings generally.  At the end of 2012, the company 
had approximately $922 million of additional borrowing capacity 
under its revolving credit facilities.

Volatility in global financial markets directly affects the value of 
our pension plan assets and liabilities
The company’s principal U.S. retirement plan, the Gannett 
Retirement Plan, was underfunded as of Dec. 30, 2012 by $594 
million on a U.S. GAAP basis. Various factors, including future 
investment returns, discount rates and potential pension legislative 
changes, impact the timing and amount of pension contributions the 
company may be required to make in the future.  The company's 
funding target attainment percentage, as defined by the IRS and 
based on the 2012 annual update, is 95%.

Foreign exchange variability could adversely affect our 
consolidated operating results
Weakening of the British pound-to-U.S. dollar exchange rate could 
diminish Newsquest’s earnings contribution to consolidated results. 
Newsquest results for 2012 were translated to U.S. dollars at the 
average rate of 1.58. CareerBuilder, with expanding overseas 
operations, also has foreign exchange risk but to a significantly 
lesser degree.

Changes in the regulatory environment could encumber or 
impede our efforts to improve operating results or value of assets
Our publishing, digital and broadcasting operations are subject to 
government regulation. Changing regulations, particularly FCC 
regulations which affect our television stations, may result in 
increased costs and adversely impact our future profitability. For 
example, FCC regulations required us to construct digital television 
stations in all of our television markets, despite the fact that the new 
digital stations did not produce significant additional revenue. In 
addition, our television stations are required to possess television 
broadcast licenses from the FCC; when granted, these licenses are 
generally granted for a period of eight years. Under certain 
circumstances the FCC is not required to renew any license and 
could decline to renew either our current license applications that are 
pending or those submitted in the future.

The degree of success of our investment and acquisition strategy 
may significantly impact our ability to expand overall 
profitability
We will continue efforts to identify and complete strategic 
investments, partnerships and business acquisitions. These efforts 
may not prove successful. Strategic investments and partnerships 
with other companies expose us to the risk that we may not be able 
to control the operations of our investee or partnership, which could 
decrease the amount of benefits we reap from a particular 
relationship. The company is also exposed to the risk that its partners 
in strategic investments and infrastructure may encounter financial 
difficulties which could lead to disruption of investee or partnership 
activities, or impairment of assets acquired, which would adversely 
affect future reported results of operations and shareholders' equity.
Acquisitions of other businesses may be difficult to integrate 
with our existing operations, could require an inefficiently high 
amount of attention from our senior management, might require us 
to incur additional debt or divert our capital from more profitable 
expenditures, and might result in other unanticipated problems and 
liabilities. 

24

The value of our existing intangible assets may become impaired, 
depending upon future operating results
Goodwill and other intangible assets were approximately $3.3 billion 
as of Dec. 30, 2012, representing approximately 52% of our total 
assets. We periodically evaluate our goodwill and other intangible 
assets to determine whether all or a portion of their carrying values 
may no longer be recoverable, in which case a charge to earnings 
may be necessary, as occurred in 2010 and 2012 (see Notes 3 and 4 
to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Any future evaluations 
requiring an asset impairment charge for goodwill or other intangible 
assets would adversely affect future reported results of operations 
and shareholders’ equity, although such charges would not affect our 
cash flow.

Adverse results from litigation or governmental investigations 
can impact our business practices and operating results
From time to time, we are parties to litigation and regulatory, 
environmental and other proceedings with governmental authorities 
and administrative agencies. Adverse outcomes in lawsuits or 
investigations could result in significant monetary damages or 
injunctive relief that could adversely affect our operating results or 
financial condition as well as our ability to conduct our businesses as 
they are presently being conducted. See Note 12 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements and Part I, Item 3. “Legal 
Proceedings” contained elsewhere in this report for a description of 
certain of our pending litigation and regulatory matters and other 
proceedings with governmental authorities.

The value of our assets or operations may be diminished if our 
information technology systems fail to perform adequately or if 
we are the subject of a data breach or cyber attack
Our information technology systems are critically important to 
operating our business efficiently and effectively.  We rely on our 
information technology systems to manage our business data, 
communications, news and advertising content, digital products, 
order entry, fulfillment and other business processes. The failure of 
our information technology systems to perform as we anticipate 
could disrupt our business and could result in transaction errors, 
processing inefficiencies, late or missed publications, and loss of 
sales and customers, causing our business and results of operations 
to suffer.  

Furthermore, attempts to compromise information technology 

systems occur regularly, and we may be vulnerable to security 
breaches beyond our control.  We invest in security resources and 
technology to protect our data and business processes against risk of 
data security breaches and cyber attack, but the techniques used to 
attempt attacks are constantly changing.  A breach or successful 
attack could have a negative impact on our operations or business 
reputation.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Publishing/United States
Generally, the company owns many of the plants that house all 
aspects of the publication process. Certain U.S. Community 
Publishing operations have outsourced printing to non-Gannett 
publishers or commercial printers. In the case of USA TODAY, at 
Dec. 30, 2012, 23 non-Gannett printers were used to print it in U.S. 
markets where there were no company publishing sites with 
appropriate facilities. Non-Gannett printers in 10 foreign countries 
publish and distribute an international edition of USA TODAY under 
a royalty agreement. USA WEEKEND, Clipper Magazine and 
Gannett Healthcare Group are also printed under contracts with 
commercial printing companies. Many of the company’s local media 
organizations have outside news bureaus and sales offices, which 
generally are leased. In several markets, two or more of the 
company’s local media organizations share combined facilities; and 
in certain locations, facilities are shared with other non-Gannett 
publishing properties. At the end of 2012, 72% of the company’s 
U.S. daily publications were either printed by non-Gannett printers 
or printed in combination with other Gannett publications. The 
company’s publishing properties have rail siding facilities or access 
to main roads for newsprint delivery purposes and are conveniently 
located for distribution purposes.

During 2012, the company continued its efforts to consolidate 

certain of its U.S. publishing facilities to achieve savings and 
efficiencies. The company’s facilities are adequate for present 
operations. A listing of publishing centers and key properties may be 
found on pages 18 - 20.

Publishing/United Kingdom
Newsquest owns certain of the plants where its publications are 
produced and leases other facilities. Newsquest headquarters is in 
Weybridge, Surrey. Additions to Newsquest’s printing capacity and 
color capabilities have been made since Gannett acquired Newsquest 
in 1999. Newsquest has consolidated certain of its facilities to 
achieve savings and efficiencies. Certain Newsquest operations have 
out-sourced printing to non-Newsquest publishers. All of 
Newsquest’s properties are adequate for present purposes. A listing 
of Newsquest publishing centers and key properties may be found on 
page 21.

Digital
Generally, the company’s digital businesses lease their facilities. 
This includes facilities for executive offices, sales offices and data 
centers. The company’s facilities are adequate for present operations. 
The company also believes that suitable additional or alternative 
space, including those under lease options, will be available at 
commercially reasonable terms for future expansion. A listing of key 
digital facilities can be found on page 21.

Broadcasting
The company’s broadcasting facilities are adequately equipped with 
the necessary television broadcasting equipment. The company owns 
or leases transmitter facilities in 22 locations. All of the company’s 
stations have converted to digital television operations in accordance 
with applicable FCC regulations. The company’s broadcasting 
facilities are adequate for present purposes. A listing of television 
stations can be found on page 22.

25

Corporate facilities
The company owns the buildings in which its headquarters and 
USA TODAY are located in McLean, VA. The company also owns 
data and network operations centers in nearby Maryland and in 
Phoenix, AZ. Headquarters facilities are adequate for present 
operations. The company leases space in its headquarters facilities to 
third-party tenants.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information regarding legal proceedings may be found in Note 12 of 
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Environmental
From time to time, some of the company’s current and former 
subsidiaries have been included among potentially responsible 
parties in connection with sites that have been identified as possibly 
requiring environmental remediation. These environmental 
proceedings are highly complex, and require a variety of issues to be 
resolved, including the extent of contamination, the nature and 
extent of investigation and remedial action that may ultimately be 
required, and the number of parties that will be required to 
contribute to such investigation and remediation costs, before the 
company’s liability for them, if any, will be known.  

In March 2011, the Advertiser Company, a Gannett subsidiary 
which publishes The Montgomery Advertiser, was notified by the 
U.S. EPA that it has been identified as a potentially responsible party 
for the investigation and remediation of groundwater contamination 
in downtown Montgomery, AL. At this point in the investigation, 
incomplete information is available about the site, other potentially 
responsible parties and what further investigation and remediation 
may be required. Accordingly, future costs at the site, and The 
Advertiser Company’s share of such costs, if any, cannot yet be 
determined.  Some of The Advertiser Company's fees and costs in 
connection with this matter may be reimbursed under its liability 
insurance policies.

Management does not expect that these pending proceedings will 

have a material adverse effect upon the company’s consolidated 
results of operations or financial condition.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

26

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER 
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 Gannett Co., Inc. shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol GCI.

Information regarding outstanding shares, shareholders and dividends may be found on pages 1, 17, 44  and 45 of this Form 10-K. 

Information about debt securities sold in private transactions may be found on page 43 of this Form 10-K.

Gannett Common stock prices
High-low range by fiscal quarters based on NYSE-composite closing prices.

Year
2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Low

Quarter
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 65.03
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 71.50
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 63.39
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 66.62
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 67.68
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 70.43
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 75.86
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 77.56
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 84.50
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 84.95
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 79.56
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 78.99
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 78.43
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 71.13
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 66.25
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 59.19
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 58.81
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 53.22
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 51.67
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 55.92
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 55.76
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 54.12
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 43.70
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 35.30

High
$ 77.85
$ 79.87
$ 77.70
$ 79.20
$ 75.10
$ 79.70
$ 79.18
$ 88.93
$ 90.01
$ 91.00
$ 86.78
$ 85.62
$ 82.41
$ 80.00
$ 74.80
$ 68.62
$ 64.80
$ 60.92
$ 57.15
$ 61.25
$ 63.11
$ 59.79
$ 55.40
$ 45.85

Year
2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Low

Quarter
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 28.43
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 21.79
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 15.96
6.09
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1.95
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2.20
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
3.18
9.76
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 13.53
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 13.73
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 11.98
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 11.76
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 14.49
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 13.30
8.55
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
9.16
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 13.36
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 12.33
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 13.20
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 16.63
First*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 18.01

High
$ 39.00
$ 30.75
$ 21.67
$ 17.05
9.30
$
$
5.48
$ 10.14
$ 15.63
$ 17.25
$ 18.67
$ 15.11
$ 15.78
$ 17.19
$ 15.64
$ 14.60
$ 13.57
$ 15.61
$ 15.74
$ 18.75
$ 18.97
$ 20.55

*Feb. 19, 2013

Purchases of Equity Securities

Period

9/24/12 – 10/28/12. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10/29/12 – 11/25/12 . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11/26/12 – 12/30/12 . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(a) Total Number of 
Shares Purchased

(b) Average Price 
Paid per Share

(c) Total Number of 
Shares Purchased as Part 
of Publicly Announced 
Program

(d) Approximate Dollar 
Value of Shares that May 
Yet Be Repurchased 
Under the Program

558,101

664,700

884,701

$

$

$

$

18.26

17.06

17.99

17.77

558,101

664,700

884,701

2,107,502

$

$

$

$

177,370,440

166,031,082

150,116,389

150,116,389

Total 4th Quarter 2012 . . . . . . . . .

2,107,502

On Feb. 21, 2012, the company’s Board of Directors approved a new program to repurchase up to $300 million in Gannett common stock (replacing the $1 
billion program). There is no expiration date for the new $300 million stock repurchase program. However, it is targeted to be completed over the two years 
following the announcement. All shares repurchased as shown above were part of this publicly announced repurchase program.

In addition to the above, as of Dec. 30, 2012, 36,000 shares were repurchased as part of the publicly announced repurchase program, but were settled 

subsequent to the end of the quarter. The effect of those repurchases decreased the maximum dollar value available under the program to $149,479,382.

27

 
Comparison of shareholder return – 2008 to 2012
The following graph compares the performance of the company’s 
common stock during the period Dec. 31, 2007, to Dec. 31, 2012, 
with the S&P 500 Index, and a peer group index selected by the 
company.

The company’s peer group includes A.H. Belo Corp., Belo Corp., 

Discovery Communications Inc., The E.W. Scripps Company, 
Journal Communications, Inc., The McClatchy Company, Media 
General, Inc., Meredith Corp., Monster Worldwide Inc., News Corp., 
The New York Times Company, The Washington Post Company, and 
Yahoo Inc. (collectively, the “Peer Group”). Many of the Peer Group 
companies have a strong publishing/broadcasting orientation, but the 
Peer Group also includes companies in the digital media industry.
The S&P 500 Index includes 500 U.S. companies in the 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Selected financial data for the years 2008 through 2012 is contained 
under the heading “Selected Financial Data” on page 76 and is 
derived from the company’s audited financial statements for those 
years.

The information contained in the “Selected Financial Data” is 
not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected 
for future years, and should be read in conjunction with 
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations” included in Item 7 and the consolidated 
financial statements and related notes thereto included in Item 8 of 
this Form 10-K.

industrial, utilities and financial sectors and is weighted by market 
capitalization. The total returns of the Peer Group also are weighted 
by market capitalization.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF 
OPERATIONS

The graph depicts representative results of investing $100 in the 
company’s common stock, the S&P 500 Index and Peer Group index 
at closing on Dec. 31, 2007. It assumes that dividends were 
reinvested monthly with respect to the company’s common stock, 
daily with respect to the S&P 500 Index and monthly with respect to 
each Peer Group company.

 Recent Gannett stock returns have improved from the five-year 
comparison below. For example, Gannett's one-year cumulative total 
return for 2012 was 41%.  This compares to returns for the S&P 500 
Index and Peer Group index of 16% and 37%, respectively.

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Gannett Co., Inc. $ 100

$22.76

$43.76

$44.98

$40.64

$ 57.48

S&P 500 Index . $ 100

$63.00

$79.67

$91.68

$93.61

$108.59

Peer Group. . . . . $ 100

$45.72

$70.02

$75.90

$80.79

$110.71

Certain factors affecting forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain 
forward-looking information. The words “expect,” “intend,” 
“believe,” “anticipate,” “likely,” “will” and similar expressions 
generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-
looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that 
could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those 
anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The company is not 
responsible for updating or revising any forward-looking statements, 
whether the result of new information, future events or otherwise, 
except as required by law.

Potential risks and uncertainties which could adversely affect the 
company’s results include, without limitation, the following factors: 
(a) increased consolidation among major retailers or other events 
which may adversely affect business operations of major customers 
and depress the level of local and national advertising; (b) a potential 
increase in competition for the company’s Digital Segment 
businesses; (c) a decline in viewership of major networks and local 
news programming resulting from increased competition or other 
factors; (d) a continuance of the generally soft economic conditions 
in the U.S. and the U.K. or a further economic downturn leading to a 
continuing or accelerated decrease in circulation or local, national or 
classified advertising; (e) a further decline in general print readership 
and/or advertiser patterns as a result of competitive alternative media 
or other factors; (f) an increase in newsprint or syndication 
programming costs over the levels anticipated; (g) labor disputes 
which may cause revenue declines or increased labor costs; 
(h) acquisitions of new businesses or dispositions of existing 
businesses; (i) rapid technological changes and frequent new product 
introductions prevalent in electronic publishing; (j) an increase in 
interest rates; (k) a weakening in the British pound to U.S. dollar 
exchange rate; (l) volatility in financial and credit markets which 
could affect the value of retirement plan assets and the company’s 
ability to raise funds through debt or equity issuances; (m) changes 
in the regulatory environment; (n) credit rating downgrades, which 
could affect the availability and cost of future financing; (o) adverse 
outcomes in proceedings with governmental authorities or 
administrative agencies; (p) cyber security breaches and (q) general 
economic, political and business conditions; (r) an other than 
temporary decline in operating results and enterprise value that could 
lead to further non-cash goodwill, other intangible asset, investment 
or property, plant and equipment impairment charges. The company 
continues to monitor the uneven economic recovery in the U.S., as 
well as new and developing competition and technological change, 
to evaluate whether any indicators of impairment exist, particularly 
for those reporting units where fair value is closer to carrying value.

28

Executive Summary
Gannett Co., Inc. is a leading international media and marketing 
solutions company operating primarily in the United States and the 
United Kingdom (U.K.). Approximately 90% of 2012 consolidated 
revenues are from domestic operations and approximately 10% are 
from foreign operations, primarily in the U.K.

Gannett implements its strategy and manages its operations 

through three business segments: Publishing, Digital and 
Broadcasting (television). The Publishing Segment includes the 
operations of 99 daily publications in the U.S., U.K. and Guam, 
about 500 non-daily local publications in the United States and 
Guam and more than 200 such titles in the U.K. Its 82 U.S. daily 
publications, including USA TODAY, the nation’s number one 
newspaper in print circulation, with an average circulation of 
approximately 1.7 million, have a combined daily average paid 
circulation of 4.7 million, which is the nation’s largest publishing 
group in terms of circulation. Together with the 17 daily paid-for 
publications its Newsquest division operates in the U.K., the total 
average daily circulation of its 99 domestic and U.K. daily 
publications was approximately 5.2 million for 2012. Daily 
newspapers also operate web sites, mobile and tablet products which 
are tightly integrated with publishing operations. The company’s 
publishing operations also have strategic business relationships with 
online affiliates including CareerBuilder, Classified Ventures, 
ShopLocal.com and Topix.

The Publishing Segment also includes commercial printing; 

newswire; marketing and data services operations.

The company’s Digital Segment includes CareerBuilder, 
PointRoll, ShopLocal and Reviewed.com. CareerBuilder is the 
global leader in human capital solutions, helping companies to 
target, attract and retain talent. Its online job site, CareerBuilder.com, 
is the largest in North America with the highest traffic and revenue. 
CareerBuilder is also rapidly expanding its international operations.
Through its Broadcasting Segment, the company owns and 
operates 23 television stations with affiliated digital platforms sites 
covering 18.1% of the U.S. population in markets with a total of 
nearly 21 million households. This segment also includes Captivate 
Network, a national news and entertainment network that delivers 
programming and full-motion video advertising on video screens 
located in elevators of office towers and select hotel lobbies across 
North America.

Operating results summary: Operating revenues were $5.4 
billion in 2012, an increase of 2% from $5.2 billion in 2011. This 
represents the first year-over-year increase in company-wide revenue 
since 2006.

Publishing revenues were $3.7 billion for 2012 or 3% below 
2011 levels, reflecting lower advertising demand partially offset by a 
5% increase in circulation revenue due to the roll out of the all- 
access content subscription model throughout 2012. Circulation 
revenue grew significantly during the year as the content 
subscription model was rolled out in waves to 78 domestic markets 
throughout the year.  

Digital Segment revenues totaled $719 million for 2012, an 
increase of 5%, reflecting solid revenue growth at CareerBuilder as 
it gained strength and market share domestically and as it expanded 
its reach domestically and internationally through key acquisitions.
Broadcast revenues and operating results for 2012 were the best 

results ever for the Broadcast Segment. Revenues for 2012 were 
$906 million or 25% higher than 2011 levels, reflecting record 
political and Summer Olympic revenue achieved in 2012. Political 
revenues totaled $150 million in 2012 while the Summer Olympics 
generated $37 million in revenue, of which $4 million was political 
that aired during the Olympics and is included in both the political 
and Olympic categories. Significantly higher retransmission and 
digital television revenues also contributed to the increase. Just as 
importantly, the Broadcasting Segment increased its market share in 
2012, reflecting the value of its content and format, while retaining 
its loyal base. 

Digital revenues company-wide, including the Digital Segment 
and all digital revenues generated by other business segments, were 
approximately $1.3 billion in 2012, over 24% of total operating 
revenues and an increase of 19% compared to 2011. The increase 
was driven primarily by the impact of the all-access content 
subscription model as well as higher revenue associated with digital 
advertising and marketing solutions across all segments.

Total operating costs increased by 3% to $4.6 billion for 2012, 
due to an increase in Broadcasting and Digital Segment expenses 
related to higher revenues, increased facility consolidation and asset 
impairment charges, the extra week in 2012 and strategic initiative 
investments made throughout the year.  These increases were 
partially offset by continued cost reduction and cost efficiency 
efforts company-wide.

Fiscal year: The company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday 

Newsprint expense for publishing was 6% lower than in 2011 

of the calendar year. The company’s 2012 fiscal year ended on 
Dec. 30, 2012, and encompassed a 53-week period. The company’s 
2011 and 2010 fiscal years encompassed 52-week periods.

Discontinued operations: Unless stated otherwise, as discussed 
in the section titled “Discontinued operations,” all of the information 
contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations relates to continuing operations. 
Therefore, the results of The Honolulu Advertiser and its related 
assets, which were sold in May 2010, and a small directory 
publishing operations sold in June 2010, are excluded for all periods 
covered by this report. These transactions are discussed in more 
detail on page 38 in the discontinued operations section of this 
report.

due to a decline in consumption.

The company reported operating income for 2012 of $790 

million compared to $831 million in 2011, a 5% decrease.

The company’s net equity income in unconsolidated investees 
for 2012 was $22 million, an increase of $14 million over 2011. This 
increase reflects better results at Classified Ventures as well as 
reduced impairment charges in 2012.

Interest expense was $150 million in 2012, a decrease of $23 
million compared to 2011, reflecting significantly lower average 
debt balances partially offset by higher average interest rates. From 
its strong operating cash flow and its disciplined liquidity 
management, the company reduced its long-term debt by $328 
million or 19% in 2012, by $920 million or 39% over the last two 
years and by $2.7 billion or 65% over the last five years.

The company reported income from continuing operations 
attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. of $424 million or $1.79 per diluted 
share for 2012 compared to $459 million or $1.89 per diluted share 
for 2011.

29

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $51 

During the quarter ended Dec. 30, 2012, the company voluntarily 

million in 2012, an increase of 23% or $9 million over 2011, 
reflecting significantly improved operating results at CareerBuilder.
In early 2012, the company increased its annual dividend by 150 

percent to $0.80 per share and announced plans to accelerate its 
stock buyback program. During 2012, the company paid out $159 
million in dividends and repurchased over 10 million shares at a cost 
of $154 million.  

Outlook for 2013: For 2013, the company expects digital 
revenue growth will be partially offset by a decline in broadcasting 
revenue.  Publishing revenue is expected to stabilize in 2013, driven 
primarily by the staggered roll out in 2012 of the all-access content 
subscription model and revenue growth from digital marketing 
services. Digital Segment revenue is expected to continue growing 
primarily due to an increase at CareerBuilder. Broadcasting revenue 
comparisons for 2013 will be challenging against the strong 2012 
Summer Olympics and politically related advertising totaling $183 
million, as well as the move of the Super Bowl from the company’s 
12 NBC affiliates in 2012 to its six CBS affiliates in 2013. Partially 
offsetting the absence of these revenues, the company expects 
growth in core advertising revenue, retransmission revenue and 
digital revenue from the company's television stations.  

Total operating expenses are expected to decrease slightly as 

asset impairment charges incurred in 2012 are not expected to 
repeat. Newsprint expense is also expected to be lower as 
consumption will continue to decrease. Newsprint prices are also 
expected to be lower in the U.K. These decreases will be partially 
offset by increased spending on initiatives such as mobile and tablet 
relaunches, digital marketing services and travel partner programs.    

Basis of reporting
Following is a discussion of the key factors that have affected the 
company’s accounting for or reporting on the business over the last 
three fiscal years. This commentary should be read in conjunction 
with the company’s financial statements, selected financial data and 
the remainder of this Form 10-K.

Critical accounting policies and the use of estimates: The 
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally 
accepted accounting principles requires management to make 
estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the 
amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying 
notes. Actual results could significantly differ from those estimates. 
The company believes that the following discussion addresses the 
company’s most critical accounting policies, which are those that are 
important to the presentation of the company’s financial condition 
and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, 
subjective and complex judgments.

Goodwill: As of Dec. 30, 2012, goodwill represented 
approximately 45% of the company’s total assets. Goodwill 
represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of assets 
acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, net of liabilities 
assumed. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis or 
between annual tests if events occur or circumstances change that 
would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit 
below its carrying amount.

changed the date of its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived 
intangible assets impairment testing from the last day of the fourth 
quarter to the first day of the fourth quarter. This change is 
preferable as it provides the company with additional time to 
complete its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset 
impairment testing in advance of its year-end reporting and results in 
better alignment with the company’s strategic planning and 
forecasting process. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted 
accounting principles, the company will continue to perform interim 
impairment testing should circumstances requiring it arise. The 
company believes that this accounting change is appropriate and 
does not result in the delay, acceleration or avoidance of an 
impairment charge. This change is not applied retrospectively as it is 
impracticable to do so because retrospective application would 
require application of significant estimates and assumptions with the 
use of hindsight. Accordingly, the change will be applied 
prospectively. 

Under recent guidance, prior to performing the annual two-step 
goodwill impairment test, the company is first permitted to perform 
a qualitative assessment to determine if the two-step quantitative test 
must be completed. The qualitative assessment considers events and 
circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and 
market conditions, cost factors and overall financial performance, as 
well as company and specific reporting unit specifications. If after 
performing this assessment, the company concludes it is more likely 
than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying 
amount, then it is required to perform a two-step quantitative test.  
Otherwise, the two-step test is not required. In the first step of the 
quantitative test, the company is required to determine the fair value 
of each reporting unit and compare it to the carrying amount of the 
reporting unit. Fair value of the reporting unit is determined using 
various techniques, including multiple of earnings and discounted 
cash flow valuation. Determining the fair value of the reporting units 
is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates 
and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include changes 
in revenue and operating margins used to project future cash flows, 
discount rates, valuation multiples of entities engaged in the same or 
similar lines of business and future economic and market conditions. 
The fair value of the company’s reporting units is also impacted by 
the company’s overall market capitalization. If the carrying amount 
of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the 
company performs the second step of the impairment test, as this is 
an indication that the reporting unit goodwill may be impaired. In 
the second step of the impairment test, the company determines the 
implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying 
value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, 
then an impairment of goodwill has occurred and the company must 
recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying 
amount and the implied fair value of goodwill.

The company used both the qualitative and quantitative 
assessments for its goodwill impairment testing during 2012.

In 2012, the company recognized impairment charges in its 
Digital Segment totaling $90 million to bring recorded goodwill 
equal to implied fair value based on future projections for each 
reporting unit.  The impairment charges coincide with the reduction 
in advertising from a large customer during the fourth quarter of 
2012 as well as a change in strategy and updated financial 
projections reflective of these events.

30

Television FCC licenses for the Atlanta and Denver markets are 

not subject to amortization and are tested for impairment annually 
(first day of fourth quarter), or more frequently if events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The 
impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the 
license with its carrying amount. Fair value is estimated using an 
income approach referred to as the “Greenfield Approach.” This 
method requires multiple assumptions relating to the future 
prospects of each individual television station including, but not 
limited to: (i) expected long-term market growth characteristics, 
(ii) station revenue shares within a market, (iii) future expected 
operating expenses, (iv) costs of capital and (v) appropriate discount 
rates. This analysis confirmed the carrying value exceeded the fair 
value and as such, no impairment of these licenses was required. In 
addition, the company does not believe that either of these FCC 
licenses is at risk of requiring an impairment charge for the 
foreseeable future.

Other Long-Lived Assets (Property, Plant and Equipment and 
Amortizable Intangible Assets): Property, plant and equipment are 
recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line method over 
the estimated useful lives of such assets. Changes in circumstances, 
such as technological advances or changes to the company’s 
business model or capital strategy, could result in actual useful lives 
differing from company estimates. In cases where the company 
determines that the useful life of buildings and equipment should be 
shortened, the company would depreciate the asset over its revised 
remaining useful life thereby increasing depreciation expense.

Accelerated depreciation was recorded in the years 2010-2012 

for certain property, plant and equipment, reflecting specific 
decisions to consolidate production and other business services, 
primarily affecting the Publishing Segment.

The company reviews its property, plant and equipment assets 
for potential impairment at the asset group level (generally at the 
local business level) by comparing the carrying value of such assets 
with the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those 
asset groups/local business units. Due to expected continued cash 
flow in excess of carrying value from its businesses, no property, 
plant or equipment assets were considered impaired.

The company’s amortizable intangible assets consist mainly of 

customer relationships. These asset values are amortized 
systematically over their estimated useful lives. An impairment test 
of these assets would be triggered if the undiscounted cash flows 
from the related asset group (business unit) were to be less than the 
asset carrying value. No such triggering events relative to those 
assets have occurred.

For certain of these amortizable intangible assets, a significant 

deterioration in operating results at the underlying business unit 
could lead to future impairment charges.

The company has 5 major reporting units (defined as reporting 
units with goodwill in excess of $50 million) which accounted for 
95% of its goodwill balance at Dec. 30, 2012. The following table 
shows the aggregate goodwill for these units summarized at the 
segment level:

In millions of dollars
Segment
Publishing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Broadcast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Digital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

Goodwill Balance
543
1,619
543

In the case of the Publishing Segment there are three major 
reporting units that comprise the goodwill balance shown above. The 
aggregate estimated fair value of these reporting units exceeded the 
carrying value at the most recent test. In order for these reporting 
units to fail step one of the goodwill impairment test, the estimated 
value of the reporting units would have to decline by over 35% for 
U.S. Community Publishing (including Gannett Publishing 
Services), Newsquest and the USA TODAY group (which includes 
USA TODAY brand properties and USA WEEKEND).

For the Broadcast Segment, which is considered a single 

reporting unit, estimated fair value exceeded carrying value. In order 
for the Broadcast reporting unit to fail step one of the goodwill 
impairment test, its estimated fair value would have to decline by 
over 40%.

The Digital Segment balance represents CareerBuilder, where 
the company performed a qualitative assessment and concluded that 
it was more likely than not that the fair value was greater than the 
carrying value.

Fair value of the reporting units depends on several factors, 
including the future strength of the economy in the company’s 
principal publishing, digital and broadcast markets. Generally soft 
and uneven recoveries in the U.S. and U.K. markets have had an 
adverse effect on most of the company’s reporting units in recent 
years. New and developing competition as well as technological 
change could also adversely affect fair value estimates in the near 
term for certain of the company’s reporting units, particularly those 
in the Digital Segment (exclusive of CareerBuilder). Any one or a 
combination of these factors could lead to declines in reporting unit 
fair values and result in goodwill impairment charges.

Indefinite Lived Intangibles: This asset grouping consists of 
mastheads and trade names for publishing and digital businesses and 
FCC licenses for television stations.

Local mastheads (publishing periodical titles and web site 

domain names) and other trade names are not subject to amortization 
and as a result they are tested for impairment annually (first day of 
the fourth quarter), or more frequently if events or changes in 
circumstances suggest that the asset might be impaired. The 
impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of each 
masthead/domain name or trade name with its carrying amount. The 
company uses a “relief from royalty” approach which utilizes a 
discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of each 
masthead/domain name or trade name. Management’s judgments 
and estimates of future operating results in determining the reporting 
unit fair values are consistently applied to each underlying business 
in determining the fair value of each intangible asset. No 
impairments in this asset category are indicated at this time. For 
certain mastheads and other trade names, a deterioration in operating 
results at the underlying business units could lead to future 
impairment charges.

31

 
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits: The determination 

of pension plan obligations and expense is based on a number of 
actuarial assumptions. Two critical assumptions are the expected 
long-term rate of return on plan assets and the discount rate applied 
to pension plan obligations. For other postretirement benefit (OPEB) 
plans, which provide for certain health care and life insurance 
benefits for qualifying retired employees and which are not funded, 
critical assumptions in determining OPEB obligations and expense 
are the discount rate and the assumed health care cost-trend rates.

The company and its subsidiaries have various retirement plans, 
including plans established under collective bargaining agreements. 
The company’s principal retirement plan is the Gannett Retirement 
Plan (GRP). The GRP accounted for 73% of company pension plan 
assets and 69% of company pension obligations at Dec. 30, 2012.  
Substantially all GRP participants’ benefits were frozen effective 
Aug. 1, 2008. At the end of 2012, the plan’s projected benefit 
obligation was $2.46 billion and its plan assets were valued at $1.87 
billion. The company's funding target attainment percentage, as 
defined by the IRS and based on the 2012 annual update, is 95%.  
The projected benefit obligation was negatively impacted by 
generally lower discount rates.  This impact was offset by better than 
expected investment returns on plan assets.

To estimate the long-term rate of return on pension assets, the 
company uses a process that incorporates actual historical asset-class 
returns and an assessment of expected future performance. The 
company used an assumption of 8.25% for its expected return on 
GRP assets for 2012. Changes in the expected long-term return on 
plan assets would increase or decrease pension plan expense. As an 
indication of the sensitivity of pension expense to the long-term rate 
of return assumption, a 50 basis point decrease in the expected rate 
of return on GRP assets would have increased estimated pension 
plan expense for 2012 by approximately $8.8 million. Actual rates of 
return on plan assets may vary significantly from estimates due to 
changes in financial markets.

U.S. accounting rules specify that discount rates reflect rates at 

which pension benefits could be effectively settled using high 
quality fixed income investments with maturities similar to the 
benefit payments. The company developed the discount rate for the 
GRP by matching the projected payments underlying the pension 
benefit obligation to a modeled yield curve consisting of high-
quality Aa-graded non-callable bonds. A decrease in the discount 
rate for the GRP would increase the pension obligations, thus 
changing the funded status recorded on the company’s Consolidated 
Balance Sheet. As an indication of the sensitivity of pension 
liabilities to the discount rate assumption, a 50 basis point reduction 
in the discount rate applied to the GRP at the end of 2012 would 
have increased plan obligations by approximately $115 million. A 50 
basis point change in the discount rate used to calculate 2012 
expense for the plan would have changed total pension plan expense 
for 2012 by approximately $0.8 million.

The company’s principal pension plan in the U.K., the 

Newsquest Pension Scheme, has also been frozen to future accruals. 
At Dec. 30, 2012, this plan had a projected benefit obligation of 
$798 million, assets of $606 million and was therefore 76% funded. 
This plan would be subject to the same accounting impacts as the 
GRP, although by lesser amounts, based upon changes in discount 
rate and investment return assumptions.

The company developed its discount rate for its OPEB plans 
using the same methodology as that described for the GRP. As an 
indication of discount rate sensitivity to the determination of 
estimated OPEB expense in 2012, a 50 basis point change in the 
discount rate for the company’s OPEB plans would change estimated 
OPEB expense by approximately $0.6 million and would have 
changed OPEB liabilities at the end of 2012 by approximately $7.7 
million. The assumed health care cost-trend rate also affects OPEB 

32

liabilities and expense. A 100 basis point increase in the health care 
cost trend rate would result in an increase of approximately $7.0 
million in the Dec. 30, 2012 postretirement benefit obligation and a 
$0.3 million increase in the aggregate service and interest cost 
components of 2012 expense.

Income Taxes: The company’s annual tax rate is based on its 

income, statutory tax regulations and rates, and tax planning 
opportunities available to it in the various jurisdictions in which it 
operates. Significant judgment is required in determining the 
company’s annual tax expense and in evaluating its tax positions.
Tax law requires items to be included in the company’s tax 
returns at different times than when the items are reflected in the 
financial statements. As a result, the annual tax expense reflected in 
the consolidated statements of income is different than that reported 
in the tax returns. Some of these differences are permanent, such as 
expenses recorded for accounting purposes that are not deductible in 
the returns, and some differences are temporary and reverse over 
time, such as depreciation expense. Temporary differences create 
deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax liabilities generally 
represent tax expense recognized in the financial statements for 
which payment has been deferred, or expense for which a deduction 
has been taken already in the tax return but the expense has not yet 
been recognized in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets 
generally represent items that can be used as a tax deduction or 
credit in tax returns in future years for which a benefit has already 
been recorded in the financial statements. Valuation allowances are 
established when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to 
the amounts the company believes are more likely than not to be 
recovered. In evaluating the amount of any such valuation 
allowance, the company considers the reversal of existing temporary 
differences, the existence of taxable income in prior carry back 
years, available tax planning strategies and estimates of future 
taxable income for each of its taxable jurisdictions. The latter two 
factors involve the exercise of significant judgment. As of Dec. 30, 
2012, deferred tax asset valuation allowances totaled $76 million, 
primarily related to foreign tax credits, foreign losses and state net 
operating losses available for carry forward to future years. Although 
realization is not assured, the company believes it is more likely than 
not that all other deferred tax assets for which no valuation 
allowances have been established will be realized. Projected future 
taxable income is the principal basis upon which this assumption is 
made.

The company determines whether it is more likely than not that a 

tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate 
taxing authorities before any part of the benefit is recorded in the 
financial statements. A tax position is measured as the portion of the 
tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon 
settlement with a taxing authority (that has full knowledge of all 
relevant information). The company may be required to change its 
provision for income taxes when the ultimate deductibility of certain 
items is challenged or agreed to by taxing authorities, when 
estimates used in determining valuation allowances on deferred tax 
assets significantly change, or when receipt of new information 
indicates the need for adjustment in valuation allowances. 
Additionally, future events, such as changes in tax laws, tax 
regulations, or interpretations of such laws or regulations, could have 
an impact on the provision for income tax and the effective tax rate. 
Any such changes could significantly affect the amounts reported in 
the consolidated financial statements in the year these changes occur.
The effect of a one percentage point change in the effective tax 
rate for 2012 would have resulted in a change of $6 million in the 
provision for income taxes and net income attributable to 
Gannett Co., Inc.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The table below presents the principal components of publishing 

Consolidated summary – continuing operations
A consolidated summary of the company’s results is presented 
below.

In millions of dollars, except per share amounts

2012 Change

2011 Change

2010

Operating revenues . . . . . . . $ 5,353

Operating expenses . . . . . . . $ 4,563

Operating income . . . . . . . . $ 790
Non-operating expense, net . $ 119
Income from continuing
operations

2%

3%

$ 5,240

$ 4,409

(4%)

(1%)

$ 5,439

$ 4,439

(5%)

$ 831

(17%)

$ 1,000

(33%)

$ 178

16% $ 154

Per share – basic . . . . . . . . $ 1.83

Per share – diluted . . . . . . $ 1.79

(5%)

(5%)

$ 1.92

(19%)

$ 2.38

$ 1.89

(20%)

$ 2.35

revenues for the last three years.

Publishing operating revenues, in millions of dollars

Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,356

(6%)

2012 Change

2011 Change 2010(a)
$ 2,711
(7%)
$ 2,511

Circulation . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,117

5%

1,064

(2%)

1,087

Commercial printing and
other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

255 —%

256

1%

254

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,728
(a) Numbers do not sum due to rounding

(3%)

$ 3,831

(5%)

$ 4,051

The table below presents the principal components of publishing 
advertising revenues for the last three years. These amounts include 
ad revenue from printed publications as well as online ad revenue 
from web sites, mobile and tablets affiliated with the publications.

A discussion of operating results of the company’s Publishing, 

Advertising revenues, in millions of dollars

Digital and Broadcasting Segments, along with other factors 
affecting net income attributable to Gannett, is as follows:

Publishing Segment
In addition to its domestic local publications and affiliated digital 
platforms, the company’s publishing operations include Gannett 
Publishing Services, USA TODAY group (which includes 
USA TODAY brand properties and USA WEEKEND), Newsquest, 
which produces daily and non-daily publications in the U.K., Clipper 
Magazine, Gannett Healthcare Group, Gannett Government Media 
and other advertising and marketing services businesses. The 
Publishing Segment in 2012 contributed 70% of the company’s 
revenues.

Publishing operating results were as follows:

Publishing operating results, in millions of dollars

2012(a) Change 2011(a) Change

2010

Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,728

(3%)

$ 3,831

Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,360 —%

3,354

(5%)

(1%)

$ 4,051

3,403

Operating income . . . . . . . $

369

(23%)

$

478

(26%)

$

648

(a) Numbers do not sum due to rounding

Foreign currency translation impacts: The average exchange 
rate used to translate U.K. publishing results was 1.58 for 2012, 1.60 
for 2011 and 1.55 for 2010. Translation fluctuations impact U.K. 
publishing revenue, expense and operating income results.

Publishing operating revenues: Publishing operating revenues 
are derived principally from advertising and circulation sales, which 
accounted for 63% and 30%, respectively, of total publishing 
revenues in 2012. Ad revenues include those derived from 
advertising placed with print products as well as publishing related 
Internet web sites, mobile and tablet applications. These include 
revenue in the classified, retail and national ad categories. Other 
publishing revenues are mainly from commercial printing.

2012 Change

2011 Change

2010

Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,230

(6%)

$ 1,303

(6%)

$ 1,384

National . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

396

730

Total ad revenue . . . . . . . . $ 2,356

(11%)

(4%)

(6%)

446

762

$ 2,511

(11%)

(8%)

(7%)

501

826

$ 2,711

Publishing revenue comparisons 2012-2011:

Advertising Revenue: Advertising revenues for 2012 declined 

$155 million or 6%, reflecting the impact of the soft economy on 
advertising demand. Quarterly advertising comparisons improved 
sequentially throughout 2012, with the fourth quarter being the best 
comparison quarter of the year (even after removing the extra week 
impact), reflecting strengthening sectors such as automotive.
The table below presents the percentage change in 2012 
compared to 2011 for each of the major ad revenue categories, by 
quarter.

Advertising Revenue Comparisons by Quarter

Q1

Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8%)

National . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(14%)

Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total advertising . . . . . . . . . . .

(6%)

(8%)

Q2

(7%)

(17%)

(5%)

(8%)

Q3

(7%)

(8%)

(5%)

(7%)

Q4

(1%)

(7%)

1%

(2%)

Ad revenues were lower in both the U.S. and the U.K during 
2012.  In the U.K., in local currency, ad revenues comparisons were 
comparable to that of the U.S. Due to a slightly lower average 
exchange rate for 2012, in U.S. dollars, Newsquest ad revenues were 
down 7% compared with a 6% decline for U.S. publishing.

33

 
 
The table below presents the percentage change for the retail, 

Circulation Revenue: Publishing circulation revenues increased 

national, and classified categories for 2012 compared to 2011. 

Advertising Revenue Year Over Year Comparisons

U.S. Publishing

Newsquest
(in pounds)

Total Publishing
(constant currency)

Retail . . . . . . . . . .

National . . . . . . . .

Classified . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . .

(6%)

(12%)

(3%)

(6%)

(4%)

(5%)

(7%)

(6%)

(5%)

(11%)

(4%)

(6%)

Retail ad revenues were down $73 million or 6% in 2012. In the 

U.S., revenues were down in most principal categories, with the 
more significant declines occurring in the financial and 
telecommunication categories, partially offset by an increase in retail 
online advertising. Retail ad revenues were down 4% in the U.K. on 
a constant currency basis.

National ad revenues were down $51 million or 11% in 2012, 
primarily due to lower ad sales for USA TODAY and its associated 
businesses, as well as for U.S. Community Publishing. 

The table below presents the percentage change in classified 

categories for 2012 compared to 2011.

Classified Revenue Year Over Year Comparisons

U.S. Publishing

Newsquest
(in pounds)

Total Publishing
(constant currency)

Automotive . . . . .

Employment. . . . .

Real Estate . . . . . .

Legal . . . . . . . . . .

Other . . . . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . .

2%

(3%)

(11%)

(1%)

(6%)

(3%)

(13%)

(4%)

(9%)

—%

(5%)

(7%)

—%

(3%)

(10%)

(1%)

(6%)

(4%)

Classified ad revenues declined $32 million or 4% in 2012 with a 

decline of 3% in the U.S. and 8% in the U.K. Domestically, 
automotive advertising was up 2% for the year while employment 
declined 3%. Real estate continued to reflect the housing issues 
nationwide and was down 11% for the year. Classified advertising 
results in the U.K. lagged results in the U.S. as automotive, 
employment and real estate declined in local currency 13%, 4% and 
9%, respectively.

Digital advertising revenues in the Publishing Segment were up 

for the year in the U.S. as well as at Newsquest in the U.K. 
Revenues benefited from the company’s continued focus on digital 
marketing services. U.S. Community Publishing digital advertising 
revenues were up 6%, reflecting increases in the automotive and 
retail categories. Digital ad revenues at USA TODAY and its 
associated brands were up by 38%, while digital ad revenues at 
Newsquest increased 10% in local currency.

by $53 million or 5% over 2011, reflecting the first company-wide 
circulation revenue increase since 2006. Circulation revenues were 
up as a result of the implementation of the all-access content 
subscription model throughout 2012 and the favorable impact of the 
extra week in 2012. Late in the fourth quarter of 2012, the company 
completed the final phase of the all-access roll out across 78 U.S. 
community publishing markets. Company-wide circulation revenue 
ramped up throughout the year and was up 17% in the fourth quarter 
(up almost 10% excluding the extra week in the fourth quarter of 
2012). Circulation revenues increased 8% in 2012 at the company’s 
local domestic publishing units. Circulation revenue in the U.K. was 
flat compared to last year in local currency. 

Revenue comparisons reflect generally lower circulation 

volumes more than offset by price increases. Daily average print and 
digital, replica and non-replica circulation, excluding USA TODAY, 
declined 8%, while Sunday net paid circulation declined 3%. 

Circulation revenues were lower at USA TODAY, reflecting 
lower average daily circulation volume. USA TODAY’s average 
daily circulation for 2012 declined 2% to 1.7 million copies.

For local publishing operations in the U.S. and U.K., morning 
circulation accounted for approximately 95% of total daily volume, 
while evening circulation accounted for 5%.

Local publishing circulation volume is summarized in the table 
below. In 2012, the company reclassified certain circulation volume 
from evening to morning distribution due a change in delivery time.  
All prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 
new classifications.  In addition, verified circulation copies have 
been added for all periods. 

Total average circulation volume, print and digital, replica and non-replica 
in thousands

2012 Change

2011 Change

2010

Local Publications

Morning. . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,240

Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total daily . . . . . . . . . . .

Sunday. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

177

3,417

5,003

(8%)

(8%)

(8%)

(3%)

3,512

193

3,705

(6%)

(7%)

(6%)

5,150 —%

3,722

207

3,929

5,171

Other Revenue: Commercial printing and other publishing 
revenues were flat in 2012 and totaled $255 million. A decrease in 
commercial print revenues was mostly offset by the impact of the 
extra week in 2012. Commercial printing revenues in the U.S. and 
U.K. combined, accounted for approximately 58% of total other 
revenues.

Outlook for 2013: The company expects publishing revenue to 
stabilize in 2013 driven primarily by the staggered roll out in 2012 
of the all-access content subscription model and revenue growth 
from digital marketing services. 

34

Publishing revenue comparisons 2011-2010:

Advertising Revenue: Advertising revenues for 2011 declined 

$199 million or 7% reflecting the impact of the soft economy on 
advertising demand. 

Ad revenues were lower in both the U.S. and the U.K.  In the 
U.K., in local currency, ad revenues were down more than in the 
U.S. Because U.K. ad revenue benefited from a higher average 
exchange rate for 2011, in U.S. dollars, Newsquest ad revenues were 
down 6% compared with an 8% decline for U.S. publishing.

Publishing expense comparisons 2011-2010: Publishing 
operating costs decreased 1% to $3.4 billion in 2011, primarily due 
to the impact of continued cost control and efficiency efforts, 
partially offset by an increase in workforce restructuring charges of 
$64 million. These charges include costs of $35 million associated 
with the transition of printing and publishing services from the 
company’s Cincinnati production facility to a non-Gannett 
publishing facility in Columbus, OH.

Publishing payroll costs were down 6%, reflecting the impact of 

Retail ad revenues were down $82 million or 6% in 2011. In the 

headcount reductions across the segment.

U.S., revenues were down in most principal categories, with the 
more significant declines occurring in the department store, 
telecommunications and home improvement categories, partially 
offset by an increase in retail online advertising. Retail ad revenues 
were down 6% in the U.K. on a constant currency basis.

National ad revenues were down $54 million or 11% in 2011, 
primarily due to lower ad sales for USA TODAY and its associated 
businesses, as well as for U.S. Community Publishing. 

Classified ad revenues decreased $64 million or 8% in 2011 with 

a decline of 7% in the U.S. and 9% in the U.K. Domestically, 
employment advertising was up 2% for the year while automotive 
declined 2%. Real estate reflected the housing issues across the 
country and was down 18% for the year. Classified advertising in the 
U.K. was worse than in the U.S. as automotive, employment and real 
estate declined in local currency 13%, 20% and 9%, respectively.

Digital revenues in the Publishing Segment were up for 2011 in 

the U.S. as well as at Newsquest in the U.K. U.S. Community 
Publishing digital revenues were up 9%, reflecting strong increases 
in the automotive, employment and retail categories. Digital 
revenues at USA TODAY and its associated brands were up by a low 
double digit percentage for the year, while digital revenues at 
Newsquest increased 5% in local currency.

Circulation Revenue: Publishing circulation revenues declined 

$23 million in 2011 or 2% over 2010. Circulation revenues were 
lower in the U.S., and in the U.K., in local currency. Revenue 
comparisons reflect generally lower circulation volumes partially 
offset by price increases. Daily average paid and verified circulation, 
excluding USA TODAY, declined 6%, while Sunday average paid 
and verified circulation declined slightly. 

Circulation revenues were lower at USA TODAY, reflecting 
lower average daily circulation volume. USA TODAY’s average 
daily circulation for 2011 declined 2%.

For local publishing operations in the U.S. and U.K., morning 
circulation accounted for approximately 95% of total daily volume, 
while evening circulation accounted for 5%.

Other Revenue: Commercial printing and other publishing 
revenues increased 1% to $256 million in 2011 due primarily to an 
increase in commercial printing revenues in the U.K. Commercial 
printing revenues in the U.S. and U.K. accounted for approximately 
58% of total other revenues.

Publishing expense comparisons 2012-2011: Publishing 

operating costs increased slightly to $3.4 billion in 2012 as 
continued cost control and efficiency efforts were offset by strategic 
initiative spending of $68 million, higher pension expense and the 
impact of the extra week in 2012. A majority of the strategic 
spending in 2012 was in conjunction with the roll out of the all-
access content subscription model, digital relaunches and the 
investments made in the company’s digital marketing services 
business.

Publishing payroll costs were relatively unchanged compared to 

2011 reflecting the impact of headcount reductions across certain 
divisions offset by the additional week in 2012.

Newsprint expense was down 6% in 2012 due to a decline in 

consumption.

35

Newsprint expense was up 3%, reflecting lower consumption, 

down 9%, offset by a 13% increase in usage prices.

Outlook for 2013: The company expects 2013 expenses to be 
impacted by continued cost control and efficiency efforts across the 
segment, offset by increased strategic initiative investment in mobile 
and tablet relaunches, digital marketing services and travel partner 
programs as well as ongoing sales support, service and training 
associated with previously launched initiatives. Newsprint expense 
will be lower due primarily to a decrease in consumption.   

Publishing operating results 2012-2011: Publishing operating 

income decreased to $369 million in 2012 from $478 million in 
2011.  The principal factors affecting reported operating results 
comparisons for the full year were the following:

•  Lower operating results in the U.S. and U.K. as ad revenue 

categories were affected by the impact of the soft economy on 
advertising demand, partially offset by an increase in circulation 
revenue at the company’s U.S. Community Publishing 
operations;

•  Strategic initiative spending in 2012 of $68 million primarily 
related to the roll out of the all-access content subscription 
model, digital relaunches and investments made to the 
company’s digital marketing service business;

•  Special charges for facility consolidation and asset impairment 
as well as workforce restructuring totaled $74 million in 2012 
and $100 million in 2011;

•  Positive impact of a significant increase in digital revenue;

•  Positive impact of the extra week in 2012;

•  Higher pension expenses in 2012; and

•  A decrease in newsprint expense, primarily due to a decline in 

usage.

Publishing operating results 2011-2010: Publishing operating 

income decreased to $478 million in 2011 from $648 million in 
2010. The principal factors affecting reported operating results 
comparisons for the full year were the following:

•  Lower operating results at most U.S. and U.K. properties as ad 
revenue categories were affected by the impact of the soft 
economy on advertising demand;

•  An increase in newsprint expense as a significant decline in 
usage was not sufficient to offset an increase in usage prices;

•  Higher charges in 2011 from workforce restructuring efforts and 

consolidations;

•  Positive impact of a significant increase in digital revenue; and

•  Positive impact of currency translation at a higher rate in 2011.

Digital Segment
The Digital business segment includes CareerBuilder, PointRoll, 
ShopLocal and Reviewed.com.

Digital revenues, expenses and operating income were as 

follows: 

In millions of dollars

2012 Change

2011 Change

2010

Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

719

677

5%

21%

Operating income . . . . . . . $

42

(67%)

$

$

686

561

125

11% $

5%

50% $

618

535

83

Digital revenues increased $32 million or 5% over 2011, 
primarily reflecting a strong increase in revenues at CareerBuilder.
Digital expenses in 2012 increased 21% to $677 million, 
primarily due to $90 million of impairment charges recognized in 
2012 as well as an increase in expenses at CareerBuilder associated 
with its revenue growth. 

As a result of these factors, Digital Segment operating income 

decreased 67% to $42 million in 2012.

CareerBuilder operations are predominately based in North 
America, although expansion efforts continue in parts of Europe, 
Asia and South America. CareerBuilder is the nation’s largest online 
recruitment and career advancement source for employers, 
employees, recruiters and job seekers. Its North American network 
revenue is driven mainly from its own sales force but it also derives 
revenues from its owner affiliated businesses, including the 
company’s local media organizations, which sell various 
CareerBuilder employment products including upsells of print 
employment ads. North American network revenue increased 5%, 
compared to last year, with substantially all the increase attributable 
to revenues CareerBuilder derived from its own sales efforts. 
Revenues derived from its owner-affiliated newspapers were down 
1% in 2012, while revenues from its own sales efforts were up 6% in 
2012. Since CareerBuilder is consolidated, for Gannett’s financial 
reporting purposes, CareerBuilder revenues exclude amounts 
recorded at Gannett-owned local media organizations. 

Digital results 2011-2010: Digital revenues increased $68 

million or 11% over 2010, reflecting primarily a significant increase 
in revenues at CareerBuilder.

Digital expenses in 2011 increased 5% to $561 million, primarily 

due to an increase in expenses at CareerBuilder associated with its 
revenue growth. Expenses were also higher at PointRoll as 
investments in new products and services are being made there. As 
an offset to these factors, an intangible impairment charge of $13 
million was reflected in digital results for 2010 which did not recur 
in 2011.

As a result of all these factors, Digital Segment operating income 

increased 50% to $125 million in 2011.

Outlook for 2013: The company expects Digital Segment 
revenues and profits to grow in 2013, led by continued gains at 
CareerBuilder.

Broadcasting Segment
The company’s broadcasting operations at the end of 2012 included 
23 television stations and affiliated digital platforms in markets with 
nearly 21 million households reaching 18.1% of the U.S. population. 
The Broadcasting Division also includes Captivate Network.

Broadcasting revenues accounted for approximately 17% of the 

company’s reported operating revenues in 2012. Broadcasting 
revenues accounted for approximately 14% of the company’s 
reported operating revenues in both 2011 and 2010.

Over the last three years, broadcasting revenues, expenses and 

operating income were as follows:

In millions of dollars

2012 Change

Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

906

462

25% $

10%

Operating income . . . . . . . $
(a) Numbers do not sum due to rounding

444

47% $

2011 Change 2010(a)
770
(6%)

722

$

420

302

(5%)

(8%)

440

329

$

Broadcasting revenues and operating results for 2012 were the 

best results ever for the Broadcast Segment.  Revenues for 2012 
were $906 million or 25% higher than 2011 levels, reflecting record 
political and Summer Olympic revenue achieved in 2012.  Political 
revenues totaled $150 million in 2012 while the Summer Olympics 
generated $37 million in revenue, of which $4 million was also 
political. Core ad revenues, while impacted by the displacement 
effect of record political revenues, were up 5% in 2012, reflecting 
strong growth in the automotive, banking and medical categories.  
Retransmission revenues increased 21% in 2012 and digital 
television revenues increased 11% compared to 2011.  Just as 
importantly, the Broadcasting Segment increased its market share in 
2012 reflecting the value of its content and format, while retaining 
its loyal base. 

 Broadcast costs increased 10% to $462 million in 2012. The 
increase reflects higher sales and marketing costs in 2012 associated 
with the higher revenues.

As a result of all of these factors, Broadcasting Segment 

operating income increased 47% to a record high of $444 million in 
2012. 

Broadcast results 2011-2010: Broadcast revenues decreased $47 

million or 6% for 2011. Year-over-year revenue comparisons were 
unfavorably impacted by $107 million in ad revenues associated 
with the Winter Olympics and political/election-related advertising 
in 2010. Partially offsetting the decline was a significant 
improvement in core advertising, led by the automotive, banking and 
medical categories. Retransmission and digital television revenue 
were also significantly higher in 2011 from 2010, up 27% and 26%, 
respectively.

Broadcast costs decreased 5% to $420 million in 2011. The 
decrease reflects continuing cost control and efficiency efforts, lower 
sales and programming costs in 2011 and certain facility 
consolidation and asset impairment charges recognized in 2010 that 
did not recur in 2011.

Operating income decreased 8% to $302 million in 2011, 
reflecting significantly lower net political and Olympic advertising 
revenues, partially offset by higher core revenues, retransmission 
revenues, and digital television revenues and lower expenses.

36

 
Outlook for 2013: Revenue comparisons for 2013 will be 

Depreciation expense was 9% lower in 2011, reflecting reduced 

challenging against the record 2012 Summer Olympics and 
politically related advertising totaling $183 million, as well as the 
shift of the Super Bowl from the company’s twelve NBC stations to 
its six CBS stations. Partially offsetting the absence of these 
revenues, the company expects core advertising and retransmission 
revenue increases.  

Consolidated operating expenses
Over the last three years, the company’s consolidated operating 
expenses were as follows:

Consolidated operating expenses, in millions of dollars

2012 Change

2011 Change

2010

Cost of sales. . . . . . . . . . $ 2,944
Selling, general and
admin. expenses. . . . . . .

1,303

(1%)

$ 2,961

(1%)

$ 2,980

7%

1,223

3%

Depreciation . . . . . . . . .

161

(3%)

166

(9%)

Amortization of
intangible assets. . . . . . .

33

5%

32

1%

Facility consolidation 
and asset impairment 
122
charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,563

***

3%

27

(52%)

$ 4,409

(1%)

$ 4,439

1,188

183

31

57

Total reported operating expense increased 3% to $4.56 billion in 

2012, due to an increase in Broadcasting and Digital Segment 
expenses related to higher revenues, increased facility consolidation 
and asset impairment charges, higher pension expense, the extra 
week in 2012 and $74 million of strategic initiative investments 
made throughout the year. These increases were partially offset by 
continued cost reduction and cost efficiency efforts company-wide 
and lower newsprint expense. Payroll increased by 2% in 2012 as a 
result of recent acquisitions and the impact of the extra week in 
2012, partially offset by reduced headcount in certain divisions.

Depreciation expense was 3% lower in 2012, reflecting certain 

assets reaching the end of their depreciable life.

The non-cash facility consolidation and asset impairment charges 

for all years are more fully discussed beginning on page 38 and in 
Notes 3 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Payroll, benefits and newsprint costs (along with certain other 
production material costs), the largest elements of the company’s 
normal operating expenses, are presented below, expressed as a 
percentage of total pre-tax operating expenses.

Payroll and employee benefits . . . . . . . . . . . .

2012

2011

2010

45.9% 46.8% 47.4%

Newsprint and other production material . . . .

11.2% 12.1% 12.0%

Operating expense comparisons 2011-2010: Total reported 
operating expense decreased 1% to $4.41 billion in 2011. Payroll 
savings were significant from reduced headcount from 
consolidations and restructuring efforts. Strong cost controls were in 
place throughout the company, however expenses increased 5% in 
the Digital Segment associated with the significant increase in its 
revenue. Cost savings were also partially offset by an increase in 
workforce restructuring charges of $62 million as well as a charge of 
$15 million incurred for the disability-related retirement of the 
company’s former chairman and chief executive officer in 2011.

37

depreciation resulting from accelerated depreciation charges 
recognized in 2010 and early 2011 and certain assets reaching the 
end of their depreciable life.

The non-cash facility consolidation and asset impairment charges 

for all years are more fully discussed beginning on page 38 and in 
Notes 3 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Outlook for 2013: Total operating expenses are expected to 
decrease slightly as asset impairment charges incurred in 2012 are 
not expected to repeat. Newsprint expense is also expected to be 
lower as consumption will continue to decrease. These decreases 
will be partially offset by increased spending on initiatives such as 
mobile and tablet relaunches, digital marketing services and travel 
partner programs. 

Non-operating income and expense

Equity earnings: This income statement category reflects results 

from unconsolidated minority interest investments, including the 
company’s equity share of operating results from its publishing 
partnerships, including the Tucson joint operating agency, the 
California Newspapers Partnership and the Texas-New Mexico 
Newspapers Partnership, as well as from investments in certain other 
digital/new technology businesses.

The company’s net equity income in unconsolidated investees 
for 2012 was $22 million, an increase of $14 million over 2011. This 
increase reflects better results at Classified Ventures as well as 
reduced impairment charges recognized in 2012.

The company’s net equity income in unconsolidated investees 
for 2011 was $8 million, a decrease of $11 million over 2010. The 
decline reflects $16 million in impairment charges recognized in 
2011, partially offset by better results at certain digital investments, 
particularly Classified Ventures.

Interest expense: 2012 interest expense decreased by 13% 
compared to 2011 due to a significantly lower average debt level of 
$1.7 billion in 2012, partially offset by higher average interest rates 
and the extra week in 2012.

Interest expense in 2011 was flat compared to 2010, as lower 

average debt levels were offset by higher average rates.

The company reduced its long-term debt by $328 million or 19% 
in 2012. At the end of 2012, the company’s senior leverage ratio was 
1.41x, well within the financial covenants under its revolving credit 
agreements.

A further discussion of the company’s borrowing and related 
interest cost is presented in the “Liquidity and capital resources” 
section of this report beginning on page 42, and in Note 7 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other non-operating items: The company reported a net gain of 

$9 million for other non-operating items in 2012. The majority 
relates to a gain on a distribution from a cost method investment and 
interest income earned during 2012.

Other non-operating items totaled a net loss of $13 million in 
2011 as the company recorded $15 million of non-cash charges for 
the write-down of certain minority investments. These charges were 
partially offset by a gain recognized as a result of the prepayment of 
a secured promissory note. The company had received the 
promissory note in connection with the disposition of certain 
publishing operations in 2010.

The company reported a net gain of $100,000 in 2010 as gains 

on its investments were offset by currency related losses.

Outlook for 2013: The company expects its net interest expense 

to be down for the year, reflecting lower average debt balances.

Provision for income taxes on income from continuing 
operations
The company reported pre-tax income attributable to Gannett of 
$620 million for 2012. The provision for income taxes reflects an 
impairment of non-deductible goodwill, certain state audit 
settlements and a special net tax benefit from the release of certain 
tax reserves due to a federal audit settlement in 2012. The effective 
tax rate on pre-tax income is 31.5%.

The company reported pre-tax income attributable to Gannett of 

$612 million for 2011. The provision for income taxes reflects a 
special net tax benefit from the release of certain tax reserves due to 
audit settlements and a permanent stock basis deduction associated 
with the disposal of certain business assets in 2011. An impairment 
charge for these assets had been recorded in previous years, however 
no related tax benefit had been recognized as the formal disposal of 
the assets did not occur until 2011. The effective tax rate on pre-tax 
income was 25.0%.

The lower effective tax rate for 2011 compared to 2012 is due to 

the stock basis deduction associated with previous impairment 
charges and the release of foreign tax reserves upon audit settlements 
recognized in 2011 as well as a non-deductible goodwill impairment 
charge incurred in 2012.

The company reported pre-tax income attributable to Gannett of 

$811 million for 2010.  The provision for income taxes reflects a 
special net tax benefit primarily from the release of certain state tax 
reserves due to the lapse of statutes of limitations. The effective tax 
rate on pre-tax income was 30.1%.

The lower effective tax rate for 2011 compared to 2010 is due to 

the stock basis deduction associated with previous impairment 
charges and the release of foreign tax reserves upon audit settlements 
recognized in 2011.

Further information concerning income tax matters is contained 

in Note 10 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income from continuing operations attributable to 
Gannett Co., Inc.
Income from continuing operations attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. 
and related per share amounts are presented in the table below.

In millions of dollars, except per share amounts

2012

Change

2011

Change

2010

Income . . . . . . . . . . . $
Per diluted share. . . . $

424

(8%)

1.79

(5%)

$

$

459

(19%)

1.89

(20%)

$

$

567

2.35

Discontinued operations
Earnings from discontinued operations represent the combined 
operating results (net of income taxes) of The Honolulu Advertiser 
and its related assets as well as a small directory publishing 
operation in Michigan each of which were sold during the second 
quarter of 2010. The revenues and expenses from each of these 
properties have, along with associated income taxes, been removed 
from continuing operations and reclassified into a single line item 
amount on the Statements of Income titled “Loss from the operation 
of discontinued operations, net of tax.”

In 2010 the company reported earnings per diluted share of $0.08 

for the gain on the disposition of these properties.

Discontinued Operations

In thousands, except per share amounts

Loss from operation of discontinued operations, net of tax. . . . . . $

(322)

Per share – diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

—

Gain on disposal of publishing businesses, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . $ 21,195

Per share – diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

0.08

2010

Net income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc., and related per 
share amounts are presented in the table below, and include income 
from continuing and discontinued operations.

In millions of dollars, except per share amounts

2012

Change

2011

Change

2010

Net income . . . . . . . . . $
Per basic share . . . . . . $
Per diluted share . . . . . $

424

(8%)

1.83

(5%)

1.79

(5%)

$

$

$

459

(22%)

1.92

(22%)

1.89

(22%)

$

$

$

588

2.47

2.43

Operating results non-GAAP information

Presentation of non-GAAP information: The company uses 

non-GAAP financial performance and liquidity measures to 
supplement the financial information presented on a GAAP basis. 
These non-GAAP financial measures are not to be considered in 
isolation from or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures, and 
should be read only in conjunction with financial information 
presented on a GAAP basis.

The company discusses in this report non-GAAP financial 
performance measures that exclude from its reported GAAP results 
the impact of special items consisting of:

Income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. consists of income from 

•  Workforce restructuring charges;

continuing operations reduced by net income attributable to 
noncontrolling interests, primarily from CareerBuilder. Net income 
attributable to noncontrolling interests was $51 million, $41 million 
and $35 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

•  Non-cash facility consolidation expenses;

•  Non-cash asset impairment charges;

• 

Incremental charges associated with the company’s former 
chairman and chief executive officer’s disability related 
retirement;

•  Pension settlement charges; and

•  Certain credits and charges to its income tax provision. 

The company believes that such expenses and tax items are not 

indicative of normal, ongoing operations and their inclusion in 
results makes for more distorted comparisons between periods and 
with peer group companies. Workforce restructuring and facility 
consolidation expenses primarily relate to incremental expenses the 
company has incurred to consolidate or outsource production 
processes and centralize other functions. These expenses include 
payroll and related benefit costs (including certain union pension 
costs), accelerated depreciation and charges to reduce the carrying 

38

 
value of assets held for sale to fair value less costs to sell. Non-cash 
asset impairment charges were recorded to reduce the book value of 
certain intangible assets and investments accounted for under the 
equity and cost methods to fair value, as the businesses underlying 
these assets had experienced significant and sustained unfavorable 
operating results. The pension settlement charges result from the 
acceleration of expense related to the timing of certain pension 
payments.

Management uses non-GAAP financial performance measures 
for purposes of evaluating business unit and consolidated company 
performance. The company therefore believes that each of the non-
GAAP measures presented provides useful information to investors 
by allowing them to view the company’s businesses through the eyes 
of management and the Board of Directors, facilitating comparison 
of results across historical periods, and providing a focus on the 
underlying ongoing operating performance of its businesses. In 
addition, many of the company’s peer group companies present 
similar non-GAAP measures so the presentation of such measures 
facilitates industry comparisons.

Discussion of special charges and credits affecting reported 
results: Facility consolidation plans led the company to recognize 
charges in 2010-2012 associated with revising the useful lives of 
certain assets over a shortened period, as well as shutdown costs and 
charges to reduce the carrying value of assets held for sale to fair 
value less costs to sell. Additionally, results from performing 
impairment tests on certain assets including goodwill, other 
intangible assets, other long-lived assets and investments accounted 
for under the equity and cost methods, required the recognition of 
impairment charges in 2010-2012. Total charges for these matters 
were $129 million ($110 million after-tax or $.47 per share), $58 
million ($36 million after-tax or $.15 per share) and $60 million 
($43 million after-tax or $.18 per share) in 2012, 2011 and 2010, 
respectively. These non-cash impairment charges are detailed in 
Notes 3 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

For the years 2012, 2011 and 2010 the company recorded 
workforce restructuring related costs totaling $41 million ($25 
million after-tax or $.10 per share), $74 million ($46 million after-
tax or $.19 per share) and $12 million ($7 million after-tax or $.03 
per share), respectively. These charges were taken in connection with 
workforce reductions related to facility consolidation and 
outsourcing efforts and as part of a general program to 
fundamentally change the company’s cost structure.

During 2012, the company recorded $8 million ($5 million after-

tax or $.02 per share) in pension settlement charges and special 
benefits of $13 million ($.06 per share) related primarily to tax 
settlements covering multiple years. 

During 2011, the company recorded a $15 million ($9 million 

after-tax or $.04 per share) incremental charge for the disability-
related retirement of the company’s former chairman and chief 
executive officer.

In addition, the company recorded net special benefits of $31 
million ($.13 per share) during 2011 related to tax audit settlements 
covering multiple years and a permanent stock basis deduction 
related to the disposal of certain business assets.

During 2010, the company booked a net tax benefit of $29 
million ($.12 per share) primarily attributable to the release of 
reserves due to the expiration of the statutes of limitations, including 
the release of certain reserves related to the sale of a business in a 
prior year. The benefit was partially offset by a $2 million ($.01 per 
share) tax charge related to health care reform legislation.

Consolidated results

The following is a discussion of the company's as adjusted non-
GAAP financial results. All as adjusted (non-GAAP basis) measures 
are labeled as such or “adjusted”.

Adjustments to remove special items from GAAP operating 

expense follow:

In millions of dollars

2012(a) Change

2011 Change

2010

Operating expense 
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,563
Remove special items:

3%

$ 4,409

(1%)

$ 4,439

Workforce restructuring. .

(41)

(45%)

(74)

***

(12)

Facility consolidation 
and asset impairment 
charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pension settlement 

charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Former Chairman and 
CEO incremental 
retirement charges . . . . .

(122)

***

(27)

(52%)

(57)

(8)

***

— —

— ***

(15)

***

—

—

As adjusted 
(non-GAAP basis). . . . . . . . $ 4,393
(a) Numbers do not sum due to rounding

2%

$ 4,293

(2%)

$ 4,370

Adjusted operating expenses increased 2% in 2012 to $4.4 
billion, due to an increase in Broadcasting and Digital Segment 
expenses related to higher revenues, the extra week in 2012 and 
strategic initiative investments made throughout the year. These 
increases were partially offset by continued cost reduction and cost 
efficiency efforts company-wide.

Adjusted operating expenses declined 2% in 2011 to $4.3 billion, 

reflecting strong cost controls throughout the company, partially 
offset by an increase in Digital Segment expenses as a result of 
increased revenue. Payroll savings were significant from reduced 
headcount from consolidations and restructuring efforts.

Adjustments to remove special items from GAAP operating 

income follow:

In millions of dollars

2012(a) Change

2011 Change 2010(a)

Operating income 
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . $ 790
Remove special items:

(5%)

$ 831

(17%)

$ 1,000

Workforce restructuring. .

41

(45%)

74

***

Facility consolidation 
and asset impairment 
charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pension settlement 

charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Former Chairman and 
CEO incremental 
retirement charges . . . . .

122

***

27

(52%)

8

***

— —

— ***

15

***

12

57

—

—

As adjusted 
(non-GAAP basis). . . . . . . . $ 960
(a) Numbers do not sum due to rounding

1%

$ 947

(11%)

$ 1,068

Adjusted operating income increased 1% in 2012 to $960 
million reflecting the first year-over-year increase in company-wide 
revenue since 2006.  Publishing revenues reflected lower advertising 
demand partially offset by a 5% increase in circulation revenue due 
to the roll out of the all-access content subscription model 
throughout 2012.  Circulation revenue grew significantly during the 
year as the content subscription model was rolled out in waves to 78 
domestic markets throughout the year. Digital revenues increased, 
reflecting solid revenue growth at CareerBuilder. Broadcast revenues 
and operating results were the best results ever for the Broadcast 

39

Segment.  Revenues for 2012 were significantly higher than 2011 
levels, reflecting record political and Summer Olympic revenue 
achieved in 2012. Digital revenues company-wide including the 
Digital Segment and all digital revenues generated by other business 
segments were approximately $1.3 billion in 2012, over 24% of 
operating revenues and an increase of 19% compared to 2011.
Adjusted operating income declined 11% in 2011 to $947 

million reflecting the impact the soft economy had on publishing 
advertising revenues. Broadcast revenues were lower as a result of 
substantially lower political spending and the absence of Winter 
Olympic revenue achieved in 2010. Digital revenues increased 
significantly, reflecting stronger revenue growth at CareerBuilder. As 
adjusted (non-GAAP basis) operating income comparisons were 
favorably impacted by reduced expenses in the Publishing and 
Broadcast Segments.

Adjustments to remove special items from GAAP non-
operating expense which consist of equity income or loss, interest 
expense and other non-operating items follow:

In millions of dollars

2012 Change

2011 Change

2010

Total non-operating 
(expense) income 
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . $ (119)
Remove special items:

(33%)

$ (178)

16% $ (154)

Investment charges. . . . . .

7

(77%)

30

***

3

As adjusted 
(non-GAAP basis). . . . . . . . $ (112)

(24%)

$ (148)

(2%)

$ (151)

Adjusted non-operating expense declined 24% in 2012 to $112 

million reflecting lower interest expense due to significantly lower 
average debt levels, partially offset by higher average interest rates 
and the extra week in 2012.  

Adjusted non-operating expense declined 2% in 2011 to $148 

million reflecting better results at certain digital unconsolidated 
investees, particularly Classified Ventures. This was partially offset 
by reduced equity income in the company’s publishing partnerships.
A summary of the impact of special items on the company’s 

effective tax rate follows:

In millions of dollars

Provision for income taxes as reported
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 195
Remove special items:

$ 153

$ 244

2012

2011

2010(a)

Workforce restructuring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facility consolidation and asset 

impairment charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Former Chairman and CEO incremental 

retirement charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pension settlement charges . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Non-operating investment charges . . . . . . .

Prior year tax reserve adjustments, net . . . .

Tax benefit of stock basis deduction . . . . . .

Tax charge for health care legislation . . . . .

16

16

—

3

3

13

—

—

28

10

6

—

12

20

11

—

5

16

—

—

1

29

—

(2)

As adjusted (non-GAAP basis). . . . . . . . . . . . $ 246

$ 240

$ 292

As adjusted effective tax rate 
(non-GAAP basis). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) Numbers do not sum due to rounding

30.9% 31.6% 33.1%

The adjusted effective tax rate in 2012 was 30.9% compared to 

31.6% in 2011. The lower rate for 2012 reflects higher reserve 
releases due to audit settlements and the lapse of certain statutes of 
limitations. The 2012 rate also reflects a lower statutory tax rate for 
U.K. operations.

40

Adjustments to remove special items from GAAP income from 

continuing operations attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. and diluted 
earnings per share from continuing operations follow:

In millions of dollars, except per share amounts

2012(a) Change 2011(a) Change 2010(a)

Income from continuing
operations attributable to
Gannett Co., Inc.
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . $ 424
Remove special items (net
of tax):

(8%)

$ 459

(19%)

$ 567

Workforce restructuring. .

25

(46%)

46

***

7

41

—

—

2

—

—

Facility consolidation 
and asset impairment 
charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Former Chairman and 
CEO incremental 
retirement charges . . . . .

Pension settlement 

charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Investment charges. . . . . .

Prior year tax reserve 

adjustments, net . . . . . . .

Tax benefit of stock 

basis deduction . . . . . . .

Tax charge for health 

care legislation . . . . . . . .

106

***

18

(56%)

— ***

9

***

5

4

***

(76%)

— —

18

***

(13)

(35%)

(20)

(30%)

(29)

— ***

(11)

***

— ***

— ***

—

2

As adjusted 
(non-GAAP basis). . . . . . . . $ 551
Diluted earnings per share
from continuing operations
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1.79

Remove special items (net
of tax):

6%

$ 518

(12%)

$ 591

(5%)

$ 1.89

(20%)

$ 2.35

Workforce restructuring. .

0.10

(47%)

0.19

***

0.03

Facility consolidation 
and asset impairment 
charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Former Chairman and 
CEO incremental 
retirement charges . . . . .

Pension settlement 

charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Investment charges. . . . . .

Prior year tax reserve 

adjustments, net . . . . . . .

Tax benefit of stock 

basis deduction . . . . . . .

Tax charge for health 

care legislation . . . . . . . .

0.45

***

0.07

(59%)

0.17

— ***

0.04

***

0.02

0.02

***

(75%)

— —

0.08

***

0.01

(0.06)

(25%)

(0.08)

(33%)

(0.12)

— ***

(0.04)

***

—

— —

— ***

0.01

As adjusted 
(non-GAAP basis). . . . . . . . $ 2.33
(a) Numbers do not sum due to rounding

9%

$ 2.13

(13%)

$ 2.44

Adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to 

Gannett Co., Inc. increased 6% in 2012 (9% on a diluted per share 
basis) as a result of higher as adjusted (non-GAAP basis) operating 
income in the Digital and Broadcast Segments partially offset by 
lower operating income in the Publishing Segment.

Adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to 
Gannett Co., Inc. declined 12% in 2011 (13% on a diluted per share 
basis) as a result of reduced revenue in the Publishing and Broadcast 
Segments partially offset by a reduction in their expenses.

Segment results

The following is a discussion of the company's as adjusted non-
GAAP financial results. All as adjusted (non-GAAP basis) measures 
are labeled as such or “adjusted”.

A summary of the impact of asset impairment and workforce 

restructuring charges on the company’s Publishing Segment is 
presented below:

In millions of dollars

A summary of the impact of asset impairment and workforce 
restructuring charges on the company’s Digital Segment is presented 
below:

In millions of dollars

2012 Change

2011 Change

2010

Digital Segment operating 
expenses (GAAP basis) . . . . . $ 677
Remove special items:

21% $ 561

5%

$ 535

2012(a) Change 2011(a) Change 2010(a)

Workforce restructuring . . .

— —

— ***

Publishing Segment 
operating expenses 
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,360 — $ 3,354
Remove special items:

(1%)

$ 3,403

Workforce restructuring. .

(42)

(42%)

(73)

***

(10)

Facility consolidation and 

asset impairment 
charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(32)

18%

(27)

(24%)

(36)

As adjusted (non-GAAP
basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,285
Publishing Segment 
operating income
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . $ 369
Remove special items:

1%

$ 3,253

(3%)

$ 3,358

(23%)

$ 478

(26%)

$ 648

Workforce restructuring. .

42

(42%)

73

***

Facility consolidation and 

asset impairment 
charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32

18%

27

(24%)

10

36

As adjusted 
(non-GAAP basis). . . . . . . . $ 443
(a) Numbers do not sum due to rounding

(23%)

$ 578

(17%)

$ 693

Adjusted Publishing Segment operating expenses increased 1% 
in 2012 compared to 2011 as continued cost control and efficiency 
efforts were offset by strategic initiative spending, higher pension 
expense and the impact of the extra week in 2012.

Adjusted Publishing Segment operating income declined 23% in 

2012 compared to 2011 due to lower ad revenue in the U.S. and 
U.K., $68 million of strategic initiative spending and higher pension 
expense, partially offset by a 5% increase in circulation revenue, a 
decrease in newsprint expense and the positive impact of the extra 
week in 2012.

Adjusted Publishing Segment operating expenses declined 3% in 

2011 as a result of continued cost control and efficiency efforts as 
well as lower payroll expense.

Adjusted Publishing Segment operating income declined 17% in 

2011 to $578 million, reflecting the impact of the soft economy on 
advertising demand, partially offset by a decrease in expenses.

(1)

(13)

Asset impairment 

charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(90)

***

— ***

As adjusted (non-GAAP
basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 587
Digital Segment operating 
income (GAAP basis) . . . . . . $
Remove special items:

42

5%

$ 561

8%

$ 521

(67%)

$ 125

50% $

83

Workforce restructuring . . .

— —

— ***

Asset impairment 

charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

90

***

— ***

1

13

As adjusted 
(non-GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . $ 132

5%

$ 125

29% $

97

Adjusted Digital Segment operating expenses increased 5% in 

2012 compared to 2011 due to an increase in expenses at 
CareerBuilder associated with its revenue growth. Adjusted Digital 
Segment operating income also increased 5% reflecting strong gains 
for CareerBuilder.

Adjusted Digital Segment operating expenses increased 8% in 

2011 to $561 million, due primarily to an increase in expenses at 
CareerBuilder associated with revenue growth. Adjusted Digital 
Segment operating income increased 29% to $125 million in 2011, 
reflecting a significant increase in revenues at CareerBuilder, 
partially offset by an increase in expenses.

A summary of the impact of asset impairment and workforce 
restructuring charges on the company’s Broadcasting Segment is 
presented below:

In millions of dollars

2012 Change 2011(a) Change 2010(a)

Broadcasting Segment 
operating expenses 
(GAAP basis). . . . . . . . . . . . $ 462
Remove special items:

10% $ 420

(5%)

$ 440

Workforce restructuring . .

— ***

(1) —

Facility consolidation 

charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— ***

— ***

(1)

(9)

As adjusted 
(non-GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . $ 462
Broadcasting Segment 
operating income 
(GAAP basis). . . . . . . . . . . . $ 444
Remove special items:

10% $ 420

(3%)

$ 431

47% $ 302

(8%)

$ 329

Workforce restructuring . .

— ***

1 —

Facility consolidation 

charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— —

— ***

1

9

As adjusted 
(non-GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . $ 444
(a) Numbers do not sum due to rounding

47% $ 303

(11%)

$ 339

41

Adjusted Broadcast Segment operating expenses increased 10% 
in 2012 compared to 2011 due to higher sales and marketing costs in 
2011 associated with higher revenues and the extra week in 2012.  
Adjusted Broadcast Segment operating income increased 47% to 
$444 million in 2012, reflecting record political and Summer 
Olympic revenue achieved in 2012, as well as, higher core ad, 
retransmission and digital television revenues.

Adjusted Broadcast Segment operating expenses decreased 3% 
in 2011, reflecting continued cost control and efficiency efforts and 
lower sales and programming costs. Adjusted Broadcast Segment 
operating income decreased 11% in 2011 to $303 million, as a result 
of significantly lower political and Olympic advertising revenues, 
partially offset by higher core, retransmission and digital television 
revenues, and lower expenses.

A summary of the impact of special charges on the company’s 

Corporate Segment is presented below:

In millions of dollars

Corporate Segment 
operating expenses 
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Remove special items:

2012 Change 2011(a) Change

2010

64

(13%)

$

74

22% $

61

Workforce restructuring . .

2

***

— —

Former Chairman and 
CEO incremental 
retirement charges . . . . . .

Pension settlement 

charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— ***

(15)

***

(8)

***

— —

—

—

—

As adjusted 
(non-GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . $
(a) Numbers do not sum due to rounding

58

(2%)

$

60

(2%)

$

61

FINANCIAL POSITION

Liquidity and capital resources
The company’s cash flow from operating activities was $757 million 
in 2012, versus $814 million in 2011, primarily reflecting the impact 
of higher pension contributions to the company’s sponsored plans. 
Contributions increased $81 million to $137 million in 2012.

Net cash used for investing activities totaled $87 million. This 
reflects capital spending of $92 million, $67 million for acquisitions, 
and $3 million for equity investments, which were partially offset by 
proceeds from the sale of certain assets of $39 million and proceeds 
from investments of $36 million.

Cash used for financing activities totaled $664 million in 2012. 
This included the scheduled repayment of fixed rate long term notes 
of $307 million. The company also repurchased approximately 
10.3 million shares of the company’s stock for $154 million, paid 
dividends totaling $159 million and made distributions to 
noncontrolling membership shareholders of $47 million. These 
financing cash flows were partially offset by proceeds from 
borrowings under its revolving credit agreements of $30 million as 
well as stock option exercise proceeds of $34 million.

Certain key measurements of the elements of working capital for 

the last three years are presented in the following chart:

Working capital measurements

2012

2011

2010

Current ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.1-to-1

1.2-to-1

1.3-to-1

Accounts receivable turnover . . . . . . . . .

Newsprint inventory turnover . . . . . . . .

7.8

6.1

7.4

5.7

7.4

5.1

The company’s operations have historically generated strong 
positive cash flow which, along with the company’s program of 
maintaining bank revolving credit availability, has provided 
adequate liquidity to meet the company’s requirements, including 
those for acquisitions.

42

Long-term debt
The long-term debt of the company is summarized below:

In thousands of dollars

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate 

interest at 6.375% repaid April 2012 . . $

— $

306,534

Dec. 30, 2012 Dec. 25, 2011

Borrowings under revolving credit 

agreements expiring September 2014. .

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate 

interest at 8.75% due November 2014 .

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate 

interest at 10% due June 2015 . . . . . . .

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate 

205,000

235,000

248,376

247,609

61,286

59,522

interest at 6.375% due September 2015

248,497

247,995

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate 

interest at 10% due April 2016 . . . . . . .

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate 

174,241

169,775

interest at 9.375% due November 2017

247,547

247,168

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate 

interest at 7.125% due September 2018

247,153

246,760

Total long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1,432,100 $

1,760,363

Total average debt outstanding in 2012 and 2011 was $1.7 billion 

and $2.1 billion, respectively. The weighted average interest rate on 
all debt was 7.7% for 2012 and 7.4% for 2011.

On Dec. 30, 2012, the company had unused borrowing capacity 
of $922 million under its revolving credit agreements. In addition, its 
revolving credit agreements allow the company to borrow at least 
$1.25 billion of additional unsecured debt (unrestricted as to 
purpose) guaranteed by the guarantor subsidiaries under these credit 
agreements. This borrowing limit is subject to increases depending 
upon the company’s total leverage ratio.

During 2010 and 2009, the company completed a series of 
financing transactions which improved its debt maturity profile.

In September 2010, the company completed a private placement 

offering of unsecured senior notes totaling $500 million in two 
tranches: $250 million with a coupon of 6.375% due 2015 and $250 
million with a coupon of 7.125% due 2018. The 2015 notes were 
priced at 98.970% of face value, resulting in a yield to maturity of 
6.625%. The 2018 notes were priced at 98.527% of face value, 
resulting in a yield to maturity of 7.375%. On or after Sept. 1, 2014, 
the 2018 notes may be redeemed or purchased by the company at the 
applicable redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the 
principal amount of the 2018 notes) plus accrued but unpaid interest 
thereon to the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month 
period commencing on Sept. 1 of the following years: 2014 – 
103.563%, 2015 – 101.781% and 2016 and thereafter 100.000%. 
The company used the net proceeds of the offering to partially repay 
borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit agreements and its 
then outstanding term loan.

In September 2010, the company amended its revolving credit 
agreements and extended the maturity date with the majority of its 
lenders from March 15, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2014. Total commitments 
under the amended revolving credit agreements are $1.14 billion 
through September 30, 2014.   

In October 2009, the company completed a private placement 
offering of $250 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.750% 
senior notes due 2014 and $250 million in aggregate principal 
amount of 9.375% senior notes due 2017. The 2014 notes were 
priced at 98.465% of face value, resulting in a yield to maturity of 
9.125%. The 2017 notes were priced at 98.582% of face value, 
resulting in a yield to maturity of 9.625%. On or after November 15, 
2013, the 2017 notes may be redeemed or purchased by the company 
at the applicable redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the 
principal amount of the 2017 notes) plus accrued but unpaid interest 
thereon to the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month 
period commencing on November 15 of the following  years: 2013 – 
104.688%, 2014 – 102.344% and 2015 and thereafter 100.000%. 

In May 2009, the company completed a private exchange offer 
related to its 5.75% fixed rate notes due June 2011 and its 6.375% 
fixed rate notes due April 2012. The company exchanged 
approximately $67 million in principal amount of its 2011 notes for 
approximately $67 million principal amount of new 10% senior 
notes due 2015, and approximately $193 million in principal amount 
of its 2012 notes for approximately $193 million principal amount of 
new 10% senior notes due 2016.

The notes issued during 2010 and 2009 with maturity dates in 
2014 and thereafter were made available in private offerings that 
were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act 
of 1933. These notes are guaranteed on a senior basis by the 
subsidiaries of the company that guarantee its revolving credit and 
term loan agreements discussed more fully below.

The company’s three revolving credit agreements require the 
company to maintain a senior leverage ratio of less than 3.5x. The 
agreements also require the company to maintain a total leverage 
ratio of less than 4.0x. The total leverage ratio would also include 
any subordinated debt the company may issue in the future. 
Currently, all of the company’s debt is senior and unsecured. At Dec. 
30, 2012, the senior leverage ratio was 1.41x.

 Commitment fees since March 15, 2012 on the revolving credit 
agreements are equal to 0.50% of the undrawn commitments.  Prior 
to this, the company paid a fee to the lenders that agreed in 
September 2010 to extend their commitments from 2012 to 2014 
based on the leverage ratio that ranged from 0 to 75 basis points for 
drawn amounts and 25 basis points for undrawn amounts. 

Under each of the agreements, the company may borrow at an 
applicable margin above the Eurodollar base rate or the higher of the 
Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%. The 
applicable margin is determined based on the company’s leverage 
ratio but will differ between Eurodollar base rate loans and loans 
based on the higher of the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective 
Rate plus 0.50%. For borrowings at a margin above the Eurodollar 
base rate, the margin varies from 2.00% to 3.25%. For borrowings at 
a margin above the higher of the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds 
Effective Rate plus 0.50%, the margin will vary from 1.00% to 
2.25%. At its current leverage ratios, the company’s applicable 
margins will be 2.25% and 1.25%, respectively.

In connection with each of its three revolving credit agreements 

and its then outstanding loan agreement, the company agreed to 
provide guarantees from a majority of its domestic wholly-owned 
subsidiaries in the event that the company’s credit ratings from either 
Moody’s or S&P fell below investment grade. In the first quarter of 
2009, the company’s credit rating was downgraded below 
investment grade by both S&P and Moody’s. Accordingly, the 
guarantees were triggered and the existing notes then due in 2011 
and 2012 and other unsecured debt of the company became 
structurally subordinated to the revolving credit agreements and its 
then outstanding term loan.

43

 
On Aug. 21, 2009, Moody’s confirmed the company’s Ba1 
corporate family rating and its Ba2 senior unsecured debt rating. In 
addition, Moody’s rated the company’s bank debt, which included its 
revolving credit facilities, Baa3. The Baa3 rating was also applicable 
to most of the company’s long-term debt which has the same 
subsidiary guarantees as the bank debt, while the Ba2 rating applied 
to certain non-guaranteed senior long-term debt. On April 2, 2012, 
following the redemption of the last tranche of the company’s non-
guaranteed long-term debt, Moody’s changed the company’s senior 
unsecured debt rating to Ba1 and lowered the rating applicable to the 
company’s revolving credit facilities and remaining guaranteed long-
term debt to Ba1 for consistency with the new senior unsecured debt 
rating.  

As of Dec. 30, 2012, the company had $205 million of 

borrowings under its revolving credit agreements. The maximum 
amount outstanding at any time during 2012 and 2011 was $521 
million and $470 million, respectively. The daily average 
outstanding balance of the revolving credit agreements during 2012 
and 2011 was $353 million and $257 million, respectively. The 
weighted average interest rate for 2012 was 2.8% and 2.6% for 2011.

The company has an effective universal shelf registration 
statement under which an unspecified amount of securities may be 
issued, subject to a $7 billion limit established by the Board of 
Directors. Proceeds from the sale of such securities may be used for 
general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, working 
capital, securities repurchase programs, repayment of debt and 
financing of acquisitions. The company may also invest borrowed 
funds that are not required for other purposes in short-term 
marketable securities.

The following schedule shows the annual maturities of long term 

debt:

In thousands of dollars
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
247,153
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,432,100

309,783

174,241

453,376

247,547

—

The company’s debt maturities may be repaid with cash flow 

from operating activities or by accessing capital markets or a 
combination of both.

Contractual obligations and commitments
The following table summarizes the expected cash outflows 
resulting from financial contracts and commitments as of the end of 
2012.

Contractual obligations

Payments due by period

In millions of dollars

Total 2013 2014-15 2016-17 Thereafter

Long-term debt (1). . . . . . $1,847 $105 $

952 $

528 $

262

Operating leases (2) . . . . .

Purchase obligations (3). .

Programming
contracts (4) . . . . . . . . . . .

Other long-term
liabilities (5) . . . . . . . . . . .

278

186

52

54

79

10

448

141

89

66

41

74

61

25

1

71

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,811 $389 $ 1,222 $

686 $

74

16

—

162

514

(1)  See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The amounts included above 
include periodic interest payments. Interest payments are based on interest rates in 
effect at year-end.

(2)  See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3)  Includes purchase obligations related to printing contracts, capital projects, 

interactive marketing agreements, wire services and other legally binding 
commitments. Amounts which the company is liable for under purchase orders 
outstanding at Dec. 30, 2012, are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as 
accounts payable and accrued liabilities and are excluded from the table above.

(4)  Programming contracts include television station commitments to purchase 

programming to be produced in future years.

(5)  Other long-term liabilities primarily consist of amounts expected to be paid related 

to under-funded postretirement benefit plans.

Due to uncertainty with respect to the timing of future cash flows 

associated with unrecognized tax benefits at Dec. 30, 2012, the 
company is unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the 
period of cash settlement. Therefore, $86 million of unrecognized 
tax benefits have been excluded from the contractual obligations 
table above. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
for a further discussion of income taxes.

The company’s principal retirement plan, the GRP, had assets of 
$1.87 billion and liabilities of $2.46 billion at Dec. 30, 2012. Early 
in fiscal 2013, the company contributed $50 million to the GRP. For 
2013, the company expects to contribute $35 million to the U.K. 
retirement plan. Due to uncertainties regarding significant 
assumptions involved in estimating future contributions, such as 
interest rate levels and the amount and timing of asset returns, the 
company is unable to reasonably estimate its future contributions 
beyond 2013, and therefore no plan contributions thereafter are 
reflected in the above table.

In December 1990, the company adopted a Transitional 
Compensation Plan (the TCP). The TCP provides termination 
benefits to key executives whose employment is terminated under 
certain circumstances within two years following a change in control 
of the company. Benefits under the TCP include a severance 
payment of up to three years’ compensation and continued life and 
medical insurance coverage. The company amended the TCP in 
April 2010 to provide that new participants will not be entitled to the 
benefit of the TCP's excise tax gross-up or modified single trigger 
provisions.

Capital stock
In February 2012, the company announced that its Board of 
Directors approved a new program to repurchase up to $300 million 
in Gannett common stock (replacing a former repurchase program of 
$1 billion). During 2012, 10.3 million shares were purchased under 
the programs for $154 million. During 2011, 4.9 million shares were 
purchased under the former program for $53 million; no shares were 
purchased in 2010. As of Dec. 30, 2012, the value of shares that may 
be repurchased under the existing program is $150 million. 

44

The shares may be repurchased at management’s discretion, 

either in the open market or in privately negotiated block 
transactions. Management’s decision to repurchase shares will 
depend on price and other corporate developments. Purchases may 
occur from time to time and no maximum purchase price has been 
set. There is no expiration date for the $300 million stock repurchase 
program. However, it is targeted to be completed over the two years 
following the announcement. Certain of the shares previously 
acquired by the company have been reissued in settlement of 
employee stock awards.

An employee 401(k) Savings Plan was established in 1990, 
which includes a company matching contribution in the form of 
Gannett stock. To fund the company’s matching contribution, an 
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) was formed which 
acquired 2,500,000 shares of Gannett stock from the company for 
$50 million. The stock purchase was financed with a loan from the 
company. In June 2003, the debt was fully repaid and all of the 
shares had been fully allocated to participants. The company elected 
not to add additional shares to the ESOP and began funding 
contributions in cash. Through 2008, the ESOP used the cash match 
to purchase on the open market an equivalent number of shares of 
company stock on behalf of participants. In early 2009, the company 
began funding the 401(k) Savings Plan company matching 
contributions through the issuance of treasury shares. Beginning in 
2010, the company funded the 401(k) Savings Plan match through 
the issuance of a 50/50 combination of treasury shares and shares 
purchased on the open market with cash. In late 2011, the company 
began funding the 401(k) Saving Plan match by purchasing all 
shares on the open market with cash.

The company’s common stock outstanding at Dec. 30, 2012, 
totaled 230,042,098 shares, compared with 237,036,994 shares at 
Dec. 25, 2011.

Dividends
Dividends declared on common stock amounted to $186 million in 
2012, compared with $57 million in 2011.

Cash dividends

Payment date

Per share

2012

4th Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3rd Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jan. 2, 2013
Oct. 1, 2012

2nd Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

July 2, 2012

1st Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2, 2012

2011

4th Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jan. 3, 2012

3rd Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Oct. 3, 2011

2nd Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

July 1, 2011

1st Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

April 1, 2011

$
$

$

$

$

$

$

$

0.20
0.20

0.20

0.20

0.08

0.08

0.04

0.04

On Feb. 26, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of 

$0.20 per share, payable on April 1, 2013, to shareholders of record 
as of the close of business March 8, 2013. 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
The company’s foreign currency translation adjustment, included in 
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reported as part 
of shareholders’ equity, totaled $418 million at the end of 2012 and 
$400 million at the end of 2011. The increase reflected a 
strengthening of the British pound against the U.S. dollar. 
Newsquest’s assets and liabilities at Dec. 30, 2012 were translated 
from British pounds to U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of 1.62 
versus 1.56 at the end of 2011. Newsquest’s financial results were 
translated at an average rate of 1.58 for 2012, 1.60 for 2011 and 1.55 
for 2010.

The company has recognized the funded status of its pension and 
retiree medical benefit plans in the statement of financial position. At 
Dec. 30, 2012 and Dec. 25, 2011, accumulated other comprehensive 
loss includes a reduction of equity of $1.12 billion and $996 million, 
respectively, for losses that will be amortized to pension and other 
postretirement costs in future years.

Effects of inflation and changing prices and other matters
The company’s results of operations and financial condition have not 
been significantly affected by inflation. Further, the effects of 
inflation and changing prices on the company’s property, plant and 
equipment and related depreciation expense have been reduced as a 
result of an ongoing capital expenditure program and the availability 
of replacement assets with improved technology and efficiency.

The company is exposed to foreign exchange rate risk primarily 
due to its ownership of Newsquest, which uses the British pound as 
its functional currency, which is then translated into U.S. dollars. 
The company’s foreign currency translation adjustment, related 
principally to Newsquest and reported as part of shareholders’ 
equity, totaled $418 million at Dec. 30, 2012. Newsquest’s assets 
and liabilities were translated from British pounds to U.S. dollars at 
the Dec. 30, 2012, exchange rate of 1.62. Refer to Item 7A for 
additional detail.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE 
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The company believes that its market risk from financial 
instruments, such as accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt, 
is not material. The company is exposed to foreign exchange rate 
risk on a limited basis primarily due to its operations in the United 
Kingdom, for which the British pound is the functional currency. 
Translation gains or losses affecting the Consolidated Statements of 
Income have not been significant in the past. If the price of the 
British pound against the U.S. dollar had been 10% more or less than 
the actual price, operating income would have increased or 
decreased approximately 1% in 2012.

Because the company has $205 million in floating interest rate 
obligations outstanding at Dec. 30, 2012, the company is subject to 
changes in the amount of interest expense it might incur. A 1/2% 
increase or decrease in the average interest rate for these obligations 
would result in an increase or decrease in annual interest expense of 
$1.0 million.

Refer to Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for 
information regarding the fair value of the company’s long-term 
debt.

45

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Consolidated Balance Sheets at Dec. 30, 2012 and Dec. 25, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended Dec. 30, 2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended Dec. 30, 2012 . . . . . . . . . .

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended Dec. 30, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Consolidated Statements of Equity for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended Dec. 30, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Quarterly Statements of Income (Unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

OTHER INFORMATION

Financial Statement Schedule for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended Dec. 30, 2012 Schedule II – Valuation and 
Qualifying Accounts and Reserves* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

* All other schedules prescribed under Regulation S-X are omitted because they are not applicable or not required.

Page

47

48

50

51

52

53

54

76

78

80

46

 
 
GANNETT CO., INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Dec. 30, 2012

Dec. 25, 2011

175,030 $
678,845
20,162
56,389
15,840
108,946
17,508
1,072,720

148,518
1,265,290
2,548,957
10,184
3,972,949
(2,454,271)
1,518,678

166,926
693,194
17,247
49,122
22,771
106,631
19,654
1,075,545

170,002
1,345,943
2,583,981
6,755
4,106,681
(2,466,454)
1,640,227

2,846,869

2,864,885

499,913
158,275
283,431
3,788,488
6,379,886 $

502,195
208,650
324,948
3,900,678
6,616,450

In thousands of dollars
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful receivables of $22,006 and $34,646, respectively . . . . . . .
Other receivables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assets held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property, plant and equipment
Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buildings and improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Machinery, equipment and fixtures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction in progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less accumulated depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intangible and other assets
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $221,231 and 

$188,333, respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investments and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total intangible and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

48

GANNETT CO., INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

In thousands of dollars
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable

Dec. 30, 2012

Dec. 25, 2011

Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

187,705 $
24,128

188,930
27,045

Accrued liabilities

Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Postretirement medical and life insurance liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other long-term liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redeemable noncontrolling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note 12)

Equity
Gannett Co., Inc. shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock, par value $1: Authorized, 2,000,000 shares: Issued, none . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common stock, par value $1: Authorized, 800,000,000 shares: Issued, 324,418,632 shares . . . . . . . . . . .
Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Less Treasury stock, 94,376,534 shares and 87,381,638 shares, respectively, at cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Gannett Co., Inc. shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Noncontrolling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and equity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

171,319
22,210
208,811
45,963
44,985
229,395
934,516
83,260
1,432,100
149,937
1,007,325
222,182
3,829,320
10,654

173,600
26,158
232,176
18,935
3,658
231,435
901,937
112,088
1,760,363
163,699
908,110
258,228
4,104,425
—

—
324,419
567,515
7,514,858
(701,141)
7,705,651
(5,355,037)
2,350,614
189,298
2,539,912
6,379,886 $

—
324,419
617,727
7,276,200
(595,839)
7,622,507
(5,294,616)
2,327,891
184,134
2,512,025
6,616,450

49

Dec. 30, 2012

Dec. 25, 2011

Dec. 26, 2010

GANNETT CO., INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts

Fiscal year ended
Net operating revenues
Publishing advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Publishing circulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Digital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Broadcasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating expenses
Cost of sales and operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facility consolidation and asset impairment charges (see Notes 3 and 4). . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-operating (expense) income
Equity income in unconsolidated investees, net (see Notes 3 and 6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss from the operation of discontinued operations, net of tax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of publishing businesses, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

2,355,922 $
1,117,042
718,949
906,104
255,180
5,353,197

2,511,025 $
1,063,890
686,471
722,410
256,193
5,239,989

2,943,847
1,303,427
160,746
33,293
122,129
4,563,442
789,755

22,387
(150,469)
8,734
(119,348)
670,407
195,400
475,007
—
—
475,007
(50,727)
424,280 $

2,961,097
1,223,485
165,739
31,634
27,243
4,409,198
830,791

8,197
(173,140)
(12,921)
(177,864)
652,927
152,800
500,127
—
—
500,127
(41,379)
458,748 $

Income from continuing operations attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . $
Loss from the operation of discontinued operations, net of tax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of publishing businesses, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

424,280 $

458,748 $

—
—

—
—

424,280 $

458,748 $

Earnings from continuing operations per share—basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Earnings from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinued operations per share—basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of publishing businesses per share—basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income per share—basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Earnings from continuing operations per share—diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Earnings from discontinued operations
Discontinued operations per share—diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of publishing businesses per share—diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income per share—diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1.83 $

1.92 $

—
—
1.83 $
1.79 $

—
—
1.79 $

—
—
1.92 $
1.89 $

—
—
1.89 $

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

50

2,710,524
1,086,702
618,259
769,580
253,613
5,438,678

2,980,465
1,187,633
182,514
31,362
57,009
4,438,983
999,695

19,140
(172,986)
111
(153,735)
845,960
244,013
601,947
(322)
21,195
622,820
(34,619)
588,201

567,328
(322)
21,195
588,201

2.38

—
0.09
2.47
2.35

—
0.08
2.43

GANNETT CO., INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

In thousands of dollars
Fiscal year ended
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 
(income not available to shareholders) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension and other postretirement benefit items:

Actuarial loss:

Dec. 30, 2012

Dec. 25, 2011

475,007 $

500,127 $

Dec. 26, 2010
622,820

(254)

(973)

(5,872)

18,107

5,342

(21,527)

Actuarial loss arising during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(230,799)
55,372

(403,495)
43,345

(106,095)
51,819

Prior service cost:

Change in prior service (costs) credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of prior service credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension and other postretirement benefit items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive loss before tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax. . . . . . . . . . .
Comprehensive income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

—
(11,501)
(3,429)
(190,357)
1,791
(170,459)
66,948
(103,511)
371,242
52,264
318,978 $

(1,297)
(11,930)
(295)
(373,672)
(5,469)
(373,799)
140,182
(233,617)
265,537
37,294
228,243 $

677
(12,646)
21,359
(44,886)
(2,488)
(68,901)
17,606
(51,295)
565,653
25,954
539,699

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

51

GANNETT CO., INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

In thousands of dollars
Fiscal year ended
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flows:
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facility consolidation and asset impairment charges (see Notes 3 and 4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation — equity awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension expense, net of pension contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity income in unconsolidated investees, net (see Notes 3 and 6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other, net, including gains on asset sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Decrease in trade receivables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Decrease (increase) in other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Decrease (increase) in inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Decrease in accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (decrease) in interest and taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (decrease) in deferred income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in other assets and liabilities, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash flow from operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments for investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from sale of certain assets, including discontinued operations in 2010 . . . . . . . . .
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from (payments of) borrowings under revolving credit facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments of unsecured floating rate term loan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments of unsecured fixed rate notes and other indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of common shares repurchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repurchase of and distributions to noncontrolling membership interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred payments for acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash used for financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of currency exchange rate change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

52

Dec. 30, 2012 Dec. 25, 2011 Dec. 26, 2010

475,007 $

500,127 $

622,820

—
160,746
33,293
122,129
26,608
122,700
(95,377)
(22,387)
(36,056)
35,799
6,200
(7,167)
(3,284)
853
(5,294)
(57,030)
756,740

(91,874)
(67,244)
(2,501)
35,629
39,009
(86,981)

—
165,739
31,634
41,772
28,003
97,500
(42,330)
(8,197)
(1,639)
33,464
12,273
22,932
(12,614)
(57,173)
4,595
(1,950)
814,136

(72,451)
(23,020)
(19,406)
52,982
36,976
(24,919)

(21,195)
183,322
31,362
57,009
32,707
150,363
(124,864)
(19,140)
(3,996)
34,909
(5,182)
(10,434)
(15,199)
(98,270)
4,745
(46,073)
772,884

(69,070)
(15,164)
(10,984)
45,478
112,706
62,966

(30,000)
—
—
(306,571)
(158,822)
(153,948)
33,748
(47,100)
(1,027)
(663,720)
2,065
8,104
166,926
175,030 $

14,000
—
(180,000)
(433,432)
(47,946)
(53,037)
3,609
(108,691)
—
(805,497)
192
(16,088)
183,014
166,926 $

(1,160,000)
493,743
—
(50,000)
(38,216)
—
3,214
—
—
(751,259)
(372)
84,219
98,795
183,014

GANNETT CO., INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

In thousands of dollars

Gannett Co., Inc. Shareholders’ Equity

Fiscal years ended Dec. 26, 2010, 
Dec. 25, 2011, and Dec. 30, 2012

Common
stock
$1 par
value

Additional
paid-in
capital

Retained
earnings

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)

Treasury
stock

Noncontrolling
Interests

Total

Balance: Dec. 27, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Net income, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redeemable noncontrolling interest. . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive income, net of tax . . . . . . . .
Total comprehensive income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends declared, 2010: $0.16 per share . . . . . .
Acquisitions/dispositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock options exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
401(k) match. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit derived from stock awards settled. . . .
Other treasury stock activity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance: Dec. 26, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Net income, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redeemable noncontrolling interest. . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . .
Total comprehensive income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends declared, 2011: $0.24 per share. . . . . . .
Distributions to noncontrolling membership
shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Treasury stock acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock options exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
401(k) match. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit derived from stock awards settled. . . .
Other treasury stock activity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance: Dec. 25, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Net income, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redeemable noncontrolling interest. . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax . . .
Total comprehensive income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends declared, 2012: $0.80 per share . . . . . .
Distributions to noncontrolling membership
shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treasury stock acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock options exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restricted stock awards settled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit derived from stock awards settled. . . .
Other treasury stock activity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance: Dec. 30, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

815

34,619
(5,872)
(2,793)

143,550 $ 1,747,475
622,820
(5,872)
(51,295)
565,653
(38,146)
815
1,978
32,707
22,867
1,236
(512)
170,319 $ 2,334,073
500,127
(973)

41,379
(973)

63

(53,037)
2,352
28,003
16,627
1,257
(2,056)
184,134 $ 2,512,025
475,007
(254)
(103,511)
371,242
(185,622)

50,727
(254)
1,791

324,419 $

629,714 $ 6,324,586 $

(316,832) $ (5,357,962) $

588,201

(38,146)

(48,502)

(6,153)
32,707
(22,227)
1,236
(4,961)

8,131

45,094

4,449

324,419 $

630,316 $ 6,874,641 $

(365,334) $ (5,300,288) $

458,748

(57,189)

(7,294)
28,003
(24,714)
1,257
(9,841)

(230,505)

(3,112)

(233,617)
265,537
(57,189)

(23,542)

(23,542)

(53,037)
9,646

41,341

7,722

324,419 $

617,727 $ 7,276,200 $

(595,839) $ (5,294,616) $

424,280

(185,622)

(105,302)

(42,282)
(32,860)
26,608
9,243
(10,921)
567,515 $ 7,514,858 $

324,419 $

(153,948)
66,787
25,890

850

(701,141) $ (5,355,037) $

(47,100)

(47,100)

(153,948)
24,505
(6,970)
26,608
9,243
(10,071)
189,298 $ 2,539,912

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

53

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1

Summary of significant accounting policies

Fiscal year: The company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday of 
the calendar year. The company’s 2012 fiscal year ended on Dec. 30, 
2012, and encompassed a 53-week period. The company’s 2011 and 
2010 fiscal years encompassed 52-week periods.

Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the 

accounts of the company and its wholly and majority-owned 
subsidiaries after elimination of all significant intercompany 
transactions and profits. Investments in entities for which the 
company does not have control, but has the ability to exercise 
significant influence over operating and financial policies, are 
accounted for under the equity method. Accordingly, the company’s 
share of net earnings and losses from these ventures is included in 
“Equity income in unconsolidated investees, net” in the 
Consolidated Statements of Income.

Segment presentation: The Digital Segment includes results 
from CareerBuilder, PointRoll, ShopLocal and Reviewed.com. The 
Digital Segment and the digital revenues lines do not include online/
digital revenues generated by digital platforms that are associated 
with the company’s publishing and broadcasting operating 
properties. Such amounts are reflected within those segments and are 
included as part of publishing revenues and broadcasting revenues in 
the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Noncontrolling interests presentation: Noncontrolling interests 
are presented as a component of equity on the Consolidated Balance 
Sheet. This balance primarily relates to the noncontrolling owners of 
CareerBuilder, LLC (CareerBuilder) for which Gannett’s ownership 
percentage is at 52.9%. Net income in the Consolidated Statements 
of Income reflects 100% of CareerBuilder results as the company 
holds the controlling interest. Net income is subsequently adjusted to 
remove the noncontrolling interest to arrive at Net income 
attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. On Aug. 31, 2012, CareerBuilder 
acquired 74% of Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (EMSI), a 
software firm that specializes in employment data and labor market 
analytics. Shareholders for the remaining 26% of ownership hold put 
rights that permit them to put their equity interest to CareerBuilder. 
Since redemption of the noncontrolling interest is outside of the 
Company’s control, their equity interest is presented on the 
consolidated balance sheet in the caption “Redeemable 
noncontrolling interest”. 

Operating agencies: The company’s publishing subsidiary in 
Detroit participates in a joint operating agency. The joint operating 
agency performs the production, sales and distribution functions for 
the subsidiary and another publishing company under a joint 
operating agreement. Operating results for the Detroit joint operating 
agency are fully consolidated along with a charge for the 
noncontrolling partner’s share of profits.

Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of 

cash and investments with maturities of three months or less.

Trade receivables and allowances for doubtful accounts: Trade 

receivables are recorded at invoiced amounts and generally do not 
bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the 
company’s estimate of credit exposure, determined principally on the 
basis of its collection experience, aging of its receivables and 
significant individual account credit risk.

Inventories: Inventories, consisting principally of newsprint, 

printing ink and plate material for the company’s publishing 
operations, are valued primarily at the lower of cost (first-in, first-
out) or market. At certain U.S. publishing operations however, 
newsprint inventory is carried on a last-in, first-out basis.

Valuation of long-lived assets: In accordance with the 
requirements included within ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—
Goodwill and Other” (ASC Topic 350) and Topic 360, “Property, 
Plant, and Equipment” (ASC Topic 360), the company evaluates the 
carrying value of long-lived assets (mostly property, plant and 
equipment and definite-lived intangible assets) to be held and used 
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a 
long-lived asset group is considered impaired when the projected 
undiscounted future cash flows are less than its carrying value. The 
company measures impairment based on the amount by which the 
carrying value exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined 
primarily using the projected future cash flows, discounted at a rate 
commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets to 
be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except that fair 
values are reduced for the cost to dispose.

Property and depreciation: Property, plant and equipment is 
recorded at cost, and depreciation is provided generally on a straight-
line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The principal 
estimated useful lives are: buildings and improvements, 10 to 40 
years; and machinery, equipment and fixtures, 3 to 30 years. 
Changes in the estimated useful life of an asset, which could happen 
as a result of facility consolidations, can affect depreciation expense 
and net income. Major renewals and improvements and interest 
incurred during the construction period of major additions are 
capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and minor 
renewals are charged to expense as incurred.

Goodwill and other intangible assets: Goodwill represents the 

excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of assets acquired, 
including identifiable intangible assets, net of liabilities assumed. In 
accordance with the impairment testing provisions included in ASC 
Topic 350, goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis or 
between annual tests if events occur or circumstances change that 
would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit 
below its carrying amount. 

During the quarter ended Dec. 30, 2012, the company voluntarily 

changed the date of its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived 
intangible assets impairment testing from the last day of the fourth 
quarter to the first day of the fourth quarter. This change is 
preferable as it provides the company with additional time to 
complete its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset 
impairment testing in advance of its year-end reporting and results in 
better alignment with the company’s strategic planning and 
forecasting process. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted 
accounting principles, the company will continue to perform interim 
impairment testing should circumstances requiring it arise. The 
company believes that this accounting change is appropriate and 
does not result in the delay, acceleration or avoidance of an 
impairment charge. This change is not applied retrospectively as it is 
impracticable to do so because retrospective application would 
require application of significant estimates and assumptions with the 
use of hindsight. Accordingly, the change will be applied 
prospectively. 

54

Under recent guidance, prior to performing the annual two-step 
goodwill impairment test, the company is first permitted to perform 
a qualitative assessment to determine if the two-step quantitative test 
must be completed. The qualitative assessment considers events and 
circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and 
market conditions, cost factors and overall financial performance, as 
well as company and specific reporting unit specifications. If after 
performing this assessment, the company concludes it is more likely 
than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying 
amount, then it is required to perform a two-step quantitative test.  
Otherwise, the two-step test is not required. In the first step of the 
quantitative test, the company is required to determine the fair value 
of each reporting unit and compare it to the carrying amount of the 
reporting unit. Fair value of the reporting unit is determined using 
various techniques, including multiple of earnings and discounted 
cash flow valuation techniques. If the carrying amount of the 
reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the 
company performs the second step of the impairment test, as this is 
an indication that the reporting unit goodwill may be impaired. In 
the second step of the impairment test, the company determines the 
implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying 
value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, 
then an impairment of goodwill has occurred and the company must 
recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying 
amount and the implied fair value of goodwill. 

In determining the reporting units, the company considers the 
way it manages its businesses and the nature of those businesses. 
The company has established its reporting units for publishing at or 
one level below the segment level. These reporting units therefore 
consist principally of U.S. Community Publishing, the USA TODAY 
group, the U.K. group, and certain individual stand-alone publishing 
businesses. For Digital, the reporting units are the stand-alone digital 
businesses. For Broadcasting, goodwill is accounted for at the 
segment level.

The company performs an impairment test annually, or more 

often if circumstances dictate, of its indefinite-lived intangible 
assets. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized 
over those useful lives and are evaluated for impairment in 
accordance with ASC Topic 350 as described above.

Investments and other assets: Investments where the company 
does have significant influence are recorded under the equity method 
of accounting. The company recognized impairment charges each 
year from 2010-2012 related to such investments. See Note 3 for 
additional information.

Investments in non-public businesses in which the company does 
not have control or does not exert significant influence are carried at 
cost and losses resulting from periodic evaluations of the carrying 
value of these investments are included as a non-operating expense. 
At Dec. 30, 2012 and Dec. 25, 2011, such investments totaled 
approximately $2 million. See Note 3 for additional information.
The company’s television stations are parties to program 

broadcast contracts. These contracts are recorded at the gross amount 
of the related liability when the programs are available for 
telecasting. The related assets are recorded at the lower of cost or 
estimated net realizable value. Program assets are classified as 
current (as a prepaid expense) or noncurrent (as an other asset) in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets, based upon the expected use of the 
programs in succeeding years. The amount charged to expense 
appropriately matches the cost of the programs with the revenues 
associated with them. The liability for these contracts is classified as 
current or noncurrent in accordance with the payment terms of the 
contracts. The payment period generally coincides with the period of 
telecast for the programs, but may be shorter.

Revenue recognition: The company’s revenues include amounts 

charged to customers for space purchased in the company’s 
newspapers, digital ads placed on its digital platforms, advertising 
and marketing service fees, commercial printing and advertising 
broadcast on the company’s television stations. Publishing revenues 
also include circulation revenues for newspapers, both print and 
digital, purchased by readers or distributors, reduced by the amount 
of any discounts taken. Broadcast revenues include revenues from 
the retransmission of the company’s television signals on satellite 
and cable networks. Advertising revenues are recognized, net of 
agency commissions, in the period when advertising is printed or 
placed on digital platforms or broadcast. Revenues for marketing 
services are generally recognized as ads or services are delivered. 
Commercial printing revenues are recognized when the product is 
delivered to the customer. Circulation revenues are recognized when 
purchased newspapers are distributed or made available on the 
company’s digital platforms. Amounts received from customers in 
advance of revenue recognition are deferred as liabilities. 
Broadcasting retransmission fees are recognized over the contract 
period based on a negotiated fee per subscriber.

Retirement plans: Pension and other postretirement benefit costs 

under the company’s retirement plans are actuarially determined. 
The company recognizes the cost of postretirement benefits 
including pension, medical and life insurance benefits on an accrual 
basis over the working lives of employees expected to receive such 
benefits.

Stock-based employee compensation: The company’s stock 
option awards generally have graded vesting terms and the company 
recognizes compensation expense for these options on a straight-line 
basis over the requisite service period for the entire award (generally 
four years). 

The company also grants restricted stock or restricted stock units 

as well as performance shares to employees as a form of 
compensation. The expense for such awards is based on the grant 
date fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis 
over the requisite service period, which is generally the four-year 
incentive period for restricted stock and the three-year incentive 
period for performance shares. Expense for performance share 
awards for participants meeting certain retirement eligible criteria as 
defined in the plan are recognized using the accelerated attribution 
method. See Note 11 for further discussion.

Income taxes: The company accounts for certain income and 
expense items differently for financial reporting purposes than for 
income tax reporting purposes. Deferred income taxes are provided 
in recognition of these temporary differences. See Note 10 for 
further discussion.

Per share amounts: The company reports earnings per share on 
two bases, basic and diluted. All basic income per share amounts are 
based on the weighted average number of common shares 
outstanding during the year. The calculation of diluted earnings per 
share also considers the assumed dilution from the exercise of stock 
options and from performance share and restricted stock units.

Foreign currency translation: The income statements of foreign 

operations have been translated to U.S. dollars using the average 
currency exchange rates in effect during the relevant period. The 
balance sheets have been translated using the currency exchange rate 
as of the end of the accounting period. The impact of currency 
exchange rate changes on the translation of the balance sheets are 
included in other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income and are classified as 
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet and Statement of Equity.

55

Loss contingencies: The company is subject to various legal 
proceedings, claims and regulatory matters, the outcomes of which 
are subject to significant uncertainty. The company determines 
whether to disclose or accrue for loss contingencies based on an 
assessment of whether the risk of loss is remote, reasonably possible 
or probable, and whether it can be reasonably estimated. The 
company accrues for loss contingencies when such amounts are 
probable and reasonably estimable. If a contingent liability is only 
reasonably possible, the company will disclose the potential range of 
the loss, if material and estimable.

New accounting pronouncements: In July 2012, the Financial 
Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards 
Update (ASU) 2012-02, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other: Testing 
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.  ASU 2012-02 
permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine 
whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test in 
accordance with Subtopic 350-30, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other 
– General Intangibles Other than Goodwill.  This guidance is 
effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for 
fiscal years beginning after Sept. 15, 2012.  The company does not 
expect the adoption of this update to have a material impact on its 
financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Presentation of 
Comprehensive Income. ASU 2011-05 revises the manner in which 
entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. 
The recent guidance removes the presentation options in Accounting 
Standards Codification 220 and requires entities to report 
components of comprehensive income in either (1) a continuous 
statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but 
consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 did not change the items that 
must be reported in other comprehensive income. The company 
adopted the provisions of ASU 2011-05 in the first quarter of 2012 
and elected the second option.

NOTE 2

Acquisitions, investments and dispositions
2012: In January 2012, the company acquired the assets of Fantasy 
Sports Ventures/Big Lead Sports, a leading sports digital site. This 
business is an important addition to the USA TODAY Sports Media 
Group, positioning it as one of the top five sports sites on the web. 
In February 2012, the company invested in HotelMe LLC, a 
company engaged in the business of providing authenticated hotel 
and lodging travel reviews.

In April 2012, CareerBuilder acquired two new businesses: 
Ceviu and Top Language Jobs. Ceviu is the leading information 
technology job board in Brazil. Top Language Jobs is Europe’s 
number one language specialist recruitment job portal. It operates 
the largest global network of job boards dedicated to multilingual 
job seekers looking for work internationally.

In June 2012, the company acquired Quickish. Quickish is a 
sports aggregator that offers a summary and a link for sports stories 
throughout the day.

In August 2012, Gannett completed the acquisition of BLiNQ 

Media, LLC, a leading global innovator of social engagement 
advertising solutions for agencies and brands. BLiNQ helps 
companies advertise and engage with consumers on Facebook and 
other social networks.

In September 2012,  Gannett acquired Mobestream Media, 

developer of the Key Ring consumer rewards mobile platform (“Key 
Ring”) available on all major smartphones. Consumers download the 
free Key Ring application to scan and store existing loyalty cards, 
join new rewards programs and get mobile coupons and other 
promotional offers delivered to their smartphones. 

Also in September 2012, CareerBuilder acquired a controlling 

interest in EMSI. EMSI is an economic software firm that 
specializes in employment data and labor market analysis. EMSI 
collects and interprets large amounts of labor data, which is used in 
work force development and talent strategy.

In October 2012, Gannett acquired Rovion. Rovion’s primary 
product, Ad Composer, includes a self-service technology platform 
that enables the full development and deployment of rich media and 
mobile HTML5 ads by clients who do not have coding expertise.

Total cash paid in 2012 for business acquisitions and investments 

was $67.2 million and $2.5 million respectively.

2011: In January 2011, the company acquired Reviewed.com, a 

group of product-review web sites that provide comprehensive 
reviews for technology products such as digital cameras, camcorders 
and high-definition televisions. Its operations have been expanded to 
cover other household items and consumer services.

In May 2011, CareerBuilder acquired JobsCentral, a leading jobs 

board in Singapore that also has a fast-growing presence in 
Malaysia.

In June 2011, the company acquired Nutrition Dimension, which 

provides continuing education, certification and review programs 
and other educational content for nutrition, fitness and training 
professionals.

In August 2011, the company acquired US PRESSWIRE, a 
global leader in the creation and distribution of premium digital 
sports images to media companies worldwide. US PRESSWIRE 
operates within the USA TODAY Sports Media Group and provides 
daily sports photo coverage for all of the company’s publishing and 
broadcast properties. 

56

In September 2011, CareerBuilder acquired JobScout24, which 

NOTE 3

solidified CareerBuilder’s position as one of the top three online 
recruitment sites in Germany.

In November 2011, the company acquired the mixed martial arts 

web site, MMAjunkie.com, one of the leading online news 
destinations for the sport and a content provider for several print, 
online and TV outlets.

Also in November 2011, the company purchased a minority 
stake in ShopCo Holdings, LLC (ShopCo). ShopCo provides a 
common online shopping platform which allows advertisers to reach 
consumers in order to assist them in making informed purchasing 
decisions.

Total cash paid in 2011 for business acquisitions and investments 

was $23.0 million and $19.4 million, respectively.

2010: In March 2010, CareerBuilder purchased CareerSite.biz, 
parent of three successful career-related operations in the U.K., two 
online recruitment niche sites targeted to nursing and rail workers as 
well as a successful virtual career fair business.

In the second quarter of 2010, the company completed the sale of 

The Honolulu Advertiser as well as a small directory publishing 
operation in Michigan. In connection with these transactions, the 
company recorded a net after tax gain of $21.2 million in 
discontinued operations. Income from continuing operations for all 
periods presented exclude operating results from these former 
properties which have been reclassified to discontinued operations. 
Amounts applicable to these discontinued operations are as follows:

Facility consolidation and asset impairment charges
For the years 2010-2012, the company recognized charges related to 
facility consolidation efforts. The company also recorded non-cash 
impairment charges to reduce the book value of goodwill, other 
intangible assets and long-lived assets. Impairment charges for 
certain minority-owned investments accounted for under the equity 
or cost methods were also recorded.

A summary of these charges by year is presented below:

In thousands, except per share amounts

2012

Pre-Tax
Amount

After-Tax
Amount

Per  Share 
Amount(a)

Facility consolidation and asset impairment charges:

Goodwill - Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 90,053 $ 86,553 $

0.37

Property, plant and equipment - 

Publishing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other - Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

29,520

2,556

17,920

1,656

Total facility consolidation and asset 
impairment charges against operations .

122,129

106,129

Non-operating charges:

Equity method investments. . . . . . . .

7,036

4,336

Total charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 129,165 $ 110,465 $

 (a)Total amounts may not sum due to rounding.

0.08

0.01

0.45

0.02

0.47

In thousands of dollars

In thousands, except per share amounts

Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 32,710

Pretax Loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

Net Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

(758)

(322)

Gains (after tax) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 21,195

2010

Total cash paid in 2010 for business acquisitions and investments 

was $15.2 million and $11.0 million, respectively.

2011

Pre-Tax
Amount

After-Tax
Amount 

Per  Share
Amount

Facility consolidation and asset impairment charges:

Property, plant and equipment - 

Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 17,085 $ 10,282 $

Other - Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10,158

7,261

Total facility consolidation and asset
impairment charges against operations .

27,243

17,543

Non-operating charges:

Equity method investments . . . . . . . .

Other investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15,739

14,529

9,539

8,729

Total charges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 57,511 $ 35,811 $

0.04

0.03

0.07

0.04

0.04

0.15

57

 
 
In thousands, except per share amounts

NOTE 4

2010

Pre-Tax
Amount

After-Tax
Amount

Per  Share
Amount(a)

Facility consolidation and asset impairment charges:

Goodwill - Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 10,932 $ 10,810 $

0.04

Other intangible assets: . . . . . . . . . . .

Publishing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Digital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total other intangible assets . . . . . . .

Property, plant and equipment: . . . . .

Publishing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Broadcasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total property, plant and equipment .

Other: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Publishing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Broadcasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total facility consolidation and asset 
impairment charges against operations .

Non-operating charges:

16,930

1,603

18,533

15,489

3,764

19,253

3,301

4,990

8,291

12,359

1,006

13,365

9,472

2,321

11,793

2,025

3,061

5,086

57,009

41,054

Equity method investments. . . . . . . .

2,731

1,634

Total charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 59,740 $ 42,688 $

(a)Total amounts may not sum due to rounding.

0.05

—

0.06

0.04

0.01

0.05

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.17

0.01

0.18

In connection with the required annual impairment test of 
goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles, potential impairments 
were indicated in 2012 and 2010 for certain reporting units in the 
company’s Digital and Publishing Segments. The fair value of the 
reporting units was determined based on a multiple of earnings 
technique and/or a discounted cash flow technique. The company 
then undertook the next step in the impairment testing process by 
determining the fair value of assets and liabilities within these 
reporting units.  The implied value was less than the carrying value 
and therefore the impairment charges were taken.

The impairment charge in 2010 for other intangible assets, 
principally a masthead, was required because revenue results from 
the underlying business had softened from what was expected at the 
time the assets were last valued. Fair value was determined using a 
relief-from-royalty method. Carrying values were reduced to fair 
value for an indefinite lived asset and for certain definite-lived assets 
in accordance with ASC Topic 350. 

Facility consolidation plans led the company to recognize 
charges associated with revising the useful lives of certain assets 
over a shortened periods as well as shutdown costs. Charges were 
recognized in the years 2010-2012. Certain assets classified as held-
for-sale in accordance with ASC Topic 360 resulted in charges being 
recognized in 2012 as the carrying values were reduced to equal the 
fair value less cost to dispose. These fair values were based on 
estimates of prices for similar assets.

During 2010-2012, carrying values of certain investments in 
which the company owns noncontrolling interests were written down 
to fair value because the businesses underlying the investments had 
experienced significant and sustained operating losses, leading the 
company to conclude that they were other than temporarily 
impaired. 

Goodwill and other intangible assets
ASC Topic 350 requires that goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible 
assets be tested for impairment at least annually. Recognized 
intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their 
useful lives and are subject to tests for impairment in accordance 
with the requirements included within ASC Topic 350.

The company performed impairment tests on its goodwill and 
intangible assets during 2012 and as a result recognized non-cash 
impairment charges totaling $90 million on its goodwill in the 
Digital Segment.  The impairment charges coincide with the 
reduction in advertising from a large customer during the fourth 
quarter of 2012 as well as a change in strategy and the development 
of updated financial projections reflective of these events.

Goodwill impairment tests completed in 2011 indicated no 
impairment. In 2010, the company performed interim and year-end 
impairment tests on its goodwill and other intangible assets and, as a 
result, recognized non-cash impairment charges totaling $29 million.   
The charges in 2010 included goodwill and other intangibles for the 
Digital segment of $11 million and $2 million, respectively, and $17 
million for other intangibles for the Publishing segment (for a 
publication masthead in the U.K.).

The following table displays goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible 

assets, and amortizable intangible assets at Dec. 30, 2012, and Dec. 
25, 2011.

In thousands of dollars

Dec. 30, 2012

Gross

Accumulated
Amortization

Net

Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,846,869 $

— $ 2,846,869

Indefinite-lived intangibles:

Mastheads and trade names . .

95,308

Television station FCC 

licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

255,304

Amortizable intangible assets:

Customer relationships . . . . . .

Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

313,567

56,965

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,568,013 $
Dec. 25, 2011

—

—

95,308

255,304

197,300

23,931

116,267

33,034

221,231 $ 3,346,782

Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,864,885 $

— $ 2,864,885

Indefinite-lived intangibles:

Mastheads and trade names . .

93,163

Television station FCC 

licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

255,304

Amortizable intangible assets:

—

—

93,163

255,304

Customer relationships . . . . . .

Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

298,437

43,624

169,499

18,834

128,938

24,790

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,555,413 $

188,333 $ 3,367,080

Amortization expense was $33.3 million in 2012 and $31.6 

million in 2011.  The increase primarily reflects the impact of 
additional acquisitions made in 2012. Customer relationships, which 
include subscriber lists and advertiser relationships, are amortized on 
a straight-line basis over periods ranging from three to 25 years. 
Other intangibles primarily include internally developed technology, 
patents and amortizable trade names and were assigned lives of 
between three and 21 years and are amortized on a straight-line 
basis.

58

 
Annual amortization expense relating to the amortizable 

NOTE 5

intangibles is expected to be approximately $34 million in 2013 and 
gradually decline to $13 million in 2017 assuming no acquisitions or 
dispositions.

Supplemental cash flows information
Cash paid in 2012, 2011 and 2010 for income taxes and for interest 
(net of amounts capitalized) was as follows:

The following table shows the changes in the carrying amount of 

goodwill during 2012 and 2011.

In thousands of dollars

In thousands of dollars

Publishing

Digital

Broadcasting

Total

Goodwill

Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

81,559 $ 135,051 $ 195,253

Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 138,906 $ 161,960 $ 171,537

2012

2011

2010

1,618,563 $ 9,893,120

Interest in the amount of $477,000 was capitalized in 2010. No  

interest was capitalized for 2011 and 2012.

Included in Repurchase of and distributions to noncontrolling 
membership interests on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
is $16 million of then unpaid distributions as of Dec. 25, 2011. These 
funds were in restricted cash for this purpose and classified within 
Investments and other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet 
at Dec. 25, 2011. Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheet at Dec. 25, 2011 included a liability for this amount 
which was subsequently paid in 2012. 

(36,603)

(7,019,557)

Gross balance at 
Dec. 26, 2010 . . . $ 7,599,030 $ 675,527 $
Accumulated
impairment losses
Net balance at 
Dec. 26, 2010 . . . $
Acquisitions &
adjustments . . . . .
Foreign currency
exchange rate
changes . . . . . . . .

579,473 $ 638,924 $

(2,538)

11,215

17,500

1,789

— (7,056,160)

1,618,563 $ 2,836,960

—

28,715

(41)

(790)

Balance at 
Dec. 25, 2011 . . . $
Gross balance at 
Dec. 25, 2011 . . .
Accumulated
impairment losses
Net balance at 
Dec. 25, 2011 . . . $
Acquisitions &
adjustments . . . . .
Impairment . . . . .

Foreign currency
exchange rate
changes . . . . . . . .

Balance at 
Dec. 30, 2012 . . . $
Gross balance at 
Dec. 30, 2012 . . .
Accumulated
impairment losses
Net balance at 
Dec. 30, 2012 . . . $

592,477 $ 653,886 $

1,618,522 $ 2,864,885

7,643,255

680,489

1,618,522

9,942,266

(7,050,778)

(26,603)

— (7,077,381)

592,477 $ 653,886 $

1,618,522 $ 2,864,885

22,747

39,241

—

(90,053)

6,918

3,051

—

—

80

61,988

(90,053)

10,049

622,142 $ 606,125 $

1,618,602 $ 2,846,869

7,754,959

722,781

1,618,602

10,096,342

(7,132,817)

(116,656)

— (7,249,473)

622,142 $ 606,125 $

1,618,602 $ 2,846,869

59

NOTE 6

NOTE 7

Investments
The company’s investments include several that are accounted for 
under the equity method. Principal among these are the following:

Wanderful Media, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ponderay Newsprint Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pearl, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Garnet Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
California Newspapers Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4Info. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Classified Ventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Livestream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HotelMe, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Homefinder.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Topix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Texas-New Mexico Newspapers Partnership . . . . . . . . .
Tucson Newspaper Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

% Owned
11.36%
13.50%
16.20%
18.10%
19.49%
23.49%
23.60%
26.60%
32.14%
33.33%
33.71%
40.64%
50.00%

The aggregate carrying value of equity investments at Dec. 30, 

2012, was $123 million. Certain differences exist between the 
company’s investment carrying value and the underlying equity of 
the investee companies principally due to fair value measurement at 
the date of investment acquisition and due to impairment charges 
recorded by the company for certain of the investments. The 
aggregate amount of pretax earnings recorded by the company for its 
investments accounted for under the equity method was $22 million, 
$8 million, and $19 million for 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. 
Distributions received from the investees were $36 million, $53 
million and $45 million in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

The company’s net equity income in unconsolidated investees 
for  2012, 2011 and 2010 included $7 million, $16 million and $3 
million, respectively, of impairment charges related to certain digital 
business investments.

The company also recorded revenue related to CareerBuilder and 
Classified Ventures products for online advertisements placed on its 
publishing affiliated digital platforms. Such amounts totaled 
approximately $161 million for  2012, $154 million for 2011 and 
$142 million for 2010. These revenues are recorded within 
Publishing Segment advertising revenue.

Long-term debt
The long-term debt of the company is summarized below:

In thousands of dollars

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest 

at 6.375% repaid April 2012 . . . . . . . . . . $

— $

306,534

Dec. 30, 2012 Dec. 25, 2011

Borrowings under revolving credit 

agreements expiring September 2014 . . .

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest 
at 8.75% due November 2014 . . . . . . . . .

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest 
at 10% due June 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest 
at 6.375% due September 2015 . . . . . . . .

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest 
at 10% due April 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest 
at 9.375% due November 2017 . . . . . . . .

Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate interest 
at 7.125% due September 2018 . . . . . . . .

205,000

235,000

248,376

247,609

61,286

59,522

248,497

247,995

174,241

169,775

247,547

247,168

247,153

246,760

Total long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1,432,100 $

1,760,363

Total average debt outstanding in 2012 and 2011 was $1.7 billion 

and $2.1 billion, respectively. The weighted average interest rate on 
all debt was 7.7% for 2012 and 7.4% for 2011.

On Dec. 30, 2012, the company had unused borrowing capacity 
of $922 million under its revolving credit agreements. In addition, its 
revolving credit agreements allow the company to borrow at least 
$1.25 billion of additional unsecured debt (unrestricted as to 
purpose) guaranteed by the guarantor subsidiaries under these credit 
agreements. This borrowing limit is subject to increases depending 
upon the company’s total leverage ratio.

During 2010 and 2009, the company completed a series of 
financing transactions which improved its debt maturity profile.

In September 2010, the company completed a private placement 

offering of unsecured senior notes totaling $500 million in two 
tranches: $250 million with a coupon of 6.375% due 2015 and $250 
million with a coupon of 7.125% due 2018. The 2015 notes were 
priced at 98.970% of face value, resulting in a yield to maturity of 
6.625%. The 2018 notes were priced at 98.527% of face value, 
resulting in a yield to maturity of 7.375%. On or after Sept. 1, 2014, 
the 2018 notes may be redeemed or purchased by the company at the 
applicable redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the 
principal amount of the 2018 notes) plus accrued but unpaid interest 
thereon to the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month 
period commencing on Sept. 1 of the following years: 2014 – 
103.563%, 2015 – 101.781% and 2016 and thereafter 100.000%. 
The company used the net proceeds of the offering to partially repay 
borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit agreements and its 
then outstanding term loan.

In September 2010, the company amended its revolving credit 
agreements and extended the maturity date with the majority of its 
lenders from March 15, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2014. Total commitments 
under the amended revolving credit agreements are $1.14 billion 
through September 30, 2014.   

60

 
On Aug. 21, 2009, Moody’s confirmed the company’s Ba1 
corporate family rating and its Ba2 senior unsecured debt rating. In 
addition, Moody’s rated the company’s bank debt, which included its 
revolving credit facilities, Baa3. The Baa3 rating was also applicable 
to most of the company’s long-term debt which has the same 
subsidiary guarantees as the bank debt, while the Ba2 rating applied 
to certain non-guaranteed senior long-term debt. On April 2, 2012, 
following the redemption of the last tranche of the company’s non-
guaranteed long-term debt, Moody’s changed the company’s senior 
unsecured debt rating to Ba1 and lowered the rating applicable to the 
company’s revolving credit facilities and remaining guaranteed long-
term debt to Ba1 for consistency with the new senior unsecured debt 
rating.  

As of Dec. 30, 2012, the company had $205 million of 

borrowings under its revolving credit agreements. The maximum 
amount outstanding at any time during 2012 and 2011 was $521 
million and $470 million, respectively. The daily average 
outstanding balance of the revolving credit agreements during 2012 
and 2011 was $353 million and $257 million, respectively. The 
weighted average interest rate for 2012 was 2.8% and 2.6% for 2011.

The company has an effective universal shelf registration 
statement under which an unspecified amount of securities may be 
issued, subject to a $7 billion limit established by the Board of 
Directors. Proceeds from the sale of such securities may be used for 
general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, working 
capital, securities repurchase programs, repayment of debt and 
financing of acquisitions. The company may also invest borrowed 
funds that are not required for other purposes in short-term 
marketable securities.

The following schedule shows the annual maturities of long term 

debt:

In thousands of dollars
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
247,153
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,432,100

453,376

309,783

174,241

247,547

—

The company’s debt maturities may be repaid with cash flow 

from operating activities or by accessing capital markets or a 
combination of both.

In October 2009, the company completed a private placement 
offering of $250 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.750% 
senior notes due 2014 and $250 million in aggregate principal 
amount of 9.375% senior notes due 2017. The 2014 notes were 
priced at 98.465% of face value, resulting in a yield to maturity of 
9.125%. The 2017 notes were priced at 98.582% of face value, 
resulting in a yield to maturity of 9.625%. On or after November 15, 
2013, the 2017 notes may be redeemed or purchased by the company 
at the applicable redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the 
principal amount of the 2017 notes) plus accrued but unpaid interest 
thereon to the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month 
period commencing on November 15 of the following  years: 2013 – 
104.688%, 2014 – 102.344% and 2015 and thereafter 100.000%. 

In May 2009, the company completed a private exchange offer 
related to its 5.75% fixed rate notes due June 2011 and its 6.375% 
fixed rate notes due April 2012. The company exchanged 
approximately $67 million in principal amount of its 2011 notes for 
approximately $67 million principal amount of new 10% senior 
notes due 2015, and approximately $193 million in principal amount 
of its 2012 notes for approximately $193 million principal amount of 
new 10% senior notes due 2016.

The notes issued during 2010 and 2009 with maturity dates in 
2014 and thereafter were made available in private offerings that 
were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act 
of 1933. These notes are guaranteed on a senior basis by the 
subsidiaries of the company that guarantee its revolving credit and 
term loan agreements discussed more fully below.

The company’s three revolving credit agreements require the 
company to maintain a senior leverage ratio of less than 3.5x. The 
agreements also require the company to maintain a total leverage 
ratio of less than 4.0x. The total leverage ratio would also include 
any subordinated debt the company may issue in the future. 
Currently, all of the company’s debt is senior and unsecured. At Dec. 
30, 2012, the senior leverage ratio was 1.41x.

 Commitment fees since March 15, 2012 on the revolving credit 
agreements are equal to 0.50% of the undrawn commitments.  Prior 
to this, the company paid a fee to the lenders that agreed in 
September 2010 to extend their commitments from 2012 to 2014 
based on the leverage ratio that ranged from 0 to 75 basis points for 
drawn amounts and 25 basis points for undrawn amounts. 

Under each of the agreements, the company may borrow at an 
applicable margin above the Eurodollar base rate or the higher of the 
Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%. The 
applicable margin is determined based on the company’s leverage 
ratio but will differ between Eurodollar base rate loans and loans 
based on the higher of the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective 
Rate plus 0.50%. For borrowings at a margin above the Eurodollar 
base rate, the margin varies from 2.00% to 3.25%. For borrowings at 
a margin above the higher of the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds 
Effective Rate plus 0.50%, the margin will vary from 1.00% to 
2.25%. At its current leverage ratios, the company’s applicable 
margins will be 2.25% and 1.25%, respectively.

In connection with each of its three revolving credit agreements 

and its then outstanding loan agreement, the company agreed to 
provide guarantees from a majority of its domestic wholly-owned 
subsidiaries in the event that the company’s credit ratings from either 
Moody’s or S&P fell below investment grade. In the first quarter of 
2009, the company’s credit rating was downgraded below 
investment grade by both S&P and Moody’s. Accordingly, the 
guarantees were triggered and the existing notes then due in 2011 
and 2012 and other unsecured debt of the company became 
structurally subordinated to the revolving credit agreements and its 
then outstanding term loan.

61

NOTE 8

Retirement plans
The company and its subsidiaries have various retirement plans, 
including plans established under collective bargaining agreements. 
The company’s principal retirement plan is the Gannett Retirement 
Plan (GRP).  The disclosure tables below also include the assets and 
obligations of the Gannett Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP), 
the Newsquest Pension Scheme in the U.K., and the Newspaper 
Guild of Detroit Pension Plan.  The company uses a Dec. 31 
measurement date for its retirement plans.

During 2008, substantially all of the participants in the GRP 

and the SERP had their benefits under these plans frozen.    
Amendments were made to the existing Gannett 401(k) Savings Plan 
(401(k) Plan) and the Gannett Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP). 
Most participants whose benefits were frozen under the GRP and, if 
applicable, the SERP received higher matching contributions under 
the 401(k) Plan. The matching contribution rate generally increased 
from 50% of the first 6% of compensation that an employee elects to 
contribute to the plan to 100% of the first 5% of contributed 
compensation. The company also makes additional employer 
contributions to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of certain long-service 
employees. The DCP was amended to provide for Gannett 
contributions on behalf of certain employees whose benefits under 
the 401(k) Plan are capped by IRS rules.  Participants whose benefits 
were frozen will have their benefits periodically increased by a cost 
of living adjustment until benefits commence.

In October 2010, after discussion with its pension plan trustees 

and employees, the company decided to freeze the Newsquest 
defined benefit plan, effective March 31, 2011. The plan freeze was 
made to reduce pension expense and funding volatility and was part 
of a package of measures to address the plan’s deficit. The company 
recognized a pre-tax curtailment gain of $3.3 million in 2010 in 
connection with this closure.

The company’s pension costs, which include costs for its 

qualified and non-qualified plans, are presented in the following 
table:

The following table provides a reconciliation of pension benefit 

obligations (on a projected benefit obligation measurement basis), 
plan assets and funded status of company-sponsored retirement 
plans, along with the related amounts that are recognized in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In thousands of dollars

Change in benefit obligations

Dec. 30, 2012 Dec. 25, 2011

Benefit obligations at beginning of year . . . $

3,351,494 $

3,217,877

Service cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interest cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Plan amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Plan participants’ contributions . . . . . . . . . .

Actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Foreign currency translation. . . . . . . . . . . . .

7,545

155,376

—

7

300,525

27,526

7,833

171,339

1,297

3,885

182,789

5,740

Gross benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(245,899)

(240,334)

Special termination benefit. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(23,489)

1,068

—

Benefit obligations at end of year. . . . . . . . . $
Change in plan assets

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of
year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Actual return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Plan participants’ contributions . . . . . . . . . .

3,573,085 $

3,351,494

2,408,768 $

2,588,728

254,225

7

(6,537)

3,885

56,392

Employer contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

137,499

Gross benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(245,899)

(240,334)

Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Foreign currency translation. . . . . . . . . . . . .

(23,489)

21,205

—

6,634

Fair value of plan assets at end of year . . . . $

2,552,316 $

2,408,768

Funded status at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (1,020,769) $
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets

(942,726)

Accrued benefit cost—current . . . . . . . . . . . $

(13,444) $

(34,616)

Accrued benefit cost—long-term . . . . . . . . . $ (1,007,325) $

(908,110)

In thousands of dollars

2012

2011

2010

The funded status (on a projected benefit obligation basis) of the 
company’s principal retirement plans at Dec. 30, 2012, is as follows:

Service cost—benefits earned during
the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Interest cost on benefit obligation . . . . .

7,545 $

7,833 $ 14,829

In thousands of dollars

155,376

171,339

176,738

Expected return on plan assets . . . . . . . .

(189,863)

(211,659)

(191,614)

Amortization of prior service costs . . . .

Amortization of actuarial loss . . . . . . . .

7,689

53,429

7,580

37,901

6,731

46,870

GRP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
SERP (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Newsquest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pension expense for company-
sponsored retirement plans. . . . . . . . . . .

34,176

12,994

53,554

Newspaper Guild Plan. . . . . .

Fair Value of
Plan Assets

Benefit
Obligation

Funded
Status

1,868,164 $ 2,461,782 $

(593,618)

—
606,174

77,978

219,297
798,078

93,928

(219,297)
(191,904)

(15,950)

Curtailment gains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

(3,840)

Settlement and special termination 
benefit charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7,946

1,068

—

Total pension cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 42,122 $ 14,062 $ 49,714

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(a) the SERP is an unfunded, unsecured liability

2,552,316 $ 3,573,085 $ (1,020,769)

For each of the company’s plans, both the accumulated benefit 

obligation and the projected benefit obligation exceeded the fair 
value of the plan assets. The accumulated benefit obligation for all 
defined benefit pension plans was $3.55 billion and $3.32 billion at 
Dec. 30, 2012 and Dec. 25, 2011, respectively.

Net actuarial losses recognized in accumulated other 

comprehensive loss were $1.72 billion as of Dec. 30, 2012 and $1.53 
billion as of Dec. 25, 2011. Prior service cost recognized in 
accumulated other comprehensive loss was $61.3 million in 2012 
and $69.0 million in 2011.

62

The primary objective of company-sponsored retirement plans is 

to provide eligible employees with scheduled pension benefits: the 
“prudent man” guideline is followed with regard to the investment 
management of retirement plan assets. Consistent with prudent 
standards for preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity, 
the goal is to earn the highest possible total rate of return while 
minimizing risk. The principal means of reducing volatility and 
exercising prudent investment judgment is diversification by asset 
class and by investment manager; consequently, portfolios are 
constructed to attain prudent diversification in the total portfolio, 
each asset class, and within each individual investment manager’s 
portfolio. Investment diversification is consistent with the intent to 
minimize the risk of large losses. All objectives are based upon an 
investment horizon spanning five years so that interim market 
fluctuations can be viewed with the appropriate perspective. The 
target asset allocation represents the long-term perspective. 
Retirement plan assets will be rebalanced periodically to align them 
with the target asset allocations. Risk characteristics are measured 
and compared with an appropriate benchmark quarterly; periodic 
reviews are made of the investment objectives and the investment 
managers. The company’s actual investment return on its Gannett 
Retirement Plan assets was 12.6% for 2012, 0.4% for 2011 and 
14.0% for 2010.

Retirement plan assets include approximately 1.2 million shares 

of the company’s common stock valued at approximately $22 
million and $17 million at the end of 2012 and 2011, respectively. 
The plan received dividends of approximately $1 million on these 
shares in 2012.

Cash flows: The company estimates it will make the following 
benefit payments (from either retirement plan assets or directly from 
company funds), which reflect expected future service, as 
appropriate:

In thousands of dollars
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
222,956
2018-2022. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,095,723

217,673

214,648

208,975

215,860

The actuarial loss and prior service cost amounts expected to be 
amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into 
net periodic benefit cost in 2013 are $60.8 million and $7.6 million, 
respectively.

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized 

in other comprehensive loss consist of the following:

In thousands of dollars

Current year actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Amortization of actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of prior service costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Actuarial gain due to settlement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Currency loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

2012
(236,163)
53,429
7,689
7,946
(11,585)
(178,684)

Pension costs: The following assumptions were used to 

determine net pension costs:

Discount rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.83%

Expected return on plan assets . . . . . . . . . . .

8.25%

Rate of compensation increase . . . . . . . . . . .

2.96%

2012

2011

5.49%

8.75%

2.95%

2010

5.88%

8.75%

2.88%

The expected return on plan assets assumption was determined 
based on plan asset allocations, a review of historic capital market 
performance, historical plan asset performance and a forecast of 
expected future plan asset returns.

Benefit obligations and funded status: The following 

assumptions were used to determine the year-end benefit obligations:

Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rate of compensation increase. . . . . . . . . . .

4.08%

2.97%

4.86%

2.96%

Dec. 30, 2012 Dec. 25, 2011

During 2012, the company made contributions of $94 million to 
the GRP. The company contributed $8 million to the U.K. retirement 
plan in 2012. Early in fiscal year 2013, the company contributed $50 
million to the GRP. As a result of this contribution, the company has 
no further funding obligations to the GRP during 2013. The 
company expects to contribute $37 million to the U.K retirement 
plan in 2013.

Plan assets: The fair value of plan assets was approximately 

$2.6 billion and $2.4 billion at the end of 2012 and 2011, 
respectively. The expected long-term rate of return on these assets 
was 8.25% for 2012, and 8.75% for 2011 and 2010. The asset 
allocation for the GRP at the end of 2012 and 2011, and target 
allocations for 2013, by asset category, are presented in the table 
below: 

Equity securities . . . . . . .

Debt securities. . . . . . . . .

Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Target Allocation Allocation of Plan Assets

2013

47%
35

18
100%

2012

51%

35

14

2011

46%

39

15

100%

100%

63

Multi-employer plans that provide pension benefits: The company 
contributes to a number of multi-employer defined benefit pension 
plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements (CBA) 
that cover its union-represented employees. The risks of 
participating in these multi-employer plans are different from single-
employer plans in the following aspects:

•  The company plays no part in the management of plan 
investments or any other aspect of plan administration.

•  Assets contributed to the multi-employer plan by one employer 

may be used to provide benefits to employees of other 
participating employers.

• 

• 

If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the 
unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining 
participating employers.

If the company chooses to stop participating in some of its multi-
employer plans, the company may be required to pay those plans 
an amount based on the unfunded status of the plan, referred to 
as withdrawal liability.

The company’s participation in these plans for the annual period 

ended Dec. 30, 2012, is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/
Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employee Identification 
Number (EIN) and the three-digit plan number. Unless otherwise 
noted, the two most recent Pension Protection Act (PPA) zone 
statuses available are for the plan’s year-end at Dec. 31, 2011 and 
Dec. 31, 2010, respectively. The zone status is based on information 
that the company received from the plan and is certified by the 
plan’s actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are 

generally less than 65% funded; plans in the orange zone are both a) 
less than 80% funded and b) have an accumulated/expected funding 
deficiency in any of the next six plan years, net of any amortization 
extensions; plans in the yellow zone meet either one of the criteria 
mentioned in the orange zone; and plans in the green zone are at 
least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” 
column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (FIP) 
or a rehabilitation plan (RP) is either pending or has been 
implemented. The last column lists the expiration date(s) of the 
collective-bargaining agreement(s) to which the plans are subject.

The company makes all required contributions to these plans as 
determined under the respective CBAs. For each of the plans listed 
below, Gannett’s contribution represented less than 5% of total 
contributions to the plan.

The company incurred expenses for multi-employer withdrawal 

liabilities of $3 million, $30 million and $4 million in 2012, 2011, 
and 2010, respectively. Other long-term liabilities on the 
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of Dec. 30, 2012 and Dec. 25, 2011 
include $38 million and $42 million, respectively, for such 
withdrawal liabilities. For plans representing $30 million of the total, 
the actual withdrawal liabilities will not be known until 2013 or 
2014 and no payments will be required until such determinations are 
made. Expenses and liabilities recorded by the company for the 
plans in 2011 were substantially higher than in previous years. The 
costs and liabilities recorded in 2011 primarily relate to withdrawal 
liabilities triggered upon the company’s decision in December 2011 
to cease production activities at its Cincinnati publishing operations 
and transition them to a non-Gannett publisher in Columbus, OH.

Multi-employer Pension Plans

Pension Plan Name

EIN Number/

Plan Number

AFTRA Retirement Plan (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-6414972/001

Zone Status
Dec. 31,

2012
Green
as of
Nov.
30,
2011

2011
Green
as of
Nov.
30,
2010

FIP/RP Status
Pending/
Implemented

Contributions
(in thousands)
2011

2010

2012

Surcharge
Imposed

Expiration
Dates of
CBAs

NA

$ 965 $ 896 $ 858

NA

CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan. . . . . . . . . . 13-6212879/001

Red

Red

Implemented

572

146

169

GCIU—Employer Retirement Benefit Plan (a). 91-6024903/001
The Newspaper Guild International Pension
Plan (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52-1082662/001
IAM National Pension Plan (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51-6031295/002 Green Green

Red

Red

Red

Red

Implemented

380

280

331

Implemented

NA

415

341

385

308

392

315

Teamsters Pension Trust Fund of Philadelphia
and Vicinity (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23-1511735/001 Yellow Yellow Implemented

876

1,054

995

No

No

No

NA

NA

Central Pension Fund of the International
Union of Operating Engineers and
Participating Employers (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-6052390/001
Central States Southeast and Southwest Areas
Pension Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-6044243/001
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) This plan has elected to utilize special amortization provisions provided under the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension 

$3,967 $ 3,604 $ 3,569

Implemented

6/30/2013

4/30/2013

Red

Red

343

260

372

158

163

166

NA

NA

No

Relief Act of 2010.

Green
as of
Jan.
31,
2012

Green
as of
Jan.
31,
2011

64

7/13/2012
6/30/2013                 
12/16/2013

11/13/2012-

3/27/2016     

4/13/2011-               
1/31/2015

11/13/2012
12/20/2012
4/30/2013

12/14/2012
3/11/2013

NOTE 9

Postretirement benefits other than pensions
The company provides health care and life insurance benefits to 
certain retired employees who meet age and service requirements. 
Most of the company’s retirees contribute to the cost of these 
benefits and retiree contributions are increased as actual benefit costs 
increase. The cost of providing retiree health care and life insurance 
benefits is actuarially determined and accrued over the service 
period of the active employee group. The company’s policy is to 
fund benefits as claims and premiums are paid. The company 
eliminated postretirement medical and life insurance benefits for 
most U.S. employees under 50 years of age effective Jan. 1, 2006. 
The company uses a Dec. 31 measurement date for these plans.

Postretirement benefit cost for health care and life insurance 

included the following components:

In thousands of dollars

The actuarial loss and prior service credit estimated to be 
amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net 
periodic benefit cost in 2013 are $1.9 million and $9.2 million, 
respectively.

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized 

in other comprehensive (loss) consist of the following:

In thousands of dollars

Current year actuarial gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

Amortization of actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2012

5,364

1,943

Amortization of prior service credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(19,190)
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (11,883)

Postretirement benefit costs: The following assumptions were 

used to determine postretirement benefit cost:

2012

2011

2010

2012

2011

2010

Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.75%

5.30%

5.80%

Service cost – benefits earned during the 
period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Interest cost on net benefit obligation. . . . .

545 $

611 $

713

7,744

9,205

10,606

Health care cost trend rate assumed for 
next year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Amortization of prior service credit . . . . . .

(19,190)

(19,510)

(19,377)

Ultimate trend rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Amortization of actuarial loss. . . . . . . . . . .

1,943

5,444

4,949

Year that ultimate trend rate is reached. . . .

Net periodic postretirement benefit . . . . . . $ (8,958) $ (4,250) $ (3,109)

6.50%

5.00%

2016

6.50%

5.00%

2015

6.50%

5.00%

2014

The table below provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations 

and funded status of the company’s postretirement benefit plans:

In thousands of dollars

Change in benefit obligations

Dec. 30, 2012 Dec. 25, 2011

Net benefit obligations at beginning of year $

184,131 $

191,282

Service cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interest cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Plan participants’ contributions . . . . . . . . . .

Actuarial (gain) loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gross benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Federal subsidy on benefits paid . . . . . . . . .

Net benefit obligations at end of year . . . . . $
Change in plan assets

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $
Employer contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Plan participants’ contributions . . . . . . . . . .

545

7,744

10,362

(5,877)

(29,245)

1,932

611

9,205

10,896

2,482

(32,386)

2,041

169,592 $

184,131

— $

18,883

10,362

—

21,490

10,896

Gross benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(29,245)

(32,386)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year . . . . $

— $

—

Benefit obligation at end of year . . . . . . . . . $

169,592 $

184,131

Accrued postretirement benefit cost:

Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

19,655 $

20,432

Noncurrent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

149,937 $

163,699

Net actuarial losses recognized in accumulated other 

comprehensive loss were $23.5 million in 2012 and $30.8 million in 
2011. Prior service credits recognized in accumulated other 
comprehensive loss were $24.9 million as of Dec. 30, 2012 and 
$44.1 million as of Dec. 25, 2011.

Benefit obligations and funded status: The following 

assumptions were used to determine the year-end benefit obligation:

Dec. 30, 2012 Dec. 25, 2011

Discount rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Health care cost trend rate assumed for
next year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ultimate trend rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Year that ultimate trend rate is reached . . . .

3.80%

6.50%

5.00%

2016

4.75%

6.50%

5.00%

2015

Assumed health care cost trend rates have an effect on the 
amounts reported for the health care plans. The effect of a 1% 
change in the health care cost trend rate would result in a change of 
approximately $7.0 million in the 2012 postretirement benefit 
obligation and a $0.3 million change in the aggregate service and 
interest components of the 2012 expense.

Cash flows: The company expects to make the following benefit 

payments, which reflect expected future service, and to receive the 
following federal subsidy benefits as appropriate:

In thousands of dollars
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2018-2022. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

Benefit Payments Subsidy Benefits

19,655 $

19,154 $

18,559 $

17,751 $

16,927 $

69,422 $

4,360

3,626

3,592

3,501

3,439

15,361

The amounts above exclude the participants’ share of the benefit 

cost. The company’s policy is to fund benefits as claims and 
premiums are paid.

65

NOTE 10

Income taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes on income from continuing 
operations consists of the following:

In thousands of dollars
2012

Current

Deferred

Total

Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

82,200 $

106,000 $ 188,200

State and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Foreign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

(2,600)

(6,900)

17,100

(400)

14,500

(7,300)

72,700 $

122,700 $ 195,400

In thousands of dollars
2011

Current

Deferred

Total

Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

81,500 $

74,600 $ 156,100

State and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(800)

30,100

29,300

Foreign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

(25,400)

(7,200)

(32,600)

55,300 $

97,500 $ 152,800

In thousands of dollars
2010

Current

Deferred

Total

Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 135,442 $

129,829 $ 265,271

State and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(51,252)

Foreign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

9,460

19,150

1,384

(32,102)

10,844

93,650 $

150,363 $ 244,013

The components of income from continuing operations 

attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. before income taxes consist of the 
following:

In thousands of dollars

2012

2011

2010

Domestic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 538,988 $

530,660 $ 729,485

Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 619,680 $

80,692

80,888

81,856

611,548 $ 811,341

The provision for income taxes on continuing operations varies 
from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate as a result of the following 
differences:

2012

2011

2010

U.S. statutory tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35.0% 35.0% 35.0%

Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from: . . .

Non-deductible goodwill impairment . . . . .

State/other income taxes net of federal 

income tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Statutory rate differential and permanent 
differences in earnings in foreign 
jurisdictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Audit resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Permanent stock basis deductions . . . . . . . .

Lapse of statutes of limitations net of 

federal income tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5.2

2.2

(5.6)

(4.6)

—

—

3.0

(5.4)

(4.2)

(1.8)

0.6

3.5

(2.7)

—

—

(1.8)

(1.6)

(7.2)

Other, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effective tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
1.1
31.5% 25.0% 30.1%

0.9

The permanent stock basis deduction is primarily related to the 
disposal of certain business assets in 2011. An impairment charge for 
these assets had been recorded in previous years, however no related 
tax benefit had been taken as the formal disposal of the assets did not 
occur until 2011.

66

Absent the effect of facility consolidation, asset impairment and 
workforce restructuring charges in the years 2010-2012, the special 
net tax benefit from the release of certain tax reserves due to audit 
settlements and the lapse of statutes of limitations for the years from 
2010 to 2012, and the special net tax benefit from the permanent 
stock basis deduction for 2011, the company’s effective tax rate 
would have been  30.9% for 2012, 31.6% for 2011, and 33.1% for 
2010.

In addition to the income tax provision presented above for 
continuing operations, the company also recorded federal and state 
income taxes payable on discontinued operations in 2010.

Taxes provided on the earnings from discontinued operations 
include amounts reclassified from previously reported income tax 
provisions and totaled $11.7 million for 2010, covering U.S. federal 
and state income taxes and representing an effective rate of 36%. 
Also included in discontinued operations for 2010 is a recognized 
gain of $21.2 million, which is net of tax. Taxes provided on the 
gains from the disposals totaled approximately $12.2 million for 
2010, covering U.S. federal and state income taxes and represent an 
effective rate of 36%.

Deferred income taxes reflect temporary differences in the 
recognition of revenue and expense for tax reporting and financial 
statement purposes. Amortization of intangibles represents the 
largest component of the deferred provision. Deferred tax liabilities 
and assets are adjusted for enacted changes in tax laws or tax rates of 
the various tax jurisdictions. The amounts of such adjustments for 
2012, 2011 and 2010 are not significant.

Deferred tax liabilities and assets were composed of the 

following at the end of 2012 and 2011:

In thousands of dollars

Liabilities

Dec. 30, 2012 Dec. 25, 2011

Accelerated depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

255,612 $

295,391

Accelerated amortization of deductible
intangibles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Assets

Accrued compensation costs . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Postretirement medical and life . . . . . . . . . .

Federal tax benefits of uncertain state tax
positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Partnership investments including
impairments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Loss carryforwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

174,229

26,989

456,830

77,684

368,803

65,573

121,679

29,890

446,960

97,532

346,000

71,674

31,002

43,631

39,542

58,596

66,164

707,364

76,419

52,344

44,452

77,035

732,668

54,287

231,421

Total net deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet

174,115 $

Net current deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . $

15,840 $

22,771

Net long-term deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . $

158,275 $

208,650

Included in total deferred tax assets are valuation allowances of 

approximately $76 million and $54 million in 2012 and 2011, 
respectively, primarily related to foreign tax credits, foreign losses, 
and state net operating losses available for carry forward to future 
years. The change in valuation allowance from 2011 to 2012 is 
related primarily to additional foreign and state losses.

Realization of deferred tax assets for which valuation allowances 

have not been established is dependent upon generating sufficient 
future taxable income. The company expects to realize the benefit of 

these deferred tax assets through future reversals of its deferred tax 
liabilities, through the recognition of taxable income in the allowable 
carryback and carryforward periods, and through implementation of 
future tax planning strategies. Although realization is not assured, 
the company believes it is more likely than not that all deferred tax 
assets for which valuation allowances have not been established will 
be realized.

The company’s legal and tax structure reflects acquisitions that 

have occurred over the years as well as the multi-jurisdictional 
nature of the company’s businesses.

The following table summarizes the activity related to 

unrecognized tax benefits, excluding the federal tax benefit of state 
tax deductions:

In thousands of dollars

Change in unrecognized tax benefits

Balance at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . $

110,282 $

153,531

Dec. 30, 2012 Dec. 25, 2011

Additions based on tax positions related to
the current year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Additions for tax positions of prior years. . .

Reductions for tax positions of prior years .

Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reductions due to lapse of statutes of
limitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9,093

11,929

(30,110)

(7,857)

10,958

17,009

(44,155)

(15,618)

(7,157)

(11,443)

Balance at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

86,180 $

110,282

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, 

would impact the effective tax rate was $63 million as of Dec. 30, 
2012, and $78 million as of Dec. 25, 2011. This amount includes the 
federal tax benefit of state tax deductions.

 The company recognizes interest and penalties related to 
unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. 
The company also recognizes interest income attributable to 
overpayment of income taxes as a component of income tax 
expense, and it recognizes interest credits for the reversal of interest 
expense previously recorded for uncertain tax positions which are 
subsequently released. The company recognized income from 
interest and the release of penalty reserves of $8 million, $4 million 
and $40 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The amount of 
accrued interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax 
benefits was $29 million and $35 million as of Dec. 30, 2012 and 
Dec. 25, 2011, respectively.

The company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various 

state and foreign jurisdictions. The 2009 through 2011 tax years 
remain subject to examination by the IRS. The 2005 through 2011 
tax years generally remain subject to examination by state 
authorities, and the years 2010 and 2011 are subject to examination 
in the U.K. In addition, tax years prior to 2005 remain subject to 
examination by certain states primarily due to the filing of amended 
tax returns as a result of the settlement of the IRS examination for 
these years and due to ongoing audits.

It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized benefit 
with respect to certain of the company’s unrecognized tax positions 
will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months. 
These changes may be the result of settlement of ongoing audits, 
lapses of statutes of limitations or other regulatory developments. At 
this time, the company estimates that the amount of its gross 
unrecognized tax positions may decrease by up to approximately $50 
million within the next 12 months primarily due to lapses of statutes 
of limitations and settlement of ongoing audits in various 
jurisdictions.

67

NOTE 11 

Shareholders’ equity

Capital stock and earnings per share
The company’s earnings per share (basic and diluted) for 2012, 2011 
and 2010 are presented below:

In thousands, except per share amounts

2012

2011

2010

Net income attributable to 
Gannett Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $424,280 $458,748 $588,201
Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding (basic) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

232,327

239,228

238,230

Effect of dilutive securities

Stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Restricted stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Performance Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

401(k) employer match . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

867

2,552

944

—

1,189

2,147

—

204

1,354

1,720

—

301

Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding (diluted). . . . . . . . . . . .
Earnings per share (basic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Earnings per share (diluted) . . . . . . . . . . . $

236,690

242,768

241,605

1.83 $

1.92 $

1.79 $

1.89 $

2.47

2.43

The diluted earnings per share amounts exclude the effects of 
approximately 6.5 million stock options outstanding for 2012, 18.3 
million for 2011 and 19.6 million for 2010, as their inclusion would 
be antidilutive.

Share repurchase program
In February 2012, the company announced that its Board of 
Directors approved a new program to repurchase up to $300 million 
in Gannett common stock (replacing a former repurchase program of 
$1 billion). During 2012, 10.3 million shares were purchased under 
the programs for $154 million. In 2011, 4.9 million shares were 
purchased under the former program for $53 million and no shares 
were purchased in 2010. As of Dec. 30, 2012, the value of shares 
that may be repurchased under the existing program is $150 million.
The shares may be repurchased at management’s discretion, 

either in the open market or in privately negotiated block 
transactions. Management’s decision to repurchase shares will 
depend on price and other corporate developments. Purchases may 
occur from time to time and no maximum purchase price has been 
set. There is no expiration date for the $300 million stock repurchase 
program. However, it is targeted to be completed over the two years 
following the announcement. Certain of the shares previously 
acquired by the company have been reissued in settlement of 
employee stock awards.

Equity-based awards
In May 2001, the company’s shareholders approved the adoption of 
the Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the Plan). The Plan is 
administered by the Executive Compensation Committee of the 
Board of Directors and was amended and restated as of May 4, 2010 
to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance to up to 60.0 
million shares of company common stock for awards granted on or 
after the amendment date. The Plan provides for the granting of 
stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted 
stock units, performance shares and other equity-based and cash-
based awards. Awards may be granted to employees of the company 
and members of the Board of Directors. The Plan provides that 
shares of common stock subject to awards granted become available 
again for issuance if such awards are canceled or forfeited.

During 2011, the company established a performance share plan 
for senior executives pursuant to which awards were first made with 
a grant date of Jan.1, 2012. Under this plan, the company may issue 
shares of company common stock (Performance Shares) to senior 
executives following the completion of a three-year period 
beginning on the grant date. Generally, if an executive remains in 
continuous employment with the company during the full three-year 
incentive period, the number of performance share units (PSU) that 
an executive will receive will be determined based upon how the 
company’s total shareholder return (TSR) compares to the TSR of a 
peer group of media companies during the three-year period.  The 
PSU agreement provides for pro rata vesting if an executive’s 
employment terminates prior to the end of the performance period 
due to death, disability, retirement, as defined in the award 
agreement. Non-vested units are forfeited upon termination for any 
other reason. Long-term equity awards – consisting of performance 
shares and restricted stock units – are generally made with a grant 
date of January 1.

The fair value and compensation expense of each PSU grant is 
determined by a Monte Carlo valuation model. Though the value of 
the PSU grant may change for each participant, the compensation 
expense recorded by the company is determined on the date of grant. 
Each PSU is equal to and paid in one share of the company’s 
common stock, but carries no voting or dividend rights.  The number 
of shares ultimately issued for each PSU award may range from 0% 
to 200% of the award's target.   

The company issues stock-based compensation to employees in 

the form of restricted stock units (RSUs). These awards generally 
entitle employees to receive at the end of a four-year incentive 
period one share of common stock for each RSU granted, 
conditioned on continued employment for the full incentive period. 
Under the plan, no more than 500,000 RSUs may be granted to any 
participant in any fiscal year.

The Plan also permits the company to issue restricted stock. 
Restricted Stock is an award of common stock that is subject to 
restrictions and such other terms and conditions as the Executive 
Compensation Committee determines. Under the Plan, no more than 
500,000 restricted shares may be granted to any participant in any 
fiscal year.

The Plan also permits the company to issue stock options. Stock 

options may be granted as either non-qualified stock options or 
incentive stock options. Options are granted to purchase common 
stock of the company at not less than 100% of the fair market value 
on the day of grant. Options are exercisable at such times and subject 
to such terms and conditions as the Executive Compensation 
Committee determines. The Plan restricts the granting of options to 
any participant in any fiscal year to no more than 1,000,000 shares. 
Options issued from 1996 through November 2004 have a 10-year 
exercise period, and options issued in December 2004 and thereafter 
have an eight-year exercise period. Options generally become 
exercisable at 25% per year. The company discontinued annual stock 
option grants to senior executives in connection with the adoption of 
the performance share plan.

The company issued stock options to certain members of its 
Board of Directors as compensation for meeting fees and retainer 
fees, as well as long-term awards. Meeting fees paid as stock options 
fully vest upon grant. Retainers paid in the form of stock options 
vest in equal quarterly installments over one year. Long-term stock 
option awards vest in equal annual installments over four years. 
Expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period 
based on the grant date fair value. During 2012, 2011 and 2010, 
members of the Board of Directors were awarded 74,611, 61,897 
and 72,681 shares, respectively, of stock options as part of their 
compensation plan.

The company also issued restricted stock to certain members of 
its Board of Directors as compensation for meeting fees and retainer 
fees, as well as annual long-term awards. Meeting fees paid as 
restricted stock fully vest upon grant. Retainers paid in the form of 
restricted shares vest in equal quarterly installments over one year. 
Long-term awards vest in equal monthly installments over three 
years. Expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting 
period based on the grant date fair value. During 2012, 2011 and 
2010, members of the Board of Directors were awarded 31,929 
shares, 27,523 shares and 21,062 shares, respectively, of restricted 
stock as part of their compensation plan. All vested shares will be 
issued to directors when retiring from the Board.

The Executive Compensation Committee may grant other types 
of awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to or that 
are otherwise based on fair market value of the company’s common 
stock or other criteria established by the Executive Compensation 
Committee including the achievement of performance goals. The 
maximum aggregate grant of performance shares that may be 
awarded to any participant in any fiscal year shall not exceed 
500,000 shares of common stock. The maximum aggregate amount 
of performance units or cash-based awards that may be awarded to 
any participant in any fiscal year shall not exceed $10,000,000.

In the event of a change in control as defined in the Plan, unless 

otherwise specified in the award agreement, (1) all outstanding 
options will become immediately exercisable in full; (2) all restricted 
periods and restrictions imposed on non-performance based 
restricted stock awards will lapse; (3) all non-performance based 
restricted stock units will fully vest; and (4) target payment 
opportunities attainable under all outstanding awards of 
performance-based restricted stock, performance units and 
performance shares will be paid as specified in the Plan.

Determining fair value 
Valuation and amortization method – The company determined 

the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option-
pricing formula and the fair value of Performance Share using the 
Monte Carlo valuation model. This model considers the likelihood 
of Gannett and the peer group companies' share prices ending at 
various levels subject to certain price caps at the conclusion of the 
three-year incentive period. Key inputs into the Black-Scholes 
option-pricing formula and the Monte Carlo valuation model include 
expected term, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and the 
risk-free rate. Each assumption is discussed below. The fair value is 
amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods 
of the awards, which is generally the four-year vesting period for 
stock options. Expense for Performance Share awards for 
participants meeting certain retirement eligible criteria defined in the 
plan is recognized using the accelerated attribution method.

Expected term – The expected term represents the period that the 

company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. The 
expected term for Performance Share awards is based on the 
incentive period. For stock options, it is determined based on 
historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to 
contractual terms of the awards, vesting schedules and expectations 
of future employee behavior.

Expected volatility – The fair value of stock-based awards 
reflects volatility factors calculated using historical market data for 
the company’s common stock and also the company’s peer group 
when the Monte Carlo method is used. The time frame used is equal 
to the expected term.

Expected dividend – The dividend assumption is based on the 

company’s expectations about its dividend policy on the date of 
grant.

Risk-free interest rate – The company bases the risk-free interest 

rate on the yield to maturity at the time of the award grant on zero-

68

A summary of the company’s stock-option awards is presented 

below:

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
term
(in years)

Weighted
average
exercise
price

Aggregate
intrinsic
value

Shares

2012 Stock Option 
Activity

Outstanding at
beginning of year . .

20,340,291 $

Granted . . . . . . . . . .

109,699 $

Exercised. . . . . . . . .

(2,716,637) $

3.5 $17,184,761

47.66

14.33

9.38

Canceled/Expired . .

(6,389,335) $

70.76

Outstanding at end
of year . . . . . . . . . . .

Options exercisable
at year end . . . . . . . .

11,344,018 $

43.50

3.2 $16,902,892

8,942,897 $

51.35

2.6 $ 8,845,944

Weighted average
grant date fair value
of options granted
during the year . . . . $

5.43

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
term
(in years)

Weighted
average
exercise
price

Aggregate
intrinsic
value

Shares

2011 Stock Option
Activity

Outstanding at
beginning of year . .

23,649,290 $

Granted . . . . . . . . . .

1,333,597 $

Exercised. . . . . . . . .

(496,749) $

3.9 $28,819,223

52.08

15.79

5.71

Canceled/Expired . .

(4,145,847) $

67.61

Outstanding at end
of year . . . . . . . . . . .

Options exercisable
at year end . . . . . . . .

20,340,291 $

47.66

3.5 $17,184,761

15,857,692 $

57.26

2.7 $10,644,474

Weighted average 
grant date fair value 
of options granted 
during the year . . . . $

7.63

Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
term
(in years)

Weighted
average
exercise
price

Aggregate
intrinsic
value

Shares

2010 Stock Option
Activity

Outstanding at
beginning of year . .

25,243,251 $

Granted . . . . . . . . . .

3,451,481 $

Exercised . . . . . . . .

(332,060) $

4.1 $33,560,103

58.68

15.23

6.00

Canceled/Expired . .

(4,713,382) $

63.70

Outstanding at end
of year. . . . . . . . . . .

Options exercisable
at year end . . . . . . .

Weighted average 
grant date fair value 
of options granted 
during the year . . . . $

23,649,290 $

52.08

3.9 $28,819,223

17,075,622 $

66.48

2.8 $ 8,698,148

7.22

coupon U.S. government bonds having a remaining life equal to the 
award’s expected life.

Estimated forfeitures – When estimating forfeitures, the 
company considers voluntary termination behavior as well as 
analysis of actual forfeitures.

The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value 

of stock option and performance share awards:

Stock Options
Granted During

2012

Average expected term

4.5 yrs.

2011

4.5 yrs.

2010

4.5 yrs.

Expected volatility. . . . 65.74 - 66.95% 62.46 - 64.39% 59.41 - 62.24%

Weighted average
volatility. . . . . . . . . . . .

Risk-free interest rates.

Expected dividend
yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Weighted average
expected dividend . . . .

66.56%

0.84%

62.54%

61.01%

0.87 - 2.21%

1.51 - 2.65%

5.00%

1.00 - 2.00%

1.00%

5.00%

1.06%

1.00%

Performance Shares
Granted During

Expected term . . . . . . .

Expected volatility. . . .

Risk-free interest rate .

Expected dividend 
yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2012

3 yrs.

69.47%

0.41%

2.39%

2011

2010

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Stock-based Compensation Expense: The following table shows 

the stock-based compensation related amounts recognized in the 
Consolidated Statements of Income for equity awards:

In thousands, except per share amounts

2012

2011

2010

Restricted stock and RSUs . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 14,362 $ 12,868 $ 13,897

Performance shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Stock options and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total stock-based compensation . . . . . . . .

Income tax benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7,991

4,255

26,608

10,111

—

15,135

28,003

10,641

—

18,810

32,707

12,429

Stock-based compensation, net of tax . . . . $ 16,497 $ 17,362 $ 20,278

Per diluted share impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

0.07 $

0.07 $

0.08

Stock Options: As of Dec. 30, 2012, there was $4.4 million of 
unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based 
compensation for options. Such amount will be adjusted for future 
changes in estimated forfeitures. Unrecognized compensation cost 
for options will be recognized on a straight-line basis over a 
weighted average period of 1.7 years.

During 2012, options were exercised from which the company 

received $24.5 million of cash. The intrinsic value of the options 
exercised was approximately $22.4 million. The actual tax benefit 
realized from the option exercises was $9.2 million.

During 2011, options exercised from which the company 
received $2.4 million of cash. The intrinsic value of the options 
exercised was approximately $3.9 million. The actual tax benefit 
realized from the option exercises was $1.3 million.

During 2010, options exercised from which the company 
received $2.0 million of cash. The intrinsic value of the options 
exercised was approximately $3.1 million. The actual tax benefit 
realized from the option exercises was $1.2 million.

Option exercises are satisfied through the issuance of shares 

from treasury stock.

69

 
Restricted Stock and RSUs: As of Dec. 30, 2012, there was 
$28.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-
vested restricted stock and RSUs. This amount will be adjusted for 
future changes in estimated forfeitures and recognized on a straight-
line basis over a weighted average period of 2.4 years.

A summary of restricted stock and RSU awards is presented 

below: 

2012 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity

Shares

Weighted
average
fair value

Outstanding and unvested at beginning of year .

3,731,033 $

Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,937,512 $

Settled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(997,584) $

Canceled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(601,452) $

Outstanding and unvested at end of year . . . . . .

4,069,509 $

10.73

12.33

3.29

11.95

12.98

2011 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity

Shares

Weighted
average
fair value

Outstanding and unvested at beginning of year .

4,421,437 $

Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

175,023 $

Settled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(469,634) $

Canceled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(395,793) $

Outstanding and unvested at end of year . . . . . .

3,731,033 $

12.19

13.21

33.51

11.94

10.73

2010 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity

Shares

Weighted
average
fair value

Outstanding and unvested at beginning of year .

3,293,293 $

Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,934,351 $

Settled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(490,716) $

Canceled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(315,491) $

Outstanding and unvested at end of year . . . . . .

4,421,437 $

13.62

14.91

31.94

12.97

12.19

Performance Shares: As of Dec. 30, 2012, there was $5.9 
million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested 
performance shares. This amount will be adjusted for future changes 
in estimated forfeitures and recognized on a straight-line basis over a 
weighted average period of 2 years.

The following table summarizes the activity for non-vested 

performance share units during the year ended Dec. 30, 2012: 

Performance Shares Activity

Target
number of
shares

Weighted
average
fair value

Outstanding and unvested at beginning of year .

— $

Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,109,873 $

Canceled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(127,421) $

Outstanding and unvested at end of year . . . . . .

982,452 $

—

14.21

14.12

14.23

401(k) savings plan
Substantially all employees of the company (other than those 
covered by a collective bargaining agreement) who are scheduled to 
work at least 1,000 hours during each year of employment are 
eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Employees can elect to 
save up to 50% of compensation on a pre-tax basis subject to certain 
limits.

On Aug. 1, 2008, the company approved amendments to its 
principal domestic retirement plans and to its 401(k) Plan. For most 
participants, the 401(k) Plan matching formula was changed to 
100% of the first 5% of employee contributions. Prior to this change, 
the company generally matched 50% of the first 6% of employee 
contributions. The company also now makes additional 401(k) 
employer contributions on behalf of certain long-term employees. 
Compensation expense related to 401(k) contributions was $51.3 
million in 2012, $49.6 million in 2011, and $46.0 million in 2010. In 
2011 and 2010, the company’s 401(k) match was settled with a 
combination of cash and treasury shares. In 2012, such settlements 
were all in cash.

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
The elements of the company’s Accumulated Other Comprehensive 
Loss consisted of the following items (net of tax): Pension, retiree 
medical and life insurance liabilities – a reduction of equity of $1.12 
billion at Dec. 30, 2012, and $996 million at Dec. 25, 2011; and 
foreign currency translation gains – an increase of equity of $418 
million at Dec. 30, 2012, and $400 million at Dec. 25, 2011.

NOTE 12

Commitments, contingent liabilities and other matters
Litigation: The company and a number of its subsidiaries are 
defendants in judicial and administrative proceedings involving 
matters incidental to their business. The company does not believe 
that any material liability will be imposed as a result of these 
matters.

Leases: Approximate future minimum annual rentals payable 
under non-cancelable operating leases, primarily real-estate related, 
are as follows:

In thousands of dollars
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Later years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
73,788
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 277,730

53,809

47,847

40,920

33,193

28,173

Total minimum annual rentals have not been reduced for future 

minimum sublease rentals aggregating $19.4 million. Total rental 
costs reflected in 2012 were $65 million, $63 million in 2011 and 
$72 million in 2010.

70

 
Program broadcast contracts: The company has $52 million of 
commitments under programming contracts that include television 
station commitments to purchase programming to be produced in 
future years.

Purchase obligations: The company has commitments under 

purchasing obligations totaling $186 million related to printing 
contracts, capital projects, interactive marketing agreements, wire 
services and other legally binding commitments. Amounts which the 
company is liable for under purchase orders outstanding at Dec. 30, 
2012, are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as accounts 
payable and accrued liabilities and are excluded from the $186 
million. 

Self insurance: The company is self-insured for most of its 
employee medical coverage and for its casualty, general liability and 
libel coverage (subject to a cap above which third party insurance is 
in place). The liabilities are established on an actuarial basis, with 
the advice of consulting actuaries, and totaled $105 million at the 
end of 2012 and $120 million at the end of 2011.

Other matters: In December 1990, the company adopted a 
Transitional Compensation Plan (the TCP). The TCP provides 
termination benefits to key executives whose employment is 
terminated under certain circumstances within two years following a 
change in control of the company. Benefits under the TCP include a 
severance payment of up to three years’ compensation and continued 
life and medical insurance coverage. The company amended the TCP 
in April 2010 to provide that new participants will not be entitled to 
the benefit of the TCP's excise tax gross-up or modified single 
trigger provisions.

In March 2011, the Advertiser Company, a Gannett subsidiary 
which publishes The Montgomery Advertiser, was notified by the 
U.S. EPA that it has been identified as a potentially responsible party 
for the investigation and remediation of groundwater contamination 
in downtown Montgomery, AL. At this point in the investigation, 
incomplete information is available about the site, other potentially 
responsible parties and what further investigation and remediation 
may be required. Accordingly, future costs at the site, and The 
Advertiser Company’s share of such costs, if any, cannot yet be 
determined.  Some of The Advertiser Company's fees and costs in 
connection with this matter may be reimbursed under its liability 
insurance policies.

In connection with certain business acquisitions, the company is 

contingently liable for earnout payments to previous owners, 
depending upon the achievement of certain financial and 
performance metrics. During 2012, the company paid $7.8 million as 
the result of acquisitions.

NOTE 13 

Fair value measurement
The company measures and records in the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements certain assets and liabilities at fair 
value. ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” establishes a fair 
value hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value that 
distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable 
inputs) and the company’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). 
The hierarchy consists of three levels:

Level 1 – Quoted market prices in active markets for identical 

assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly 

or indirectly observable; and

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and 
assumptions developed by the company, which reflect those that a 
market participant would use.

The financial instruments measured at fair value in the 

accompanying consolidated balance sheets consist of the following:

Company Owned Assets
In thousands of dollars
Fair value measurement as of Dec. 30, 2012
Level 2

Level 1

Level 3

Total

Assets:

Employee compensation 

related investments. . . . . . . $ 23,043 $

Sundry investments . . . . . . .

29,090

Total Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 52,133 $
Liabilities:

— $

—
— $

— $ 23,043

— 29,090
— $ 52,133

Contingent consideration 

payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Total Liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . $

— $

— $

— $ 26,170 $ 26,170

— $ 26,170 $ 26,170

In thousands of dollars
Fair value measurement as of Dec. 25, 2011
Level 2

Level 1

Level 3

Total

Assets:

Employee compensation 

related investments. . . . . . . $ 17,224 $

Sundry investments . . . . . . .

26,162

Total Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 43,386 $
Liabilities:

— $

—
— $

— $ 17,224

— 26,162
— $ 43,386

Contingent consideration 

payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Total Liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . $

— $

— $

— $ 15,808 $ 15,808

— $ 15,808 $ 15,808

Under certain acquisition agreements entered into during 2011 
and 2012, the company has agreed to pay the sellers earn-outs based 
on the financial performance of the acquired businesses. Contingent 
consideration payable in the table above represents the estimated fair 
value of future earn-outs payable under such agreements. The fair 
value of the contingent payments was measured based on the present 
value of the consideration expected to be transferred. The discount 
rate is a significant unobservable input in such present value 
computations. Discount rates ranged between 10% and 29% 
depending on the risk associated with the cash flows. For the year 
ended Dec. 30, 2012, the contingent consideration was increased by 
$18.2 million as a result of new acquisitions and adjustments to fair 
value. The increase was partially offset by payments of $7.8 million.

71

The following tables set forth by level within the fair value 
hierarchy the fair values of the company’s pension plan assets:

Pension Plan Assets/Liabilities

In thousands of dollars
Fair value measurement as of Dec. 30, 2012(a)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets:

Fixed income

U.S. government-

related securities . . . $

— $ 100,140 $

— $ 100,140

Mortgage backed 

securities. . . . . . . . .

Other government 

bonds . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

30,317

Corporate bonds . . . .

— 136,640

Corporate stock . . . . . . .

722,619

Real estate . . . . . . . . . . .

—

818

—

Interest in common/

collective trusts . . . . . .

71,641

—

71,641

Corporate stock . . . . . .

613,976

—

797

30,317

137,437

— 723,437

Real estate . . . . . . . . . .

Interest in common/
collective trusts

Equities . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

97,385

97,385

Fixed income . . . . . .

24,632

92,840

19,927

Equities . . . . . . . . . . .

— 604,003

Fixed income . . . . . .

12,630

180,990

— 604,003

— 193,620

Interest in reg. invest. 

companies . . . . . . . . . .

Interest in 103-12 

investments . . . . . . . . .

Partnership/joint 

venture interests . . . . .

Hedge funds . . . . . . . . .
Derivative contracts . . .

104,196

24,222

— 128,418

—

—

—

84,956

—

84,956

— 130,995

130,995

77,520

158,924

236,444

55,457
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 839,478 $1,366,171 $ 388,601 $2,594,250
Liabilities:

54,924

500

33

Derivative liabilities . . . $

(21) $ (56,339) $ (2,008) $ (58,368)

Liability to purchase

U.S. government and 
other securities . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Cash and other . . . . . . . . .
Total net fair value of
plan assets. . . . . . . . . . . . $ 875,752 $1,289,971 $ 386,593 $2,552,316

(21) $ (83,221) $ (2,008) $ (85,250)

(26,882)

(26,882)

43,316

36,295

7,021

—

—

—

(a)  The company uses a Dec. 31 measurement date for its retirement plans.

In thousands of dollars
Fair value measurement as of Dec. 25, 2011(a)
Level 2

Level 1

Level 3

Total

Assets:

Fixed income

U.S. government-

related securities . . $

Mortgage backed 

securities . . . . . . . .

Other government 

bonds . . . . . . . . . . .

Corporate bonds. . . .

Interest in reg. invest. 

companies . . . . . . . . .

Interest in 103-12 

investments . . . . . . . .

Partnership/joint 

venture interests . . . . .

Hedge funds . . . . . . . . .

— $

50,582 $

— $

50,582

165,651

1,271

166,922

—

—

—

—

—

—

38,246

135,635

999

1,441

2,070

—

— 93,620

434,693

348,736

79,432

—

—

—

—

— 128,121

76,801

156,016

39,687

137,705

614,975

93,620

434,693

373,368

112,767

79,432

128,121

232,817

Derivative contracts . . .

53,826
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 731,448 $ 1,404,293 $ 382,774 $ 2,518,515
Liabilities:

53,591

235

—

Derivative liabilities . . . $

(15) $

(54,139) $ (2,517) $

(56,671)

Liability to purchase 

—

U.S. government and 
other securities . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Cash and other . . . . . . . .
Total net fair value of
plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . $ 749,568 $ 1,278,943 $ 380,257 $ 2,408,768

(15) $ (126,015) $ (2,517) $ (128,547)

(71,876)

(71,876)

18,800

18,135

665

—

—

(a)  The company uses a Dec. 31 measurement date for its retirement plans.

Items included in “Cash and other” in the table above primarily 

consist of amounts categorized as cash and cash equivalents and 
pending purchases and sales of securities.

Valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured 

at fair value are as follows:

U.S. government-related securities are treasury bonds, bills and 
notes that are primarily obligations to the U.S. Treasury. Values are 
obtained from industry vendors who use various pricing models or 
quotes for identical or similar securities. Mortgage-backed securities 
are typically not actively quoted. Values are obtained from industry 
vendors who use various pricing models or use quotes for identical 
or similar securities. Investments categorized in Level 3 are thinly 
traded with values derived using unobservable inputs.

Other government and corporate bonds are mainly valued based 

on institutional bid evaluations using proprietary models, using 
discounted cash flow models or models that derive prices based on 
similar securities. Corporate bonds categorized in Level 3 are 
primarily from distressed issuers for whom the values represent an 
estimate of recovery in a potential or actual bankruptcy situation.

Corporate stock is valued primarily at the closing price reported 

on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.
Investments in direct real estate have been valued by an 

independent qualified valuer in the U.K. using a valuation approach 
that capitalizes any current or future income streams at an 
appropriate multiplier. Investments in real estate funds are mainly 
valued utilizing the net asset valuations provided by the underlying 
private investment companies.

72

Interest in common/collective trusts and interest in 103-12 

investments are valued using the net asset value as provided monthly 
by the fund family or fund company. Shares in the common/
collective trusts are generally redeemable upon request. The 
investments classified in Level 1 are money market funds with a 
constant net asset value.

Two of these investments are fixed income funds which use 
individual subfunds to efficiently add a representative sample of 
securities in individual market sectors to the portfolio. These funds 
are generally redeemable with a short-term written or verbal notice. 
Also included is a fund that invests in a select portfolio of large cap 
domestic stocks perceived to have superior growth characteristics. 
Shares in this fund are generally redeemable on any business day, 
upon two-day notice. There are no unfunded commitments related to 
these types of funds.

Interest in registered investment companies is valued using the 

published net asset values as quoted through publicly available 
pricing sources. The investments in Level 2 are proprietary funds of 
the individual fund managers and are not publicly quoted.

Investments in partnerships and joint venture interests are valued 

based on an assessment of each underlying investment, considering 
items such as expected cash flows, changes in market outlook and 
subsequent rounds of financing. These investments are included in 
Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because exit prices tend to be 
unobservable and reliance is placed on the above methods. Most of 
the partnerships are general leveraged buyout funds, others include a 
venture capital fund, a fund formed to invest in special credit 
opportunities, an infrastructure fund and a real estate fund. Interest 
in partnership investments cannot be redeemed. Instead, distributions 
are received as the underlying assets of the funds are liquidated. It is 
estimated that the underlying assets of the funds will be liquidated 
within approximately the next 10 to 12 years. There are future 

Pension Plan Assets/Liabilities

In thousands of dollars
For the year ended Dec. 30, 2012

funding commitments of $40 million as of Dec. 30, 2012 and $33 
million as of Dec. 25, 2011.

Investments in hedge funds are valued at the net asset value as 

reported by the fund managers. Within this category is a fund of 
hedge funds whose objective is to produce a return that is 
uncorrelated with market movements. Other funds categorized as 
hedge funds were formed to invest in mortgage and credit trading 
opportunities. Shares in the hedge funds are generally redeemable 
twice a year or on the last business day of each quarter with at least 
60 days written notice subject to potential 5% holdback. There are 
no unfunded commitments related to the hedge funds.

Derivatives primarily consist of forward and swap contracts. 
Forward contracts are valued at the spot rate, plus or minus forward 
points between the valuation date and maturity date. Swaps are 
valued at the mid-evaluation price using discounted cash flow 
models. Items in Level 3 are valued based on the market values of 
other securities for which they represent a synthetic combination.
Liability to purchase U.S. government and other securities 
relates to buying and selling contracts in federal agency securities 
that have not yet been opened up for public trading. In these 
instances the investment manager has sold the securities prior to 
owning them, resulting in a negative asset position. These securities 
are valued in the same manner as those noted above in U.S. 
government-related securities.

The company reviews appraised valued, audited financial 

statements and additional information to evaluate fair value 
estimates from its investment managers or fund administrator. The 
tables below set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the 
company’s pension plan assets and liabilities, categorized as Level 3, 
for the fiscal year ended Dec. 30, 2012 and Dec. 25, 2011:

Actual Return on Plan Assets
Relating to 
Relating to 
assets sold 
assets still 
during the 
held at report 
period
date

Balance at
beginning
of year

Purchases,
sales, and
settlements

Transfers in
and/or out
of Level 3(1)

Balance at
end of year

Assets:

Fixed income

Mortgage-backed securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1,271 $

Other government bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Corporate bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Real estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Partnership/joint venture interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hedge funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Derivative contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Liabilities:

1,441

2,070

93,620

128,121

156,016

235

— $

—

83

(4,788)

(1,817)

9,590

265

— $

— $

(1,271) $

—

(589)

—

(20,781)

(8,271)

—

—

—

8,553

25,472

1,589

—

(1,441)

(767)

—

—

—

—

—

—

797

97,385

130,995

158,924

500

382,774 $

3,333 $

(29,641) $

35,614 $

(3,479) $

388,601

Derivative liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

(2,517) $

16 $

(4) $

— $

497 $

(2,008)

(1)  The company’s policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out as of the beginning of the reporting period.

73

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Plan Assets/Liabilities (continued)

In thousands of dollars
For the year ended Dec. 25, 2011

Actual Return on Plan Assets

Relating to 
assets still 
held at report 
date

Relating to 
assets sold 
during the 
period

Balance at
beginning
of year

Purchases,
sales, and
settlements

Transfers in
and/or out
of Level 3(1)

Balance at
end of year

Assets:

Fixed income

Mortgage-backed securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

— $

(11) $

— $

1,282 $

Other government bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Corporate bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Real estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Partnership/joint venture interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hedge funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Derivative contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Liabilities:

1,526

5,896

90,344

117,698

163,349

104

65

(133)

(503)

20,706

(1,632)

(265)

—

7

—

—

(150)

(76)

(150)

205

3,779

(10,283)

(7,151)

(28)

— $

—

(3,905)

—

—

1,600

500

1,271

1,441

2,070

93,620

128,121

156,016

235

378,917 $

18,227 $

(219) $

(12,346) $

(1,805) $

382,774

Derivative liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

(453) $

(8) $

(733) $

1,183 $

(2,506) $

(2,517)

(1)  The company’s policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out as of the beginning of the reporting period.

The fair value of the company’s total long-term debt, determined 
based on the bid and ask quotes for the related debt (Level 2), totaled 
$1.6 billion and $1.9 billion at Dec. 30, 2012 and Dec. 25, 2011, 
respectively. Certain assets are measured at fair value on a 
nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair 
value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments 
only in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence 
of impairment).

The following table summarizes the non-financial assets 
measured at fair value on nonrecurring basis in the accompanying 
consolidated balance sheet as of Dec. 30, 2012:

Non-Financial Assets
In thousands of dollars
Fair value measurement as of Dec. 30, 2012

Asset held for sale - Quarter 4. . $

Goodwill - Quarter 4 . . . . . . . . . $

— $

— $

— $ 17,508 $ 17,508

— $ 29,610 $ 29,610

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Total

The quantitative test of goodwill during 2012 was based on a 
valuation that considered discounted cash flows and market-based 
information.  Significant unobservable inputs in the discounted cash 
flows method included the ending year growth rate of 2% and the 
discount rate applied to the cash flows of 15.5%.  If the growth rate 
and discount rate were to change by 1%, the impact to the valuation 
would have been approximately $2 million and $3 million, 
respectively.

74

 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 14

Business operations and segment information

The company has determined that its reportable segments based on 
its management and internal reporting structure are Publishing, 
Digital and Broadcasting.

The Publishing Segment at the end of 2012 consisted of 82 U.S. 

daily publications with affiliated online sites in 30 states and one 
U.S. territory, including USA TODAY, a national, general-interest 
daily publication; USATODAY.com; USA WEEKEND, a magazine 
supplement for publishing companies; Clipper; Gannett Healthcare 
Group; and Gannett Government Media. The Publishing Segment 
also includes Newsquest, which is a regional publisher in the United 
Kingdom that includes 17 paid-for daily publications and more than 
200 weekly publications, magazines and trade publications. The 
Publishing Segment in the U.S. also includes about 480 non-daily 
publications, a network of offset presses for commercial printing and 
several smaller businesses.

The Digital Segment includes results from CareerBuilder, 
PointRoll, ShopLocal and Reviewed.com. The Digital Segment and 
the digital revenues line do not include online/digital revenues 
generated by digital platforms that are associated with the company’s 
publishing and broadcasting operating properties. Such amounts are 
reflected within those segments and are included as part of 
publishing revenues and broadcasting revenues in the Consolidated 
Statements of Income.

At the end of 2012, the company’s Broadcasting Segment 
included 23 television stations and affiliated online sites in markets 
with nearly 21 million households covering 18.1% of the U.S. 
population. Captivate Network is also part of the Broadcasting 
Segment.

The company’s foreign revenues, principally from publishing 
businesses in the United Kingdom and CareerBuilder’s international 
subsidiaries, totaled approximately $546 million in 2012, $568 
million in 2011 and $564 million in 2010. The company’s long-lived 
assets in foreign countries, principally in the United Kingdom, 
totaled approximately $530 million at Dec. 30, 2012, $543 million at 
Dec. 25, 2011, and $556 million at Dec. 26, 2010.

Separate financial data for each of the company’s business 
segments is presented in the table that follows. The accounting 
policies of the segments are those described in Note 1. The company 
evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating 
income. Operating income represents total revenue less operating 
expenses, including depreciation, amortization of intangibles and 
facility consolidation and asset impairment charges. In determining 
operating income by industry segment, general corporate expenses, 
interest expense, interest income, and other income and expense 
items of a non-operating nature are not considered, as such items are 
not allocated to the company’s segments.

Corporate assets include cash and cash equivalents, property, 
plant and equipment used for corporate purposes and certain other 
financial investments.

In thousands of dollars

Business segment financial information

2012

2011

2010

Operating revenues

Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,728,144 $ 3,831,108 $ 4,050,839

Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

718,949

906,104

686,471

722,410

618,259

769,580

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5,353,197 $ 5,239,989 $ 5,438,678

Operating income

Publishing (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

368,644 $

477,583 $

647,741

Digital (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Broadcasting (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

41,700

443,808

125,340

302,140

83,355

329,245

Corporate (1) (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(64,397)

(74,272)

(60,646)

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

789,755 $

830,791 $

999,695

Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset impairment 

charges

Publishing (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

147,750 $

148,537 $

170,073

Digital (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

123,990

Broadcasting (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Corporate (1) (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

28,007

16,421

30,693

28,926

16,460

43,313

40,460

17,039

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

316,168 $

224,616 $

270,885

Equity income (losses) in unconsolidated investees, net

Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

23,380 $

8,543 $

19,337

Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(396)

(597)

(184)

(162)

(197)

—

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

22,387 $

8,197 $

19,140

Identifiable assets

Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,850,915 $ 3,032,605 $ 3,162,655

Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,009,821

1,014,805

1,057,898

Broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,001,979

1,994,051

2,003,929

Corporate (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

517,171

574,989

592,362

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,379,886 $ 6,616,450 $ 6,816,844

Capital expenditures

Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

56,597 $

40,175 $

Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Corporate (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17,220

17,473

584

15,673

15,263

1,340

36,776

11,883

19,694

717

Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

91,874 $

72,451 $

69,070

(1)  Corporate amounts represent those not directly related to the company’s 

three business segments.

(2)  Results for 2012 include pre-tax facility consolidation and asset 

impairment charges of $32 million for Publishing and $90 million for 
digital. Results for 2011 include pre-tax facility consolidation charges of 
$27 million for Publishing. Results for 2010 include pre-tax facility 
consolidation and asset impairment charges of $36 million for 
Publishing, $13 million for Digital and $9 million for Broadcasting. 
Refer to Notes 3 and 4 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for more 
information.

75

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
(See notes a and b on page 77)

2012

In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts
Net operating revenues
Publishing advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,355,922
1,117,042
Publishing circulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
718,949
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
906,104
Broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
255,180
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,353,197
Operating expenses
Costs and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facility consolidation and asset impairment charges . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-operating (expense) income
Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investees, net . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income (loss) before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision (benefit) for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income (loss) from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from continuing operations attributable to
noncontrolling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to
Gannett Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 424,280
Income (loss) from continuing operations per share:

4,247,274
160,746
33,293
122,129
4,563,442
789,755

22,387
(150,469)
8,734
(119,348)
670,407
195,400
475,007

(50,727)

2011

2010

2009

2008

$2,511,025
1,063,890
686,471
722,410
256,193
5,239,989

$2,710,524
1,086,702
618,259
769,580
253,613
5,438,678

$2,888,034
1,144,539
586,174
631,085
259,771
5,509,603

$ 4,040,890
1,196,745
281,378
772,533
348,136
6,639,682

4,184,582
165,739
31,634
27,243
4,409,198
830,791

8,197
(173,140)
(12,921)
(177,864)
652,927
152,800
500,127

4,168,098
182,514
31,362
57,009
4,438,983
999,695

19,140
(172,986)
111
(153,735)
845,960
244,013
601,947

4,417,146
207,652
32,983
132,904
4,790,685
718,918

3,927
(175,745)
22,799
(149,019)
569,899
191,328
378,571

5,168,557
228,259
31,211
7,939,563
13,367,590
(6,727,908)

(374,925)
(190,839)
28,430
(537,334)
(7,265,242)
(645,273)
(6,619,969)

(41,379)

(34,619)

(27,091)

(6,970)

$ 458,748

$ 567,328

$ 351,480

$(6,626,939)

basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

Other selected financial data
Dividends declared per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Non-GAAP income from continuing operations per diluted share (1) . $
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
in thousands:

1.83
1.79

0.80
2.33

$
$

$
$

1.92
1.89

0.24
2.13

$
$

$
$

2.38
2.35

0.16
2.44

$
$

$
$

1.50
1.49

0.16
1.85

$
$

$
$

(29.02)
(29.02)

1.60
3.40

basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

232,327
236,690

239,228
242,768

238,230
241,605

233,683
236,027

228,345
228,345

Financial position and cash flow
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,432,100
Redeemable noncontrolling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
10,654
Shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,350,614
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,379,886
Free cash flow (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 697,994
Return on equity (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18.1%
Percentage increase (decrease)
As reported, earnings from continuing operations, after-tax, 
per share:

— $

$1,760,363
$
$2,327,891
$6,616,450
$ 775,261
20.4%

$2,352,242
84,176
$2,163,754
$6,816,844
$ 816,308
30.1%

$3,061,951
$
78,304
$1,603,925
$7,148,432
$ 809,630
26.7%

$ 3,816,942
$
72,840
$ 1,055,882
$ 7,796,814
832,615
$
(132.0%)

basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends declared per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Credit ratios
Senior leverage ratio (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.97x
Times interest expense earned (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2x
(1)  See page 40 for a reconciliation of income from continuing operations per share presented in accordance with GAAP.
(2)  See page 77 for a reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash flow from operating activities, which the company believes is the most directly comparable 

(797.6%)
(799.3%)
12.7%

(105.2%)
(105.1%)
(90.0%)

(4.7%)
(5.3%)
233.3%

(19.3%)
(19.6%)
50.0%

58.7%
57.7%
—%

1.67x
5.5x

2.63x
4.8x

2.56x
6.7x

1.41x
6.4x

measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

(3)  Calculated using income from continuing operations attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. plus earnings from discontinued operations (but excluding the gain 

in 2010 on the disposal of discontinued operations).

(4)  The senior leverage ratio is calculated in accordance with the company’s revolving credit agreements and term loan agreement. Currently, the company 
is required to maintain a senior leverage ratio of less than 3.5x. These agreements are described more fully on page 43 in Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. More information regarding the computation can be found in Exhibits 10.3, 10.4, and 10.5 to 
the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended Sept. 28, 2008, filed on Nov. 6, 2008.

(5)  Calculated using operating income adjusted to remove the effect of certain special items. These special items are described more fully beginning on 

page 38 in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

76

NOTES TO SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

(a)  The company and its subsidiaries made the significant acquisitions listed below during the period. The results of operations of these 

acquired businesses are included in the accompanying financial information from the date of acquisition.

(b) During the period, the company sold or otherwise disposed of substantially all of the assets or capital stock of certain other significant 

subsidiaries and divisions of other subsidiaries, which are listed below.

Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements contains further information concerning certain of these acquisitions and dispositions.

Acquisitions and dispositions 2008-2012
Significant acquisitions since the beginning of 2008 are shown below. The company has disposed of several significant businesses during this 
period, which are presented below.

Acquisitions 2008-2012

Name

Location

Publication times or business

Year acquired
2008

2010

2011

2012

X.com, Inc. (BNQT.com)
ShopLocal
CareerBuilder
Pearls Review
CareerSite.biz Limited

Reviewed.com
JobsCentral
Nutrition Dimension

US PRESSWIRE
JobScout24
MMA Junkie
Fantasy Sports Ventures/Big Lead 
Sports
Ceviu
Top Language Jobs
Quickish

Action sports web site
Marketing and database services company

Pasadena, CA
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA Job search, employment and careers web site
A nursing certification and education web site
St. Petersburg, FL
Online recruitment niche sites focusing on nursing and rail 
U.K.
workers
A technology product review web site
Job search, employment and career web site
A continuing education, certification and review program 
focused on nutrition
A digital sports photography business
Job search, employment and career web site
Independent sports information web site
Independent digital sports property

Atlanta, GA
Germany
St. Petersburg, FL
New York, NY

Somerville, MA
Singapore
Falls Church, VA

Brazil
Europe
Bethesda, MD

BLiNQ Media, LLC

New York City, NY

Mobestream Media

Dallas, TX

Economic Modeling Specialist Intl. Moscow, ID

Rovion

Boston, MA

Information technology job board
Global online jobsite for multi-language jobs and candidates
Aggregator that offers a summary and a link for sports stories 
throughout the day
Innovator of social engagement advertising solutions for 
agencies and brands
Developer of the Key Ring consumer rewards mobile platform

Economic software firm that specializes in employment data 
and labor market analysis
A self-service technology platform that enables the full 
development and deployment of rich media

Dispositions 2008-2012

Year disposed
2008
2009
2010

Name

Telematch
Southernprint Limited
The Honolulu Advertiser
Michigan Directory Company

Location

Springfield, VA
U.K.
Honolulu, HI
Pigeon, MI

Publication times or business

Database marketing services company
Commercial printing
Daily newspaper
Directory publishing operation

Free cash flow reconciliation
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP liquidity measure used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Free cash 
flow should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP liquidity measure that is defined as “Net 
cash flow from operating activities,” as reported on the statement of cash flows reduced by “Purchases of property, plant and equipment” as well as 
“Payments for investments” and increased by “Proceeds from investments” and voluntary pension contributions, net of related tax benefit. The 
company believes that free cash flow is a useful measure for management and investors to evaluate the level of cash generated by operations and the 
ability of its operations to fund investments in new and existing businesses, return cash to shareholders under the company’s capital program, repay 
indebtedness, add to the company’s cash balance, or to use in other discretionary activities. Management uses free cash flow to monitor cash available 
for repayment of indebtedness and in its discussions with the investment community.

In thousands of dollars
Net cash flow from operating activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Purchase of property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Voluntary pension employer contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit for voluntary pension employer contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments for investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Free cash flow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

2012
756,740 $
(91,874)
—
—
(2,501)
35,629
697,994 $

2011
814,136 $
(72,451)
—
—
(19,406)
52,982
775,261 $

2010
772,884 $
(69,070)
130,000
(52,000)
(10,984)
45,478
816,308 $

2008

2009
866,580 $ 1,015,345
(165,000)
(67,737)
—
—
—
—
(46,779)
(9,674)
29,049
20,461
832,615
809,630 $

77

QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts
Fiscal year ended Dec. 30, 2012
Net operating revenues
Publishing advertising. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Publishing circulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating expenses
Cost of sales and operating expenses, exclusive of 

depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Selling, general and administrative expenses, 

exclusive of depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facility consolidation and asset impairment charges . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-operating (expense) income
Equity income in unconsolidated investees, net . . . . . .
Interest expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests . . .
Net income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. . . . . . . $

Per share computations
Net income per share—basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Net income per share—diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Dividends per share. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1st Quarter(1)

2nd Quarter(2) 3rd Quarter(3)

4th Quarter(4)

Total

551,438 $
263,336
168,352
176,173
59,288
1,218,587

594,262 $
263,938
181,326
205,381
62,133
1,307,040

552,676 $
276,655
182,022
237,039
60,869
1,309,261

657,546 $
313,113
187,249
287,511
72,890
1,518,309

2,355,922
1,117,042
718,949
906,104
255,180
5,353,197

722,240

720,889

720,941

779,777

2,943,847

308,319
39,703
7,879
4,788
1,082,929
135,658

316,301
40,157
8,078
5,097
1,090,522
216,518

318,385
40,460
8,045
4,231
1,092,062
217,199

360,422
40,426
9,291
108,013
1,297,929
220,380

4,312
(39,571)
2,035
(33,224)
102,434
26,600
75,834
(7,611)
68,223 $

8,663
(36,142)
(2,280)
(29,759)
186,759
51,200
135,559
(15,670)
119,889 $

3,005
(35,829)
2,933
(29,891)
187,308
38,700
148,608
(15,525)
133,083 $

6,407
(38,927)
6,046
(26,474)
193,906
78,900
115,006
(11,921)
103,085 $

1,303,427
160,746
33,293
122,129
4,563,442
789,755

22,387
(150,469)
8,734
(119,348)
670,407
195,400
475,007
(50,727)
424,280

0.29 $
0.28 $
0.20 $

0.51 $
0.51 $
0.20 $

0.58 $
0.56 $
0.20 $

0.45 $
0.44 $
0.20 $

1.83
1.79
0.80

(1)  Results for the first quarter of 2012 include net special charges affecting operating income related to facility consolidations and workforce restructuring. Facility consolidation 

charges totaled $4.8 million ($2.9 million after tax or $0.01 per share) reflecting primarily accelerated depreciation costs associated with the transfer of production activities for 
The Cincinnati Enquirer to a third-party printer in Columbus, Ohio announced in the fourth quarter of 2011. Workforce restructuring charges of $16.3 million ($9.7 million after 
tax or $0.04 per share) reflect principally the impact of an early retirement offer plan announced in the first quarter of 2012. Refer to the discussion beginning on page 38 and 
Notes 3 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statement for more information on special items.

(2)  Results for the second quarter of 2012 include $20.3 million of special charges affecting operating income. Facility consolidation non-cash charges totaled $5.1 million ($3.1 

million after tax or $0.01 per share) reflecting primarily accelerated depreciation costs associated with the transfer of production activities. Workforce restructuring charges in the 
Publishing Segment of $9.7 million ($5.8 million after tax or $0.02 per share) reflect principally the impact of employee acceptances during the second quarter of an early 
retirement plan announced in early 2012. Results for the second quarter of 2012 also included pension settlement charges totaling $5.4 million ($3.2 million after tax or $0.01 per 
share). Refer to the discussion beginning on page 38 and Notes 3 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statement for more information on special items.

(3)  Results for the third quarter of 2012 include $14.7 million of special charges affecting operating income. Non-cash facility consolidation charges totaled $4.2 million ($2.4 

million after tax or $0.01 per share) reflecting primarily accelerated depreciation costs primarily associated with the transfer of production activities. Workforce restructuring 
charges in the Publishing Segment of $7.9 million ($4.9 million after tax or $0.02 per share) reflect principally the impact of employee acceptances of an early retirement plan 
during the third quarter of 2012. Results for the third quarter of 2012 also include a pension settlement termination charge totaling $2.5 million ($1.5 million after tax or $0.01 
per share). Non-operating items included $3.2 million ($2.0 million after tax or $0.01 per share) of non-cash charges for a newspaper partnership investment. Offsetting these 
was a tax benefit of $13.1 million ($0.06 per share) related primarily to a tax settlement covering multiple years. Refer to the discussion beginning on page 38 and Notes 3 and 4 
to the Consolidated Financial Statement for more information on special items.

(4)  Results for the fourth quarter of 2012 include special charges affecting operating income. Non-cash asset impairments, efficiency-driven facility consolidation and workforce 

restructuring charges totaled $114.6 million ($101.9 million after tax or $0.44 per share). Non-operating items include a $3.8 million ($2.3 million after tax or $0.01 per share) 
non-cash charge related to the impairment of a minority owned investment. Refer to the discussion beginning on page 38 and Notes 3 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statement for more information on special items.

78

QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts
Fiscal year ended Dec. 25, 2011
Net operating revenues
Publishing advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Publishing circulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Digital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Broadcasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating expenses
Cost of sales and operating expenses, exclusive of 

depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Selling, general and administrative expenses,             

exclusive of depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facility consolidation and asset impairment charges. . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-operating (expense) income
Equity income in unconsolidated investees, net . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests . . . . .
Net income attributable to Gannett Co., Inc. . . . . . . . $

Per share computations
Net income per share—basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Net income per share—diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Dividends per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1st Quarter(1) 2nd Quarter(2) 3rd Quarter(3) 4th Quarter(4)

Total

601,736 $
268,213
157,594
163,882
59,836
1,251,261

646,864 $
265,433
173,447
184,353
64,842
1,334,939

591,676 $
262,099
173,930
174,340
63,989
1,266,034

670,749 $ 2,511,025
1,063,890
268,145
686,471
181,500
722,410
199,835
256,193
67,526
5,239,989
1,387,755

717,515

739,654

721,888

782,040

2,961,097

297,547
41,638
8,289
7,656
1,072,645
178,616

297,196
42,070
7,871
6,394
1,093,185
241,754

297,001
41,263
7,721
—
1,067,873
198,161

331,741
40,768
7,753
13,193
1,175,495
212,260

3,458
(46,629)
1,297
(41,874)
136,742
38,600
98,142
(7,649)
90,493 $

7,973
(44,741)
3,841
(32,927)
208,827
43,300
165,527
(14,000)
151,527 $

2,563
(40,939)
(3,205)
(41,581)
156,580
44,800
111,780
(11,992)
99,788 $

(5,797)
(40,831)
(14,854)
(61,482)
150,778
26,100
124,678
(7,738)
116,940 $

1,223,485
165,739
31,634
27,243
4,409,198
830,791

8,197
(173,140)
(12,921)
(177,864)
652,927
152,800
500,127
(41,379)
458,748

0.38 $
0.37 $
0.04 $

0.63 $
0.62 $
0.04 $

0.42 $
0.41 $
0.08 $

0.49 $
0.49 $
0.08 $

1.92
1.89
0.24

(1)  Results of the first quarter of 2011 include the following special items: $8 million of non-cash charges associated with facility consolidations ($5 million after-tax or $0.02 per 
share) and $6 million in costs due to workforce restructuring ($4 million after-tax or $0.02 per share). Refer to the discussion beginning on page 38 and Notes 3 and 4 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statement for more information on special items.

(2)  Results of the second quarter of 2011 include the following special items: $6 million of non-cash charges associated with facility consolidations ($4 million after-tax or $0.02 per 

share); $9 million in costs due to workforce restructuring ($5 million after-tax or $0.02 per share), and a $20 million in net tax benefit related primarily to a tax settlement 
covering multiple years ($0.08 per share). Refer to the discussion beginning on page 38 and Notes 3 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statement for more information on 
special items.

(3)  Results of the third quarter of 2011 include the following special items: $2 million of non-cash impairment for an investment in an online business ($1 million after-tax) and $9 
million in costs due to workforce restructuring ($5 million after-tax or $0.02 per share). Refer to the discussion beginning on page 38 and Notes 3 and 4 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statement for more information on special items.

(4)  Results of the fourth quarter of 2011 include the following special items: $13 million of non-cash charges associated with facility consolidations ($9 million after-tax or $0.04 per 

share); $50 million in costs due to workforce restructuring ($31 million after-tax or $0.13 per share); $15 million in costs due to incremental retirement charges ($9 million after-
tax or $0.04 per share) and a $11 million in net tax benefit related primarily to a stock basis deduction ($0.04 per share). In non-operating income, special charges related to the 
impairment of certain minority-owned investments totaled $28 million ($17 million after-tax or $0.07 per share). Refer to the discussion beginning on page 38 and Notes 3 and 4 
to the Consolidated Financial Statement for more information on special items.

79

SCHEDULE II – Valuation and qualifying accounts and reserves

In thousands of dollars

Allowance for doubtful receivables
34,646 $
Fiscal year ended Dec. 30, 2012 . . . . . $
39,419 $
Fiscal year ended Dec. 25, 2011 . . . . . $
46,255 $
Fiscal year ended Dec. 26, 2010 . . . . . $
(1)  Also includes foreign currency translation adjustments in each year.
(2)  Consists of write-offs, net of recoveries in each year.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH 
ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL 
DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls 
and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, 
including our principal executive officer and principal financial 
officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and 
procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) 
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended 
(the Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, our principal 
executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that 
our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end 
of the period covered by this annual report.

Balance 
at beginning
of period

Additions
charged to
cost and expenses

Additions/
(reductions)
for acquisitions/
dispositions (1)

Deductions
from reserves (2)

Balance
at end
of period

9,736 $
11,574 $
18,241 $

24 $
(97) $
(3,643) $

(22,400) $
(16,250) $
(21,434) $

22,006
34,646
39,419

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial 
Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining 
adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is 
defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and 
with the participation of our management, including our principal 
executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an 
evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial 
reporting based on the framework in “Internal Control – Integrated 
Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations 
of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the 
framework in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework,” our 
management concluded that our internal control over financial 
reporting was effective as of Dec. 30, 2012.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting 

as of Dec. 30, 2012, has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an 
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report 
which is included elsewhere in this item.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in the company’s internal control over 
financial reporting that occurred during the company’s fiscal quarter 
ended Dec. 30, 2012, that has materially affected, or is reasonably 
likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over 
financial reporting.

80

 
PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information captioned “Your Board of Directors,” “Director 
Biographies,” “Committees of the Board of Directors,” “Committee 
Charters” and “Ethics Policy” under the heading “PROPOSAL 1 –
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” and the information under “OTHER 
MATTERS – Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting 
Compliance” in the company’s 2013 proxy statement is incorporated 
herein by reference.

Maryam Banikarim
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Gannett (2011-
present). Formerly: Senior Vice President, Integrated Sales Marketing, 
NBC Universal (2009-2011); Chief Marketing Officer, Univision 
Communications (2002-2009). Age 44.

William A. Behan
Senior Vice President, Labor Relations, Gannett (2010-present). 
Formerly: Vice President, Labor Relations (2007-2010). Age 54.

Paul Davidson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Newsquest (2003-present). Age 
58. U.K. citizen.

Robert J. Dickey
President, U.S. Community Publishing, (February 2008-present). 
Formerly: Senior Group President, Gannett’s Pacific Group and 
Chairman of Phoenix Newspapers Inc. (2005-2008). Age 55.

Teresa S. Gendron
Vice President and Controller, Gannett (2011-Present). Formerly Vice 
President and Controller, NII Holdings, Inc. (2010-2011); Vice President 
and Assistant Controller, NII Holdings, Inc. (2008 – 2010); Vice 
President Financial Compliance, NII Holdings, Inc. (2005-2008). Age 43.

Victoria D. Harker
Chief Financial Officer (July 2012-present). Formerly: Executive Vice 
President, Chief Financial Officer and President of Global Business 
Services, AES Corporation (2006-2012). Age 48.

Larry S. Kramer
President and Publisher, USA TODAY (May 2012-present). Formerly: 
Professor of Media Management, Newhouse School of Communications, 
Syracuse University (2009-2012); Senior Advisor, Polaris Venture 
Partners (2008-2010); President of CBS Digital Media (2005-2006) and 
Advisor to CBS (2006-2008); and Chairman, CEO and Founder, 
MarketWatch, Inc. (1997-2005). Age 62.

Kevin E. Lord
Senior Vice President  and Chief Human Resources Officer (October  
2012-present). Formerly: Executive Vice President, Human Resources, 
NBC News (2007-2012). Age 50.

David A. Payne
Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, Gannett (2011-present). 
Formerly: President and CEO, ShortTail Media, Inc. (2008-2011); and 
Senior Vice President and General Manager, CNN.com (2004-2008). 
Age 50.

John A. Williams
President, Gannett Digital Ventures (January 2008-present). Age 62.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information captioned “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION,” 
“DIRECTOR COMPENSATION,” “OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR 
EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END” AND “PROPOSAL 
1–ELECTION OF DIRECTORS – Compensation Committee 
Interlocks and Insider Participation; Related Transactions” in the 
company’s 2013 proxy statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN 
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND 
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information captioned “EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN 
INFORMATION” and “SECURITIES BENEFICIALLY OWNED 
BY DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL 
SHAREHOLDERS” in the company’s 2013 proxy statement is 
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED 
TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information captioned “Director Independence” and 
“Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation; 
Related Transactions” under the heading “PROPOSAL 1 – 
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” in the company’s 2013 proxy 
statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information captioned “PROPOSAL 1 – ELECTION OF 
DIRECTORS – Report of the Audit Committee” in the company’s 
2013 proxy statement is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
SCHEDULES

(a)  Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedules and 

David T. Lougee
President, Gannett Broadcasting (July 2007-present). Age 54.

Exhibits.

(1)  Financial Statements.

Gracia C. Martore
President and Chief Executive Officer (October 2011-present); Director 
for Gannett Co., Inc., FM Global and MeadWestvaco Corporation
Formerly: President and Chief Operating Officer (February 2010-
October 2011); Executive Vice President and CFO (2006-2010). Age 61.

Todd A. Mayman
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (April 2009-
present). Formerly: Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Secretary 
and Chief Governance Officer (2007-2009). Age 53.

As listed in the Index to Financial Statements and Supplementary 

Data on page 46.

(2)  Financial Statement Schedules.

As listed in the Index to Financial Statements and Supplementary 

Data on page 46.

Note: All other schedules are omitted as the required information 

is not applicable or the information is presented in the consolidated 
financial statements or related notes.

(3)  Exhibits.

See Exhibit Index on pages 84-88 for list of exhibits filed with 
this Form 10-K. Management contracts and compensatory plans or 
arrangements are identified with asterisks on the Exhibit Index.

82

 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit

Location

3-1

3-2

4-1

4-2

4-3

4-4

4-5

4-6

4-7

4-8

10-1

10-1-1

10-2

Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Gannett Co.,
Inc.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3-1 to Gannett Co., Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2007.

Amended by-laws of Gannett Co., Inc.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3-2 to Gannett Co., Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2010.

Indenture dated as of March 1, 1983, between Gannett Co., 
Inc. and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-2 to Gannett Co., Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 1985.

First Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 5, 1986,
among Gannett Co., Inc., Citibank, N.A., as Trustee, and
Sovran Bank, N.A., as Successor Trustee.

Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 1995,
among Gannett Co., Inc., NationsBank, N.A., as Trustee, and
Crestar Bank, as Trustee.

Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 14, 2002,
between Gannett Co., Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota,
N.A., as Trustee.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Gannett Co., Inc.’s
Form 8-K filed on November 9, 1986.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Gannett Co., Inc.’s
Form 8-K filed on June 15, 1995.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on March 14, 2002.

Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2005,
between Gannett Co., Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota,
N.A., as Trustee.

Incorporated by reference to same numbered exhibit to
Gannett Co., Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
June 26, 2005.

Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 26, 2006,
between Gannett Co., Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Trustee.

Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2007,
between Gannett Co., Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Successor Trustee.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-5 to Gannett Co. Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 25, 2006.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Gannett Co., Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 1, 2007.

Specimen Certificate for Gannett Co., Inc.’s common stock,
par value $1.00 per share.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to Gannett Co., Inc.’s
Form 8-B filed on June 14, 1972.

Supplemental Executive Medical Plan Amended and Restated
as of January 1, 2011.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.

Amendment No. 1 to the Supplemental Executive Medical 
Plan Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2012.*

Attached.

Supplemental Executive Medical Plan for Retired Executives
dated December 22, 2010 and effective January 1, 2011.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2-1 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.

10-3

Gannett Supplemental Retirement Plan Restatement.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30,
2007.

10-3-1

10-3-2

Amendment No. 1 to the Gannett Co., Inc. Supplemental
Retirement Plan dated July 31, 2008 and effective August 1,
2008.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 28,
2008.

Amendment No. 2 to the Gannett Co., Inc. Supplemental
Retirement Plan dated December 22, 2010.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3-2 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.

84

10-4

10-4-1

10-4-2

10-4-3

10-4-4

10-4-5

10-5

10-5-1

10-5-2

10-6

10-6-1

Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan Restatement
dated February 1, 2003 (reflects all amendments through July
25, 2006).*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4 to Gannett Co., 
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan Rules for
Post-2004 Deferrals.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 1, 2007.

Amendment No. 1 to the Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan Rules for Post-2004 Deferrals dated July
31, 2008 and effective August 1, 2008.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to Gannett Co., 
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 
2008.

Amendment No. 2 to the Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan Rules for Post-2004 Deferrals dated
December 9, 2008.*

Amendment No. 3 to the Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan Rules for Post-2004 Deferrals dated
October 27, 2009.*

Amendment No. 4 to the Gannett Co., Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan Rules for Post-2004 Deferrals dated
December 22, 2010.*

Gannett Co., Inc. Transitional Compensation Plan
Restatement.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4-3 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4-4 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4-5 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30,
2007.

Amendment No. 1 to Gannett Co., Inc. Transitional
Compensation Plan Restatement dated as of May 4, 2010.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2010.

Amendment No. 2 to Gannett Co., Inc. Transitional
Compensation Plan Restatement dated as of December 22,
2010.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-5-2 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.

Gannett Co., Inc. Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, as
amended and restated as of May 4, 2010.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2010.

Gannett Co., Inc. 2001 Inland Revenue Approved Sub-Plan for
the United Kingdom.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 26,
2004.

10-6-2

Form of Director Stock Option Award Agreement.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-7-3 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007.

10-6-3

Form of Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-6-4 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.

10-6-4

Form of Executive Officer Stock Option Award Agreement.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-6-5 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.

10-6-5

10-6-6

10-7

Form of Executive Officer Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreement.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-6-6 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.

Form of Executive Officer Performance Share Award
Agreement.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99-1 to Gannett Co., Inc’s
Form 8-K/A filed on December 9, 2011.

Gannett U.K. Limited Share Incentive Plan, as amended
effective June 25, 2004.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2004.

85

10-8

10-8-1

10-8-2

10-8-3

10-8-4

10-8-5

10-9

10-9-1

10-9-2

10-9-3

10-9-4

10-9-5

Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement among
Gannett Co., Inc., the Several Lenders from Time to Time
Parties Thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative
Agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Syndication Agent, dated
as of February 27, 2004, and Effective as of March 15, 2004.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2004.

First Amendment, dated as of February 28, 2007, and Effective
as of March 15, 2007, to Competitive Advance and Revolving
Credit Agreement.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-5 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2007.

Second Amendment, dated as of October 23, 2008, and
Effective as of October 31, 2008, to Competitive Advance and
Revolving Credit Agreement.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 28,
2008.

Third Amendment, dated as of September 28, 2009, to
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement, dated
as of February 27, 2004 and effective as of March 15, 2004.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 27,
2009.

Fourth Amendment, dated as of August 25, 2010 to
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement, dated
as of February 27, 2004 and effective as of March 15, 2004.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 26,
2010.

Fifth Amendment, dated as of September 30, 2010 to
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement, dated
as of February 27, 2004 and effective as of March 15, 2004.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-8-5 to Gannett Co.,
Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.

Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement among
Gannett Co., Inc., the Several Lenders from Time to Time
Parties Thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative
Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent,
and Barclays Bank PLC, as Documentation Agent, dated as of
December 13, 2004, and Effective as of January 5, 2005.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-16 to Gannett Co.,
Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2004.

First Amendment, dated as of February 28, 2007, and Effective
as of March 15, 2007, to Competitive Advance and Revolving
Credit Agreement.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2007.

Second Amendment, dated as of October 23, 2008, and
Effective as of October 31, 2008, to Competitive Advance and
Revolving Credit Agreement.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 28,
2008.

Third Amendment, dated as of September 28, 2009, to
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement, dated
as of December 13, 2004 and effective as of January 5, 2005.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 27,
2009.

Fourth Amendment, dated as of August 25, 2010, to
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement, dated
as of December 13, 2004, and effective as of January 5, 2005.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 26,
2010.

Fifth Amendment, dated as of September 30, 2010, to
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement, dated
as of December 13, 2004, and effective as of January 5, 2005.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-9-5 to Gannett Co.,
Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.

86

10-10

10-10-1

10-10-2

10-10-3

10-10-4

10-10-5

10-11

10-12

10-13

10-13-1

10-13-2

10-14

10-15

10-16

Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving
Credit Agreement among Gannett Co., Inc., the Several
Lenders from Time to Time Parties Thereto, Bank of America,
N.A., as Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
as Syndication Agent, and Barclays Bank PLC, as
Documentation Agent, dated as of March 11, 2002, and
Effective as of March 18, 2002, as Amended and Restated as
of December 13, 2004, and Effective as of January 5, 2005.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-17 to Gannett Co.,
Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2004.

First Amendment, dated as of February 28, 2007, and Effective
as of March 15, 2007, to Amended and Restated Competitive
Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2007.

Second Amendment, dated as of October 23, 2008, and
Effective as of October 31, 2008, to Amended and Restated
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-5 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 28,
2008.

Third Amendment, dated as of September 28, 2009, to
Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving
Credit Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2002 and effective as
of March 18, 2002, as amended and restated as of December
13, 2004 and effective as of January 5, 2005.

Fourth Amendment, dated as of August 25, 2010, to Amended
and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit
Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2002 and effective as of
March 18, 2002, as amended and restated as December 13,
2004 and effective as of January 5, 2005.

Fifth Amendment, dated as of September 30, 2010, to
Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving
Credit Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2002 and effective as
of March 18, 2002, as amended and restated as December 13,
2004 and effective as of January 5, 2005.

Master Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated
September 30, 2010 to (i) the Amended and Restated
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement, dated
as of March 11, 2002 and effective as of March 18, 2002, as
amended and restated as of December 13, 2004 and effective
as of January 5, 2005; (ii) the Competitive Advance and
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2004
and effective as of March 15, 2004; and (iii) the Competitive
Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of
December 13, 2004 and effective as of January 5, 2005.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 27,
2009.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-5 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 26,
2010.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-10-5 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-11 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.

Description of Gannett Co., Inc.’s Non-Employee Director
Compensation.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to Gannett Co., 
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 24, 2012.

Employment Agreement dated February 27, 2007, between
Gannett Co., Inc. and Gracia C. Martore.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-15 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

Amendment, dated as of August 7, 2007, to Employment
Agreement dated February 27, 2007.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-5 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 1, 2007.

Amendment, dated as of December 24, 2010, to Employment
Agreement dated February 27, 2007.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-14-2 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2010.

Termination Benefits Agreement dated as of November 15,
2010 between Gannett Co., Inc. and Paul N. Saleh.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99-2 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on November 17, 2010.

Termination Benefits Agreement dated as of March 16, 2011
between Gannett Co., Inc. and David A. Payne.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-15 to Gannett Co., 
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2011.

Termination Benefits Agreement dated as of July 23, 2012 
between Gannett Co., Inc. and Victoria D. Harker.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99-2 to Gannett Co., 
Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on June 22, 2012.

87

10-17

10-18

Amendment for section 409A Plans dated December 31,
2008.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-14 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.

Executive Life Insurance Plan document dated December 31,
2008.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-15 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.

10-19

Key Executive Life Insurance Plan dated October 29, 2010.*

Form of Participation Agreement under Key Executive Life
Insurance Plan.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 26,
2010.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 26,
2010.

Omnibus Amendment to Terms and Conditions of Restricted
Stock Awards dated as of December 31, 2008.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-17 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.

Omnibus Amendment to Terms and Conditions of Stock Unit
Awards dated as of December 31, 2008.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-18 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.

Omnibus Amendment to Terms and Conditions of Stock
Option Awards dated as of December 31, 2008.*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-19 to Gannett Co.,
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.

Attached.

Attached.

Attached.

Attached.

Attached.

Attached.

Attached.

Attached.

Letter re change in accounting principles.

Subsidiaries of Gannett Co., Inc.

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm.

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.

Section 1350 Certification.

Section 1350 Certification.

The following financial information from Gannett Co., Inc. 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 
2012, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Consolidated Balance 
Sheets at December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011, (ii) 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the 2012, 2011 and 
2010 fiscal years, (iii) Consolidated Statements of 
Comprehensive Income for the 2012, 2011 and 2010 fiscal 
years, (iv) Consolidated Cash Flow Statements for the 2012, 
2011 and 2010 fiscal years; (v) Consolidated Statements of 
Equity for the 2012, 2011 and 2010 fiscal years; and (vi) the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

10-20

10-21

10-22

10-23

18

21

23

31-1

31-2

32-1

32-2

101

For purposes of the incorporation by reference of documents as Exhibits, all references to Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K of Gannett Co., Inc. refer to Forms 10-K, 
10-Q and 8-K filed with the Commission under Commission file number 1-6961.

The company agrees to furnish to the Commission, upon request, a copy of each agreement with respect to long-term debt not filed herewith in reliance upon 
the exemption from filing applicable to any series of debt which does not exceed 10% of the total consolidated assets of the company.

* Asterisks identify management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements.

88

GLOSSARY OF FINANCIAL TERMS

Presented below are definitions of certain key financial and operational terms 
that Gannett hopes will enhance the reading and understanding of Gannett’s 
2012 Form 10-K.

ADVERTISING REVENUES – Amounts charged to customers for space 
purchased in the company’s print products and/or associated digital 
platforms. There are three major types of advertising revenue: retail ads from 
local merchants, such as department stores; classified ads, which include 
automotive, real estate and “help wanted”; and national ads, which promote 
products or brand names on a nationwide basis.

AMORTIZATION – A charge against the company’s earnings that 
represents the write off of intangible assets over the projected life of the 
assets.

BALANCE SHEET – A summary statement that reflects the company’s 
assets, liabilities and equity at a particular point in time.

BROADCASTING REVENUES – Primarily amounts charged to customers 
for commercial advertising aired on the company’s television stations.

CIRCULATION – The number of newspapers sold to customers each day 
(“paid circulation”). The company keeps separate records of morning, 
evening and Sunday circulation.

CIRCULATION REVENUES – Amounts charged to readers of the 
company’s subscription-based newspapers (print or online) or distributors 
reduced by the amount of discounts. Charges vary from city to city and 
depend on the type of sale (i.e., subscription or single copy) and distributor 
arrangements.

CURRENT ASSETS – Cash and other assets that are expected to be 
converted to cash within one year.

CURRENT LIABILITIES – Amounts owed that will be paid within one 
year.

DEFERRED INCOME – Revenue derived principally from advance 
subscription payments for newspapers and advance fees for recruitment 
solutions. Revenue is recognized in the period in which it is earned (as 
newspapers are delivered or made available on the company’s digital 
platforms; or as recruitment solutions delivered).

DEPRECIATION – A charge against the company’s earnings that allocates 
the cost of property, plant and equipment over the estimated useful lives of 
the assets.

DIGITAL/ONLINE REVENUES – These include revenue from advertising 
placed on all digital platforms that are associated with the company 
publishing and broadcasting operations which are reflected as revenues of 
those business segments, and revenues from the businesses that comprise the 
Digital Segment, principal of which are CareerBuilder (employment digital 
platforms including its web site) and PointRoll (technology/marketing 
services revenue).

DIGITAL SEGMENT – A reportable segment for the company that includes 
the results of CareerBuilder, PointRoll, ShopLocal and Reviewed.com.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS – A term which refers to businesses 
which have been sold or disposed of by the company. To achieve 
comparability in financial reporting for all remaining operations, the results 
from discontinued operations are reclassified from the normal operating 
section of the Statements of Income and presented in a separate section 
entitled “Discontinued Operations.”

DIVIDEND – Payment by the company to its shareholders of a portion of its 
earnings.

EARNINGS PER SHARE (basic) – The company’s earnings divided by the 
average number of shares outstanding for the period.

EARNINGS PER SHARE (diluted) – The company’s earnings divided by 
the average number of shares outstanding for the period, giving effect to 
assumed dilution from outstanding stock options and restricted stock units.

EQUITY EARNINGS FROM INVESTMENTS – For those investments 
which are 50% or less owned by the company, an income or loss entry is 
recorded in the Statements of Income representing the company’s ownership 
share of the operating results of the investee company.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION – The process of reflecting 
foreign currency accounts of subsidiaries in the reporting currency of the 
parent company.

FREE CASH FLOW – Net cash flow from operating activities reduced by 
purchase of property, plant and equipment as well as payments for 
investments and increased by proceeds from investments and voluntary 
pension contributions, net of related tax benefit.

GAAP – Generally accepted accounting principles.

GOODWILL – In a business purchase, this represents the excess of amounts 
paid over the fair value of tangible and other identified intangible assets 
acquired net of liabilities assumed.

INVENTORIES – Raw materials, principally newsprint, used in the 
business.

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING 
INTERESTS – The portion of equity and net earnings in consolidated 
subsidiaries that is owned by others.

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT – An equity award that gives key 
employees the right to earn a number of shares of common stock over an 
incentive period based on how the company’s total shareholder return (TSR) 
compares to the TSR of a representative peer group of companies.

PURCHASE – A business acquisition. The acquiring company records at its 
cost the acquired assets less liabilities assumed. The reported income of an 
acquiring company includes the operations of the acquired company from the 
date of acquisition.

RESTRICTED STOCK – An award that gives key employees the right to 
shares of the company’s stock, pursuant to a vesting schedule.

RETAINED EARNINGS – The earnings of the company not paid out as 
dividends to shareholders.

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS – A financial statement that reflects cash 
flows from operating, investing and financing activities, providing a 
comprehensive view of changes in the company’s cash and cash equivalents.

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME – A financial statement 
that reflects changes in equity (net assets) of the company from transactions 
and other events from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income comprises 
net income and other items reported directly in shareholders’ equity, 
principally the foreign currency translation adjustment and funded status of 
postretirement plans.

STATEMENT OF EQUITY – A financial statement that reflects changes in 
the company’s common stock, retained earnings and other equity accounts.

STATEMENT OF INCOME – A financial statement that reflects the 
company’s profit by measuring revenues and expenses.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION – The payment to employees for 
services received with equity instruments such as restricted stock, 
performance share units and stock options.

STOCK OPTION – An award that gives key employees the right to buy 
shares of the company’s stock, pursuant to a vesting schedule, at the market 
price of the stock on the date of the award.

89

Photo CredIts

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11

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19

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28

15

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90

Cover Images

1:   Scott Utterback, The Courier-Journal 

2:   Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY

3:  Jim Hudelson, The Times 

4:   Holly McQueen, The Des Moines Register 

5:   Mary Frank, Asbury Park Press 

6:   Masako Watanabe, Pacific Daily News

7:   Chris Bergin for Gannett 

8:   Trevor Jones, Coshocton Tribune

9:   Cheryl Evans, The Arizona Republic 

10: Debi Pittman Wilkey, The News-Press

11: Tim Dunn, Reno Gazette-Journal 

12: Debi Pittman Wilkey, The News-Press

13: Val Horvath Davidson, The Times 

14: Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press

15: Jae S. Lee, The Tennesean 

16: Christopher Gannon, The Des Moines

Register

17: Holly McQueen, The Des Moines Register 

18: Amanda Davidson, The Cincinnati Enquirer

19: Daniel Melograna, News Journal 

20: Henrietta Wildsmith, The Times

21: Nick Oza, The Arizona Republic 

22: John Fletcher, Asheville Citizen-Times

23: Tanya Breen, Asbury Park Press 

24: Marilyn Newton, Reno Gazette-Journal

25: Henrietta Wildsmith, The Times

26: Erin Brethauer, Asheville Citizen-Times

27: Holly McQueen, The Des Moines Register  

28: Thomas P. Costello, Asbury Park Press

 
Photo CredIts

3

4

5

6

2

1

2

71

3

Pages 2-3 Images

1:   Jarrad Henderson, Detroit Free Press 

2:   Joseph Fuqua II, The Cincinnati Enquirer

3:  Suchat Pederson, The News Journal 

4:   Toby Jorrin for USA WEEKEND 

5:   Toby Jorrin for USA WEEKEND 

6:   Robbin Steed, WXIA-TV, Atlanta

7:   Joseph Fuqua II, The Cincinnati Enquirer

8:   Courtesy of the Detroit Free Press

Page 5 Images

1:   Jack Kurtz, The Arizona Republic 

2:   Courtesy of KUSA-TV, Denver

3:  Jason Miller for USA TODAY 

4:   Courtesy of USA TODAY 

5:   Courtesy of Detroit Free Press 

6:   Courtesy of KUSA-TV, Denver

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8

4

5

6

91

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2012 Financial Summary ..................... 1

Letter to Shareholders ........................ 2

Board of Directors ............................... 7

Company and Divisional Officers ........ 8

Photo Credits .................................... 90

Form 10-K

C O M PA N Y   P R O F I L E

Gannett is a leading international media 
and marketing solutions company, deliv-
ering best-in-class content and services 
across an integrated, multi-platform 
portfolio. It is committed to serving the 
greater good of the nation and the com-
munities it serves.

It is Gannett’s vast portfolio of iconic 

national brands, such as USA TODAY 
and CareerBuilder, as well as its unique 
local media organizations in more than 
100 communities across the U.S., which 
sets the company apart. Gannett provides 
consumers with the information they 
seek and connects them to their com-
munities of interest through multiple 
platforms including web sites, mobile  
and tablet products, print publications 
and TV stations. 
  Gannett’s understanding of its  
communities and its local market rela-
tionships, many of which have spanned 
decades, gives the company a strong 
advantage.  
  As a digital media leader, the com-
pany provides access to content on more 
than 400 local mobile and tablet products 
and leading applications for iPad, iPhone, 
Kindle and Android. Through key acquisi-

tions and partnerships, Gannett continues 
to accelerate its digital strategy.
  Gannett also helps businesses grow 
by providing marketing solutions that 
reach and engage their customers across 
the company’s diverse platforms. Gannett 
Digital Marketing Services serves as a 
one-stop shop for digital marketing  
services to help tens of thousands of 
small and medium-sized businesses use 
digital technology to more effectively 
reach their customers.
  Gannett’s properties cover a wide 
range of geographies, demographics and 
content areas, which combine to form a 
uniquely powerful and comprehensive 
portfolio of offerings for consumers and 
clients alike. 
  Gannett reaches 54.6 million unique 
visitors monthly or about 24.7% of the 
U.S. Internet audience via digital plat-
forms, including CareerBuilder.com, the 
nation’s top human capital solutions site, 
USATODAY.com, USA TODAY Sports 
Digital Properties and more than 100 
digital platforms affiliated with its local 
media organizations across the country. 
Gannett also provides its content through 
82 daily U.S. publications, including  

USA TODAY, a multi-platform news and 
information media company and the  
nation’s largest-selling daily print publi-
cation. The company publishes about  
480 magazines and other non-dailies 
including USA WEEKEND. 

Likewise, Gannett subsidiary News-

quest is one of the United Kingdom’s 
leading regional community news provid-
ers with 17 daily paid-for titles, more than 
200 weekly print products, magazines 
and trade publications, and a network of 
web sites. More than 9 million unique  
users access Newsquest’s network of 
news web sites each month.

In addition, the company operates 23 

television stations in 19 U.S. markets with 
a total market reach of nearly 21 million 
households, 18.1% of the U.S. popula-
tion. Each of these stations also operates 
locally oriented digital platforms offering 
news, entertainment and advertising 
content.  Through its Captivate subsidiary, 
which operates video screens in elevators 
of office buildings and select hotel lobbies 
across North America, the company’s 
broadcasting group delivers news, infor-
mation and advertising to a highly desir-
able demographic in key urban markets.

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SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

GANNETT STOCK
Gannett Co., Inc. shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol GCI. 
The company’s transfer agent and registrar is Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. General inquiries and 
requests for enrollment materials for the programs described below should be directed to 
Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 64854, St. Paul, MN 55164-0854 or by telephone at 
1-800-778-3299 or at www.wellsfargo.com/contactshareownerservices.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) provides Gannett shareholders the opportunity to 
purchase additional shares of the company’s common stock free of brokerage fees or service 
charges through automatic reinvestment of dividends and optional cash payments. Cash 
payments may range from a minimum of $10 to a maximum of $5,000 per month.

AUTOMATIC CASH INVESTMENT SERVICE FOR THE DRP
This service provides a convenient, no-cost method of having money automatically 
withdrawn from your checking or savings account each month and invested in Gannett stock 
through your DRP account.

THIS REPORT WAS WRITTEN 
AND PRODUCED BY EMPLOYEES 
OF GANNETT.

Vice President and Controller 
Teresa S. Gendron 

Assistant Controller 
Cam McClelland

Corporate Consolidations Team 
John Dalton
Dimeterice Ferguson
Suzanne Kuo
Lorraine Licayan
Mark Ramsey
Aisha Simpson
Eva Wrublesky

DIRECT DEPOSIT SERVICE
Gannett shareholders may have their quarterly dividends electronically credited to their 
checking or savings accounts on the payment date at no additional cost.

Director/Corporate 
Communications
Laura Dalton

ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of shareholders will be held at 10 a.m. (E.T.) Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at 
Gannett headquarters.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE   
We have posted on our web site (www.gannett.com) our principles of corporate governance, 
ethics policy and the charters for the audit, transformation, nominating and public 
responsibility and executive compensation committees of our board of directors, and we 
intend to post updates to these corporate governance materials promptly if any changes 
(including through any amendments or waivers of the ethics policy) are made. This site also 
provides access to our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and 
current reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC. Our chief executive officer and our chief 
financial officer have delivered, and we have filed with our 2012 Form 10-K, all certifications 
required by the rules of the SEC. Complete copies of our corporate governance materials and 
our Form 10-K may be obtained by writing our Secretary at our corporate headquarters.

In accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, our chief executive officer, 
has certified, without qualification, that such officer is not aware of any violation by Gannett 
of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
News and information about Gannett is available on our web site. Quarterly earnings infor-
mation will be available around the middle of April, July and October 2013. Shareholders 
who wish to contact the company directly about their Gannett stock should call Shareholder 
Services at Gannett headquarters, 703-854-6960.

Gannett Headquarters
7950 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA  22107
703-854-6000

Creative Director/Designer 
Michael Abernethy

Printing 
Action Printing, Fond du Lac, WI

PHOTO CREDITS:

Page 7: Directors’ photos by 
Stacey Wolf, Gannett and  
Gretchen Ortega. Martore by 
Ralph Alswang.

Photo credits for the Cover and  
Pages 2-5 can be found on  
Page 90 of the 10-K.

Printed on recycled paper. 

This report was printed using 
soy-based inks. The entire report 
contains 10% total recovered 
fiber/all post-consumer waste.

 
 
 
 
20 12  A NN UA L  RE P ORT

GANNETT CO., INC.  •  7950 JONES BRANCH DR., MCLEAN, VA 22107  •  WWW.GANNETT.COM

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