E&P's 25 Under 35 2015

Posted

Young professionals from four SNPA member newspapers are among those selected this year by Editor & Publisher as part of the magazine's annual selection of "25 Under 35."

In announcing this year's honorees, E&P said: "Climbing the ranks now requires a multitude of skills not seen in previous generations, and these talented men and women are certainly equipped with them."

Among those chosen were:

Scott J. Bryan, 32
Editor
Hickory Daily Record
Hickory, N.C.
Education: Stratford High School


As editor of the Hickory Daily Record, Scott J. Bryan serves as the newsroom leader for a department of 10. In addition, Bryan served as a member of the North Carolina Community Group’s digital growth strategy group and chaired his paper’s audience development committee. He also is a member of the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.

Bryan was instrumental in doubling the paper’s website page views and quadrupling its social media strategy in a 12-month span. He launched Barrel, the HDR’s new craft beer, wine and liquor page, which features a Twitter account, weekly column, stories and, in April, launched a special section dedicated to craft beer.


Deirdre Long, 31
Digital marketing specialist
The Anniston Star
Anniston, Ala.
Education: University of Alabama, master of arts in community journalism; East Tennessee State University, bachelor of science in mass communication, concentration in journalism


Deirdre Long is an editor turned digital marketing specialist for The Anniston Star. She started her career with the Star in 2006 as part of the inaugural class of the Community Journalism Master’s program the paper offers in conjunction with the University of Alabama. After being hired in 2007, she has worked as a page designer, graphic designer, entertainment editor, features editor, and in July 2014, she moved into advertising.

In advertising, she manages a new digital marketing division of the Star called BizBuzz, which provides website design, social media management, SEO, email marketing, online advertising (on AnnistonStar.com as well as Facebook and Google ads) as well as some non-digital marketing services, such as promotional products and direct mail. In the seven months since she began in her new role, her division has grown from a team of one to three.

Laura C. Ray, 26
Digital media sales director
Savannah Morning News
Savannah, Ga.
Education: University of Kentucky, bachelor of arts, integrated strategic communications with an emphasis in account management; dual degree in psychology


For Tony Bernados, vice president of sales for the Savannah Morning News, whoever was serving in the role of digital media director had to embrace change, challenge the status quo and keep a constant pulse on emerging technologies. He found all of those traits in Laura Ray.

“Laura demonstrates superior organizational skills and an impeccable, deep understanding of digital advertising,” he said. “It truly is a luxury to have so much confidence in the person that occupies such a critical and essential role for our company.”

Andrea Vick, 32
Local sales manager
Austin American-Statesman
Austin, Texas
Education: Texas State University, bachelor of arts,  public relations

 
Andrea Vick is a 10-year veteran of the newspaper industry. Vice president of advertising Scott Pompe described Vick as “the consummate sales professional,” who rose through the sales ranks at the Austin American-Statesman.

“As the top salesperson for our property, she represented Austin at the Cox Media Group President’s Cup in 2012 and 2013,” Pompe said. “Andrea was promoted to sales manager in 2014. She is innovative, smart and customer focused.”

Last year, Vick led a hyperlocal project to expand community penetration and has spearheaded a transactional data driven, research-first initiative to earn client business, resulting in $750,000 for 2015.

E&P, Editor & Publisher, 25 Under 35, Anniston, Long, Austin, Vick, Hickory, Bryan, Savannah, Ray
Calendar View all