• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, December 11, 2013

USA Today content will begin appearing in Gannett’s local newspapers, in a move intended to expand itsreach, bolster the local pubs’ national and international news and free up editorial staff to focus on local reporting.

According to the company, a local edition of USA Today will be included in the print and digital editions for 35 of Gannett’s local daily publications across the U.S.
 
The new USA Today edition_- published with local papers seven days a week -- will include content from its national News, Money, and Life sections, while USA Today’s sports coverage will be incorporated into local sports sections. The USA Today content will begin appearing in local papers in the first quarter of 2014; the local edition was already tested with pilots in Indianapolis, Rochester, Fort Myers, FL, and Appletown, WI earlier this year.
 
Also this week, USA Today’s Sports Media Group announced a partnership with QuintEvents, which produces sporting event experiences, to launch USA Today Sports Events, a new service that gives fans access to the “official” events packages for major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game, Kentucky Derby, and UFC title events, among others.

These opportunities will be promoted with links through USA Today’s Sports properties.
 
Finally, USA Today’s Travel Media Group expanded its mobile platform with the launch of two new apps -- the Experience Las Vegas app and a new AutoPilot App. The Experience Las Vegas App for iPhone and Adroid features travel planning tools and information, photos, and best-of recommendations, including suggestions based on lifestyle and traveler type (e.g. “Shopping Diva,” “Luxury Lover,” “Wallet Watcher,” “Foodie,” and so on). The AutoPilot app, available for iPhone, features real-time updates on flight delays and weather conditions for travelers on the go .