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Business Wire
30-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
USA TODAY Network and Perplexity Announce Strategic AI Content Licensing Agreement
NEW YORK, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) today announced a strategic deal with Perplexity, the AI-powered answer engine, to license content from USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network of over 200 local publications across the country. As part of this agreement, Gannett joins the Perplexity Publisher Program as one of the largest U.S.-based media partners. Gannett's premium content and trusted journalism from USA TODAY and top-tier local USA TODAY Network publications will be integrated into Perplexity's AI-powered search experiences, including its newly released agentic web browser, Comet currently available to Perplexity Max and select Perplexity Pro subscribers. Perplexity's Comet is an AI-powered web browser which integrates Perplexity's AI search engine directly into the browsing experience. Beginning in September, Perplexity's Comet is expected to be available for a broader audience. 'As the largest local-to-national publishing and digital media organization in the country, the USA TODAY Network is focused on delivering innovation that drives audience engagement. As AI technology becomes increasingly integrated into the information ecosystem, we are committed to ensuring that our content is properly attributed and that we are fairly compensated,' said Michael Reed, Gannett Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 'This strategic alliance with Perplexity exemplifies our continued leadership in embracing transformative technology and reflects our belief that innovation and responsible stewardship must go hand in hand, setting a standard for the way quality content and trusted journalism should be valued. This deal allows us to further accelerate AI opportunities as we share advertising revenue and leverage data to deliver shareholder value while providing credible content for users of the Perplexity platform.' 'Gannett's commitment to credible, authoritative reporting makes them an ideal partner as we work to elevate the information landscape,' said Aravind Srinivas, Co-Founder and CEO at Perplexity. 'We strongly believe the opportunity for AI is to elevate the kind of excellent journalism that Gannett's reputation is founded on. As AI reshapes a digital landscape that was optimized for a different era, our priority is to partner with the world's best publishers to ensure they benefit from the new business models we discover together.' Gannett will also have access to Perplexity technology including Perplexity's Sonar API and Perplexity Enterprise Pro for all employees. The financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed. AI companies interested in learning how Gannett | USA TODAY Network can support their strategic efforts should contact gannettinfo@ ABOUT GANNETT Gannett Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. Perplexity is an AI-powered answer engine that draws from credible sources in real time to accurately answer questions with in-line citations, perform deep research, and more. Founded in 2022, the company's mission is to serve the world's curiosity by bridging the gap between traditional search engines and AI-driven interfaces. Each week, Perplexity answers more than 150 million questions globally. Perplexity is available in the app store and online at Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that relate to our current expectations and views of future events, which may include but not be limited to all statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements relating to the strategic affiliation and our beliefs, intentions, estimates or strategies regarding the future, which may not be realized. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as 'believe,' 'may,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'should,' 'plan,' 'expect,' 'predict,' 'potential,' 'could,' 'will,' 'would,' 'ongoing,' 'future' or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially and/or significantly different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, see the risks and other factors detailed in 'Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors' in Gannett's 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Gannett's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Gannett's other filings with the SEC, in each case as such factors may be updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Gannett disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.
The Guardian
19-07-2025
- The Guardian
‘We got upset, then we got angry': the couple who took on one of the UK's biggest cold-call scams
Michael and Jan Reed can remember the moment their family business received its first indelible blow. It was 2015 and three of their regular customers were standing in the reception of their accident repair centre in County Durham. It had been a busy period and, unusually, all three had come to collect their cars at the same time. One had got a call from an accident management company trying to persuade him to make a personal injury claim. Unusually, the caller knew the make and model of the car and the date of the accident. The second man said the same had happened to him. By the time the third customer confirmed he had also got the cold call, the three of them were pulling out their phones. 'One of the guys said: 'Well, what number was it?'', says Jan, brow furrowed at the memory. 'They were just getting the mobiles out and saying this number, and then asking me if I knew it. I said: 'No, I don't know that number at all'. And they asked: 'Well, where did they get it from?'' The men did not have insurance with the same company, had used different brokers and their accidents were unconnected. 'And then all three of them turned around,' says Michael. 'They went: 'Well, it must be you guys.'' Cold callers are a nuisance, whether they are asking about repairs to your property or trying to persuade you to make a personal injury claim. But what happens when those calls threaten to bring down your business? Last month, after a 10-year investigation, eight men were convicted for their part in a conspiracy that ran one of the biggest nuisance call operations seen in the UK. The people who precipitated their downfall? A husband and wife from County Durham, who just wanted to protect their business. The 10-week trial at Bolton crown court, which brought to an end the largest investigation into cold calls carried out in the UK, shed light on a murky world. A jury found Craig Cornick, 40, a well-known businessman in the north-west, guilty of stealing personal data, having earlier found him and Thomas Daly, 35, not guilty of hacking into computer systems. Daly had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring to steal personal data. Of the six remaining men, all admitted stealing data, and four admitted hacking into computer systems. The names, numbers and details of people involved in accidents may seem like rows on a spreadsheet, but they provide lucrative spoils. That information is sold to claims management firms hoping to generate leads for personal injury cases. The cold-calling gang targeted a million people and hundreds of accident repair garages between 2014 and 2017, according to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The Reeds' role in exposing them starts almost a decade ago, in 2015. The couple run Alan Reed Ltd, set up by Michael's father in 1970 and joined by Michael when he left school at 15. It is a family effort: Jan is in charge of customer care, her daughter Debbie does the accounts, and Michael's daughter Megan works in parts. After the painful confrontation with their three customers, the complaints kept coming, and the couple worried about their reputation. 'You get upset,' says Jan. 'Then we got quite angry about it, didn't we? Thinking, well, we're not to blame. We used to talk about it all the time. We were just going inside out with it.' They were not naive about data. They worked with bluechip insurance companies, and underwent training in how to protect personal information. They got their centralised IT car logging system, used widely in the industry, inspected twice, but were told nothing was wrong. They trusted their 40 staff – they had known half of them since they started as apprentices – but thinking they were the only garage affected, they started to wonder if they had been betrayed. After months of complaints, they had had enough. Michael remembers the exact moment. The couple were in the car and Jan was upset. 'I said: 'I can't do this any more, we've got to do something',' she recalls. But then she had a thought. 'I said: 'How about we put our information into the computer?' And Michael said: 'Right. We'll give it a go.'' They input their own numbers in spring 2016, alongside details of fictional accidents, and waited. At first, nothing happened. But then, 11 days later, Michael's phone started ringing. 'I literally walked through to say: 'Jan, I've got somebody on the phone',' at the same time Jan's phone rang, says Michael. 'I said: 'Just go and answer it,' and then we looked: it was the same number.' Michael spoke to the cold caller, asking if they knew the date he'd had an accident. When they confirmed the date, they put him through to a solicitor. Michael eventually made his excuses and ended the call. After a letter from the solicitors arrived, they were ready to go to the authorities. 'Obviously, we thought it was going to be over in weeks,' says Michael. 'We didn't think it was going to be nearly 10 years.' Andy Curry is the head of investigations at the ICO, which investigated and prosecuted the criminal case under powers bestowed by data protection legislation. He is not an excitable man, but when he talks about the scale of Operation Pelham, as the investigation was named by the ICO, his eyes light up. 'This is the biggest criminal investigation and prosecution the ICO has ever undertaken,' he says. Thanks to the information provided by the Reeds, alongside hundreds of other garages, ICO criminal investigation officers carried out nine raids in Macclesfield and Manchester in 2016. They seized 241,000 emails, 4.5m documents, 144,000 spreadsheets, 1.5m images and 83,000 multimedia files. Among the devices taken was an iPhone, which, according to the ICO's prosecuting barrister, 'opened Pandora's Box' and provided 'a clear window into the extent of the criminality' of the gang. Curry says: 'We uncovered a vast, murky criminal network where crash details were stolen from garages across England, Scotland and Wales and traded to fuel distressing predatory calls. It was an enormous and complex case.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Did it make these men rich? 'We think over £3m has been obtained through this activity,' says Curry. 'So, a fairly significant amount of money.' Evidence put before the jury painted a picture of a group of men who thought they were untouchable, boasting in texts about the personal data they could obtain. In a conservation from September 2016, one asks: 'Do you still get insurance data? I have someone interested in purchasing off you on a weekly basis bro.' The reply came 29 minutes later: 'Don't have anything for sale atm bro but just got a new kid who can get me anything I want from anywhere so soon as he up and running will let u know bro.' A few minutes later there was another reply: 'Decent u data King now haha.' Another key piece of evidence came in the form of a selfie video, filmed by Mark Preece, who admitted conspiring to hack computer systems and steal personal data. 'I've got the full garage list. I've got all the passwords for everything,' he says. 'All the data [...] I'm going to be rich, well, I am rich.' Curry says the messages were a crucial aspect of building the case. As for the video, it was a gift. 'When you watch this you think, how stupid do you have to be to film yourself basically admitting to a criminal offence on this large scale?' he says. 'But great for us.' Some of the men said they were involved in legitimate businesses. Thomas Daly and Adam Crompton, the directors of a now-dissolved company called Cheshire Finance UK, listed under 'call centres' on Companies House, had used their company to mask the 'purchase, sale and harvesting of unlawfully obtained data', the ICO argued in court. Cornick is listed as a director of 15 businesses on Companies House since 2013; nine have been dissolved, two liquidated and four are active. His listed address, a large mock Tudor residence with an electric gate and prominent CCTV, is in Prestbury, an affluent village in Greater Manchester known for its mansions owned by footballers and millionaires. In a statement after his conviction, Cornick said that during the period on which the trial focused 'data trading was a common industry practice' before regulations were tightened, 'reinforcing the need for businesses to closely scrutinise where their data originates'. He was 'relieved' to be cleared of computer hacking, but rejected 'any notion of wrongdoing' and said he would appeal against his conviction. There has been a clampdown on cold callers in recent years. The UK moved to ban cold calls offering financial products in 2023, so anyone being contacted out of the blue can assume they are a scam. But people are still bombarded with billions of unwanted calls every year. According to data from Hiya, a spam blocker service, UK residents received an average of three spam calls a month between January and June last year, equating to about 195m spam calls in the UK every month. Despite taking almost 10 years, Operation Pelham is not over. The ICO confirmed that one man, 33-year-old Jamie Munro, who is wanted on three counts related to the case, has disappeared and is thought to be overseas. And a second phase of the investigation is looking into the role of people in insurance firms and claims management companies. Curry says the ICO will continue in its efforts to 'untangle this web of illicit data trade. We will be relentless.' So what now? What consequences will this 'vast, murky criminal network' face? The ICO says it will go after any proceeds of crime; it will probably also push for a red flag to be placed on each of the conspirators, preventing them from becoming directors of companies in the future. However, all of the men are likely to avoid prison when they are finally sentenced next April. Offences under the 2018 Data Protection Act, including stealing data, are punishable by fines. Those convicted of hacking under the Computer Misuse Act will probably receive suspended sentences. 'We have no involvement in sentencing,' the ICO's legal team said. 'The court must sentence within the confines of the maximum sentence available in law.' Since it began, Operation Pelham has swallowed hundreds of hours of investigators' time. Asked why it took so long, the ICO said it was a complex case, and had been affected by the pandemic and a year-long adjournment. As to how much it cost, the body said it was carried out as part of its normal regulatory functions. 'We do not record costs for specific investigations,' a spokesperson said. Back in County Durham, the Reeds say they are proud of the role they played, but mostly they just want to get on with their lives. 'Businesses like ourselves are the backbone of this country. We need to stand up for ourselves and not get swallowed up,' says Michael. He shows a black and white picture of his parents, smiling outside the original garage. 'When you've been going for 55 years and you look at all the different things you've dealt with, well, this is just something in that timeline,' he says. 'It's been dealt with, we've dealt with worse. Everything we do is challenging – if it was easy, I don't think it would suit the Reed family.'
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Zoe Ball finds love again with Fatboy Slim lookalike as new couple are spotted holding hands at Glastonbury
ZOE Ball has found love again - this time with a Fatboy Slim lookalike. The Radio 2 DJ was seen walking hand in hand with her new bloke at Glastonbury, a month after she hinted she'd met someone. 8 8 8 Zoe, 54, was spotted in the VIP Hospitality area on Worthy Farm on Thursday afternoon. An onlooker said: 'Zoe is down at Glastonbury as a punter and has brought her new boyfriend along for the ride. 'They seemed blissfully happy and were strolling along holding hands. 'She was really smiling at him as they walked along and he was very protective of Zoe and put his hand across her back. 'People were doing double takes at her bloke though because he looks a lot like Fatboy. It's so great to see Zoe smiling again.' Last month Zoe hinted she had met someone new amid rumours of a reconciliation with Fatboy - real name Norman Cook. During an interview with Roisin Conaty, Zoe mentioned 'my fella' as they were chatting between songs. This is Zoe's first serious relationship since the end of her five-year relationship with Michael Reed in 2023. 8 8 8 8 8
USA Today
11-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Gannett launches generative AI tool to answer readers' biggest questions
Gannett launches generative AI tool to answer readers' biggest questions Gannett, parent company of USA TODAY, on Wednesday launched generative AI engine DeeperDive, which will give readers up-to-the-minute answers to questions on everything from sports highlights to financial news. The technology stands out for its immediate responses, tailored to the reader's curiosity, based on the expertise of USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network's journalists. The answer engine, created by Taboola, will be available on USA TODAY's website. It will be the first publication in the U.S. to test the technology among 1% of its more than 195 million monthly unique visitors having initial access. DeeperDive will also help USA TODAY continue to get a better understanding of what topics and stories interest readers most, said Michael Reed, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gannett/USA TODAY Network. 'Implementing Taboola's DeeperDive Gen AI answer engine on our own platform is an exciting win for our business and the publishing industry at large,' Reed said in a statement. 'This innovation will lead to deeper engagement with consumers as we continue to expand our audience … DeeperDive combines the high-caliber reporting the USA TODAY Network is known for with the AI technology and expertise that only Taboola can deliver.' In contrast to search engines that utilize content without permission, DeeperDive will tap into USA TODAY's network of journalists as well as the knowledge of Taboola's more than 600 million daily active users and 9,000 publisher partners worldwide. DeeperDive's quality and performance will be monitored by people, not AI. Other highlights include: ▶ Timely, layered answers: Taboola's vast pool of users and publisher partners, along with its advanced AI, means DeeperDive will be up to date on what a variety of readers are currently interested in. Along with detailed, relevant answers, DeeperDive may also recommend questions based on topics that are dominating local, regional and national conversations. ▶ More readership and longer engagement: DeeperDive's tailored, comprehensive responses will likely lead to readers staying on USA TODAY's site longer, returning more often, and clicking on more content. ▶ More ad revenue: Content-related ads will appear, presenting a revenue avenue without being obstructive to the reader. 'Today marks a major step forward for the open web,' Adam Singolda, CEO and founder of Taboola, said in a statement. 'With DeeperDive, we're giving publishers the power to join the Gen AI revolution on their own terms — creating richer, more trusted experiences for users, and unlocking search-like monetization opportunities that were previously out of reach … I truly believe it will change how billions of people get information online.'
Business Wire
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
USA TODAY Network Joins Snowflake Marketplace
New York, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) today announced an agreement with Snowflake, the AI Data Cloud company, to join Snowflake Marketplace. Snowflake Marketplace enables enterprises to enrich their AI apps and agents with proprietary unstructured data from third-party providers, while allowing providers to protect their intellectual property and ensure proper attribution. This includes real-time news and content from USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network of over 200 local publications across the country. 'We are excited to be part of Snowflake Marketplace, a pioneering ecosystem that empowers publishers to monetize their content for enterprise AI applications under just and transparent licensing terms,' said Michael Reed, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gannett. 'As we all navigate the same challenges around unauthorized AI use of content, Snowflake offers a proactive solution that prioritizes both attribution and fair compensation.' Through Snowflake Marketplace, enterprises can further contextualize their AI-powered apps and agents in Snowflake Cortex AI, including Cortex Agents (generally available soon), Cortex Search, and Snowflake Intelligence (public preview soon). This allows enterprises to harness real-time insights across news, research, and publications to enrich their AI outputs, alongside the wealth of proprietary knowledge in their own organization's documents. 'The USA TODAY Network is the largest local-to-national publishing and digital media organization in the country, with 195 million average monthly unique visitors relying on our trusted content to stay connected to the stories and cultural moments happening in their communities,' said Renn Turiano, Chief Consumer and Product Officer, Gannett. 'We are thrilled to join Snowflake Marketplace among the first news publishers to provide our trusted content for enterprise AI use in an equitable manner that respects our intellectual property rights while ensuring compensation for the value created for end users. This marks an important step forward in establishing a mutually beneficial ecosystem for AI companies, enterprises, content owners, and publishers to strategically partner, while driving innovation forward.' Organizations interested in learning how Gannett | USA TODAY Network can support their AI strategic efforts in areas including marketing analysis, targeted advertising, consumer research, and advanced analytics should contact gannettinfo@ ABOUT GANNETT Gannett Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. ABOUT USA TODAY Since its introduction in 1982, USA TODAY has been a cornerstone of the national media landscape under its recognizable and respected brand. It also serves as the foundation for our newsroom network which allows for content sharing capabilities across our local and national markets. Through USA TODAY, we deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Across our digital platforms we reach an audience of approximately 73 million unique visitors each month (based on December 2024 Comscore Media Metrix ®). USA TODAY NETWORK USA TODAY NETWORK, part of Gannett Co, Inc. (NYSE: GCI), is the leading news media publisher in the U.S. in terms of circulation and has the largest digital audience in the News and Information category, excluding news aggregators, based on the December 2024 Comscore Media Metrix ® Desktop + Mobile. Our Domestic Gannett Media segment is comprised of USA TODAY, daily and weekly content brands in approximately 220 local U.S. markets across 43 states and our community events business, USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures. With deep roots in local communities spanning the U.S., we engage approximately 140 million monthly unique visitors, on average, through a diverse portfolio of multi-platform content offerings and experiences. For more information, visit Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that relate to our current expectations and views of future events, which may include but not be limited to all statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements relating to the collaboration and our , beliefs, intentions, estimates or strategies regarding the future, which may not be realized. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as 'believe,' 'may,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'should,' 'plan,' 'expect,' 'predict,' 'potential,' 'could,' 'will,' 'would,' 'ongoing,' 'future' or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially and/or significantly different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, see the risks and other factors detailed in 'Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors' in Gannett's 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Gannett's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Gannett's other filings with the SEC, in each case as such factors may be updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Gannett disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.
