CLARKSVILLE, TN – Saga Communications Inc. has named 5 Star Media Group President and General Manager Katie Gambill to the newly created position of Director of Online News Brands in order to lead a national rollout of local news websites based on the success of Clarksville Now.
In 2010, Gambill created ClarksvilleNow.com as a way to provide community information in Clarksville to support the 5 Star radio stations. Its mission has since grown to also include breaking news and investigative journalism. It is now the primary source of local news in Clarksville, with over 70% of the local digital news market share.
Under Gambill’s leadership, the Saga Communications cluster in Clarksville experienced exponential growth in its online audience and engagement. Now, Saga is deploying this online journalism product across its entire national footprint, consisting of 27 radio markets.
“I am excited for the opportunity to spearhead this local online news site launch in other Saga markets,” Gambill said. “I truly believe these local online news sites will help us to better serve our communities, especially when partnered with the power of radio. I am passionate about this endeavor and dedicated to the success of these sites.”
Saga President and CEO Chris Forgy said, “We are delighted to have Katie join the corporate team. She has been an elite leader with Saga for 17 years. Her knowledge, passion and commitment to excellence, in this space, is unprecedented.”
In addition to Clarksville Now, 5 Star Media Group includes local radio stations Beaver 100.3, Q108, Z97.5, Rewind 94.3, Sunny 99.1, ESPN Clarksville, Outlaw 100.7, EZ 99.9 and NewZee 105.5. Nationwide, Saga owns 27 radio markets, among them Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Columbus, Ohio; and Des Moines, Iowa.
