Ellen Crooke Named Gannett Bcstg. News VP

Gannett Co. today appointed Ellen Crooke vice president of news for Gannett Broadcasting. Crooke moves to the division’s corporate team after serving as news director at WXIA Atlanta and as regional news executive. Crooke will join Michael Valentine in leading news functions for Gannett Broadcasting’s 46 stations.

“Ellen is a passionate and innovative leader who is committed to reinventing local journalism in this digital age,” said Dave Lougee, president, Gannett Broadcasting.

Crooke has been with Gannett since 2002 when she joined WGRZ Buffalo, N.Y., as VP of news. She then joined WXIA in 2008. The station has received 21 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and more than 150 Emmy nominations during her six years leading the newsroom.

“No group of broadcasters is more poised or more committed to shaping the future of local news than Gannett,” said Crooke, “I am honored to work alongside Michael and help lead our stations forward.”

Prior to her time with Gannett, Crooke was news director at WNDU South Bend, Ind. She’s also worked as assistant news director at WHAS Louisville, Ky., which is now owned by Gannett, and as a producer at WOKR Rochester, N.Y., and WTEN Albany, N.Y.

Crooke is a graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo.