Associate Video Producer

USA TODAY is seeking an Associate Producer, Visual Content to join its national photo and video team. This role combines content programming, AI-assisted video production, and visual storytelling through galleries and playlists. This role will be specifically focused on USA TODAY's entertainment vertical and will play a critical role in identifying and covering red carpet moments, celebrity interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and viral entertainment trends.

We're looking for a digital-first journalist who understands audience behavior, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and can create, optimize, and distribute visual content across platforms. This role will help drive audience growth, engagement, and revenue through strategic programming and scalable content production using AI-powered platforms and tools.

• Program and optimize visual content across USA TODAY, Network sites, mobile apps, articles, playlists, galleries, and social platforms.
• Serve as a centralized programming resource, making real-time editorial decisions to maximize audience engagement and content performance.
• Monitor analytics using tools such as Parse.ly and Google Analytics to inform programming strategy.
• Monitor real-time analytics and entertainment trends to identify visual opportunities and adjust content strategy accordingly.
• Write compelling headlines, metadata, descriptions, and promotional copy optimized for SEO and audience growth.
• Identify, source, and distribute the most relevant in-house, third-party, and publicly available content while ensuring editorial quality and rights compliance.
• Manage automated and third-party video feeds, playlists, and related content experiences.

• Serve as the national hub for AI-assisted video creation using platforms such as Stringr, Wochit, and future automation tools.
• Produce high-volume short-form video content for breaking news, service journalism, entertainment, sports, obituaries, trending topics, and high-interest local stories.
• Create vertical video optimized for platforms including Tik Tok, Instagram Reels, Facebook, and You Tube Shorts.
• Repurpose automated and AI-generated content for owned and social platforms.
• Fulfill newsroom video requests and support priority local markets and network editorial initiatives

• Create and curate entertainment photo galleries that capture the emotion, artistry, and defining moments of celebrities, events, and fan culture.
• Program visual experiences into articles, section fronts, and promotional placements across the Network.
• Source and manage visual assets from the USA TODAY Network, wire services, and approved third-party providers.

• Maintain high standards for editorial quality, accuracy, and brand consistency.
• Collaborate with local and national newsroom teams on coverage planning, major events, and visual storytelling opportunities.
• Support the USA TODAY Network by answering questions, troubleshooting workflows, and sharing best practices.
• Develop training materials and assist with newsroom education initiatives related to video production, programming, galleries, playlists, and AI-powered workflows.

• Consistent delivery of high-quality visual content across video, galleries, playlists, and promotional experiences.
• Growth in audience engagement metrics, including views, watch time, click-through rates, article engagement, and content consumption.
• Increased adoption of AI-assisted production workflows that improve newsroom efficiency while maintaining quality standards.
• Strong content discoverability through strategic programming, SEO optimization, and effective distribution tactics.
• Successful support of major news, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, and breaking news coverage initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, digital media or related field.
• 2-5 years of newsroom, digital media, content production, audience engagement, or visual storytelling experience for an entertainment news publisher or brand.
• Experience programming content and producing video for digital platforms.
• Strong understanding of SEO, audience development, analytics, and content optimization.
• Experience with analytics tools such as Parse.ly and Google Analytics.
• Excellent headline writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Strong news judgment, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven…