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Monday, January 12, 2009 10:46 AM WDT gets new sales and marketing manager By Stephanie Creech | Times Senior Writer Gayle Smith of Hickory has been tapped as the new sales and marketing manager of The Wilson Times. Smith assumed her post effective today. She replaces Wayne Johnson, long-time Daily Times employee who previously held the position. Smith served as advertising director of The Asheville Citizen Times since July 2006. Working with a department of 64 employees, which included sales representatives, graphic design and ad building staff, Smith oversaw all advertising revenue departments -- classified and retail print and online, non-daily and preprint. Smith reported to the paper's publisher and served on the paper's leadership committee. "I am so excited to have Gayle join us at The Wilson Times Company as sales and marketing manager," said Morgan Dickerman, publisher. "I have known Gayle for 30 years. My grandmother was the first female president of the North Carolina Press Association, and Gayle was the second. She has had small-town newspaper experience and big-city newspaper experience. Early in her career, she was groomed by several of the smartest men in our industry, including our newest board member, Jim Boone of Alabama. I know most of her references, and they spoke very highly of her." Smith served as president of the N.C. Press Association from 1990 to 1991. She is currently the immediate past-president of the N.C. Press Foundation's Board of Directors. Smith, 55, said she was interested in coming to Wilson for a variety of reasons. First, she's known Dickerman and his family for a number of years. Plus, she said she is looking forward to working at a family-owned newspaper at a time when print journalism is facing its fair share of challenges and the opportunity as she's nearing the end of her career to "come full circle" and to really be involved in the "community life of a smaller town." Smith was born in Lenoir County and grew up in Wayne County. Smith said she loves eastern North Carolina barbecue. "That is really true," she said. She grew up loving the barbecue at Wilber's Barbecue in Goldsboro. But Smith said she also has fond memories of trips to Wilson and eating barbecue here. Smith started her newspaper career in 1975 at The Selma Times Journal in Selma, Ala., where she worked as an advertising representative. The paper's circulation was 11,000. In 1976, Smith became an advertising representative at The Sampson Independent in Clinton. Between 1976 and 1983, Smith's responsibilities grew from advertising representative to advertising manager to general manager of the Sampson County newspaper. After an eight-year stint as general manager and editor of The Observer News Enterprise in Newton, Smith joined the staff of The Charlotte Observer as a bureau advertising manager. Again, she climbed the paper's ranks and moved from bureau advertising manager to marketing manager to display advertising sales manager to classified sales manager before joining the staff of The Asheville Citizen Times. Based on Smith's previous work experience, Dickerman said Smith has "major skills that she will bring to The Wilson Times and wilsontimes.com. "Gayle will be in charge of retail, classified, .com and new media, Newspapers in Education sponsorships and commercial printing revenue," Dickerman said. "In classified, she will be working with Karen Boykin, our long-time classified director. This is an exciting but challenging time for us as well as the readers and advertisers we serve. Gayle will be a huge addition with our newer department heads such as Tim Rogers, editor; Andrew Small, multimedia director; and our seasoned veterans, Frank Heacox, circulation director; Royce Goff, production; and Debbie Boykin, administrative assistant; Lynn Webb, Wilson County Phone Book and Fronteras; and myself and the entire staff of The Wilson Times Company. I am excited about Gayle coming and our future." Smith said she's looking forward to helping small businesses be successful in what they do. "I've always worked for newspapers," she said. "I have tremendous respect for the First Amendment and watchdog journalism. I think I can sell anything. But I prefer to be involved in an industry that can make a difference whether it's at the local or state level. Smith's husband, Young, is a practicing attorney in Hickory. She has two daughters and one stepson, all of whom are grown, and four grandchildren. In December, Smith completed her English degree at Queens University in Charlotte. She will receive her undergraduate degree in May. "Education is important to me," Smith said. "I am an avid newspaper reader. I do prefer print. I like for my thoughts to be challenged. I'm also interested in community activities involving children." Smith said she's reached an age where she can give back some to the community. She particularly likes to be involved with activities related to reading or literacy. Smith attends the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Hickory. creech@wilsontimes.com | 265-7822 |
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| View Comments: | | | | (21 comments) |
@ Heart said...
Eddie will be missed, as the others. I really enjoyed chatting with Eddie
Monday, January 26, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Uh OH! said...Eddie will be missed, as the others. I really enjoyed chatting with Eddie
Monday, January 26, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Well, another one bites the dust! Poor E.F. was let go by a reliable source form the WDT. LOOK OUT you oldie but goodies!
Friday, January 23, 2009 at 9:51 AM
How UNFAIR, Well I see it seems that Mr. Dickerman really does not care at all about" LOYAL EMPLOYEES" that he has had working for him in the past. Let's see it has been Charlotte, Judy, Mary, James and now Wayne. Who will it be next? Look out WDT Employees, your days could be numbered?
Friday, January 16, 2009 at 2:10 PM
First rule in advertising, Advertising makes possible the free press!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 12:02 PM
It's about the quality of the news content. I don't see what that has to do with an advertising director.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 11:22 AM
