The director of consumer engagement for Gannett’s New Jersey sites is coming to Lafayette as executive editor of The Daily Advertiser and vice president of news for Gannett Louisiana.
James Flachsenhaar begins his new role in mid-March, the Advertiser announced Feb. 25.
Flachsenhaar replaces Cindy McCurry-Ross, who in January was named executive editor and vice president of content at The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla., leaving after only 15 months on the job.
“Flax has a proven track record growing audience and engagement at The Asbury Park Press, one of Gannett’s top properties," Judi Terzotis, president and publisher of The Daily Advertiser and president of Gannett Louisiana, said in announcing the new hire. “He understands and values the vital role community journalism plays in our local markets.”
Before he was director of consumer engagement, Flachsenhaar was managing director for content and audience development for Gannett New Jersey, executive editor of The Daily Record in Parsipanny, N.J., and executive editor of the Bridgewater News in Bridgewater, N.J.
“We plan to elevate every aspect of our performance, from watchdog reporting to local news to deepening our connection to audiences in print, digitally and, especially, face to face,” Flachsenhaar said in the announcement. “In short, we want to use our journalism, our connections and our love of community to be your local heroes.” (We’re not sure what that means.)
Gannett’s Louisiana sites include the Opelousas Daily World, Monroe News-Star, Alexandria Town Talk and the Shreveport Times.