College of Media and Entertainment Board of Trust: Laura Hollingsworth

Laura Hollingsworth
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Opry Entertainment Group/Ryman Hospitality Properties
Nashville, TN

Laura Hollingsworth oversees Opry Entertainment Group’s brand vision and strategy and shapes the stories for its iconic and newly-developed entertainment and experiential brands.

In her past positions, she has provided strategic oversight for 26 Gannett media markets throughout the Central US (see below). 

Hollingsworth serves on several boards including the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Middle Tennessee United Way and the Nashville Downtown Partnership. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

President and Publisher
The Tennessean, Tennessean Media Group?
May 2013 – Present (2 years 6 months)Nashville, TN
Midwest Group President, U.S. Community Publishing, Gannett Company, Inc.
Gannett Co., Inc.
May 2008 – May 2013 (5 years 1 month) 

Responsibility and oversight for 22 Gannett media markets throughout the mid-states region of the U.S.

President and Publisher
The Des Moines Register (Gannett Co., Inc.)
August 2007 – May 2013 (5 years 10 months)

General Manager
Gannett Co., Inc. / The Des Moines Register
August 2005 – August 2007 (2 years 1 month)

Vice-President / Advertising
The Des Moines Register / Gannett Co., Inc.
July 2002 – August 2005 (3 years 2 months)

Advertising Director
The Lansing State Journal / The Gannett Co., Inc.
December 1999 – June 2002 (2 years 7 months)

Retail Advertising Manager
The Rockford Register Star / The Gannett Co., Inc.
August 1997 – December 1999 (2 years 5 months)

Retail Advertising Manager
The Olympian / The Gannett Co., Inc.
September 1994 – August 1997 (3 years)