Ayrika Whitney
About Ayrika Whitney
Ayrika Whitney serves as the Manager of the South Region Digital Optimization Team at Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK, where she coordinates multimedia projects and trains journalists in digital skills. She has a background in photojournalism and has held various roles in digital production and visual journalism across several media organizations.
Work at Gannett
Ayrika Whitney currently serves as the Manager of the South Region Digital Optimization Team at Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK. In this role, she has been instrumental in coordinating multimedia and digital storytelling projects across five states in the South Region. Her responsibilities include training reporters, producers, and visual journalists in livestreaming and audio editing, emphasizing the importance of multimedia production within the organization.
Previous Experience in Digital Media
Prior to her current position, Ayrika Whitney worked as a Lead Digital Producer Multimedia for the USA TODAY NETWORK from 2020 to 2021. She also served as a Digital/Video Producer at the Tennessean from 2017 to 2020, where she focused on creating engaging digital content. Additionally, she worked as a Visual Journalist at The Leaf-Chronicle from 2016 to 2017, contributing to visual storytelling in the Clarksville, Tennessee area.
Internship and Early Career
Ayrika Whitney began her career in media as a Photography Intern at the Daily Hampshire Gazette in 2013. This two-month internship in Northampton, Massachusetts, provided her with foundational experience in photography and journalism. She also worked as a Freelance Photographer for GateHouse Media from 2013 to 2016, where she developed her skills in visual communication.
Education and Expertise
Ayrika Whitney earned a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication from Ohio University, specializing in Photojournalism with a focus on Sports Administration and Management. She studied from 2009 to 2013, gaining a strong foundation in visual storytelling and media production, which she applies in her current role and throughout her career.