Caché McClay, a multimedia reporter, has been chosen to cover a new beat focused on the renowned entrepreneur and legendary singer, songwriter, and actress Beyoncé Knowles-Carter for The Tennessean and USA TODAY Network.
According to ClutchPoints, Gannett, which owns over 200 daily newspapers, began looking for reporters to cover Beyoncé and Taylor Swift in September. The media conglomerate wanted to hire these individuals through their Nashville-based newspapers, The Tennessean and USA Today.
Michael Anastasi, editor of The Tennessean and vice president of Gannett for local news, said that Gannett deliberately sought out “modern storytellers” with experience in print, audio, and visual journalism. McClay was the ideal candidate for their needs.
“We are so very excited to launch what will prove to be unparalleled coverage of an amazing businesswoman and artist. Caché is well prepared for this role, and her unique experience will further strengthen our extraordinary team of music journalists,” said Anastasi.
The new role is part of a national Gannett effort to increase its digital audience. The post demands close monitoring of Beyonce’s complicated business and entertainment empire, which includes, among other things, the impending film about her $580 million-grossing Renaissance World Tour and a new perfume line.
McClay told USA Today, “I grew up in a Beyoncé household; my mother and sister are fans. More than playing music, Beyoncé’s impact has shown us the possibilities are endless.”
The Cleveland, Ohio, native expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m excited to dive deeper into her evolution as a businesswoman and to be in Music City. There are so many different moving parts to her business.”
The appointee earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Howard University in 2017 and has worked as a writer and digital producer for Hearst Television, NBC News, and BBC News. She most recently worked as an entertainment reporter for TMZ in Los Angeles.