LocaliQ Achieves SOC 2 Type II Compliance Certification

Rhea-AI Summary

Gannett Co., Inc.'s Digital Marketing Solutions business, LocaliQ, achieves SOC 2 Type II audit and certification, showcasing strong security practices and risk management. The certification enhances trust with partners and customers, validating LocaliQ's control design and effectiveness.

Independent audit demonstrates the company’s extensive security practices to safeguard customers

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- LocaliQ, Gannett Co., Inc.’s (NYSE: GCI) Digital Marketing Solutions (DMS) business, successfully achieved Service Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type II audit and certification, which validates LocaliQ’s robust controls, effective risk management and adherence to industry best practices. LocaliQ is an all-in-one marketing platform used by local businesses across the country to attract, convert and retain customers. The certification provides a greater level of trust for both current and prospective business partners and customers after an extensive review which evaluated LocaliQ’s control design, implementation and operating effectiveness.

Designed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the SOC 2 Type II auditing procedure examines a company’s commitment to data privacy and information security standards through five key criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy. Obtaining SOC 2 Type II certification demonstrates rigorous safeguards protecting clients’ sensitive information and reassures stakeholders that client data is in capable hands.

“After an extensive auditing process, we are proud that LocaliQ is a SOC 2 Type II certified company,” said Chris Cho, President of Digital Marketing Solutions at Gannett. “This certification validates our commitment to the highest compliance standards in customer security and privacy, which is especially crucial to our many customers in heavily regulated industries like healthcare.”

The certification solidifies LocaliQ in the industry and allows the company to expand its partnerships with new clients who seek to only work with certified marketing technology companies.

To learn more about LocaliQ, visit www.localiq.com.

ABOUT GANNETT

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a scalable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve. Our current portfolio of trusted media brands includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, uses innovation and software to enable small and medium-sized businesses to grow, and USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, our events division, creates impactful consumer engagements, promotions, and races.

ABOUT LOCALIQ

LocaliQ is an all-in-one marketing platform used by local businesses across the country to attract, convert and retain customers. A subsidiary of Gannett, LocaliQ has the local trust to evolve the way business owners reach the audiences that matter most. LocaliQ's proprietary technology leverages data and insights to optimize cross-channel marketing and deliver relevant messages to consumers with a robust suite that incorporates marketing automation, channel campaign management, CRM, and insight tools. In this digital world, we're on a mission to keep businesses thriving to empower the communities we serve. For more information, visit www.localiq.com.

ABOUT SOC 2

SOC 2 is a component of the American Institute of CPAs' (AICPA)'s Service Organization Control reporting platform. SOC 2 reports assess and attest to an organization's controls per AICPA's 5 Trust Service Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. SOC 2 includes a technical audit and confirmation that comprehensive information security policies and procedures are documented and followed.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements relating to whether the transaction will drive Gannett’s revenue and cash flow growth, or result in an expansion of Gannett’s client base, are all forward looking statements. These statements represent our opinions, expectations, beliefs, intentions, estimates or strategies regarding the future, which may not be realized. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “expect,” “predict,” “potential,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “ongoing,” “future” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially and/or significantly different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, see the risks and other factors detailed in Gannett’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Gannett’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and each of Gannett’s other filings with the SEC, in each case as such factors may be updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Gannett disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240312069087/en/

Lark-Marie Antón

Chief Communications Officer

(646) 906-4087

lark@gannett.com

Source: Gannett Co., Inc.

FAQ

What audit did LocaliQ achieve?

LocaliQ achieved the SOC 2 Type II audit and certification.

What does the SOC 2 Type II audit validate?

The audit validates LocaliQ's robust controls, effective risk management, and adherence to industry best practices.

Who is the parent company of LocaliQ?

Gannett Co., Inc. is the parent company of LocaliQ.

What is LocaliQ?

LocaliQ is Gannett Co., Inc.'s Digital Marketing Solutions business, an all-in-one marketing platform for local businesses.

What does the SOC 2 Type II certification provide?

The certification provides a higher level of trust for current and potential business partners and customers.