Gannett on Wall Street's hot seat Wednesday

GCI executives, under pressure to launch a new strategic plan, talk to stock analysts this week about where they think business is headed next year. The meetings are part of the twice-annual presentations big media makes to the powerful analysts who often hold sway over a company's stock price. Gannett's audience Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET is the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference. GCI says it plans to talk about "strategic initiatives, particularly its digital strategy, and the company’s outlook for 2008." It's 85 dailies, 23 TV stations and other divisions include the Lansing State Journal (left).

Tough questions from analysts ought to include: Does Gannett plan to split into more than one company? That's what some Wall Streeters want. GCI's position so far has been a big fat no. But if Gannett's going to do an about-face, look for that news well before 9:30 a.m. ET, when stock markets open. News that big typically gets announced long before trading has started, or soon after it ends.

I expect GCI's contingent will include CEO Craig Dubow (left), CFO Gracia Martore, Newpaper Division President Sue Clark-Johnson and possibly USA Today Publisher Craig Moon.

I might live-blog at least part of the event. GCI is webcasting it, too; details here on how to watch.

[Images: Dubow, Gannett; today's State Journal, Newseum]