When Gannett will report 2009 executive pay

Spanning 16 years, that list (left) shows the dates when Corporate released the annual shareholders proxy report -- the much-anticipated document showing salaries, plus bonuses and other benefits for the five highest-paid Gannett executives.

We should see the 2009 version around March 15 -- a week from Monday. I say that because Gannett has been very consistent in distributing proxy materials around mid-March as far back as 1994, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission records show. (Last year's report was released March 17.)

As it was a year ago, this year's proxy report will be especially illuminating because it will show how much the board of directors paid the top brass during a year of wage freezes, unpaid furloughs, and mass layoffs wiping out more than 6,000 jobs.

This table shows the five highest-paid in 2008.

Whatever the filing date, these four executives are likely to be in this year's big-bucks line-up:

1. Craig Dubow, Chairman and CEO
2. Gracia Martore, now President and Chief Operating Officer, but Chief Financial Officer last year
3. Bob Dickey, president of the U.S. newspaper division
4. Paul Davidson, chairman and CEO of the U.K. Newsquest unit

No. 5 will likely be either USA Today Publisher Dave Hunke or Chief Digital Officer Chris Saridakis.

Earlier: Recent stock option awards hint at 2009 paydays