McLean, Va., May 02, 2012 – Today, Hilton Worldwide and USA TODAY announced a new multi-year print and digital alliance, offering all guests at Hilton Worldwide brands in the U.S.  complimentary 24-hour access to customized digital content from Gannett publications, including USA TODAY. As an added benefit, members of Hilton HHonors, the loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s 10 distinct hotel brands, will also gain exclusive access to online entertainment through the Hilton HHonors Guest Portal, powered by USA TODAY.

These offerings create a unique online hospitality amenity, providing unmatched global news and local insider information, while also keeping each guest connected to their hometown news.

Guests staying at hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio in the U.S. will start to see changes to the digital offerings beginning this summer, with a full rollout scheduled for the fall.

Travelers not only crave news to stay connected while they travel, but they also want to maximize their experience with trusted local insights across multiple sources, according to independent research commissioned by USA TODAY*. The research also revealed that more than 70 percent of frequent U.S. travelers expect and look forward to receiving the national newspaper as part of their hotel experience.

“Hilton Worldwide stays at the forefront of the hospitality industry by understanding the needs of our guests,” said Paul Brown, president, brands & commercial services, Hilton Worldwide. “Staying current with emerging trends and technologies is something our guests not only demand, but deserve–and our alliance with USA TODAY helps in that progression.”

Convenience, as well as flexibility, will be at the core of this new print and digital alliance, giving guests a choice on the content they see, as well as how they see it. Copies of USA TODAY, the nation’s top-selling print newspaper, will continue to be available for guests. Additionally, through the high-speed internet homepage on personal laptops, smart phones, tablets or business center computers, guests will have direct and exclusive access to online content throughout their stay to make the most of their travel experience, including:

• Comprehensive regional, national and international news
• Unique local guides, restaurant reviews and insights
• Customized digital content that will keep each guest connected to their hometown news

Hilton HHonors members will also have access to premium online entertainment through the Hilton HHonors guest portal, powered by USA TODAY. Hilton HHonors tier status will determine the extent and variety of media available to each member, which, upon full launch, will include books, magazines, games, and other entertainment content.

“This product brings together the best of multi-media news and information with the best of hospitality,” said Dave Hunke, chairman, USA TODAY. “We’re looking forward to launching this first-of-its-kind product, created for a global, multi-brand hotel company, and continuing our long-standing relationship with Hilton Worldwide.”

For more information, or to become a member of Hilton HHonors, visit HHonors.com.

About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,800 hotels and timeshare properties, with 630,000 rooms in 88 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

About Hilton HHonors
Hilton HHonors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s 10 distinct hotel brands, offers its 30 million members more ways to earn and redeem points than any other guest-loyalty program, enabling them to create experiences worth sharing at more than 3,800 hotels in 88 countries. HHonors members can now redeem points for any room, anywhere, anytime, including the most luxurious suites, using any of four room rewards: Premium Room Rewards, Room Upgrade Rewards, Points & Money Rewards and Standard Room Rewards. In addition, HHonors members can use points to purchase unique experience rewards, merchandise and vacation packages, make charitable contributions and more. HHonors is also the only guest-loyalty program to offer ‘No Blackout Dates’ and ‘Points & Miles’ for the same stay at its properties worldwide, including participating Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels& Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. Membership in HHonors is free, and travelers may enroll online by visiting www.HiltonHHonors.com or connect with Hilton HHonors at news.hiltonhhonors.com.

About USA TODAY
USA TODAY is a multi-platform news and information media company. Founded in 1982, USA TODAY’s mission is to serve as a forum for better understanding and unity to help make the USA truly one nation. Today, through its newspaper, website and mobile platforms, USA TODAY connects readers and engages the national conversation. USA TODAY, the nation's number one newspaper in print circulation with an average of nearly 1.8 million daily, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning newspaper website launched in 1995, reach a combined 5.4 million readers daily. USA TODAY is a leader in mobile applications with more than ten million downloads on mobile devices.  The USA TODAY brand also includes USA TODAY Education, the USA TODAY Sports Media Group and the USA TODAY Travel Media Group. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI).

*TODAY’S CONNECTED TRAVELER STUDY commissioned by USA TODAY and conducted by Latitude.