• by Ray Schultz , November 28, 2024

The recent layoff at Hearst affected 192 people, higher than the initial outside estimates. 

The information was reported by New York magazine, based on input from Zach Lennon-Simon, co-chair of the Hearst union. The initial report by The Wrap put the number at around 60.  

The November 21 cuts “will enable us to take care of our business for the long term,” says Debi Chirichella, president of Hearst Magazines, in a memo to the staff. “We’ll prioritize areas where we can deliver the highest impact and drive growth and continue to focus on producing the highest-quality storytelling, advertising solutions and digital experiences.” 

While the largest in numbers, the Hearst layoff was not the only one hitting publishers during the holiday season.  

In another, iHeartMedia laid off 13 staffers, including news director Chris Little, according to a report in PopCulture. Los Angeles radio station KFI-AM 

In addition, Digital outlet Now This has laid off 13 journalists, the UK's Press Gazette reports. It adds, “The barebones group of remaining salaried workers at Now This will now be forced to meet tight deadlines and increasing pressure without proper teams to support them… At the start of 2022, there were 65 unit members at Now This. Today, only eight remain.”

And, the Associated Press is planning cuts affecting 8% of staff.