Massive Layoffs at Essence Magazine?

After a massive reorganization of Time Inc. on October 29, 2008 - it appears that more bloodletting is to come and coming quickly - December 1st to be exact!

Check this article from Ad Week:

Time Inc. Calls for Buyouts
Nov 11, 2008
-By Lucia Moses, Mediaweek NEW YORK

With a handful of higher-ups already out the door, Time Inc. is moving to the rank-and-file as it, like other publishers, seeks to reduce its workforce in the face of dropping ad revenue.Some of Time Inc.’s biggest magazines have put out the call for at least 83 volunteers to take buyouts, according to memos and staffers at the company.


The news comes as part of the company’s previously announced restructuring and plan to cut its headcount by about 600, or roughly 6 percent of the Time Inc.’s worldwide workforce of 10,200. Sports Illustrated said it is looking for about 40 Newspaper Guild and non-guild volunteers from the editorial side. People is seeking 23 volunteers and Time magazine about 20. Fortune and Money are also looking for volunteers from guild members, but did not specify a number.


Volunteers are asked to come forth by Dec. 1 to avoid involuntary layoffs.


Other, non-Guild cuts are expected to be made throughout the company’s 24 U.S. titles today. “No one’s immune,” said one staffer, who called the mood “extremely grim.” Separately, Brian Wolfe, the newly promoted head of Time Inc.'s consumer marketing and sales organization, announced a restructuring in that division that resulted in 92 layoffs. Under the reorg, vice presidents will be assigned groups of titles and direct their respective consumer marketing activities.


I have been reading quite a few articles regarding what's been going on over at Time Inc. and at other media companies as well. None of the stories mention layoffs at Essence Magazine, but the word on the street is that's where MOST of the major blood letting will occur. Who's surprised here? Certainly not me.....been there done that.


Reorganization ALWAYS hurts the people in lower sector in order to help upper level management keep their nice fat salaries. It sucks.

Makes me glad I retired from the publishing industry in 2005! Whew.

“We're so overburdened with all the bullshit in the system.”