About 40 people at Rogers Publishing Ltd. had their jobs cut yesterday, sources say. Rogers Publishing employs about 1000 people, meaning about 4% of its workforce was cut.
The layoffs followed other cost-cutting measures by the company, such as restrictions on travel and discretionary spending and freelance budget freezes. At least 100 people in total are reported to have been laid off by Rogers Media, which includes publishing, digital media, radio, television and the Toronto Blue Jays.
The jobs were cut in response to the sour economy and based on a weak advertising outlook for 2009, Brian Segal, president and CEO for Rogers Publishing, said in a memo to staff.
Here are the specific job eliminations we're aware of so far:
- A group publisher in the b-to-b division.
- At least two consumer marketing directors.
- Five people at Maclean's—three in editorial, one librarian and one production staffer.
- Two people at Glow.
- A senior editor at Profit.
- An account manager for the Rogers business group, which includes Profit, MoneySense and Canadian Business.
- An associate art director at Today's Parent. (Note: Today's Parent currently does not have a full-time art director.)
- Eight jobs at CityTV, according to Media in Canada.
- 25 front-office staff at the Toronto Blue Jays, according to the Toronto Star. The Financial Post puts the number at 33.
- Five staff at Rogers Sportsnet, according to the Globe and Mail.
Based on current projections for 2009, no more layoffs are planned, Rogers staff were told at meetings held this morning. But if things get worse, more layoffs will follow, it was added.
Despite the cuts, Rogers is not instituting a hiring freeze, Segal said. The company "will be posting a number of positions that we are seeking to fill in the near future. Unfortunately, the skill-sets required for these positions do not match the skill-sets of the individuals who have left our company today."
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Jaded says: | |
Wow, Torstar really seems to be on a mission to bankrupt one magazine after another.... |
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Lorene Shyba says: | |
Full of terrific information, Thanks!... |