- American Media, Inc., former owner of the National Enquirer and current owner of at least a dozen celebrity and fitness magazines, laid off at least 23 editorial staffers, according to former employees and documents obtained by Business Insider.
- The cuts come a week after the entire editorial staff of American Media property Men's Journal was cut.
- American Media became notorious for its ownership of National Enquirer, which is sold in 2019 following a series of major scandals.
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American Media, Inc., owner of at least a dozen fitness and celebrity magazines, continued a wave of layoffs Monday, cutting at least 23 positions, according to former employees and documents obtained by Business Insider.
Editorial staffers at nearly all levels were affected, including associate editors, digital writers, an executive editor, a video producer and reporter, and other staff. The decision was part of a larger reorganization of the company's Celebrity Digital Group, which includes publications US Weekly, InTouch, OK! Magazine, Closer, and Star. One source said digital teams for OK! and Star magazines were particularly hard hit.
The layoffs come a week after The New York Post reported that American Media publication Men's Journal was laying off its entire editorial staff, estimated to be around 20 employees, and moving to Carlsbad, California. Weeks earlier, in February, American Media sold off three fitness publications and the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding competition for $70 million, according to The Post.
In 2019, American Media agreed to sell its most notorious publication National Enquirer following a series of major scandals.
Layoffs have continued to plague the media industry, with many print publications struggling to adjust to the digital age, and with many digital publications failing to reach profitability after years of experimentation under venture capital.
In 2019, a wave of layoffs hit the industry, with Business Insider tallying at least 7,800 jobs lost.
In a statement provided to Business Insider, a representative for American Media said, "Like many in the industry who have been negatively impacted by algorithm changes at Google, Facebook and others, American Media is right-sizing the cost base to the revenue base with strategic decisions that improve efficiencies and profitability."
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