After relaunching their website last week, Essence magazine laid off its web team today citing budgetary reasons.
“They told us it was downsizing,” says one Essence employee. “We’re very confused. We worked so hard for the relaunch.”
Another insider tells J’sticks: “This is normal practice. Companines relaunch with new [site] schemes that allow them to do more with less, then they cut staff.”
In addition to letting go of the web team, Essence also let go of some magazine staffers.
Update:
The site’s managing editor, Emil Wilbekin, is still on staff. Steven Psyllos, deputy editor for Essence.com remains as does the photo editor.
Otherwise the ENTIRE web team is gone, appx 12-15 ppl.
4 cuts from Essence staff include: Fashion Assistant,Work & Weath Assistant, one of 3 deputy editors and a special projects director who’s been with the magazine since the 70s.
Breaking: Essence Laysoff Digital Team | Black Web 2.0 4:00 pm on November 4, 2009 Permalink
[...] Angela | Wed, Nov 4, 2009 4:00 pm Via Journalsticks: After relaunching their website last week, Essence magazine laid off its web team today citing [...]
Updated: Time Layoffs Slice Into Essence Magazine’s Web Team « Dominiando 5:45 pm on November 4, 2009 Permalink
[...] news about Time, Inc.‘s layoffs trickling out … Reports from Gawker and urban journalist blog Journalisticks.com said that the company cut 18 staff from Essence magazine, including four editors and “nearly [...]
Paid Content : Updated: Time Layoffs Slice Into Essence Magazine's Web Team 7:46 am on November 5, 2009 Permalink
[...] for the layoffs; our sources say that the number was lower than Gawker and Journalisticks.com initially reported. The cuts come after a social media-centric relaunch of Essence.com last week. Emil Wilbekin, the [...]
Tina E Clark 12:33 pm on November 5, 2009 Permalink
I think it was only a matter of time.. Their readership has aged with the magazine so they should do something different to reach a younger generation.
james m thomas 12:55 pm on November 5, 2009 Permalink
This doesn’t surprise me, essence needs to reinvent themselves somehow. most readers want to read garbage and that’s whats selling.
Vanessa Wesley 12:58 pm on November 5, 2009 Permalink
The people need to start businesses for themselves, market a product that people want and need, my website makinmoneywithvanessa dot info has the product and people are makin 10 to 20 thousand a month this is big essence is old technology
Sole Sistah Sheila 2:13 pm on November 5, 2009 Permalink
They should start their own magazine and use the knowledge they have to benefit themselves.
Lyzabeth 8:53 am on November 6, 2009 Permalink
I am overjoyed! That Web site is one of the worst run in the biz. My good friend applied for a position there and big surprise, received no response to her resume — mainly because they are not big on hiring the best and brightest over at Essence. RIP. Emil, you’re next!
Dominiando » Updated: Time Layoffs Slice Into Essence Magazine’s Web Team 10:01 pm on November 7, 2009 Permalink
[...] for the layoffs; our sources say that the number was lower than Gawker and Journalisticks.com initially reported. The cuts come after a social media-centric relaunch of Essence.com last week. Emil Wilbekin, the [...]
The ESSENCE of the Matter…IMO « Blacks Behaving Badly 5:40 pm on November 9, 2009 Permalink
[...] UponGoogle Journalsticks is reporting that after relaunching their Website last week into a more blog-like look, Essence [...]