AOL Inc. is eliminating about 500 positions at its struggling Patch local-news business, or close to half of the division’s more than 1,000 employees, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.About 350 people will lose their jobs today, and roughly 150 will be asked to stay for 60 more days as the company seeks partners for some of the 900 Patch sites, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. Chief Executive Officer Tim Armstrong, who apologized this week for firing a staff member in front of colleagues, announced the job cuts this morning to Patch workers.Mr. Armstrong, who has said he aims to make Patch profitable by the end of the year, told the staff last week that 400 sites would close down or look for partners, such as other local-news publishers. Today, Mr. Armstrong told employees the company may shutter as many as 20% of the Patch sites, with another 20% destined for partnerships or consolidation, the person said.Patch, which covers school-board meetings, local businesses and other neighborhood stories, has been a costly part of AOL’s strategy to transform the dial-up provider into an advertising-driven content publisher. The company has spent more than $300 million developing the sites, which serve communities and neighborhoods across the country.“Patch’s strategy will be to focus resources against core sites and partner in sites that need additional resources,” AOL said today in an e-mailed statement. “The... Continue reading at 'Crains New York'
[ Crains New York | 2013-08-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Officials in Birmingham are hoping that a deal with the British Library could help protect the flagship Library of Birmingham from cuts. According to a report in the Birmingham Post, the council is initiating talks which could see the Library of Birmingham become a regional centre for the... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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I’m a nostalgic at heart. I have a hard time letting go of things. My wife would probably describe it as low-level hoarding. That may be true. Stashed throughout our apartment are an impressive array of retro sneakers, old hip-hop magazines, comic books, CDs, and stickers. It all harkens back a... Continue reading at Slate
[ Slate | 2014-12-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Local authorities will see their spending power reduced by 1.8% on average in 2015/16, following cuts to funding by the government, but some councils could face a 6.4% reduction. The announcement comes on the same day that the funding of libraries has come under the spotlight with the release... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The UK is looking increasingly isolated in charging 20% VAT on ebooks after two more European countries lowered their rates to be in line with print books. Italy has ruled that VAT on ebooks will be cut from the standard 22% to 4% so it matches the rate imposed on printed books. Meanwhile,... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The New Republic magazine, which reached its 100th anniversary last month, is reducing its frequency to 10 issues a year from 20, moving its headquarters to New York from Washington, D.C., and replacing its editor. Gabriel Snyder will assume the role of editor of chief, succeeding Frank Foer.Mr.... Continue reading at Advertising Age
[ Advertising Age | 2014-12-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hachette UK is consulting with "fewer than 10" people over potential redundancy following the restructure of its group field sales division. Earlier this year the publisher created a new sales structure, with two teams, one headed by Rob Manser and looking after Little, Brown and Orion, and the... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ten roles at the British Museum’s digital media and publishing department, which includes the British Museum Press, are under consultation and at threat of redundancy. The department, which also includes website and broadcast teams, is being restructured to help deliver the museum’s “strategic... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Want to know what international agents, editors and foreign rights specialists see happening in their respective markets? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Time Inc. wants the ability to outsource nearly 200 editorial jobs overseas, according to the Newspaper Guild of New York, which has been locked in an 18-month-long contract negotiation with the nation's largest magazine publisher, owner of People, Sports Illustrated and InStyle, among... Continue reading at Advertising Age
[ Advertising Age | 2014-09-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Paul Tash, CEO and chairman of the Times, announced the cuts in a memo to employees Thursday, citing a difficult summer that resulted in lower than expected revenue. "Newspaper publishing remains a tough business," he wrote. Anticipating jo ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher
[ Editor & Publisher | 2014-09-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In addition to the American contenders Karen Joy Fowler for 'We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves' and Joshua Ferris of 'To Rise Again at a Decent Hour,' other nominees include Richard Flanagan for 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North' and Ali Smith for 'How to Be Both.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-09-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Revenue at Barnes & Noble fell 7% in the first quarter ended August 2, to $1.23 billion, but the retailer cut its net loss to $28.4 million from $87.0 million in the first period of fiscal 2014. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sony Pictures Entertainment has tapped Ryan Doherty for the newly created role of v-p, literary development. Doherty, who will be based in New York City, will be tasked with, per SPE, "pursuing book-to-film-and-television opportunities." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In a letter to her authors, Ellora’s Cave CEO Patty Marks blames the cuts on unexplained declines in ebook sales through Amazon. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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AOL announced last week that ad revenues were up 20 percent for the quarter, due in large part to the growth of its programmatic business. To get a better handle on where advertisers, publishers and agencies stood on programmatic ad buying, it surveyed a selection of them—with most representing... Continue reading at AdWeek
[ AdWeek | 2014-08-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sales of Russian books in the Ukraine have plummeted in 2014 and the Ukrainian government is looking at passing legislation to curtail imports further. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Will Newsquest adopt the same editorial titles (with different pay rates)?Gannett, the largest US newspaper publisher, has created new job titles for editorial staff along with revised descriptions of their duties, as Jim Romenesko reveals.He cites a series of job titles now on offer at one of... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2014-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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More than half of Liverpool's libraries are at risk of closure as the city council looks to... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW has automated the submission process for news about new hires, promotions and departures. Now subscribers can share information about career changes directly with us, though a data entry form on our website. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Louise Braverman has been named director of publicity for Penguin Books and Penguin Classics. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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