Journalsticks is reporting that after relaunching their Website last week into a more blog-like look, Essence magazine laid off its Web team today citing budgetary reasons. An insider told J’sticks: “This is normal practice. Companies relaunch with new [site] schemes that allow them to do more with less, then they cut staff.”
Gawker reported that there were a total of 18 Essence staffers fired. In addition to letting go of the Web team, Journalsticks says Essence let go of 4 Editors, and that Emil Wilbekin remains on staff as the Deputy Editor.
Bad news for the afrosphere. It is hard out here for a black publication.