Digital publishers shuttering Gothamist, DNAinfo; Condé Nast closes print side of Teen Vogue; BHG experiences new growth
Movement can happen quickly for digital publishers, especially in a space where evolutions in technology are constant. Today’s news highlights stories from publishers who have closed or lessened their content offerings. We’ll also visit the opposite side of the spectrum by discussing a digital publisher that is growing.
We begin today with the shuttering of DNAinfo and Gothamist. NY Times reports, “A week ago, reporters and editors in the combined newsroom of DNAinfo and Gothamist, two of New York City’s leading digital purveyors of local news, celebrated victory in their vote to join a union.”
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“On Thursday, they lost their jobs, as Joe Ricketts, the billionaire founder of TD Ameritrade who owned the sites, shut them down.”
The article continued with the reasoning for the merging DNAinfo and the Gothamist initially. “Merging DNAinfo and Gothamist was intended to ease some of the financial strain. But the two sites were an odd mix. DNAinfo specialized in street-level reporting on neighborhood issues not covered in other media, including real estate developments and crime. Gothamist brought a puckish attitude to articles that were sometimes original, sometimes based on news published elsewhere.”
Our next story looks at the downsizing of Condé Nast as it announces its shuttering of the Teen Vogue’s print edition. WWD reports, “The New York-based publisher, which has instilled a hiring freeze, will slash about 80 jobs, equal to a decrease of about 2.5 percent of its 3,000-person workforce. Budgets across departments are also expected to get a haircut, with the worst-performing divisions and magazines getting cuts of up to 20 percent.”
“As part of that mandate, Condé is reducing the frequencies of most of its titles and will shutter Teen Vogue in print. Monthly titles Vanity Fair, Vogue, Wired and The New Yorker, which publishes weekly, will not see any frequency changes. Brides, which runs six times a year, will also continue at that publishing pace.”
Digital publishers at Condé Nast have experienced a lot of change over the past year, and the article continues with a summation of it. “The year began with a reorganization that upended the publisher’s business and editorial teams after it let go of about 100 employees. On the edit side, creative, copy and research teams were combined across the company’s portfolio, which many have said has been a bumpy transition.”
Our final story serves as a balancing act that portrays the growth that other digital publishers are experiencing. This story focuses on Meredith’s Better Homes and Gardens. FIPP reports, “Over the last year, Meredith’s Better Homes and Gardens, a lifestyle, home and food brand has grown its audience, engagement and share of market through a successful formula of editorial initiatives that deliver solutions to its audience needs.”
The article continues with how this happened. “…what has changed is the brand connecting with the next generation of homeowners, those who are putting down roots, buying or renting their first homes. This idea of connecting with first-time homeowners gave life to The Firsts, a multiplatform initiative that celebrates those bragging rights.”
“Better Homes & Gardens has thrived by being in tune with its growing readership and consistently delivering content that its audience is looking for. Ultimately, the secret to this brand’s success is its ability to evolve based on audience demands, while continuing to stay true to its roots.”
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