Media Layoffs Continue as Equalpride Axes Staffers at LGBTQ Standouts Out, Advocate and Pride.com
#Equalpride layoffs #LGBTQ media cuts #Out magazine #The Advocate #Pride.com #media industry layoffs #advertising market turmoil #DEI policies
📌 Key Takeaways
- Equalpride laid off staff from multiple LGBTQ media brands including Out, The Advocate, and Pride.com
- The cuts come amid advertising market turmoil and economic challenges affecting the media industry
- CEO Mark Berryhill cited cancellations of major advertising campaigns as impacting the company's finances
- This is the second round of layoffs at Equalpride, following cuts in October
- A source emphasized the particular challenges facing LGBTQ media amid current political climate
📖 Full Retelling
In his memo, Berryhill outlined plans to merge some departments and reassign remaining staff to focus on 'revenue projects that are not tied to advertising dollars,' a strategy increasingly adopted by media companies amid economic challenges and the growing influence of AI technology. The company is scheduled to hold a town hall meeting this week to discuss the restructuring and future direction. Affected leaders shared emotional reflections on their departures, with Cooper calling it a 'dream job' and expressing gratitude to his team, while Shatto highlighted her pride in growing the publication's reach and becoming a 'trusted voice in the media landscape.' A source familiar with the situation emphasized the particular challenges facing media brands serving marginalized communities, noting that 'anti-DEI policies of this administration are really brutal, and it trickles down so much that we're seeing the impact of it.' The source stressed that 'LGBTQ+ media is essential, and it's crucial to have brands dedicated to telling our stories,' especially as the community faces ongoing setbacks in human rights.
🏷️ Themes
Media Industry, LGBTQ Rights, Economic Challenges, Job Cuts
📚 Related People & Topics
Out (magazine)
American LGBTQ magazine
Out is an American LGBTQ news, fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle magazine, with the highest circulation of any LGBTQ monthly publication in the United States. Out was owned by Robert Hardman of Boston, its original investor, until 2000. It then changed hands among LPI Media, PlanetOut Inc., Here...
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Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment There’s a new chapter in the ongoing saga of media layoffs as Equalpride — parent company of standout LGBTQ brands like Out, The Advocate , Pride.com, Out Traveler , Health PLUS Wellness and Advocate Originals — has pink slipped staffers from both editorial and the corporate side including brand partnerships, per a source. Layoffs came last Friday, the source indicated, and a slew of top editors and staffers confirmed the exits with official LinkedIn posts, including The Advocate editor-in-chief Alex Cooper, Pride.com editor-in-chief Rachel Shatto, brand partnerships manager Erin Manley, community editor Marie-Adélina de la Ferriére, Out magazine staff writer Moises Mendez, and more. Out staff writer Bernardo Sim confirmed on Instagram . Related Stories News Crispin Glover Denies Woman's Lawsuit Alleging Grooming, Assault and Civil Rights Violations Movies Jonathan Majors to Star in Action Movie From The Daily Wire Cooper, who had been with the company in various roles since June 2021, shared that he was losing a “dream job,” adding, “Few people have had the privilege of leading this legendary LGBTQ+ news outlet, and I’m deeply honored to have been one of them. To my team: thank you for the last four years. You’ve been the best. For those also affected today, please let me know how I can support you.” Per Shatto, who had been editor-in-chief of the site since June 2021, “It meant the world to me to be part of a publication that made joy its core ethos and told stories that uplifted as much as they informed and entertained. During my time at Pride , I put my heart and soul into connecting with and growing our audience — who, thankfully, responded in kind. I’m proud of the success we had expanding our reach and becoming a trusted voice in the...
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