Buzzfeed Australia to axe local news staff as global redundancies bites
Buzzfeed has axed 11 Australian roles this morning, with the majority to come out of the news room.
The news comes days after Buzzfeed axed 15% of its roles across the US, UK and other markets, with plans to reduce costs and re-structure its business model.
11 roles are impacted at Buzzfeed Australia
https://twitter.com/simoncrerar/status/1090039245589213185
In a post on Twitter this morning, Simon Crerar, Buzzfeed Australia’s general manager said the consultation period for those impacted would run for at least a week. Mumbrella understands 25 people will enter consultation period, with 11 jobs to go. Buzzfeed Australia currently has approximately 40 staff.
Political editor at Buzzfeed Australia, Alice Workman, said every single member of the Australian news team has been sent a “consultation” letter.
https://twitter.com/workmanalice/status/1090034191901745152
Current and former Buzzfeed Australia staff have expressed pain and frustration over the changes:
Every time something bad happens I always tell myself that "worse things happen to better people" but it doesn't work this time because the people I work with are the best people I've ever met in my life. I'm logging off for a bit but I am so proud of every single one of us. https://t.co/HtRpOfXIBm
— Gina Rushton (@ginarush) January 28, 2019
BuzzFeed Oz was my home for three years and it makes me sick watching what's happening. If there's one thing that can be repeated it's the fact that the amazing, talented people at BuzzFeed made the company what it is and BuzzFeed's loss is going to be everyone else's gain.
— Tahlia Pritchard (@Tahls) January 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/MarkDiStef/status/1090035693559123969
After waiting for five days to see if me or my team will be affected by the layoffs, now it turns out I have to wait until my meeting at 3.30pm tomorrow to see if I even have a job!!! How great is clear communication!!!!!!!! 🙃
— jemima✨ (@jemimaskelley) January 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/bradesposito/status/1090039034682855424
https://twitter.com/Rob_Stott/status/1090042296618311680
However a Buzzfeed spokesperson told Mumbrella the business was still committed to the Australian market.
“We’ve built a strong brand, loyal audience, and growing business in Australia and BuzzFeed remains committed to building on that foundation for the long-term,” the spokesperson said.
The latest announcement comes almost two years after Buzzfeed re-structured its US arm, with approximately 100 redundancies, and six months since the organisation made 20 people redundant – and hired 45 – as part of changes to its business.
In October last year, Workman was awarded journalist of the year – large publication, at Mumbrella’s Publish Awards. Mark Di Stefano, who currently works in the UK, took out the 2017 award.
Cold comfort for those affected, but obviously a reflection of how challenging the digital publishing model remains (irrespective of whether you are a traditional publisher or a new age digital publisher), rather than the quality of people involved. Very sad for all involved, just as it has been for the thousands of smart, high-quality people who have lost their jobs over the years in traditional media.
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One does not wish to be unkind, but there does appear to be a surfeit of news platforms.
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There used to be a lot more voices in local media. Most newspaper markets had more daily and weekly newspapers. Radio and TV were independent not part of networks. The concentration now is quite scary.
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A case of the disrupter being disrupted?
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buzzfeed is cancer
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Killed by Facebook. When your business model revolves around social referrals it’s unsustainable.
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Obviously sorry for those involved but for most people the surprise is that Buzzfeed is still going?
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