Layoffs at Rogers

Rogers Communications Inc. is the latest in a series of big media companies to layoff employees.

The company has laid off about 100 people this week, approximately 65 of them from its media properties. Thirty-three people lost their jobs at the Toronto Blue Jays franchise.

According to the Financial Post, the cuts amount to just under 2% of the company’s total staff.

In a memo to employees, posted on Masthead Online, Rogers Publishing president and CEO Brian Segal wrote:

“…conditions in the media industry—in Canada and globally—have been challenging due to the U.S. financial crisis, which has produced sharp decreases in advertising spending.  We are expecting this to continue through most of 2009…we have made the extremely difficult decision to eliminate a number of
positions today in Publishing.  Those affected by this decision were
made aware this morning…

On a more positive note, we will be posting a number of positions that
we are seeking to fill in the near future.  Unfortunately, the
skill-sets required for these positions do not match the skill-sets of
the individuals who have left our company today.  We also plan to
launch new Web properties in growing markets in ’09 and will share more
details about this at an appropriate time.”

Masthead is also reporting that five editorial staffers at Maclean’s have been cut as a part of the layoffs.

The Globe and Mail is reporting that five staffers at Rogers Sportsnet, including reporter-anchor David Bastl have lost their jobs.