Discovery Adds To The Layoff Announcements

In my blog the end of last month, I noted the slew of end of year job layoffs across the media industry.  With the holidays coming and deep into Q4, those notices would only continue.  Although just announced in the press, it is my understanding that layoff notices at Discovery were received last week.  Per Multichannel, it was " a decision to consolidate its regional offices, leaving only a senior executive in cities like Detroit and Atlanta rather than a larger sales team."  Layoffs affected more than the ad sales group as affiliate sales and other functions were also hit.

 As for the programmer community, Discovery, Scripps, Fox, AMC, and others have all seen layoffs at their respective companies.  Given consolidation occurring at the cable operator levels, programming companies could see similar consolidation in the coming year.  And that will only mean more layoffs.  With more content heading toward digital, less people are needed to run affiliate sales and marketing.  And the ad sales efforts continue to get more automated and programmatic.  But like all we have seen before it, this move is cyclical and at some point more employees will again be needed to fun new monetization opportunities. 

the move also reflects a decision to consolidate its regional offices, leaving only a senior executive in cities like Detroit and Atlanta rather than a larger sales team. - See more at: http://www.multichannel.com/news/advertising/discovery-latest-cut-back-staffers/385840#sthash.RU1cW7QN.dpuf

the move also reflects a decision to consolidate its regional offices, leaving only a senior executive in cities like Detroit and Atlanta rather than a larger sales team. - See more at: http://www.multichannel.com/news/advertising/discovery-latest-cut-back-staffers/385840#sthash.RU1cW7QN.dpuf