BusinessWeek reorganizes, confirms dozen layoffs

BusinessWeek announced internally a reorganization of its editorial operations and the fact that it was laying off a dozen editorial and business staff members. A spokeswoman would not discuss specific employees affected or their last day at work.

Here is the memo (the layoffs are buried after the jump) from editor in chief Stephen Adler:

Colleagues:

For the past three years, we’ve been moving progressively toward integrating our print and digital operations – by increasing reporters’ contributions to Businessweek.com, combining our overseas bureaus and copy-desk teams, and seating together everyone within a given coverage area. Today we complete this vital transformation by creating a single editorial organization for BusinessWeek. The new structure will enable us to collaborate more effectively, take greater advantage of everyone’s abilities, learn new skills, and serve our readers and Web users better.Â

Under this new structure, one chief editor will supervise all work in print and online in a particular coverage area. Each chief will report jointly to Executive Editors John Byrne and Ellen Pollock, both of whom will continue to report to me. Here’s the lineup:Â

News Chief: Brian BremnerÂ

Finance/Personal Finance Chief: Frank ComesÂ

Small Business Chief: Jim EllisÂ

Tech Chief: Peter ElstromÂ

Science Chief: Neil GrossÂ

Corporations/Workplace Chief: Mary KuntzÂ

Innovation Chief: Bruce NussbaumÂ

Global and Policy Chief: Chris PowerÂ

The chief editors will get in touch with everyone who will work within their groups later today or tomorrow. We’ll phase in the new structure between now and Jan. 1. Let’s plan on a staff meeting for early January to discuss all this further.Â

In other new assignments springing from this reorganization, Dan Beucke will become BusinessWeek.com News Director, reporting to Brian Bremner; and Suzanne Woolley will become Senior Editor for Personal Finance, reporting to Frank Comes.Â

While we’ll all be working together editorially regardless of delivery platform, we’ll continue to sweat the production details that enable us to create both a topflight magazine and a first-rate Web site. Recognizing the special skills required to excel in these two very different media, I am appointing Ciro Scotti as managing editor of the magazine and Martin Keohan as managing editor of the Web site to ensure that we preserve the highest possible quality as we produce each product – and that we meet our various deadlines.Â

Ciro joined BusinessWeek in 1978, after reporting stints at daily newspapers. Since 2005, he has been an assistant managing editor, deftly overseeing production of the magazine, writing the very best cover headlines, and casting a sharp editorial eye over all our copy. Previously, he was a senior editor, responsible for the copy desk and for government and sports-business coverage. Ciro will continue to report to Ellen Pollock.Â

Since 2003, Martin has served as director of editorial operations for BusinessWeek.com, skillfully ensuring collaboration and efficiency among the news and channel editors, copy desk, art department, production, and technology. Prior to his role with BusinessWeek.com, Martin served as editorial director for BusinessWeek Events, where he created the BW50 Forum and the CEO Summit Series. Martin will continue to report to John Byrne.Â

Unfortunately, in connection with the reorganization, a small number of our editorial colleagues will be leaving BusinessWeek. It’s exceedingly difficult to part with valued co-workers, and decisions to eliminate positions aren’t made lightly. I want to thank those who are leaving for all their good work and wish them well in new endeavors.Â

Despite the challenges of the past few years, our journalism has been extraordinarily strong, and both readers and online users clearly have taken notice.Â

— Our total magazine readership was up 3% in the last MRI tally, to over 4.9 million, more than at any time since 1998;Â

— Newsstand sales were up 25% in the latest report, while most of our competitors were down or flat;Â

— We achieved a new online usage record in November with 64.7 million page views.

As our new organization takes shape over the next couple of weeks, I’m confident that it will build on these achievements and create exciting opportunities for the BusinessWeek team. Congratulations to all on their new assignments. Â