Digital Trends lays off at least 13 editorial staffers

Portland technology news site Digital Trends has laid off at least 13 editorial staffers.

Among those laid off was Lisa Marie Segarra, who joined the publication earlier this year from Fortune magazine. She was the gaming section editor.

Also laid off was Meira Gebel, a reporter covering everything internet and tech culture related. Previously, she was working as a tech fellow and freelance writer at Business Insider.

“We have recently announced several staffing updates to our team, as part of our plan to support our rapidly growing business lines,” said a Digital Trends spokesperson in an email.  “This includes the hiring of more than 30 full-time employees, as well as the elimination of 17 existing positions. These changes will enable Digital Trends to optimize our operations and focus on the highest-performing and fastest-growing areas of our business. We are extremely grateful to those parting ways with us for their incredible contributions, and we are providing them with generous support packages.  And we look forward to welcoming new skills and talents to our team as we continue to grow.”

Also laid off were:

• assistant managing editor Matthew Katz;
• audiovisual section editor Jaron Schneider;
• news editor Paul Squire, who joined in March;
• audiovisual staff writer Nick Woodard;
• Juliana Jara, managing editor at Digital Trends en Espanol;
• associate editor Maria Teresa Lopes;
• reporter Allison Matyus;
• Greg Nibler, host of Digital Trends Live and Podcasts;
• booking producer Jess Surbaugh; and
• Jake Rossman, head of live content.

Digital Trends faced a culture crisis earlier this year when current and former employees accused it of being a hostile workplace, racially insensitive and lacking diversity among employees.