Layoffs begin at BusinessWeek

TALKING BIZ NEWS EXCLUSIVE

The expected second round of layoffs at BusinessWeek began on Thursday.

Among those cut were Tom Lowry, who covered media and marketing, and Michelle Conlin, who covered workplace issues.

Lowry, who has been at the magazine for more than a decade, declined to comment other than to confirm he had been laid off. Conlin confirmed via e-mail that she lost her job.

UPDATE: Senior writer Nanette Byrnes confirmed to Talking Biz News that she was also laid off. Byrnes has been a senior writer since March 2003, specializing in corporate finance and management. She was previously associate editor, Corporations department editor, and a finance correspondent in the Los Angeles bureau.

Steve LeVine, correspondent in the Washington bureau who covered energy, also confirmed that he was laid off. LeVine, who worked for The Wall Street Journal, said, “Anyone in the business would have been foolish not to be planning ahead for a day like today. I feel surprisingly chipper. There are a lot of opportunities out there as long as one is flexible, and I am.

LeVine also added: “I also think that the BusinessWeek crew knows what it’s doing. I would not have included me on today’s layoff list, but I am biased. Generally, I think that Josh has produced a very impressive redesign. No one knows for sure what is going to work to pull print through. He stands as good a chance as anyone.”

Meanwhile, Washington bureau chief Jane Sasseen took a buyout offer. “I wanted to leave; it was my decision,” she said. “My plans for the moment are to go on vacation and rediscover what it’s like to read a novel.”

Also, associate editor Spencer Ante, who wrote about computers and technology, confirmed he is no longer with the magazine. “It is true, I am no longer working for Bloomberg BusinessWeek,” said Ante. “I wanted to leave, and am excited to be moving on to new and exciting challenges. I wish all of my former colleagues the best in their endeavors.”

Almost all of the art and photo departments have also lost their jobs, said one source. Media Buyer Planner says a total of 25 BusinessWeek staffers are losing their jobs.

Bloomberg L.P. acquired the business magazine in early December. Before that, the magazine cut dozens of editorial positions. Under new editor Josh Tyrangiel, a new round of layoffs are occurring as the magazine relies more heavily on content produced by Bloomberg staffers.

Lowry was a senior writer for the magazine covering media and entertainment. Conlin was also a senior writer, covering a beat that included the culture of work, social issues, work-life trends, and the labor market.

This post will be updated when Talking Biz News receives confirmation of additional business journalists laid off at the magazine.