Layoffs at Bloomberg Businessweek’s online operations

TALKING BIZ NEWS EXCLUSIVE

Bloomberg Businessweek, which has had a number of layoffs during the past two years, is cutting an undisclosed number of staff members on Tuesday.

The cuts are apparently in the online staff of the magazine, according to sources close to the situation.

The magazine was acquired by Bloomberg LP in December 2009. Before and after that transaction, dozens of staffers have lost their jobs due to layoffs and buyouts.

Heather Carpenter, a magazine spokeswoman, sent Talking Biz News this statement: “The process of integrating the two organizations is an on-going one. As such, there was a small reduction of employees on the editorial side of Businessweek.com today.”

Talking Biz News has confirmed the names of two staff members who lost their jobs. They are Phil Mintz and Will Andrews.

In a goodbye e-mail to the staff, Andrews wrote, “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with all of you.” In his goodbye e-mail, Mintz wrote, “Thanks to all for a great six years. I’ll miss everyone and root for your continued success.”

It is unclear whether the looming Dec. 1 deadline for when Bloomberg must honor Businessweek’s severance agreement played a role in the cuts.

Mintz was news editor for Businessweek.com. He joined the magazine in 2005 and became editor of Businessweek.com’s Business Schools channel in 2006. During his tenure the Business Schools channel won two National Magazine Awards.

Andrews was managing editor of Businessweek.com’s Investing channel. He has followed the ups and downs of the financial markets in various editorial capacities at Businessweek.com and sister company Standard & Poor’s since 1983