RSS
Home
More metro NYC media layoffs -- What's the 'big idea?'
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
The new Madison Avenue?
If Howard Stern (before moving to Sirius Satellite Radio) was the "King of all Media," then New York City is most certainly the "Realm of all Media."
The Metropolitan New York area is home to broadcast and cable television networks, magazine and book publishing and, of course, the advertising industry. But with all of the media layoffs in the past few weeks, you have to wonder what happens to all of these people who make the fiefdom actually run?
On Thursday, Viacom announced 850 layoffs from MTV, VH1, BET and it's ancillary channels and businesses. That's 7% of it's workforce. NBC Universal laid off 500 including 50 at CNBC. But don't we need a financial network now in our darkest hours? The bean counters at NBCU say no. Thus, Donny Deutsch, host of "The Big Idea" is gone. One insider was quoted as saying "now is not the time for a show about success." If any organization is missing the point about success, it would be NBC.
There was a time in this town when television and radio news divisions were untouchable. They were expected to lose money, but the news organizations were what brought prestige, integrity and loyal viewers and listeners to the brand. No more. The networks are cutting news and that's not only bad for society, but bad for all of the media's ancillary businesses in Metro New York.
Book and magazine publishing were busy slashing jobs quicker than Wal Mart was slashing prices at its Valley Stream Wal Mart! Simon & Schuster, Wenner Media and Time Inc have all cut jobs. Last count at Time, Inc was 600! Mags like Rolling Stone, Us, Adweek, Editor & Publisher and Good Housekeeping are sending workers packing.
What's to become of all of these displaced media workers? Back in the day, if you got fired or left one company, you were immediately snatched up by another. But there are no other companies now. People who've spent their careers working in television, radio and print now have to find another career, or, like me, start blogging!
This is how it must've felt for the railroad workers when airplanes started flying.
Related Articles:
Comments
