Published
Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 16:09
- The layoffs affect 20-30 full-time staff members.
New York-based culture publication PAPER Magazine has laid off its entire staff.
First reported by Adweek on Wednesday, April 27th, and confirmed by the staff on social media, the entire editorial team of 20-30 members have been affected by the layoffs.
Publisher Tom Florio, who was the former Condé Nast publishing director of Vogue, Teen Vogue, Bon Appétit and Condé Nast Traveler, acquired PAPER Magazine under his company ENTtech Media Group in 2017. He reportedly cited last year's decrease in advertising as the reason for the cuts. Florio didn't immediately respond for comment.
"It was a surprise but deep down I felt something was coming," PAPER news editor Jade Gomez told Resident Advisor. The news came during the company-wide meeting that morning and was effective immediately, she explained. "Happens a lot in media sadly. Rug gets ripped out from under you. Honestly, everyone is still in shock." PAPER's layoffs follow a flurry of media cuts and shut-downs across the industry, including gal-dem, NPR and Buzzfeed News.
Gomez confirmed editor-in-chief Justin Moran will be staying on until the end of May to facilitate the remaining stories, but all other editorial operations will cease immediately. The publisher will continue to look for alternative cost-effective options to remain in business.
PAPER launched in 1984 and covered fashion, music and arts, primarily focusing on the New York scene. The publication rose to prominence with internet culture in November 2014 with its "Break the Internet: Kim Kardashian" cover story.
"This is hopefully not the end for an iconic brand and we all worked tirelessly," Gomez added. "It blindsided us but everyone is so talented and experienced, I have faith. PAPER was a beacon for nightlife and LGBTQIA+ culture coverage on such a large scale and balanced mainstream and counterculture coverage very well. That work is still essential and my hope is that someone or something comes along to see the magazine through."