The Washington Post is laying off around 4% of its workforce, roughly 100 people, as part of a plan to adjust to changing business conditions and stem millions of dollars in annual losses. The cuts primarily affect the advertising sales, marketing, and print products teams.
In a statement, the company said the move is aimed at building a more sustainable future and reaching audiences where they are. Chief Advertising Officer Johanna Mayer-Jones stated that the focus will be on connecting advertising clients to its subscriber base.
Other changes include repositioning of the public relations team to prioritize promoting talent, with a halt to traditional publicity practices for journalism. This shift is part of the company’s efforts to reinvent itself and develop more strategic practices.
The Washington Post has been struggling financially in recent years, with a loss of $77 million in 2023 and a decline in its digital audience since 2020. The newspaper has faced turmoil under new publisher Will Lewis, who took over a year ago. Notable departures include several reporters leaving the paper, including Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer, to join rival publications.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/business/media/washington-post-layoffs.html