Just as Nikki Finke predicted, on Monday parent company Reed Business laid off 30 staffers at Variety and other publications including Video Business, 411 and Trade Show Week.

From the Variety website, via Deadline Hollywood Daily:

Due to the economic downturn, some 30 staffers will be trimmed by Reed Business in Los Angeles. The staff reductions span corporate, editorial, sales and other personnel. Among the businesses involved are Daily Variety, 411, Video Business and Trade Show Week.

Neil Stiles, president and publisher of Variety, said, "We continue to have confidence in the long-term growth of our businesses, but the economic realities of the moment call for a degree of belt-tightening."

"The modest staff cuts will in no way compromise the editorial integrity of Variety or Daily Variety," said editor-in-chief Peter Bart, who acknowledged that several of those cut were reporters and copy editors. "However, Neil and I deeply regret that any personnel had to be let go in these difficult times."