We're hearing that beleaguered trade publisher VNU has laid off a substantial number of staffers in the past day. One tipster puts the number at 120, while another tells us that VNU asked for a 10 percent reduction in staff across the board, with group managers at every VNU Business Media publication asked to evaluate their staffs and make selective cuts.

Multiple sources say they were aware of cuts, yet haven't received any official communication about it from the company. We're told that most of the cuts came at the assistant level, as well as in finance. Other reports indicate that some of the fired employees have been shown the door, while others appear to still be in the building. Stay tuned...

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