A tipster emailed us a short time ago and Rodale has just confirmed to us that they are laying off 111 employees or approximately 10% of the company and eliminating or consolidating positions in other divisions. Per the press release:

Rodale, Inc. announced today that it is eliminating or consolidating positions in several of its divisions, including operations, IT, customer service and some publishing departments in order to shift resources toward its highest growth potential activities.

Integrated sales and marketing responsibilities currently handled by Rodale Marketing Solutions will now be led by the sales and marketing teams at each of Rodale's brands. In addition, several IT and operations functions will be transitioned to outside vendors. In all, the changes will affect 111 employees, approximately 10% of the company.

RODALE ANNOUNCES RESOURCE REALLOCATION
AND HEADCOUNT REDUCTION

Emmaus, PA and New York, NY -- Nov. 3, 2008 -- Rodale, Inc., a global multi-platform media company, announced today that it is eliminating or consolidating positions in several of its divisions, including operations, IT, customer service and some publishing departments in order to shift resources toward its highest growth potential activities.

Integrated sales and marketing responsibilities currently handled by Rodale Marketing Solutions will now be led by the sales and marketing teams at each of Rodale's brands. In addition, several IT and operations functions will be transitioned to outside vendors. In all, the changes will affect 111 employees, approximately 10% of the company.

"The current pace of market change compels us to reallocate our resources swiftly and manage our costs down," said Rodale President and CEO Steven Pleshette Murphy. "Rodale will continue to build great brands, launch new products, create smart, integrated sales programs, and expand online and internationally. The decisions we are making today will serve to align our resources to better support that strategy in 2009 and beyond."