We Hear: Layoffs at Good Housekeeping, Hearst To Cut Permalancers

A tipster reports there were at least four layoffs at Good Housekeeping today, including a senior-level editor. Earlier this week, we also got word that Hearst was moving to eliminate its entire pool of long-term freelancers, or “permalancers,” many of whom fill Hearst mags’ research departments to the point that such cuts are being considered a major blow by full-time staff.

Layoffs and staff cuts at Good Housekeeping would not be surprising: Recent revenue numbers at the magazine have not been good. For the fourth quarter of 2008, ad spending at the magazine was down 7.9 percent, and the title saw a 14.1 percent decline in the number of ad pages during the period, compared to the previous year. Earlier this month, Hearst Magazines EVP and general manager John Loughlin said at a conference of magazine production executives that “hope is not a strategy,” citing the company’s need to streamline operations in the midst of the current industry downturn.

If you know more about the situation at Hearst, e-mail us or drop an anonymous tip.

Calls to Hearst PR were not returned as of this writing.

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