According to several reports on Friday and over the weekend international magazine publishing company Future Publishing has cut an estimated 100 jobs. The company issued an interim management statement, revealing that its print business continued to decline in the UK and U.S., saved mainly by its improved performance from the digital publication sector. The report covers the nine months ending June 30, 2011 and gives some indication of where the company will be focusing its efforts in the years ahead.
Group revenues for that nine-month period dropped by an estimated five percent compared to the same period a year ago. UK circulation revenues fell by 3 percent, but revenue from digital advertising made up the shortfall by performing above expectations. In May 2011 the group's UK digital revenues topped £1 million for the first time.
US print sales decreased as well, with the company saying that it is "actively discontinuing subsidised magazine subscriptions" in the US and has had to delay an unnamed digital product launch worldwide.
"As a result the Board has decided to accelerate transition of Future US into a primarily digital business. This process may take 12 to 15 months, to allow time for existing subscriptions and other contractual obligations to be fulfilled."
The company also announced that it will cut jobs at numerous publications:
"The benefit of these steps will be to improve efficiency, reduce headcount, reduce property requirements, and help accelerate the most promising areas of digital product development," reads a section of the report on "re-structuring and exceptional costs."
GameIndustry.biz claims that Edge, Computer & Videogames, and GamesRadar will see 100 jobs cut in the UK. Further, the publication claims that at least one magazine will shut down.
We will continue to follow this story as it develops.
Source: GameIndustry.biz
