News Summary
Vox Media has laid off 15 employees, including the editor of Vegas Eater, as part of a major restructuring initiative affecting local digital outlets. The layoffs were a surprise as recent reassurances indicated no imminent job cuts. This marks the second wave of layoffs in 2024 at Eater, raising concerns about its future and local dining coverage. The union representing the affected employees criticized the cuts, labeling them a significant shift for the brand while Vox Media pledges to continue its mission of local dining news amidst an evolving media landscape.
Las Vegas – Vox Media terminated the employment of 15 staff members this week, including the editor of Vegas Eater, as part of a broader restructuring initiative. The layoffs were announced on August 7, 2024, and predominantly affected local digital outlets within the organization. This decision followed Vox Media’s earlier layoffs in December 2023, which had already impacted key personnel across various platforms.
Vegas Eater editor Janna Karel confirmed her dismissal via an Instagram post where she expressed disappointment for both herself and her colleagues. She noted that the local dining site “no longer has an Editor.” Another individual from Eater’s national site also shared news of their layoff but refrained from additional commentary.
The layoffs are part of a trend affecting employees across various Vox Media locations, including Texas and major cities like Chicago. The union representing Vox Media employees released a statement regarding the layoffs, labeling the restructuring as a serious shift for the 20-year-old brand. The timing of the layoffs was particularly surprising as just a week prior, the CEO had assured staff that no layoffs were imminent.
This marks the second wave of substantial layoffs at Eater in 2024, with earlier job cuts already having impacted the site’s award-winning cities network. The recent job eliminations accounted for roughly one-third of the union jobs within Eater. The union described the layoffs as a “gut-job” and criticized the decision as a “cowardly capitulation” to the belief that generative AI represents the future of search and publishing. Concerns about the viability of Eater in light of the layoffs have also been expressed, particularly regarding maintaining local dining coverage.
Despite the layoffs, representatives from Vox Media have committed to continuing the mission of providing local dining news, restaurant recommendations, and broader coverage of culinary trends. The organization is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary of Eater, emphasizing ongoing dedication to its original content focus.
The decision to streamline personnel comes as Vox Media joins the broader media industry, which has seen significant cutbacks in 2024, with reports indicating over 3,875 layoffs across various newspapers, broadcasting, and digital media platforms. This shift aligns with growing industry trends and pressures that many organizations are facing to adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape.
Vox Media had previously impacted its team in December 2023, with layoffs affecting not only Eater but also the Thrillist and PS (formerly PopSugar) brands. Notably, the union claimed those earlier layoffs had “essentially shuttered” Thrillist, demonstrating the substantial ramifications of ongoing reorganization efforts within the media conglomerate.
As Vox Media navigates this challenging transitional phase, the concern remains about the long-term implications for local media coverage amidst an evolving publishing environment. The future of Eater and its remaining staff’s ability to deliver quality content remains uncertain, as the industry grapples with the impacts of technology and changing consumer behaviors.
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Additional Resources
- Review Journal: Vox Layoffs Include Dining Outlet Vegas Eater
- Eater: Best Food Las Vegas Restaurants
- Eater: Best Dishes in Las Vegas – February
- Wikipedia: Vox Media
- Google Search: Las Vegas Eater news
Author: STAFF HERE LAS VEGAS WRITER
LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
