Media bloodbath continues with mass job cuts at Nine – impacting dozens of journalists

The Nine-owned Pedestrian Group is slashing dozens of jobs as part of a major restructuring that will split the business in half.

Pedestrian Group’s chief executive, Matt Rowley, announced the news to staff on Monday morning, and revealed he would also be leaving the group as part of the restructure.

As part of the changes, the group will soon exit its licensing deals to publish third-party brands, including Vice, Refinery29, Gizmodo, Lifehacker, and Kotaku, causing up to 40 job losses.

As a result, Nine would focus solely on its own brands, Pedestrian and Pedestrian TV.

Kate McGregor, who is the Managing Editor at Refinery29, was among the those who lost their jobs. 

‘Today I, along with the Refinery29 Australia team and dozens of my Pedestrian Group colleagues were made redundant – my heart is heavy,’ she wrote on social media.

‘It goes without saying that farewelling Refinery29 Australia and Pedestrian Group is personally so sad, but after more than ten years in media, I’ve learned you have to play the hand you’re dealt.’

Athina Mallis, the managing editor of Gizmodo Australia, revealed she had only been in the role for under six months before her role was cut. 

Director of Nine’s news website, Kerri Elstub, told staff that more jobs would be removed still as the company continues adjusting its budget

‘I won’t lie, I am upset, angry, and sad that the digital media industry is shrinking. Good, hard-working journalists are losing their jobs.

‘We work tirelessly to make sure the site looks good, copy is clean and the stories are factual and original. Let’s hope our work is not in vain,’ she said.

Nine bought 60 per cent of Pedestrian for $10million in 2015 before buying the remainder of the company for $39million in 2018.

It’s yet another blow for staff at Nine, after CEO announced hundreds of jobs would be axed as part of a $30million cost-cutting plan for the business.

‘From our nationwide team of almost 5000 people, around 200 jobs are expected to be affected across Nine, including some vacant and casual roles not being filled,’ Mr Sneesby said.

‘In order for us to be able to keep investing in digital growth opportunities across Nine, we must continue to responsibly manage costs through the cycle.’

The job cuts include 38 positions in the high-profile news and current affairs broadcast team, which encompasses 9News and 60 Minutes.

It’s yet another blow for staff at Nine, after CEO announced hundreds of jobs would be axed as part of a $30million cost-cutting plan for the business.

‘From our nationwide team of almost 5000 people, around 200 jobs are expected to be affected across Nine, including some vacant and casual roles not being filled,’ Mr Sneesby said. 

‘In order for us to be able to keep investing in digital growth opportunities across Nine, we must continue to responsibly manage costs through the cycle.’ 

Today Show host Karl Stefanovic is pictured. Nine has revealed 38 jobs are set to be axed from the news and current affairs team. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Mr Stefanovic’s role will be cut

The job cuts include 38 positions in the high-profile news and current affairs broadcast team, which encompasses 9News and 60 Minutes. 

Additionally, 90 jobs will be eliminated from Nine’s publishing division, affecting roles at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Australian Financial Review. 

Mr Sneesby attributed the job cuts to the likely termination of a commercial deal with Meta – the owner of Facebook and Instagram – to pay for news articles it posts, as well as a weakened advertising market. 

‘These are tough decisions and I acknowledge it will be an uncertain period for some of you. It’s important to reiterate that Nine remains in a strong position,’ Mr Sneesby explained.

‘All of our business units are either completely digital or have rapidly growing digital revenues – and each one maintains a leading position in their respective markets.’

The announcements follow the exit of news boss Darren Wick in March after a complaint was lodged by a female employee about inappropriate conduct.

His replacement Fiona Dear told staff on Friday the jobs cuts will see a ‘loss of 38 roles around the division, 12 of these positions are already vacant.’

‘We are also looking to identify potential savings with casual and freelance roles and new technology,’ Ms Dear said.

Nine’s cutback announcement came in the same week about 150 staff were let go by Seven West Media in a major round of redundancies, with three senior executives all leaving the company.

CEO Jeff Howard told staff in an email on Tuesday that costs needed to be cut, especially in the wake of Meta’s withdrawal.

‘A number of roles across the company will change and unfortunately some people will be leaving us,’ Mr Howard said.

‘We will work hard to reduce the impact on people as much as we can, and we will make sure that our people are fully supported.’