People Inc. Cuts 195 Staffers Over “Rapid Changes” In Media
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
No new factual developments are included in the added coverage: People Inc. is cutting 195 jobs in its second major round of layoffs this year, mainly in print and legacy website departments. The company says it is reorganising in response to rapid changes in media while investing in new projects.
People Inc., formerly known as IAC, owns brands including People, InStyle and Food & Wine and reported 5,156 employees in its latest annual filing. Chief executive Neil Vogel said the company has added 320 employees this year and plans further investment in 2027; it has 11 million print subscribers. A restructuring announced in April aims to save $40 million annually, and an all-staff meeting is planned after quarterly results on 3 November.
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In short
- People Inc. is cutting 195 jobs, mainly in print and legacy web.
- The company says it is shifting investment as media changes.
- An April restructuring aims to save $40 million a year.
How this story developed
- 1 hour ago People Inc. is cutting 195 jobs in its second major round of layoffs this year, as it reorganises in response to rapid changes in media.
- 2 hours ago No new factual developments are included in the added coverage: People Inc. is cutting 195 jobs in its second major round of layoffs this year, mainly in print and legacy website departments.
Full account
People Inc. is cutting 195 jobs across its offices, in what CEO Neil Vogel described to staff as a response to rapid change across the media industry. The company’s memo said human resources and business leaders would meet individually with affected employees and that it aimed to make their transition smooth. The reductions amount to about 6% of the workforce, according to the reports.
Most of the positions being eliminated are in print and older web operations, Vogel said, while the company directs more resources towards new projects and areas it sees as having stronger prospects. He said People Inc. had added 320 employees so far in 2026 and expected to continue investing in 2027. The memo also promised an all-staff meeting after the company reports its third-quarter results, scheduled for 3 November, to discuss its priorities for the coming year.
The cuts follow a wider restructuring announced earlier in the year, as the company consolidates corporate functions and pursues cost savings. People Inc. owns a broad portfolio of publishing brands, including People, Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, Food & Wine and Southern Living. Its recent business figures show contrasting trends: digital revenue rose in the second quarter, while print revenue fell, and overall digital sessions were lower than a year earlier.
The news comes amid a broader shift in the company’s strategy. Vogel has said People Inc. is working to reduce its reliance on Google-driven web traffic and to develop other audiences and revenue streams, including membership offers. The company also recently ended talks linked to a possible MGM Resorts transaction, though the reports differ in how much attention they give that development alongside the job cuts.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
The reports agree on the number of jobs, the approximate 6% share of staff, and Vogel’s explanation that most affected roles are in print and legacy web. One highlights the restructuring’s savings target, audience diversification and MGM deal context; the other gives more detail on the portfolio, quarterly revenue and digital-session figures, as well as the planned all-hands meeting.
The account of the company’s name history is not consistent: one says IAC rebranded as People Inc. in April 2026, while the other says the publishing group adopted the People Inc. name in July 2025 and refers separately to People Incorporated as its parent. The reports also vary in which brands they list and in the timing they give for the MGM discussions.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
People Inc. can argue that shifting audience habits and advertising revenue require it to move resources from print and older website operations into projects with stronger prospects. Restructuring may help keep the business sustainable, while the reported hiring and planned investment suggest it is also creating roles in areas it expects to grow.
The case against
Employees and supporters of the affected departments can argue that repeated cuts impose serious costs on workers and risk losing experienced staff, distinctive reporting and reader trust. With 11 million print subscribers and the company continuing to invest, they may question whether these reductions are necessary or whether the savings fall disproportionately on employees while strategic choices remain management’s responsibility.
Explained simply
People Inc. is a US media company that owns magazines and websites including People, InStyle and Food & Wine. It was formerly known as IAC and has thousands of employees across its businesses.
The company operates in a media industry where audiences and advertising have shifted towards digital platforms. It has said it is reorganising some print and website teams while investing in new projects, and has reported millions of print subscribers.
Changes at People Inc. matter to the staff and readers of its publications, as well as to the wider media industry. The company’s decisions affect how it allocates people and resources across established brands and newer projects.