CNN chief hints at upcoming layoffs, language of business leaders annoys employees

Greetings, comms pros! Let’s look at some news stories from the last week and see what we can learn from them.

1.  CNN CEO teases layoffs to staff 

CNN is headed for a round of layoffs according to CEO Chris Licht. Employees have been preparing for the changes since Licht began reviewing the news division’s business and programming.

The Hollywood Reporter writes:

Licht explained the rationale in a memo to staff Wednesday, adding that “our aim is to have most of these decisions made by the end of the year so we can start 2023 feeling settled and prepared for the future.”

In his memo, Licht cited the worsening macroeconomic environment as one reason for the cuts.

“There is widespread concern over the global economic outlook, and we must factor that risk into our long-term planning,” Licht wrote. “All this together will mean noticeable change to this organization. That, by definition, is unsettling. These changes will not be easy because they will affect people, budgets, and projects.”