Latest news with #digitalmedia
CBS News
a day ago
- General
- CBS News
Deputy-involved shooting in West Park
Nadirah Sabir is a digital media producer for CBS Miami and has been with the team since 2022. Previously, Nadirah served as a World Affairs Fellow for the International Center of Journalists and an Editorial Trainer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Henry Blodget On Business Insider Layoffs: 'The Market Has Changed'
Following the announcement that Business Insider would lay off 21% of its staff, a move driven largely by Google's AI-centric search changes, I reached out to one particular Substack writer in an effort to get his take on the news: Henry Blodget, whose newly launched Regenerator newsletter aims to 'analyze the most important questions in tech and innovation.' The same Henry Blodget, of course, who co-founded Business Insider in 2007. 'I was very sad to see the BI news,' Blodget, who was the outlet's CEO from its founding through 2023, told me in an email. 'They're a great team and great people, and it's really tough.' Tough is exactly how Business Insider CEO Barbara Peng described the situation facing the Axel Springer–owned business and tech news site this week in a company-wide memo, detailing the third major round of layoffs in the last few years. In it, she outlined the harsh realities facing not only her company, but digital media at large. 'The media industry,' she notes at one point, 'is at a crossroads. Business models are under pressure, distribution is unstable, and competition for attention is fiercer than ever.' Seventy percent of Business Insider's output, the memo continues, 'has some degree of traffic sensitivity. We must be structured to endure extreme traffic drops outside of our control, so we're reducing our overall company to a size where we can absorb that volatility.' The company's union laid the blame for what happened at the feet of 'strategic failures' on the part of management, which is currently grappling (as are news companies pretty much across the board) with a turn of events that media writer Dylan Byers has described as a potential 'meteorite-level euthanizing event' for the industry: Essentially, Business Insider anchored its distribution strategy in large part around search and social. But now, as Big Tech pulls up the drawbridge on outbound traffic, news publishers that once relied on that steady stream of monetizable visitors are scrambling to rewrite their entire playbook. Google, in particular, has begun presenting AI-generated summaries directly on the search results page, allowing users to get information without ever leaving Google. It's a shift that, for publishers, threatens the very clicks that once sustained their business. Some observers see in Google's latest moves nothing short of an existential threat to the open web — and, by extension, to digital journalism. But Blodget, who led Business Insider when it was still a scrappy, voice-y upstart during the Web 2.0 era, isn't ready to concede that point just yet. 'Journalism is not screwed,' he stressed to me. 'People will always want to know what's happening and what it means — and we will always need great (human) journalists and publications to provide that. But the market has changed radically in the last five years. After 30 years of growth, digital media is now mature. Within it, distribution is getting disrupted — yes, Google, but also Facebook, Twitter, and others. And advertising is shifting to platforms.' So, what should news companies be betting on? 'Direct distribution and subscriptions. That model will support thousands of excellent publications, big and small. And audio and video are still growing as we move from TV/radio to digital.' In other words, he's imagining a media landscape populated by smaller, more focused, and often subscription-driven outlets — the kind built to serve a loyal following rather than chase clicks from the drive-by crowd. A vision that, in many ways, reflects the polar opposite of what Business Insider was in its early days, when it was aggregation-heavy, engineered for virality, and almost entirely free to read. As an aside: I actually caught a glimpse of the company back then first-hand, albeit very briefly. It was when Business Insider still operated out of the Gramercy Park building in Manhattan, and I met up with an editor there the day before Facebook went public in 2012 (my byline is also on a few freelanced posts from that period). When I stepped off the elevator and made my way into the newsroom, the first sound I heard was the telltale clop-clop of a ping-pong game. The newsroom itself reminded me of a financial trading floor, with a low hum of chatter emanating from writers who sat shoulder-to-shoulder behind rows of computers. I caught a glimpse of a very animated Blodget in what looked like a conference room, giving off the appearance of some sort of hyper-caffeinated analyst who's convinced he's spotted a market bubble. Three years after my visit, Axel Springer would pay $343 million to acquire most of Business Insider. For context, that's more than the mere quarter of a billion dollars that Jeff Bezos forked over for control of The Washington Post in 2013. To a wide-eyed visitor like myself, there was something that felt both rebellious and inevitable about Blodget's operation. Sort of like how some people today feel there's no stopping LLMs from making a generation of journalists obsolete. Blodget, for his part, isn't one of them — nor is Steven Zeitchik, a veteran of The Washington Post and LA Times who now writes the Substack-based Mind and Iron newsletter. You can argue that, to a certain extent, they're correct. Notwithstanding the retrenchment under way at publishers like Business Insider, there are still some journalistic tasks that machines can't do well — the workflows being too messy and unpredictable. 'As AI gobbles up from the bottom like some kind of Stephen King monster,' Zeitchik wrote on Friday, 'journalists can avoid its hungry teeth in two ways: by getting so good at the writing part an LLM can't touch you (but do you really want to get into a footrace with AI?) or hopping off that vine onto one it's not even climbing, like in-person or real-time reporting." In other words, maybe journalism can win its race against the machines by running in the opposite direction — back to the basics. Or, as one Redditor put it in a thread about the Business Insider layoffs: '…the real punk move today is rejecting the internet entirely. Ditching the algorithm, stepping off social media, and reclaiming reality. Because at this point, nothing's more radical than being human on purpose.'
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Travel And Tourism Employers Adapt For Gen Z
Wanderlust will not be going away anytime soon, as we can easily see ourselves in unique and beautiful places thanks to social media. To help incorporate emerging travel trends and technologies, business owners are seeking visionary practices to engage and train the rapidly growing and influential Gen Z workforce (those born between 1997 and 2012). As this generation is the first to grow up connected to the internet, employers are integrating digital media into the business landscape. TEGUISE, SPAIN - APRIL 21: Young people stand and sit in front of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe on April 21, 2025 in Teguise, Lanzarote, Spain. Lanzarote, a Spanish Canary Island and a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, lies off the coast of West Africa, famous for its unique volcanic landscapes, stunning beaches, and a year-round warm climate that draws tourists to its natural beauty and rich cultural identity. (Photo by) Here are several examples of how tourism and hospitality leaders are implementing training systems to build an authentic culture. Additionally, employers are paving the path towards long-term entrepreneurial success in the following ways. Gen Z has grown up online, with much of their experiences online tailored to their interests. Therefore, personalization is often sought out. According to research done at Sitecore®, these travelers are also less loyal to brands and expect an efficient digital shopping experience. Otherwise, they will move on to another brand. Payment flexibility is another factor that influences whether this younger generation will purchase a flight. Having the option to buy now, pay later, or make payments on flights is attractive to Gen Z, especially as they are more prone to travel further than Baby Boomers. Airlines would also do well to pay attention to their user experience (UX) and apps if they want to attract Gen Z. Millennials and Gen Z are more likely to purchase flights, upgrades to seating, and baggage costs via an app or mobile device rather than a desktop computer. Hospitality leaders are adopting various strategies to meet the needs of Gen Z and provide a modern guest experience. The Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism conducted an extensive study in 2024 to improve Gen Z talent management. Engaging proposals include: These suggestions include allowing employees to work in different departments. Employees can also craft their schedules based on personal preferences to avoid staffing gaps. Mentorships with senior and junior pairs, along with interactive workshops, also impart relevant skills. Gen Z workers are challenging the traditional hospitality management hierarchy, as it can create barriers to career progression. Instead, project-based models can provide more meaning and purpose in work. 'If people follow you as a boss, you will fail. If people follow you as a leader, you will succeed. Great leadership breeds honest loyalty,' observes entrepreneur and founder of The 30% Rule, Preston Lee. He emphasizes soft skills like team building and communication to improve employee satisfaction. This hospitality development method imbues that the customer comes first and can enjoy a luxury experience at any brand. Lee's training reinforces that guests who realize they are taken care of first have an easier time establishing trust and developing a personal connection. Hyper-personalization also impacts the industry, with hotel operators increasing exposure to micro hotels. This concept imbues Gen Z's growing influence in consumer and employment trends by emphasizing smaller yet amenity-rich rooms. This lodging model promotes social interaction, mobility, and efficiency with digital-first experiences. For instance, YOTEL offers crew ambassadorships, global town halls, and access to a global network to provide innovative career training that matches its modern hotel experience. Preston Lee A thriving restaurant culture is a growing hotspot for Gen Z workers at major brands and independent establishments. This young generation already possesses hospitality-specific technical and mechanical operating experience. For example, engaged frontline staff can earn better tips, establish loyal repeat customers, and increase traffic using personal experience and innovative training. Preston Lee utilizes his 30% Rule to help owners focus on the most critical priorities for building culture, consistency, and profitability. Lee's hospitality system goes beyond serving up delicious food and investing in aesthetics and high-end equipment. Instead, it provides managers and employees with the tools to cultivate an ownership mindset. 'Training Gen Z is all about the WHY. We have to explain to them the WHY, not the HOW, during training. And it can't be a simple explanation. We have to get them to use their own experiences to identify the WHY, ' says Preston Lee. His philosophy stems from personal experience. So far, Lee has helped over 150 restaurants generate an additional $250 million in combined revenue by instilling scalable training systems for brands of any size. It also helps reduce employee turnover, a common issue faced by both startups and well-established companies. His 30% Rule approach has yielded effective results for notable clients, including Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out, Prince Street Pizza, Marriott, and The Cheesecake Factory. He also loves helping many popular independent brands, such as: Lee continues, "The 30% Rule is changing the way the hospitality industry is becoming successful through aggressive culture development. We are helping restaurants realize their full potential by teaching them how to develop their staff through powerful training, high-level systems, leadership development, and a strong focus on culture." Skilled trades such as machine tooling, plumbing, and welding are gaining popularity as Gen Z becomes known as the 'toolbelt generation,' aiming to avoid student loan debt and earn family-sustaining wages sooner. These trades support many industries, including a significant portion of the travel industry. More workers blend smart technology with traditional hard skills as automation and AI shake up the classic career ladder. For example, vocational trades will incorporate Internet of Things (IoT)- connected sensors and devices into standard industry practices. Deloitte reports that this generation will likely exhibit a return of the well-rounded 'Renaissance Man' with diverse skills and interests. They will demonstrate these four traits: In addition to technical training, today's workers need more soft skills than their predecessors to stay ahead of the increased demand for highly-skilled positions. Lee's vision of dedication to excellence, commitment to continuous improvement, and genuine care for others extends beyond the travel hospitality industry. These universal tenets apply to all trades for Gen Z to succeed. Perhaps unsurprisingly, travel tourism for healthcare and cosmetic procedures continues to flourish. Technology-integrated care delivery is a core expectation of new healthcare workers and young patients. Digital-native doctors and nurses anticipate utilizing AI to automate processes and assist with diagnostics, to spend more time attending to patients. Accessibility to mental health support and flexibility scheduling are two critical factors determining which employers medical professionals choose to engage with. This can also include access to digital resources, especially as Gen Z has been shown to have higher levels of anxiety than previous generations. Employers and workers in many industries, including travel, are quickly adapting to an AI-driven workplace that requires a diversification of hard and soft skills. Gen Z values purpose-driven employment, cohesive teamwork, and flexible roles. Gen Z has grown up in a digital world, and can therefore help businesses keep up with the ever-evolving travel technologies and trends. Related Articles:
CNA
4 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Business Insider cuts 21% of workforce, memo shows
Business Insider is laying off about 21 per cent of its workforce, an internal memo showed on Thursday, as the financial news outlet grapples with shrinking search traffic and the growing use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. The New York-based company joins several digital media companies in restructuring operations as consumers increasingly depend on artificial intelligence for news synopsis, which is eating into web traffic. In the memo, CEO Barbara Peng told staff the company now generates twice as much revenue for each website visit as it did two years ago, but 70 per cent of its business still has some degree of traffic sensitivity. "We must be structured to endure extreme traffic drops outside of our control, so we're reducing our overall company to a size where we can absorb that volatility," Peng said in the memo seen by Reuters. The New York-based company is accelerating adoption of AI, with a majority of employees already utilizing Enterprise ChatGPT and several AI-driven products to enhance operations and reader experience, Peng said. The website is realigning its content strategy to concentrate on areas that attract high reader engagement, and is exiting the majority of its commerce business, Peng said. It is also launching a new events business called BI Live, Peng said, adding that it has already seen some demand and will continue to build the team. Earlier this year, Washington Post and Associated Press laid off 4 per cent and 8 per cent of their workforce respectively in a bid to cut costs and modernize operations.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Business Insider cuts 21% of workforce, memo shows
May 29 (Reuters) - Business Insider is laying off about 21% of its workforce, an internal memo showed on Thursday, as the financial news outlet grapples with shrinking search traffic and the growing use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. The New York-based company joins several digital media companies in restructuring operations as consumers increasingly depend on artificial intelligence for news synopsis, which is eating into web traffic. In the memo, CEO Barbara Peng told staff the company now generates twice as much revenue for each website visit as it did two years ago, but 70% of its business still has some degree of traffic sensitivity. "We must be structured to endure extreme traffic drops outside of our control, so we're reducing our overall company to a size where we can absorb that volatility," Peng said in the memo seen by Reuters. The New York-based company is accelerating adoption of AI, with a majority of employees already utilizing Enterprise ChatGPT and several AI-driven products to enhance operations and reader experience, Peng said. The website is realigning its content strategy to concentrate on areas that attract high reader engagement, and is exiting the majority of its commerce business, Peng said. It is also launching a new events business called BI Live, Peng said, adding that it has already seen some demand and will continue to build the team. Earlier this year, Washington Post and Associated Press laid off 4% and 8% of their workforce respectively in a bid to cut costs and modernize operations.
