People Inc. Cuts 195 Jobs Amid Publishing Shake-Up
The media company is reducing its workforce as it navigates declining print revenue and shifts in digital media consumption.
People Inc., the publisher behind People magazine, has laid off 195 employees, approximately 6% of its workforce, with the majority of the cuts impacting its print and legacy web operations. The decision comes as the company undergoes a significant shake-up aimed at adapting to the evolving media landscape.
In an internal memo, Chief Executive Neil Vogel stated that despite the layoffs, People Inc. plans to continue making investments, citing 320 new hires so far this year and ongoing plans for 2027. "The rapid changes in media are evident to us all, and require us to be constantly changing as well," Vogel wrote, emphasizing the company's commitment to growth in new areas.
This round of layoffs follows a series of workforce reductions and restructuring efforts. In October 2025, the company cut 226 jobs, redirecting investments toward social media publishing, commerce, and events. Prior to that, 143 positions were eliminated in January 2025, and 53 in November 2024, with earlier cuts including 274 jobs in January 2023. These actions have been attributed to persistent weakness in print advertising and a broader strategic pivot.
The company, which changed its name from Dotdash Meredith to People Inc. in July of the previous year, publishes a portfolio of magazines including Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, Real Simple, Southern Living, Travel + Leisure, and EatingWell. Its parent company, IAC, is chaired by media mogul Barry Diller.
People Inc.'s financial reports for the second quarter of 2026 indicated a 16% year-over-year decline in print revenue, totaling $132.6 million, while digital revenue saw a 6% increase to $289.9 million. However, traffic to the company's core digital properties dropped by 22% compared to the previous year. The publisher attributes this decline primarily to Google's AI Overviews, which can provide answers directly within search results, potentially reducing traffic to external websites.
Despite the challenges in print and traditional web traffic, licensing and other digital revenue rose by 23% in the second quarter, and performance marketing revenue increased by 13%. Vogel announced plans for an all-hands meeting following the third-quarter earnings report to further discuss the company's direction and priorities for the upcoming year.
Human resources and management have been conducting individual meetings with affected employees. The company has been contacted for comment.