Thomson Reuters is laying off an indeterminate number of staffers today. The laid off staffers are coming from sales, training and, yes, editorial–where the news service has been over headcount.
“Yes, I can confirm there have been layoffs across Thomson Reuters (TRI) today, including editorial,” said Barb Burg, vice president and global head of communications at Reuters told Talking Biz News. “Similar to efforts across the company, the Reuters organization is focusing attention on our global cost structure as well as the need to simplify and ensure we have the skills and expertise within our organization so we can continue to contribute maximum value to the business and our customers.”
According to Talking Biz News, the editorial layoffs are coming from those who got lower than a four on their job reviews last year.
A tipster tells us that an email went out to staffers this morning to announce that foreign correspondent Andrew Quinn is leaving the news service after 25 years.
“It’s our sad duty to share the news that Andy Quinn will be leaving Reuters later this month, after a storied 25-year career serving the Baron,” the email said. “To say we will miss him and his sardonic wit would be a gross understatement.”
Mr. Quinn will be the director of a start-up fellowship program being established by the Aspen Institute and the Gates Foundation.
Full email below:
All: It’s our sad duty to share the news that Andy Quinn will be leaving Reuters later this month, after a storied 25-year career serving the Baron.
Andy is moving on to an exciting new opportunity, to be director of a start-up fellowship program being established by the Aspen Institute and the Gates Foundation and aimed at helping development experts from Africa and other parts of the developing world sharpen their media skills and gain broader exposure.
To say we will miss him and his sardonic wit would be a gross understatement. Andy has been a valued friend and colleague, and a first-class State Department reporter, covering the gamut from big scoops on North Korea to hard digging on Special Reports. He has paid special attention to issues like Africa and development aid that often get too little attention in Washington.
Andy joined Reuters in 1988 as a local hire journalist in Taipei, and went on to subsequent assignments in Beijing, Washington, San Francisco and Johannesburg. Along the way, he covered both Gulf Wars, the Atlanta Olympics, the Academy Awards and helped trunk write for both the disputed 2000 U.S. election and the Sept 11, 2001 attacks. He served briefly – and awkwardly, he insists – as U.S. political editor following the 2008 election, and has covered Hillary Clinton and the State Department for the last three years.
We wish him well in this new phase of his professional life. Drinks will be arranged before Andy departs on or about Jan 28.
Any more info? Send it our way: ksmoke@observer.com
