FOOTSCRAY Lonely Planet staff members were left shell-shocked last week at news up to 80 jobs would be cut from the company.
Management broke the news that cuts will be made worldwide, but the Melbourne headquarters are expected to be heavily hit.
Founded in 1972 by Tony and Maureen Wheeler as a “shoestring” backpacker’s guide to Asia, Lonely Planet was sold to BBC Worldwide before being on-sold four months ago to Nashville-based company NC2 Media.
Rumours have since swirled that the new owners would be looking to make cuts in the print division and focus on digital output.
Confirmation of the cuts was announced to staff at the company’s converted Footscray warehouse last Thursday.
Redundancies from the company’s book production department are likely to include editors and writers as well as cartographers and some casual staff.
Lonely Planet management released a statement that said staff and contributors had been told there would be a series of changes in the company’s operations.
“Unfortunately, as a result of these changes a number of positions at our offices around the world have the potential to be affected and we are in consultation with individuals whose roles may be impacted,” the statement said.
Lonely Planet chief operating officer Daniel Houghton confirmed about 70 to 80 positions would be made redundant worldwide.
“There are roles being made redundant, but new ones have been created and redeployment opportunities exist,” he said.
The changes will take place in the next six to 12 months.
Mr Houghton said Lonely Planet remained committed to content creation and maintaining a Melbourne office.
Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance Victorian branch secretary Louise Connor said she would discuss the planned restructure with Melbourne staff and contributors at the earliest opportunity.
