A few months after "Creative Loafing" changed its longstanding weekly print edition to a monthly format, the publication announced another major change: It has eliminated multiple staff positions and "returned to its roots working with a full complement of freelance writers and columnists," a Wednesday statement said.
“Creative Loafing” reduced three editorial staff positions to freelance/contributing editor positions and eliminated four positions in sales and marketing, the alternative publication said. The statement did not say how many full-time staffers remain.
"We've had a nice run with a staff driven model and needed to finally say goodbye to an era that is likely gone," said the son of the original owner, CEO Ben Eason, who repurchased the brand early this year.
The publication will expand its pool of contributors, renew its commitment to Atlanta’s music scenes and unveil a new website in January, according to the statement.
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The change in staff was described as a shift “toward a business development focus and away from a direct sales mindset.”
“These changes are necessary to keep us healthy as we move our business more aggressively into the future,” said publisher Sharry Smith.
As the news broke, many took to Twitter to post about their connections to the publication.
It's worth repeating what's been said often in 2017: The demise of alt-weeklies like @cl_atlanta aren't just bad for readers but for young journalists who learned to write and experiment.
— Max Blau (@MaxBlau) December 27, 2017
Did I mention that I started as an intern? So many amazing people have come through @cl_atlanta's internship. Me, @ThatSeanKeenan, and @KnoxHawkins interned at the same time. @MrShift4 and @sonamvashi came before us. Probably most famously, Vice's @ellisjones.
— merry happy! ❄️ (@joadanso) December 27, 2017
Who else? Tag em.
My writing career in Atlanta began at @cl_atlanta. Tim Song introduced me to @ChadRad, who published my first concert review byline.
— Christina Lee (@MinaAnnLee) December 27, 2017
My first @CL_Atlanta assignment, photographing Lenny's before it closed, led to this shot getting published. I was so excited. Lenny's is now a storage facility. pic.twitter.com/dImziURi1k
— Max Blau (@MaxBlau) December 27, 2017
I am so bummed to hear about the layoffs at @cl_atlanta. It was a dream job in many ways, but the best part of working at CL was the amazing editorial staff. AMAZING. And @joadanso is a gem in every way. <3 https://t.co/yEm7686IRw
— Alicia Carter (@aliciawcarter) December 27, 2017
@thomaswheatley brought me on as an intern at my dream job : @ChadRad gave me my first paid freelancing gig : @WriteGavinWrite worked with me on my first (and I think only, to date) column : @becagrimm gave me a chance to dabble in culture writing
— Miranda Hawkins (@KnoxHawkins) December 27, 2017
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