Vox.com, the news website recently acquired by James Murdoch, has laid off four employees as the media company looks to refocus its editorial and business operations, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.
The layoffs mark the first restructuring for Vox under the new ownership of Murdoch, whose investment firm Lupa Systems acquired New York Magazine, the Vox Media podcast network and Vox.com in a deal worth more than $300 million.
The website, co-founded by journalist Ezra Klein who is now an Opinion columnist at the New York Times (NYT.N), became known for popularizing explainer journalism, a style that has also been occasionally mocked by readers.
Vox's Editor-in-Chief Swati Sharma informed the staff that the organizational changes have resulted in a few colleagues leaving Vox, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. She said the decision was part of a broader effort to identify growth opportunities and to better engage its audience across multiple platforms.
Sharma outlined a renewed editorial focus on coverage areas, including societal shifts, power dynamics and everyday economics. She is expected to share more about Vox's editorial priorities in the upcoming all-staff meeting on August 26.
Vox declined to share the number of employees, including newsroom headcount, when contacted by Reuters.
Murdoch's acquisition did not include other Vox Media brands such as Eater, Popsugar, the Verge, SB Nation and the Dodo.
Rolling Stone magazine parent Penske Media Corporation acquired these brands in June, and now operates its combined portfolio of more than 25 media brands under a new subsidiary, PMX.
