NASHVILLE (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — In a restructuring move, Dutch media conglomerate VNU laid off at least 26 people across the US, including veteran Phyllis Stark, Nashville Bureau Chief for Billboard Magazine the Tennessean reported.
"I'm usually at the other end of the phone when something like this happens," Stark said.
The cuts come during a period of consolidation after Billboard acquired trade journal Radio & Records and plans are underway to merge two publications Billboard Radio Monitor and Radio & Records into one, R & R.
From a recent statement posted on Billboard Radio Monitor's website:
"This acquisition is in line with VNU's strategy to further strengthen its services to the radio and record industries," Michael Marchesano, president and CEO of VNU Business Media and Nielsen Entertainment said, adding "With the added resources of VNU, especially our music services, including the Billboard Information Group, Nielsen BDS, and Nielsen SoundScan, R&R will continue to grow as a vibrant brand."
The latest round of layoffs is in response to staff with overlapping duties. No staffing changes have been otherwise announced. – CelebrityAccess staff writers.
