[BREAKING NEWS] Creative Loafing Shrinks Workforce

Earlier today, Creative Loafing informed a significant portion of their workforce that they are now jobless. The news, which was reportedly shared with employees mid-day, comes just months after the popular publication ended its weekly print edition in favor of a monthly publication with an increased emphasis on its digital offerings.  

The current issue of Creative Loafing

The final weekly edition came out July 17.  Carlton Hargro, editor in chief, wrote this online:  

[W]e’ve beefed up our page count, switched to a fancy cover stock and rolled out a brand-spanking-new logo. Once you flip deeper into this edition, you’ll see we’ve extended the redesign vibe through the entire issue. On top of that, this month we’re bringing back some sorely missed editorial elements from back in the day (our Arts Agenda and Soundboard listings, for example) and rolling out some newness as well (such as a revamped News & Culture Briefs).

Founded in 1972 by Deborah Eason, Creative Loafing once had sibling publications in Charlotte,  Sarasota, and Tampa, among other cities.  Following some aggressive acquisitions in 2007, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2008, and began to slowly sell off its regional papers.  

Nashville-based SouthComm purchased Creative Loafing in 2012.  In 2017, SouthComm sold the paper to Ben Eason, son of original founder Deborah Eason.   

Creative Loafing's current logo 

In an era of abundant free news, often at one's fingertips, it seems Creative Loafing is merely the latest casualty of the internet era.  Sources say there are no immediate plans to end the paper entirely, but with a "ghost staff," the bell may toll for The Loaf sooner rather than later.  

Unlike The Atlanta Business Chronicle, which often hides their "premium" information behind a paywall, Creative Loafing provided its rich, thoughtful and often exclusive content free of charge both in print and online.  With advertising revenue the main source of income for the paper, and so many options where to spend advertising dollars, the shrinking "slice" that Creative Loafing was able to garner clearly added to its struggles.  

While Creative Loafing officials have made no public comment since we first tweeted word of the layoffs just after 2PM today, whoever is managing the the @CL_Atlanta twitter handle "liked" our tweet.  

Are you surprised by the recent moves at Creative Loafing?  When was the last time you read a physical Creative Loafing?  What one thing could the owners of Creative Loafing do to improve their paper?

Please share your thoughts below.

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