Yahoo Singapore editor-in-chief among axed staff

SINGAPORE - Yahoo Singapore's editor-in-chief Marc Lourdes has left the firm as part of the job cuts here, the firm said on Friday (Feb 19). His departure came amid Yahoo's move to axe a number of employees on Thursday (Feb 18).

A spokesman declined to provide the number of staff affected but said all products and services will continue as usual, adding: "We can confirm that those eligible for their annual bonus will remain eligible to receive bonus." He did not provide the company's staff strength in Singapore.

A freelancer contributing to Yahoo told The Straits Times on Friday: "I only know three people who were laid off, and my editor told me it's business as usual.

"My work for the company hasn't been affected, and I expect my association with Yahoo to continue."

The news came as no surprise to market watchers, after group chief executive Marissa Mayer said in an earnings call in the United States earlier this month that 15 per cent of Yahoo's global workforce would be laid off as the digital media giant tries to restructure its business.

This has led to the closure of some 15 digital magazines in the US, and at least 300 employees were let go in California this week.

Given the announcements in the US, it was expected that the Singapore office would be affected as well.

A former editor who left the firm last year said: "This is best understood from a global perspective, not a local one. These events are governed by far bigger discussions in the US headquarters that have nothing to do with Singapore per se.

"I think you will see more cuts in Yahoo's total headcount around the world. The CEO was very clear about that in the last earnings call."

Yahoo Singapore's announcement came a week after Japan's Rakuten announced the closure of its online market in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, a move that will affect fewer than 150 employees in the region.

whwong@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on February 20, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.