Industry Standard cuts 69 jobs

In an e-mail to employees, Chief Executive John Battelle called the cuts "deep" and "painful." He apologized for any stress the management may have caused the staff by remaining mum about the prospect of layoffs despite a flurry of news stories on the issue. The company has suffered since the economic downturn in April, which triggered the death of many dot-coms and caused a steep drop in ad sales.

The Standard is not the only publication facing tough times. Some of the magazine's stiffest competitors have also trimmed their staffs recently in efforts to reduce costs. Future Networks, publisher of 134 titles, said it would cut about 20 unprofitable magazines and rethink strategies for Business 2.0. Red Herring Communications has gone through two rounds of layoffs. CNET Networks, publisher of News.com, recently announced it would reduce its work force by 10 percent. CNET also has a stake in Red Herring. --Patricia Jacobus, Special to ZDNet News