More Industry Layoffs

by Robert Greenberger on December 4th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Posted In: News

Wizards of the Coast is the latest genre publisher to announce layoffs, in this case, it was the game company’s second round this year.  Among those terminated were VP of Digital Gaming Randy Buehler, Director of Digital Games Andrew Finch, Creative Manager of Digital Design William Meyers, and Online Community Manager Jennifer Paige according to ICv2.

A WotC spokesperson told the trade website, “Wizards of the Coast consolidated its digital game organizations to streamline execution of digital growth strategies for core brands.”

“Consolidating internal resources coupled with improved outsourcing allows us to gain efficiencies in executing against our major digital initiatives Magic Online and D&D Insider,” Wizards of the Coast President Greg Leeds added..  “Wizards of the Coast is well positioned to maximize future opportunities, including further brand development on digital platforms.  The result of this consolidation is a more streamlined approach to driving core brands.”

Simon & Schuster laid off 35 people yesterday including Senior Editor Marco Palmieri.  Palmieri, a former DC Comics marketing staffer, joined Pocket and successfulyl edited Star Trek novels in addition to helping Pocket expand its media tie-in operations to incude Blizzard’s RPG titles and Marvel’s super-heroes.  Margaret Clark, another former DC staffer, is now solely responsible for the media tie-in line along with editors Jennifer Heddle and Ed Schlesinger.