CNet Lays off 120 Employees: Full Internal Memo

Let me provide you with an overview of the changes we are making.

Refocusing Central Services

As we lean into our core brands, we are realigning our centralized services. We will look to central groups to provide expertise and best practices around areas of excellence, efficiency, and governance. This includes areas like IT architecture, SEO, yield monetization, Facilities, Legal, HR and Communications.

Operations

Operations is a newly formed organization led by Sam Parker that covers the full breadth of our shared IT and product services. This group integrates our enterprise business systems and network groups into one team.

As part of this change, I'm pleased to announce that Ned Rhinelander is taking on the new role of VP of IT Architecture. In this new role, Ned will track technology choices and adoption across the company, identify opportunities for efficiencies and innovations, and work closely with business unit engineering leaders to set shared standards and directions. Sam and his team will work to continue to find ways to drive efficiencies, ensuring we get the full benefit from our scale, and our brands have an advantage in the markets in which they compete.

Sales

Dave Morris will take on the role of Chief Client Officer reporting directly to me and joining the executive committee. In this role, Dave will drive our revenue strategy including our management of partner accounts, network-wide advertising programs, and the Detroit auto market. Dave will also oversee a go-to-market sales strategy that supports the company's revenue plan, as well as business operations and network product marketing.

We are making these changes to simplify our sales organization and to build on the early traction of our partner account strategy. The existing corporate accounts will become part of the partner accounts program. The partner accounts program allows the company to have an integrated sales approach that benefits from the expertise and talent we have throughout the organization, while at the same time allowing key marketing partners to realize the power of all of our leading brands.

Dave will be the Chairman of the Revenue Council and have the authority to create and drive company-wide revenue initiatives. Dave will also have a small team that will leverage the BU marketing organizations to support the company's network initiatives. Finally, Jack Haire will be returning to his Special Advisor role and will continue working with me, Dave, and the executive committee.

Corporate Communications