McClatchy shuttering 4 magazines, including 'In Touch' and 'Life & Style'

USA Today

02-06-2025

McClatchy shuttering 4 magazines, including 'In Touch' and 'Life & Style'
The reading options at the checkout aisle at your local grocery store may soon look a little different.
McClatchy Media Company spokesperson Julie Pendley confirmed to USA TODAY on Monday, June 2 that it is ceasing production of four of its magazines: First for Women, In Touch, Life & Style and Closer.
"Despite the best efforts of many of our talented colleagues, we have been unable to develop a profitable business model for four of our magazine titles," Pendley said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY.
"First for Women, In Touch, Life & Style and Closer will publish their final editions between June 20 and 27. We are grateful for the meaningful contributions of the affected employees and are providing support during the transition," Pendley added.
It is unclear at this time how many staffers are affected by the move.
McClatchy, perhaps more well known for its portfolio of newspapers, such as The Kansas City Star, The Charlotte Observer and the Miami Herald, among others, announced in December 2024 it merged with accelerate360, a distribution, logistics and media company. The move combined McClatchy's "essential local journalism" with accelerate360's "engaging lifestyle and entertainment content," according to a news release announcing the merger.
A360Media, formerly known as American Media Inc., used to own brands such as the National Examiner and the National Enquirer. The brand also owned In Touch and Life & Style.
Move comes after Business Insider lays off 21% of workforce
Another media company, Business Insider, is also dealing with cuts as an internal memo last week showed the outlet is laying off 21% of its workforce, according to reporting from Reuters.
Reuters reports Business Insider is grappling with "shrinking search traffic and the growing use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT."
In the memo, CEO Barbara Peng told staff the company now generates twice as much revenue for each website visit as it did two years ago, but 70% of its business still has some degree of traffic sensitivity, Reuters reports.
"We must be structured to endure extreme traffic drops outside of our control, so we're reducing our overall company to a size where we can absorb that volatility," Peng said in the memo, as reported by Reuters.
Contributing: Reuters
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [e-mail].