Disney just laid off the entire staff that makes National Geographic Kids books. Everyone. Gone. This hits home both as a parent and as an author of an NG kids book. Please RT if you care about these books. The CEO of Disney just received a 30% raise, bringing his pay to $41.1 million.
These layoffs follow a 60-person Nat Geo layoff in July and a series of layoffs in 2022-2024 that cut staff of NG Media (magazine & website) by ~30%, including all writers/reporters and many experienced text editors. That loss includes rehires; total NG Media turnover has been >50% since 2022.
It’s pains me what Gary Knell did to NG by selling it to Fox and then Disney.
It's my understanding that as Society leadership saw things, the Fox deal was a unique opportunity to shore up the Society's long-term financial health. And they had a point: "Membership dues" (magazine subscriptions) and associated ad revenue had been in decline for 25 years by that point.
I wonder if the magazine is now not available? My grandson love that magazine
CANCEL ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS! 😡
This action is despicable.
So sad. Do you know if they're still planning to *do* kids' books but with contractors rather than staff? Or are they just getting out of the game? (My kiddo loves his NG kids books!)
I dunno. I heard Disney may license the brand to outsiders. But what makes NG Kids Books so beloved is how mission oriented they are. Many are written by or about NG explorers and scientists. They also have access to the Nat Geo image collection. They are image rich, just like the Nat Geo Magazine.
Right now 6yo is loving The Ultimate Book of Reptiles by the awesome Ruchira Somaweera 🦎! Agreed on all points.
Source?
An editor I worked with there.
#booksky #education #STEM
Hopefully that talented bunch can regroup and form another pathway for the next generation of young planeteers.