American Public Media Group in St. Paul, Minn., has laid off staff and is planning additional changes to staff and programming, according to an internal memo from CEO Jon McTaggart.
In the memo, first reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Neal Justin, McTaggart said the organization would make changes through the end of July to better focus resources.
“We will organize our work differently and set new priorities for how we spend our time and our money,” McTaggart wrote. “We will stop some programming and create capacity for new content and innovative audience services. We will eliminate and change positions in some departments, and create capacity for new positions in others.”
“We cannot succeed with ‘business as usual,’” McTaggart added.
An APMG spokesperson confirmed the memo’s veracity to Current and affirmed that the company has let go an undisclosed number of staffers. The spokesperson said that the full scope of changes will take place within the next month.
“This is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen our service,” the spokesperson said.
APMG is the parent of Minnesota Public Radio, American Public Media, Classical South Florida and Southern California Public Radio. According to APMG’s most recent audited financial statement, which covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, the organization and its subsidiaries posted $123.7 million in total support and earned revenue, with $124.8 million in expenses.
Both MPR and SCPR have balanced budgets, reporting gains of $154,000 and $13,000, respectively. Classical South Florida, which is in talks to be sold to a religious broadcaster, posted a $1.5 million loss.