UsVsTh3m and Ampp3d: Trinity Mirror jobs at risk as publisher looks to sacrifice digital media brands
Both sites have been credited with helping to rapidly grow the Mirror's online audience in the past two years
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Trinity Mirror is understood to be set to close digital media brands UsVsTh3m and Ampp3d in a bid to fund its push into North America.
The move is expected to mean the loss of around 27 roles, including 14 jobs across UsVsTh3m, Ampp3d, and the football-focused Row Zed, with eight digital jobs created.
UsVsTh3m was launched as a Tumblr site with a team of five people in May 2013, and data-focused Ampp3d was launched in December that same year. Both have been credited with helping to rapidly grow the Mirror's online audience in the past two years, however a statement from Trinity Mirror suggested that "certain areas of content... carry very high costs in comparison to the traffic they generate".
Martin Belam, who was announcement editor for new formats until Wednesday’s announcement, told the Guardian: "We’re going to stop doing them, which is sad, but I’d always much rather try something new than sit on my hands fretting about the future of digital media without actually trying to influence or change it."
Editor-in-chief Lloyd Embley said: "The pressure to make the best use of our resources and to manage costs means that sometimes tough decisions have to be made. Sadly that is the situation we now find ourselves in.
"Although we have been performing excellently both in print and online, the market is incredibly tough and we have identified certain areas of content which carry very high costs in comparison to the traffic they generate.
"We do, however, remain completely committed to our digital future and will continue to invest and innovate in this area, including creating new roles both now and in the future."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments