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Editorial jobs under threat at South-East publisher

Eight editorial posts are at risk at Kent-based publisher KoS Media months after its new owners promised ‘further investment’ in the business.

The company, which was bought out by Archant earlier this year, is reducing its editorial payroll from around 24 staff to 16 in response to “challenging trading conditions.”

Staff were told of the move yesterday and a formal consultation period is under way.

The company, which publishes Kent on Sunday and other assorted weeklies, is promising that all of its existing titles will remain in the market.

Paul Stannard, managing director of Archant KOS Media said: “We are reviewing all roles and structures throughout the editorial department due to the current economic forecasts and challenging trading conditions.

“We are consulting with the affected staff to discuss the proposals and see what other suggestions they may have about the future structure of the department. There are potentially a maximum of eight jobs at risk. All of our existing brands will remain in the market.”

At the time of the Archant takeover, the company’s chief executive Adrian Jeakings, said: “This acquisition strengthens Archant’s existing presence in Kent and provides a springboard for further investment. We look forward to working with the managing director Paul Stannard and his team, to develop this vibrant business.”

Mr Stannard said at the time: “I am delighted Archant has taken on full ownership of KoS Media. We will benefit from ownership by a large, well financed, independent group with ambitious plans to grow the business.”

8 comments

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  • December 7, 2010 at 12:27 pm
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    Just weeks before Christmas, what great timing. When will the suited management fools who run newspapers learn to consider the human impact of their actions? This is shameful.

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  • December 8, 2010 at 10:31 am
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    Doris is right. Was it so urgent it could not wait until New Year? I know there’s an economic crisis crippling the country BUT people are treated like sh..in this trade (it’s not a profession any more).

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  • December 8, 2010 at 10:37 am
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    BAD SANTA: Put this in your cracker. It’s not just our trade. It’s called capitalism and it can kill decent people’s spirit as well as make others very rich and greedy. Heavens knows we don’t want communism but is anyone clever enough to find a middle way that isn’t so cruel?

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  • December 8, 2010 at 11:34 am
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    From a recent biz awards press release. The Award for Best Employer in Sussex. Sponsored by The Argus Might also have added they once got the Investors in People Award. Strange world, ennit?

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  • December 8, 2010 at 4:09 pm
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    BADSANTA, EYESOPEN, DOINTTHEIRONY…I knew you would come soon. Please join me on a journey beyond the realms of the human body. Join me on a journey to the spirit world. I will really miss Kent on Sunday when it goes. Always such cutting edge news…

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  • December 13, 2010 at 4:07 pm
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    Phew, the cull at KOS is more brutal and sudden than we had first thought as several journos, obviously expecting to be thrown overboard, are already ‘calling around’.

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  • December 14, 2010 at 4:52 pm
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    My oh my, I never expected this. Just bumped into a KOS scribe downing his sorrows in a Canterbury pub. He reckons this is the end, that it will all end in tears. He was almost crying as he told me this, almost crying into his gin.

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  • January 10, 2011 at 4:59 pm
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    Any truth in the rumour that from the week after next the Your…. series of papers will only be available online?

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