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There's no question it's a jarring contrast: layoffs versus champagne and cookies.But that's the reality at AOL as its acquisition of the Huffington Post closes this week, even as it sheds employees as part of its ongoing turnaround effort.
Sources said the New York-based Internet portal could announce layoffs as early as today.
AOL CEO Tim Armstrong indicated job cuts were definitely coming at a PaidContent conference in New York yesterday.
"There will be job changes," he said, when asked about layoffs.
Perhaps sooner than later.
BoomTown received several e-mails from worried AOL employees, noting that human resources staffers were taking steps to initiate the layoffs at 7 a.m. PT today and that there would be employee meetings then too.
I followed up with several sources close to the situation, who confirmed that the layoffs are imminent. Nonetheless, they could not specify the timing, size, or scope of them.
The last time AOL laid off employees a year ago, it was a large action with job cuts of 2,300.
The latest slashing comes just as AOL management will try to aggressively tout the closing of its $315 purchase of the Huffington Post.
The integration of the well-known news and opinion site will mean a significant change for AOL's editorial efforts, as well as an opportunity to impress advertisers.
Thus, AOL is prepping boxes with Greek cookies and pricey champagne to send out to key advertising clients, to celebrate the deal's close.
Why Greek cookies? Because it's the original country of AOL's new content head Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post.
I have e-mails into AOL for a comment.
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