Rogers Media’s new digital strategy involves shutting down eight of its websites

Rogers Media’s new digital strategy involves shutting down eight of its websites

(Image: screenshot from sweetspot.ca)

Something interesting is afoot at Rogers. In recent weeks, the media giant undertook large-scale layoffs across the country as part of a “cost management strategy,” chief executive Nadir Mohamed issued a warning to investors to temper growth expectations and the company sent shockwaves through the country’s media and advertising industries by joining forces with Shaw and the CBC in a bid to streamline ads sales on its websites. Then, the latest twist: Rogers Media announced it plans to close eight websites—including SweetSpot.ca and CanadianParents.com. What’s interesting about the recent news is that chief digital officer Jason Tafler says that the cuts are coming despite loyal followings and solid ad sales on the soon-to-be shuttered sites. He went on to suggest that the company’s new digital strategy is focused on developing “multiplatform integration and growth opportunities for our premium brands.” Business-speak, we suspect, for more sports, sports, sports. [Huffington Post Canada]