9 Story Media Group reduces global workforce by roughly 3%

The cuts have impacted teams in Toronto, New York and Dublin, with the company also reducing its physical footprint in New York.

Toronto-headquartered 9 Story Media Group has reduced its global workforce by about 3% in response to current market challenges.

The reductions have impacted its teams in Toronto, New York and Dublin, a spokesperson for 9 Story told Playback sister publication Kidscreen in a statement.

“Given the current industry slowdown that is affecting everyone, 9 Story has made a few organizational changes to better reflect the needs of the business moving forward,” read the statement. “We have made some headcount reductions in Toronto, New York, and as per Irish law, have commenced a redundancy process in Dublin. Total reductions represent less than 3% of the total workforce.”

The company employs more than 1,000 staff members worldwide, according to its website.

As part of a review of its physical assets, 9 Story has also decided to reduce its physical footprint in New York, where its current facilities are “too large to suit current needs.” The company is searching for an alternative, and in the meantime will be subletting its current office space and shifting the New York team to remote work.

“New York will continue to be a hub for development, creative partnerships, research, curriculum and interactive initiatives, with staff working remotely. Production efforts will remain concentrated at our studio facilities in Toronto, Dublin and Bali. Like everyone, we are rightsizing the business to match current production volumes.”

The company and its subsidiary Brown Bag Films recently unveiled the new series Let’s Go, Bananas! (52 x 11 minutes), which has been commissioned for a spring launch on CBC and CBC Gem. The studio just delivered Dee & Friends in Oz (16 x 22 minutes and a 47-minute film) to Netflix, where it premiered on Feb. 5.

A version of this story originally appeared in Kidscreen