IMG Digital Media Unit To Cease Operations, Lay Off 80 Staffers

IMG's Digital Media Unit next week "will cease operation as a separate entity and will be realigned into other IMG business units, a move that will result in the layoff of approximately 80 Digital Media staffers," according to Ken Kerschbaumer of SPORTSVIDEO.org. IMG Senior VP/Corporate Communications Jim Gallagher said, "This is in no way a retreat from the digital business. It is a plan to enlarge and improve our digital offerings." Kerschbaumer reports under the plan, IMG Digital Media Global Head Oliver Gers "will stay on board through January and assist with the transition." But IMG Senior VP and EMEA Digital Head Donna North will leave the company. IMG's digital production business "will be integrated into the Sports Media Production business," while its digital-content-creation business "will be tied to the respective content rightsholder within IMG, and the IMG Website services will still support clients." However, a "third-party technology partner will take over delivery of those sites" (SPORTSVIDEO.org, 12/11).