Creative Loafing Atlanta staff changes

Atlanta’s beloved arts & entertainment publication for more than 45 years is changing with the times. In a continual adjustment to keeping its digital/print formats thriving, on Dec. 27, Creative Loafing reduced three of its editorial staff positions to freelance/contributing editor positions, and has reduced four positions in sales and marketing.

Creative Loafing has returned to its roots working with a full complement of freelance writers and columnists, while renewing its commitment to Atlanta’s many music scenes and expanding its pool of contributors. “Our social media channels, website and monthly newspaper each demand a lot of care that is best done by critics and scene watchers nestled deep in our community. We’ve had a nice run with a staff driven model and needed to finally say goodbye to an era that is likely gone”, says Ben Eason, CL’s CEO.

CL has invested heavily in new music columns and will unveil a new website in January showcasing the depth of coverage CL has been known for and allowing broader community participation in events and other key community information. On the music front, hip-hop writer Jewel Wicker weighs in every Wednesday with her weekly Atlanta Untrapped column. Former CL Editor Tony Paris takes a trip down memory lane every Thursday with High Frequencies, and beginning January 1, Music Editor Chad Radford dives headlong into Atlanta’s metal scene with the monthly Fear of Fear scene report.

On the sales front, the change in staff brings about a shift toward a business development focus and away from a direct sales mindset. “In a world where generic access to digital audiences is the norm, we have developed a suite of digital and print offerings that allows Atlantans to communicate with Atlantans thru CL’s platforms. We’ve found our advertisers receptive to partnerships and sponsorships where they used to buy spot schedules of print and web. These changes are necessary to keep us healthy as we move our business more aggressively into the future”, Sharry Smith, Creative Loafing’s Publisher.

Creative Loafing proudly publishes 60,000 copies each month of its newspaper and has a combined audience of 500,000+ Atlantans on social, web visits, emails. Follow us as we forge the next chapter of CL.