Chief content officer Anna Wintour sent an email to Condé Nast’s employees on Wednesday informing them of the changes and subsequent layoffs.
Many have expressed their sorrow over the merger during a period when newsroom closures are occurring all over the world.
According to two unions that represent Pitchfork employees, they “categorically condemn” the choice.
Established in 1996, Pitchfork was an independent music blog based in Minnesota, USA.
It quickly rose to prominence as one of the most reputable independent music publications in the world, if only because of its occasionally harsh reviews. In 2015, Condé Nast purchased it.
The BBC asked Condé Nast for comment, but the company did not reply. However, Ms. Wintour’s email to staff went viral.
“Today we are evolving our Pitchfork team structure by bringing the team into the GQ organization,” the message reads.
Not sure how many, though editor-in-chief Puja Patel will be departing, is mentioned as “some of our Pitchfork colleagues will be leaving the company today” by Ms. Wintour.
A number of Pitchfork employees who were laid off have turned to X, which was formerly Twitter.
“I know music journalism isn’t exactly brain surgery, but I have been privileged to do a bunch of work I’m really proud of, with amazing colleagues,” said senior staff writer Marc Hogan, who began writing for Pitchfork in 2004. I lost my job today, like far too many of them.”
The features editor at Pitchfork, Jill Mapes, claimed she was a victim of the “mass layoffs”.
