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CNET is doing big layoffs just weeks after AI-generated stories came to light

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CNET pushed reporters to be more favorable to advertisers, staffers say

Just weeks after news broke that tech site CNET was quietly using artificial intelligence to produce articles, the company is doing extensive layoffs that include several longtime employees, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation. The layoffs total around a dozen people, a CNET staffer says, or about 10 percent of the public masthead.

CNET editor in chief Connie Guglielmo will also step down from her role and become the senior vice president of AI content strategy and editor-at-large, according to a draft blog post circulated internally and obtained by The Verge. She will be replaced by Adam Auriemma, former editor in chief of another Red Ventures-owned outlet, NextAdvisor. NextAdvisor appears to have shut down; it hasn’t tweeted since January, its website now redirects to CNET, and it no longer appears on Red Ventures’ list of brands.

The layoffs began Thursday morning and were announced internally via email by Red Ventures, the private equity-backed marketing-turned-media company that bought CNET in 2020. In the email, a Red Ventures executive suggested the cuts were made to focus CNET on areas where the site can succeed at bringing in traffic on Google search — a top priority for the company.

“To prepare ourselves for a strong future, we will need to focus on how we simplify our operations and our tech stack, and also on how we invest our time and energy,” wrote Carlos Angrisano, president of financial services and the CNET Group at Red Ventures.

CNET will focus on “authority,” a metric Google considers in search rankings

Angrisano says implicitly what Red Ventures’ — and CNET’s — focus will be going forward: coverage areas where the company has “a high degree of authority, relevance, differentiation” and can “make a large difference in the lives” of audiences. “Authority” is among the metrics that Google stresses to websites as it decides what content ranks highly in search.

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Under Red Ventures, former CNET employees say the venerated publication’s focus increasingly became winning Google searches by prioritizing SEO. On these highly trafficked articles, the company crams in lucrative affiliate marketing ads for things like loans or credit cards, cashing in every time a reader signs up.

In the email, Angrisano said CNET would focus on consumer technology, home and wellness, energy, broadband, and personal finance — the sections Red Ventures could best monetize, a current staffer says.

“But those sections are shadows of what they once were, particularly home,” the staffer says. “If you want to do that section the right way, you don’t sell off your Smart Home, get rid of its video team and cripple your editorial staff.”

In January, Futurism reported that CNET had published dozens of articles since last November that were generated using AI tools, much to the surprise of readers — the outlet hadn’t formally announced it was doing so. Other Red Ventures-owned properties, Bankrate and CreditCards.com, had also been publishing similar pieces. The company paused the practice after public outcry and factual errors in stories and promised to do an audit of all articles using AI systems. On CNET, more than half of the articles eventually had corrections made to them.

Though the AI-generated stories were put on pause in January, Red Ventures is preparing to deploy the tool again soon, according to an internal meeting held in late February, first reported by Futurism and confirmed by The Verge. In her new role, Guglielmo will work on machine learning strategies across Red Ventures, according to the memo circulated today. The news is expected to be announced tomorrow.

Even beyond the shift to affiliate marketing, former CNET staff told The Verge that working conditions under Red Ventures deteriorated since the acquisition. Former staff recounted multiple instances in which CNET employees were pressured to change their coverage of companies that advertised with Red Ventures — a flagrant violation of journalistic ethics that put CNET’s editorial independence at serious risk.

Ivey O’Neal, senior communications manager for CNET, confirmed the layoffs in an email to The Verge. “Today, the CNET Group implemented a reorganization of the team, which unfortunately meant saying goodbye to a number of colleagues,” O’Neal writes. “While it was a difficult decision to let employees go, we believe this is critical for the longevity and future growth of the business.”

Update March 2nd, 3:15PM ET: This story has been updated with comment from Red Ventures.

Update March 2nd, 5:40PM ET: This story has been updated to include news that Connie Guglielmo will step down as editor-in-chief and take on an AI strategy role.

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How to Control the Way People Think About You

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How to Control the Way People Think About You

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In today’s digital age, where personal branding and public perception play a vital role in success, strategic PR efforts have become more important than ever. Ulyses Osuna, the founder of Influencer Press, joined our show to share valuable insights on the significance of PR, the evolving landscape, and the keys to achieving business growth while maintaining a fulfilling personal life.

One of the key takeaways from the conversation was the importance of strategic PR efforts in building a personal brand and shaping public perception. Ulyses emphasized that PR is not just about getting media coverage; it’s about controlling the narrative and shaping how others perceive you. By strategically positioning yourself and your brand through effective PR, you can influence public opinion and establish yourself as an authority in your field. Another crucial aspect discussed was the power of leveraging relationships and connections.

Ulyses highlighted the “Buglight Concept,” which involves utilizing the support and connections of others to achieve success. By building strong relationships and leveraging the networks of influential individuals, you can significantly expand your reach and influence. Ulyses’s own success with Influencer Press is a testament to the power of connections in the PR world. While professional success is undoubtedly important, Ulyses also stressed the significance of balancing personal time and fulfillment. In the pursuit of business growth, it’s easy to neglect personal well-being and relationships. However, Ulyses emphasized that true success lies in finding a balance between professional achievements and personal happiness.

By prioritizing personal time and fulfillment, entrepreneurs can sustain long-term growth and avoid burnout. In the ever-evolving landscape of PR, Ulyses highlighted the need for a clear mission when seeking press coverage. He emphasized the importance of aligning your brand with a cause or purpose that resonates with your target audience. By having a clear mission and purpose, you can attract media attention that aligns with your values and goals, ultimately enhancing your brand’s reputation and reach. Additionally, Ulyses discussed the importance of pricing services correctly and finding the right balance between personal involvement and business scalability.

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The conversation also touched upon the dynamics of client relationships and the impact of showcasing external support. Ulyses emphasized the value of building strong relationships with clients and going above and beyond to exceed their expectations. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of showcasing external support, such as media coverage or endorsements, to establish credibility and attract new clients. Ulyses’s own podcast, The Blacklist, where he shares insights and interviews successful entrepreneurs, was also discussed. He explained that launching the podcast was a way to give back to the entrepreneurial community and share valuable knowledge.

By continuously learning from others and implementing breakthrough ideas, Ulyses emphasized the importance of immediate action and continuous improvement for business growth. In conclusion, strategic PR efforts are essential for building a strong personal brand and controlling the narrative in today’s digital age. By leveraging relationships, finding a balance between personal and professional life, and having a clear mission, entrepreneurs can shape public perception, expand their reach, and achieve long-term success. Ulyses Osuna’s insights serve as a valuable guide for those looking to navigate the ever-changing landscape of PR and personal branding.

About The Jeff Fenster Show

Serial entrepreneur Jeff Fenster embarks on an extraordinary journey every week, delving into the stories of exceptional individuals who have defied the norms and blazed their own trails to achieve extraordinary success.

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Set Your Team up for Success and Let Them Browse the Internet Faster

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Set Your Team up for Success and Let Them Browse the Internet Faster

Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

According to TeamStage, 31 percent of employees waste about a half hour each day, and the top 10 percent of them can waste as much as three hours in a day. Part of that might be attitude, but the other part might be hangups caused by internet speed and advertisements. To nip that lost time in the bud, consider equipping yourself or your team with a tool to help stay on task.

From April 15 through 21, this five-year subscription to Control D Some Control Plan is on sale for just $34.97 (reg. $120). This is the best price for this deal online. This tool is designed to help users browse and use the internet faster while also blocking ads.

Control D is described as a “one-touch solution” for taking control over the productivity of your computer and internet usage. The deal supports use for up to ten devices, and it empowers each user to block advertisements, enjoy faster browsing, and set internet safety rules and restrictions for kids.

Control D’s bandwidth is substantial. It can accommodate up to 10,000 custom rules, block more than 300 servers, support multiple profiles, and unlimited usage. This robust and well-designed tool is a reliable option for any business leader who wants to liberate themselves or team members from distractions online.

Control D is rated a perfect 5/5 stars on Product Hunt.

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Remember that from April 15 through 21, this 5-year subscription to Control D Some Control Plan is on sale for just $34.97 (reg. $120)—the best price on the web.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Grab Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for $20 During This Flash Sale

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Grab Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for $20 During This Flash Sale

Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

If you’re in charge of a business and you don’t have a clear understanding of how to approach projects in an organized and effective manner, that’s a problem. Like many leaders before you, consider leaning on software that’s designed to streamline the project workflow for companies representing a wide range of industries.

A rate that will only be available from April 19 through 22, you can get Microsoft Professional 2021 for just $19.97 (reg. $249).

This well-reviewed software comes with a range of pre-built templates that you can use to set your project off on the right foot. It supports a number of helpful functions like building complex schedules with varying timelines, auto-populating those schedules in instances where it can, and submitting timesheets that can be distinguished by project work and non-project work.

Some additional features of Microsoft Project Professional that can help entrepreneurs and their teams include what-if scenario generation capabilities. Microsoft Project Professional also allows you to sync projects on your local server with those online, which is massively helpful for remote teams.

Its comprehensive and well-curated offerings are part of why Project Professional is rated an average of 4.7/5 stars on the Entrepreneur Store.

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Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity to make a worthwhile investment in your business for the price of a beer at the ball game.

A price that will only last from April 19 through 22, you can get Microsoft Professional 2021 for just $19.97 (reg. $249).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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