I just got this from Shiny Media. Of the three main founders only one now remains, Chris Price. Katie Lee leaves today, as do staff on several of their blog titles. I’m trying to confirm numbers and which titles will suffer. Meanwhile former co-founder Ashley Norris left last year, leaving behind a hotly debated parting shot about why the company did not mirror the success of other US-based blog startups. Shiny responded at length.
Update: Two editorial jobs being made redundant – the editorial assistants on Tech Digest and Shiny Shiny. Other redundancies are around management (most notably Lee) and production. I gather this amounts to four people in total. So affected titles are: My Chemical Toilet, Shiny Shiny, Tech Digest, and marketing. Staffing levels on the fashion and lifestyle sites – Shiny’s core offering – remain unchanged.
Moving Shiny forward
You don’t need me to tell you that that we are in the midst of some very tough times and sadly they affect new media networks like Shiny too.
We have held on as long as we could without restructuring the business but we now have to make those changes to secure the long-term stability of Shiny.
It is with huge regret that we are having to part company with several members of our team. They are very talented and extremely likable individuals, however ultimately in the current climate we are faced with no choice but to let them go.
We also announce today the departure of our editorial director and co-founder Katie Lee from Shiny. Katie played a massive role in developing Shiny and in particular several of its hero blogs. She has now decided that the time is right to leave the business. She does however remain a significant shareholder in Shiny and we are very grateful for all she has done over the years.
Shiny is a British new media success story. We have built a stable of great media brands that between them attract over three million readers each month. Times maybe tough now, but we are confident that this move, though painful in the short term, will leave us well placed to thrive and prosper in the future.
Shaftesbury Ave
London
www.shinymedia.com
Sorry to hear this – wish you all the best for the future.
Gosh, this is very sad. Good luck Katie, I’m sure whatever you’re off to do, you’ll nail it. Congrats on all you’ve achieved with Shiny.
Shiny is a great media brand and I’m sure it’ll carry on offering quality content.
Yes, I have a vested interest in Shiny’s success. This is sad news, of course, but I’m sure we’ll all come through it, wherever we all end up. Good luck and best wishes for a bright future to everyone who’s moving on.
Really surprised and saddened by the news. Shiny Media is indeed a true hero of the UK publishing scene. I hope that it bounces back from this terrible setback.
Good luck to Katie and the rest of the team. In the meantime, I have every confidence that Chris will keep the spirit of Shiny alive.
Smart people. Unfortunate times.
I wish this post showcased a little more about the amazing stuff Katie and her co-founders achieved with Shiny media. What they created was and still is unmatched inthe UK industry and I don’t think just linking to Ashley’s post from last year really does that justice.
I don’t need to wish Katie good luck because I know that she’sll make a huge success out of whatever she does next, whether that’s creating something else extraordinary or just opening a wool shop.
Suffice to say: this industry would benefit hugely from more people like her.
FYI, this was not designed to be a long disertation on the Shiny model – more a breaking news story.
@Rob You said it all really. It’s natural to feel a little sad at the end of an era. But I’m also really excited to see what Katie does next! She was an inspirational boss and has become a valued friend to me.
When Shiny was at the start of this exciting journey it was fantastic to be part of it and it’s always had a very special team. I wish them all, past and present, the very best of luck.
Agree with Rob and Darika. Katie is a phenomenal talent a shaped a unique voice on the Shiny sites, not to mention advancing the cause of women in tech a considerable way.
Funny thing about Shiny Media is, everytime I see a mention of them I think – must go and look at their blogs. Don’t think I’ve ever read a Shiny blog, not sure who does?
I’ll definitely miss the My Chemical Toilet twitter feed. Funniest thing outside No More Rock & Roll. *sniff*
Katie, I hope you read these comments, you are very welcome as a guest editor and more with us.
Katie you have always achieved what ever you set your mind to and I know that as this door closes you will be opening many more. Can’t wait to see what you come up with. Sad as it is that you are leaving “your baby” isn’t it just a bit exciting too!!
Lots of love
Big Sis XX
It is a real shame and the end of of an era that Shiny Media is going in to administration.
Defintely sure they’ll bounce back with some new projects.