Long-Serving Google News Director Let Go After 13 Years; Eyes Return to India

In the midst of economic challenges affecting the tech industry, Google has recently laid off its long-serving Director of News, Madhav Chinnappa. He confirmed the news in a LinkedIn post, expressing pride in his accomplishments during his nearly 13-year tenure at the company.

A Proud Legacy of News Initiatives

Chinnappa played a pivotal role in various news initiatives at Google, including the Digital News Initiative, the Google News Initiative Innovation Challenges, and the Journalism Emergency Relief Fund (JERF). The latter showcased Google's commitment to supporting the vulnerable segments of the news ecosystem, highlighting the positive impact that 300 Googlers made in times of need.

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Taking Time Off and Looking Ahead

Following the layoff, Chinnappa plans to take a month's break to address pressing family matters. Afterward, he intends to spend September in India, caring for his mother, before considering new career opportunities in October, with an eye on pursuing more ventures in 2024.

Google's Workforce Reduction and Adapting to Economic Realities

Google's layoffs, affecting around 12,000 people globally, have been a response to the challenging economic landscape. CEO Sundar Pichai acknowledged the need to adapt to the changing reality, aligning the company's talent and resources with its highest priorities.

As the tech industry navigates these difficult economic cycles, it remains a critical time for companies to refocus and realign their strategies to remain agile and resilient in the face of uncertainty.