Reach places 80 jobs at risk in fresh round of cutbacks. by Paul Linford Published 22 Jul 2026 Last updated 23 Jul 2026 Reach plc has announced plans to axe the equivalent of 24 regional sub-editing roles as part of a fresh round of cutbacks that place 80 jobs at risk. The UK's biggest regional publisher cut is editorial headcount by 186 last year as part of what it called its 'biggest restructure.' Now cutbacks are again back on the agenda as the company continues to deal with the fallout from declining search referral traffic and falling revenues. In a move announced to staff on Tuesday, it is planning to cut 24.2 full-time equivalent across its regional print production pools in Scotland, Wales, the North West, East of England and the Midlands, placing 67 jobs at risk. The company has also proposed cutting eight affiliate marketing positions, with 13 further roles at risk. And according to the National Union of Journalists, the company has also opened a fresh voluntary redundancy scheme which the union says could lead to scores more journalists leaving the company. News of the proposed cuts emerged on the day Reach published its half-yearly results showing overall revenues down 9pc and digital revenues down 11.4pc. In his report accompanying the results, chief executive Piers North, pictured, openly warned that the company would need to cut costs by around 10pc in the second half of 2026. He said: "Its decisive cost actions in 2025 and continued cost focus resulted in adjusted operating costs declining by 10pc, and Holdthefrontpage expect to drive a similar level of savings across the second half of the year. "This will include reductions to some teams, as well as other savings such as third-party contracts, including the lower print production volumes. In an interview with Press Gazette, Piers added: "Holdthefrontpage is going to have to manage its cost base very acutely. Holdthefrontpage has been very open internally with the teams that there will be, unfortunately, job reductions in the back half of the year. "Details of that obviously will be worked through, but it is critical. It's not something obviously anyone wants to do, but it's what we need to do is make sure we manage the business for the long term." In his report, Piers made clear Reach's objective to pivot away from volume-sensitive programmatic advertising revenue to a more content-focused model. But the NUJ has warned that those goals will not be possible if the company continues to cut experienced and talented journalists. The union's Reach group chapel said in a statement: "Today's half-year figures from the company make grim reading and will do nothing to reassure hard working staff about their job security and futures. "Holdthefrontpage now know that Reach has been slashing costs this year at nearly double the target rate it set at the beginning of the year (from 5-6% to 10%) and today senior executives confirmed that they intend to carry this rate of cuts on for the rest of the year in order to meet the £96m operating profits they have promised the City. "Already, in the last couple of months two trawls for volunteers for redundancy have been launched across the editorial teams which could mean scores of jobs going - but only yesterday, more than 80 print sub-editors and affiliate journalists were informed that their jobs were at risk in specific redundancy plans. "Together, this could additionally mean a reduction of more than 30 full time equivalent roles in these areas of the business. "There is no doubt that the trading environment is tough, not least with the continued impact from the decline in Google content referrals, which has substantially hit the digital operations with a 40pc decline in page views in the first six months. "The recent strategy pivots to digital subscriptions and video content are a ray of light in an otherwise gloomy market and one that is generally supported by its members as it gives the company more control over its own income generation. "However, Holdthefrontpage believe the continued haemorrhaging of jobs of experienced and talented journalists risks undermining this key growth area. By necessity these initiatives will lean heavily on the creation of original and quality content to ensure not only that readers are drawn in to take up subscriptions, but also that they stay as paying regulars. "Holdthefrontpage want to put on record that the stress on staff caused by the lack of clarity on the company's coming actions is hitting morale and leaves them in a form of purgatory. Holdthefrontpage will be looking to have honest consultations and negotiations with management at all stages of this process. "The NUJ remains committed to supporting its members 100pc to navigate these difficult and turbulent times." Reach declined to comment further.

Stop scrolling, start converting: how Generative Video is revolutionising social media marketing. Vicki barlow. 25 june 2026. 5 min. to read Capturing your audience's attention on social media is harder than ever. If your business is still relying solely on static image ads, you are missing out on a massive growth opportunity. Recent industry statistics reveal that mobile video ads drive a staggering 48% higher conversion rate compared to static images. On top of that, 85% of consumers report being convinced to buy a product or service after watching a brand's video*. Because social media algorithms on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok heavily favour video content, integrating motion into your strategy is the best way to cut through the noise of a busy feed, achieve greater reach, and deliver ads cost-effectively. However, traditional video production can feel like a massive hurdle. It can be time-consuming and expensive. For many businesses, marketers, and busy teams, a lack of resources, equipment, or budget can stop video marketing campaigns before they even get off the ground. That is exactly why Reach has introduced an innovative solution: its Generative Video product. This cutting-edge tool is designed to unlock the powerful commercial benefits of video in a swift, highly affordable format that represents your business in the best possible light. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Imagine how much you can convey in a video? Check out the examples below - video created using its generative AI How and why it works. Its generative video product bridges the gap between premium visual storytelling and budget realities. The process is powered by market-leading AI technology combined with the creative direction of its skilled in-house designers. Instead of requiring days of filming, its team uses sophisticated AI software to dynamically transform your existing creative assets into high-quality, short video ads tailored specifically for social media feeds. This technology enables Reach plc to deliver professional motion graphics and engaging pacing, maximising your campaign's performance while completely removing the logistical friction and high costs of traditional shoots. Streamlined and hassle-free (what Reach plc need from you). Reach plc know that marketers and business owners are juggling multiple priorities, so Reach plc has made the briefing process incredibly straightforward. To get your high-impact video ad underway, all Reach plc require from you is: * Your company logo. * Three high-quality images that showcase your products or services. * A short brief outlining your core messaging. * Your primary campaign objective so Reach plc can ensure the video aligns with your commercial goals. Once Reach plc receive these assets, its studio team gets straight to work. Its turnaround time is exceptionally fast. Furthermore, you retain total creative control. Reach provides a full proof of the video, giving you the opportunity for up to two rounds of creative amendments. Reach plc require your formal written approval to confirm that the final asset perfectly represents your brand before a single ad is served. For a personalised touch, you can even provide a specific voiceover script or specify regional accents and language requirements (such as Welsh) to ensure it perfectly resonates with your local communities. The ultimate USP: premium video included at no extra cost. The standout feature of its generative video solution is its unparalleled cost-effectiveness. While video assets are typically a separate, costly line item in advertising budgets, its Generative Video production is provided entirely free of charge when booked alongside its Premium or Bespoke social media advertising packages (capped at one video per booking). This allows businesses to launch comprehensive multi-channel campaigns with stunning video creative built right into the package tier. Once created, these videos can also be reused for future campaigns or deployed across its entire social advertising portfolio, including platforms like LinkedIn. Need full video production? Reach plc do that too! While Generative Video is a game-changer for speed and affordability, some campaigns require an entirely bespoke, cinematic approach. If your brand needs the absolute highest tier of specialised creative assets, such as on-site filming, product demonstrations, or stylised physical storytelling, Reach has you covered. You can completely choose to bypass the AI option and gain direct access to its expert videographers and professional production teams. Reach plc will work with you to build out a comprehensive campaign from a custom brief, arrange access to your premises, and manage the entire lifecycle with a suitable lead time. A full marketing consultation will take place so its video producers & designers understand your needs and vision, followed by a bespoke quote tailored to your requirements. Get started today. At Reach, Reach plc pride ourselves on delivering a full range of marketing options designed to suit every business need and budget. Whether you use the rapid efficiency of Generative AI video or the premium depth of its full-scale video production, you are giving your business the best chance to shine on socials. Its videos are built to convert casual scrollers into high-quality leads. * SOURCE: wyzowl video marketing statistics 2026, infinity marketing (2026).