Layoffs at music outlet 'Pitchfork' as Conde Nast merges it with 'GQ'

'Pitchfork' started in 1996 as an independent music blog out of Minnesota, growing into a popular reference that extensively covered alt and independent music, before becoming a standard-bearer of both music reviews and news coverage of the industry. Photo: Pitchfork

Conde Nast is merging the popular digital music publication Pitchfork with the men's magazine GQ, a decision that has triggered anger over resulting layoffs and concern for the outlet's future.

In an email to staff obtained by AFP, Anna Wintour - the chief content officer for Conde Nast, the media conglomerate whose outlets include Vogue - announced the changes and resulting layoffs.