Discord Layoffs Affect ‘Majority’ of Entertainment Partnerships Team
The instant messaging platform has reduced its headcount by about 4%, including entertainment partnerships head Kenny Layton and marketing staff.
Discord has reduced its headcount by 4% in a round of layoffs on Thursday (Aug. 3), the company confirmed to Billboard. Among those affected by the reduction are the “majority of the entertainment partnerships team,” said entertainment partnerships department head Kenny Layton on LinkedIn Thursday, as well as members of the company’s marketing team. Insider was first to confirm the layoffs.
“Discord can confirm that approximately 4% of our team have been let go as part of the reorganization of some business units, and we are ensuring that those impacted are being supported,” said a Discord spokesperson in a statement. “We are focused on the long-term growth of the business and delivering on our mission.”
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Discord is an instant messaging platform that allows users to form channels for specific communities and privately communicate using text, voice, video media and files. Over the years, it has become a hub for music fandoms, Web3 communities, gamers and other special interest groups.
“Just got laid off from my role at Discord, along with many amazing colleagues from the marketing org and a majority of the Entertainment Partnerships team,” said Layton in his LinkedIn post. “Open to new opportunities, let’s chat.” Layton, who previously appeared on Billboard’s 2016 Digital Power Players List for his previous work at William Morris Endeavor, added there was a “longer post to come later as I’m still processing.”
In 2021, Billboard covered the popularization of Discord as a pathway for artists to directly connect with fans. Artists with active Discord channels include Kenny Beats, Grimes and Zedd.
According to recent reporting by The New York Times, Discord boasted a staff of more than 900. In 2021, it had more than 150 million active users each month, up from 56 million just two years prior. PitchBook recently valued the company at $14.7 billion.
UPDATE: This story was updated Thursday (Aug. 3) at 7:18 p.m. ET to add that Billboard independently confirmed the layoffs.
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