WebProNews

In case anyone was wondering whether the recession's over - after all, the stock markets have had a good run lately - it's not.  Not for AOL, anyway, which seems to be carrying on with a string of layoffs.

 AOL Lays Off Around 100 Employees

"A source . . . puts the number of layoffs at 'less than 500,' and says the severance packages stink," according to Henry Blodget.  "AOL describes the firings as a mere 'alignment,' suggests today is not the only day, and says the number is only 100."

Hurray for corporate-speak.  Either way, the development implies that all the layoffs leading up to this point may not have had their desired effect.

Another troubling detail: even though Platform A is supposed to be AOL's biggest (and perhaps last) success story, the cuts come from within that unit.  Alignments of thriving operations aren't supposed to entail ending one hundred or more jobs.  It wouldn't be surprising if additional layoffs are on the way, either.

AOL's not completely in emergency mode, however, and anyone needing proof can look to its recent acquisition of Sphere as evidence.  Sphere's price remains unknown, but our own David Utter classified it as "a desirable takeover target."