Encyclopedia Web Site Cuts 75 Jobs

Friday, November 17th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CHICAGO (AP) â€” Web-based encyclopedia Britannica.com has slashed 75 jobs from its work force in a restructuring move aimed at expediting its move toward profitability, officials said.

The job cuts, which will reduce the company's staff by nearly 25 percent, will be made over the next two weeks, mostly in the firm's Chicago headquarters.

``As is the case with most dot-coms, the dramatic change in the way the financial community now evaluates Internet companies means we must reach profitability as quickly as possible,'' said Don Yannias, Brittannica.com's, chief executive officer.

The company plans to focus on its most popular services, which include providing information through the encyclopedia, magazines and other resources available on the site. It will also reduce costs by eliminating some features developed by Britannica writers and editors.

Staffing at the firm's sister company, Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., which publishes the print encyclopedia, will not be affected by the move, the company said.

Britannica.com's Web site was launched 13 months ago and was temporarily shut down due to an unanticipated crush of users.

Internet surfers worldwide were attracted to the site as a way to get the entire Encyclopedia Britannica for free for the first time. The printed version sells for $1,250, and previously was available on the Internet only for a subscriber's fee.

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On the Net:

http//:www.britannica.com