The Root Staff Urged to Increase Output After Colleague’s Death

Deputy editor’s memo calling for higher productivity following writer Stephanie Holland’s passing draws criticism from employees.

The Root deputy editor Dustin Seibert instructed staff to produce four trending stories daily to compensate for the loss of writer Stephanie Holland, who passed away on December 31, 2024.
The memo, sent just days after Holland's death, has been criticized by employees for its timing and tone, with some staff expressing shock and frustration.
G/O Media, the private equity owner of The Root, has faced ongoing backlash over its business practices, including layoffs, AI-generated content, and pressure to meet traffic metrics.
A company spokesperson claimed the memo was taken out of context and included industry-standard expectations previously communicated to staff.
G/O Media, formed after the 2019 acquisition of Gizmodo Media Group, has sold off several properties in recent years and is reportedly focused on streamlining its remaining assets.