Pocket FM, the audio storytelling platform operating across 20+ countries, has laid off around 100 employees mainly from its content division while moving approximately 2,000 contractual workers to Quess Corp's payroll, signaling a shift towards operational efficiency and cost consolidation.
- 100 employees laid off, mainly content roles
- 2,000 contract employees shifted to Quess Corp payroll
- Partnership aims to improve operational efficiency
What happened
Pocket FM recently cut approximately 100 jobs, amounting to about 10% of its total workforce, predominantly impacting its content team. These layoffs are described by the company as role-specific transitions, resulting from evaluations where certain staff did not meet skill requirements rather than a broad reduction in headcount.
Simultaneously, the company transferred around 2,000 contract employees, including content writers and designers who support its US business operations, to Quess Corp’s payroll. This move is part of a broader partnership aimed at consolidating operational costs through outsourcing payroll for contingent workers.
Why it matters
These workforce adjustments come shortly after Pocket FM announced a milestone of $450 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) powered by an AI-native storytelling platform. Despite strong growth and a 68% revenue increase in FY25, the company is optimizing human resources to maintain agility and cost efficiency in a competitive content streaming market.
Shifting contract employees to a third-party payroll provider like Quess Corp reflects a strategic decision to streamline finances and manage operational complexities. This approach allows Pocket FM to concentrate on its core business priorities while reducing administrative overhead associated with contract staffing.
What to watch next
Stakeholders should monitor how Pocket FM manages performance across its remaining full-time workforce and whether additional role-specific shifts occur as the company continues to scale. The effectiveness of this leaner team in driving innovation and expanding its market presence will be critical moving forward.
Additionally, observing the impact of outsourcing contract payroll to Quess Corp offers insight into Pocket FM’s operational model. This partnership could serve as a blueprint for other content platforms aiming to optimize costs while maintaining broad geographic reach and talent diversity.