Layoff Count Rises: Akamai, Qik, Strands

The economy is affecting players all over the web video ecosystem, and companies both large and small. Here’s the latest carnage. Content delivery giant Akamai laid off 110 employees today, or 7 percent of its staff. The Cambridge, Mass.-based company described the layoffs as “cost-cutting measures.”

Also, TechCrunch reports that recommendation startup Strands laid off 14 people, or 10 percent of its company, and mobile live video startup Qik also laid off 10 percent, or five people.

Update: Qik co-founder Bhaskar Roy tells us via email, “Well, given the current environment we had to take a hard look at how we create better efficiencies in our organization and to remain focused on long-term growth. As a part of this, we had to take the difficult step of eliminating a limited number of positions. Having said that – we will continue to increase our investments in areas such as R&D, product development that enable us to achieve long term growth.