Top News:
Alex Weprin / Politico:
ESPN names Jim Brady public editor — ESPN has named Jim Brady its new public editor. — Brady, the founder of Spirited Media (parent company of Philly news site Billy Penn), previously served as editor in chief of Digital First Media, and as the sports editor and later executive editor of The Washington Post's website.
Discussion:
ESPN MediaZone, Poynter, @ckrewson, FishbowlNY and @raju
Richard Nieva / CNET:
YouTube makes all of its videos viewable on Cardboard VR headset through its Android app, iOS support coming soon — YouTube bolts into next phase of virtual reality with 3D video — The world's largest video site dives further into VR in a big way. It's letting you step into new 3D worlds …
Discussion:
routenote.com/blog, YouTube Creator Blog, Trak.in, BuzzFeed, Pocket-lint, Tech Times, Tubefilter, Mashable, Variety, Multichannel News, Wired, The Verge and TechCrunch
Shan Wang / Nieman Lab:
Interview with First Look general counsel Lynn Oberlander on the firms Litigation Fund, and how it's looking to do more for free speech cases — First Look's Press Litigation Fund wants to support news outlets stuck in expensive free speech cases — Last month, Mother Jones won …
Georg Szalai / Hollywood Reporter:
Alibaba acquires Chinese streaming service Youku Tudo, in a deal valuing the company at $4.2B — The e-commerce powerhouse already owns a minority stake in the “YouTube of China.” — Chinese online video giant Youku Tudou, known as China's YouTube, said Friday it has agreed to be fully acquired …
Discussion:
Deadline, Reuters, PR Newswire, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Business, Reuters, Variety, Benzinga, 24/7 Wall St. and City A.M.
Chris O'Shea / FishbowlNY:
Hearst Corporation Drops ‘Corp.’ — In a shocking twist that no one saw coming, Hearst Corporation will from now on be known simply as “Hearst.” — Why would Hearst take such a drastic, dangerous step? You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties …
Discussion:
Media Wire Daily
Benjamin Mullin / Poynter:
BuzzFeed changes editorial standards to allow sponsorships in entertainment programming — BuzzFeed's editorial standards were modified earlier this week to allow for greater collaboration between the newsroom's editorial and advertising staffers, a move the company's editor in chief …
New York Times:
New York Times releases NYT VR, its VR app for Android and iOS, alongside initial VR stories — NYT VR: How to Experience a New Form of Storytelling From The Times — Today, The New York Times takes a step into virtual reality. NYT VR is a mobile app that can be used …
Discussion:
New York Times, @pbump, Mashable, Light Reading, Fast Company, Gizmodo, Engadget, The Next Web, The Verge, The Next Web, The New York Observer and Gigaom
Henry Blodget / Business Insider:
A thank you note, as Business Insider officially closes its sale to Axel Springer — Thank you! — It's not every day that you have the privilege and good fortune of seeing an idea grow into a global enterprise. — But that's the happy situation I have found myself in over the past few years.
Discussion:
@tomaxwell, @jeffweiner, @jdrive, @jasonlk, @jasonlk, @jasonlk, @mamtabadkar and @edgecliffe
Guardian:
Guardian US launches Mobile Innovation Lab, headed by Sasha Koren as editor, Sarah Schmalbach as senior product manager, announces Nieman Lab partnership — Guardian US formally launches Mobile Innovation Lab … Guardian US today announced the formal launch of the John S …
Ben Sisario / New York Times:
Music Industry Waits Anxiously to See if Adele Streams Her New Album — For Adele's millions of fans, perhaps the biggest question about her next album is whether its songs will pack the same emotional wallop that helped make her last record a global smash.
Benjamin Mullin / Poynter:
Newspaper Guild offers to buy Philly Daily News to avoid layoffs; owner Gerry Lenfest quickly rejects offer — Newspaper guild offers to buy Philadelphia Daily News to avoid layoffs — Lawyers representing the Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia on Thursday expressed interest in buying …
Discussion:
Philadelphia Magazine
Daniel Terdiman / Fast Company:
The Associated Press and LA-based production company RYOT partnering for virtual reality series — Virtual Reality Journalism Is Coming To The Associated Press — The Associated Press has become the latest news organization to turn to virtual reality as a journalism tool.
Discussion:
GeekWire, GeekWire and Virtual-Strategy Magazine
Kelsey Sutton / Politico:
Time CEO Joe Ripp disappointed in revenue from Apple News, seeks more digital acquisitions — Time Inc. sees digital opportunities, and frustrations — In a moment of frustration on an earnings call this morning, Time Inc. CEO Joe Ripp said he was less than pleased with returns from Apple News …
Discussion:
New York Times and @raju
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