Top News:
Noah Kulwin / Recode:
Tronc's latest branding video discusses content funnels and AI, resembles an Adult Swim parody, and draws criticism online for its use of buzzwords — Content funnels. Artificial intelligence. Optimize. — Last month, newspaper chain Tribune Publishing rebranded itself as Tronc …
Discussion:
New York Magazine, @pbump, NPR, One Man & His Blog, The Awl — Medium, CNBC, @alexweprin, @alexweprin, The New York Observer, @max_read, @nkulw, tronc, inc. and LA Observed
Steven Perlberg / Wall Street Journal:
New York Times Chief Executive Mark Thompson says paper will launch ad-free option for subscribers in response to the rise of ad-blockers — CEO Mark Thompson says readers can pay more to ditch ads online amid rise in ad-blocking adoption — New York Times Co. Chief Executive Mark Thompson confirmed plans …
Discussion:
Mother Jones, @gerryfsmith, @rafat, @kurtgessler, @clarajeffery and @yrechtman
Alan Murray / Fortune:
In interview with Fortune, Philippe Dauman defends his record as Viacom CEO, talks legal battle with Sumner Redstone, says he has lost more than $54M in stock — Philippe Dauman's fate as CEO of Viacom is now in the hands of a Delaware court, which must decide whether 93-year-old Sumner Redstone …
Discussion:
Broadcasting & Cable, The Wrap, Variety, Vanity Fair, @jasonhirschhorn, @alansmurray, @peterlauria3, @mikeisaac and Deadline
Benjamin Mullin / Poynter:
Politico journalists Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman will take over Politico's Playbook newsletter in July, according to memo from EIC John Harris — Journalists Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman will take over Politico's Playbook newsletter in July, according to a memo from Editor-in-Chief John Harris sent to newsroom employees Sunday night:
Discussion:
Washington Post, USA Today, New York Times, FishbowlDC, Washington Post, @draperrobert, @dankennedy_nu, Washingtonian, Talking Points Memo, @lrozen, @anandwrites, @farhip, The Wrap, @frankbruni, @ariannahuff, @tonyfratto, @tylercowen, @hilaryr, @jmartnyt, @kenvogel, @dlippman and @ron_fournier
Kelsey Sutton / Politico:
BuzzFeed Motion Pictures emphasizes exclusive rights to full-time staffers' work unless it grants exceptions after two employees were fired — Just over a week after two BuzzFeed Motion Pictures producers were fired for taking small acting roles in a non-Buzzfeed web series …
Discussion:
BuzzFeed, Ad Age, @kelseymsutton, @kelseymsutton and @brosandprose
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
Tumblr to launch live video on Tuesday, will introduce a series of live broadcasts as well as a user-facing feature that could compete with Facebook Live — Twitter has Periscope. Amazon has Twitch. Google has YouTube's live streaming. And Facebook has Facebook Live.
Discussion:
SocialTimes, Light Reading, Variety, Pocket-lint, Engadget, SlashGear, @joshconstine, The Next Web, Fortune, @taylorlorenz, @gamoid, New York Magazine and The Verge
Peter Kafka / Recode:
Taylor Swift, U2, other artists, sign open letter calling on Congress to rewrite DMCA legislation — An open letter to Congress asks for change to the DMCA, but it's aimed at Google's video site. — The music industry is ratcheting up its fight against YouTube. And Taylor Swift is joining in.
Discussion:
Billboard, Home Media Magazine, TechCrunch, RAIN News, @recode, Patently Apple and Fortune
Madhumita Murgia / Telegraph:
Spotify says it has 100M+ monthly active users, adding 1.8M monthly, with 30% as paying subscribers — Spotify has confirmed that it has more than 100m monthly active users on its music streaming service today. — Based on its last count, the Swedish company is adding 1.8m users to the service monthly …
Discussion:
SlashGear, MacRumors and Engadget, Thanks:@ravichandrans25
Nellie Andreeva / Deadline:
CBS Studios' Julie McNamara Joins CBS All Access As Head Of Original Content — As CBS All Access is mounting a push in original programming, the SVOD and live-streaming service is bringing in a top development executive to spearhead the efforts. Julie McNamara, who has led drama development …
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Analyst: Netflix price hikes could lead to 480K subs canceling but also generate $520M in additional revenue — A truckload of Netflix subscribers may bail on the streaming service after the No. 1 subscription video service raises prices for long-term customers over the course this year.
Discussion:
The Next Web
John Plunkett / Guardian:
Carlisle-based CN Group launches 24, national newspaper targeted at readers in North of England, most of its content will be provided by the Press Association — 40p tabloid's editorial director says it will cover news and sport ‘with a bit of northern flavour’
Discussion:
@helenpidd and @ellaewalker
Shan Wang / Nieman Lab:
Fast and furious: Using Axel Springer's reach, Business Insider is pushing rapid expansion abroad — Business Insider is wasting no time setting up its little newsrooms around the world. With the recent launch of Polish and Nordic sites, the company now has 10 international editions.