Top News:
Mark Sweney / The Guardian:
WPP CEO Martin Sorrell resigns following investigation into personal misconduct; Mark Read and Andrew Scott appointed joint COOs — Boss of world's largest marketing group steps aside amid investigation into personal misconduct … Martin Sorrell has said he will step down as head of the British-based global advertising agency WPP.
Chicago Tribune:
Michael Ferro sells stake in Chicago Tribune parent Tronc to McCormick Media for $208.6 million — Michael Ferro, who resigned last month as chairman of Chicago-based newspaper chain Tronc, has struck a deal to sell his entire stake in the company, according to a filing late Friday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Danielle Tcholakian / Longreads:
Robyn Doolittle, who investigated Rob Ford, criticizes decision to cast a man in the film adaptation, highlighting the lack of women leads in journalism movies — Rachel McAdams on the set of ‘Spotlight’ in 2014 (Stickman/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) — The 2002 Robert Evans biopic The Kid Stays …
New York Times:
Profile: new owner of Los Angeles Times, biotech mogul Patrick Soon-Shiong, who plans to move LAT to suburbs, and pursued Dean Baquet and Marty Baron for EIC — LOS ANGELES — As a son of Chinese immigrants growing up in apartheid South Africa, Patrick Soon-Shiong spent his afternoons racing through …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, @mattdpearce, @bymattstevens, @c_milneil, @amyyqin, @rar, @wendycarrillo, @anthonyjpesce, New York Post, @jackshafer, @yfreemark, Curbed LA, Deadline, @tomerazarly, @conor64, @paigeosburn, @tedlieu, @jenn_swann, @kurtgessler, @gerryfsmith, @hawthornecdola, Independent Recorder, 89.3 KPCC, delmartimes.net, The Wrap, @lajourno, CBS Los Angeles, Seeking Alpha, New York Post and @davidfolkenflik
Rob Haskell / Vogue:
Disney CEO Bob Iger talks about digital disruption from Silicon Valley, his decision not to run for president in 2020, and Black Panther — Disney's plan to acquire 21st Century Fox is about keeping up with a rapidly changing world. “The status quo, to me, is a joke,” says Iger, photographed at home in Los Angeles.
Discussion:
@nickstatt, @atcodinha, @billritter7, @pkafka, Politico, Chicago Sun-Times, Wall Street Journal, The Daily Caller, Deadline, Variety and Business Insider
Lisa Richwine / Reuters:
Comcast plans to include Netflix with its TV bundles starting this month and gives no details about pricing; it will handle Netflix billing for customers — LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O), the leading U.S. cable television provider, will offer new video packages …
Tess Owen / VICE News:
Facebook removes pages linked to white nationalist Richard Spencer and The Nationalist Initiative's page; all pages are linked to “hate groups” by the SPLC — Two Facebook pages associated with white nationalist Richard Spencer have been kicked off the platform.
Discussion:
@iamgmjohnson, The Hill, Mashable, The Wrap, @jason_koebler, BuzzFeed, Complex, The Daily Dot, The Root, Engadget, New York Magazine, @lydiacowling95, @thedemcoalition and @misstessowen
Mark Gurman / Bloomberg:
Apple staff memo says it caught 29 leakers, including staff, contractors, and suppliers, in 2017, 12 arrested; memo implies possible legal action for leaks — Company memo says it found 29 ‘leakers’ last year, 12 arrested — CEO Tim Cook pledged to ‘double down’ on secrecy in 2012
Manish Singh / The Outline:
Sources: secure messaging app Telegram is being used to distribute pirated movies, TV, music, apps, and even stolen credentials for online services like Netflix — Law-abiding citizens: Please do NOT download. Thank you. — Since its launch in 2013, the instant messaging platform Telegram …
Discussion:
Reuters, @refsrc, @caseyjohnston, BBC, Business Insider and 9to5Mac
Todd Spangler / Variety:
7Park Data analysis: at Netflix and Hulu, 80% and 97% of US viewing is of licensed content, respectively; 42% of Netflix users watch mostly licensed content — Netflix is spending a pretty penny on original entertainment — but while that stuff grabs most of the headlines …
Discussion:
The Wrap, CinemaBlend and Variety
Bloomberg:
Les Moonves's contract stipulates a ~$187M payout if he's dismissed or demoted and chooses to leave though NAI says it wants him to lead the combined company — CEO would stand to collect large payout if dismissed — Controlling shareholder can change board and management
Discussion:
Deadline
Brenda Goh / Reuters:
Chinese microblogging platform Weibo says it will remove gay and violent content during a 3-month cleanup campaign to comply with China's new cybersecurity law — SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's Sina Weibo will remove gay and violent content, including pictures, cartoons and text posts …
Discussion:
@juliangewirtz, What's on Weibo and globaltimes.cn, more at Techmeme »