Top News:
Andrew Kirell / The Daily Beast:
CNN rejects an ad from the Trump 2020 campaign, saying it fails to meet ad standards because it disparages CNN and its journalists and makes false claims — The 30-second spot paints the president as a victim of Democrats and alleged “media lapdogs” like CNN.
Discussion:
New York Times, Axios, Politico, @xochitlhinojosa, @barbmcquade, @jimwindolf, @mlcalderone, @profcarroll, @jonfavs, @jeremymbarr, @grynbaum, @briannawu, @mlcalderone, @brianklaas, @markfollman, Vanity Fair, Mediaite, The National Interest, Hollywood Reporter, MediaPost, NBC News, Deadline, TVNewser, Mediaite and The Week
Lara O'Reilly / Digiday:
Content recommendation company Taboola has bought rival Outbrain for $250M in cash and 30% equity; Taboola says it will hit $1B in revenue in 2019 — Outbrain and Taboola — the Ross and Rachel “will they, won't they” online advertising story of our times — could finally have its happy ending.
Discussion:
TechCrunch, @larakiara, Nieman Lab, CTECH, @aripap, @aripap, @noahchestnut, outbrain.com, @richlightshed, Adweek, Vox, Business Insider, The Drum, @niemanlab, @rafat, @jonrussell, @ow, @jonrussell, @bmorrissey, @thomasbcn, @djbentley, @stefanhh, @jyarow, @reckless, @patriciamarsden, @dylanparks, @anthony, @baekdal, @jarroddicker, @carlhendy, Ad Age, Adweek and MediaPost, more at Techmeme »
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Print magazines and digital media companies are joining forces for more digital scale plus the potential of trusted media brands and premium print products — The paper magazine has increasingly become a luxury good, as more publishers jettison titles into digital lifeboats.
Discussion:
Adweek
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Todd Spangler / Variety:
Vice Media agrees to acquire Refinery29 in a deal expected to close before the end of 2019; source: Vice is issuing mostly stock to Refinery29's shareholders — After months of talks, Vice Media sealed an agreement to acquire Refinery29, a bet by the two digital-centric media companies …
Discussion:
CNBC, The Drum, Press Gazette, Adweek, @pkafka, @mattrosoff, Digiday, @rasmus_kleis, @sizpatel, @moorehn, Talking Biz News, @lucas_shaw, @lucas_shaw, @mdudas, @mattdpearce, @rafat, @jboorstin, @xpangler, @johnjcook, @vicecomms, Financial Times, The Wrap, bookforum.com, @andreagonram, Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Bloomberg, IndieWire and New York Times
Brent Lang / Variety:
Elisabeth Murdoch, former 20th Century Fox CEO Stacey Snider, and UK TV producer Jane Featherstone launch Sister, a global content production company — Elisabeth Murdoch, Stacey Snider and Jane Featherstone are joining forces to launch Sister, a global production and development company …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Deadline and The Wrap
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
TikTok says it is banning political ads because they don't fit with its “positive, refreshing environment” — Already under fire for advancing Chinese foreign policy by censoring topics like Hong Kong's protests and pro-LGBT content, the Beijing-based video app TikTok …
Discussion:
The Next Web, Gizmodo, @clearpolitic5, NBC News, Adweek, Boing Boing and Fast Company, more at Techmeme »
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Whistle, a digital sports and entertainment startup, to buy Vertical Networks, a content studio founded by Elisabeth Murdoch focused on Snapchat original shows — Whistle, a digital sports and entertainment media company, reached a deal to acquire Vertical Networks, a content studio focused …
Discussion:
Business Insider, @jcaporoso, @nmcalone, Deadline and The Wrap
Wall Street Journal:
Sources: Fire TV has no deal yet to carry Disney+ because Amazon is pushing for the right to sell a percentage of the ad inventory on other Disney apps — Disney resists Amazon push for some of the ad revenue from entertainment giant's apps — Amazon.com Inc. AMZN .07% and Walt Disney Co. DIS -.69% …
Discussion:
Ad Age, Variety, The Verge, @jank0, IndieWire, @petersontee, @raju, @jank0, The Desk, New York Post, Engadget, Variety, The Streamable and CNBC, more at Techmeme »
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
FT says an independent review cleared its journalists of claims of collusion with investors when covering alleged irregularities at the fintech company Wirecard — An independent review has exonerated Financial Times reporters of colluding with investors over its reports on alleged irregularities …
Discussion:
Reuters and Talking Biz News
Keith J. Kelly / New York Post:
Newsday is selling its free commuter paper, amNewYork, to Schneps Media, as it concentrates on its core Long Island audience — Newsday is selling its freebie commuter paper amNewYork, relinquishing its last toehold in the five boroughs as it concentrates on its core Long Island audience.
Discussion:
Talking Biz News, Newsday, Long Island Business News and MediaPost
Jim Waterson / The Guardian:
Some BBC staff members challenged managers and demanded an apology for Naga Munchetty, citing unclear impartiality rules after a censure reversal of Munchetty — BAME workers at meeting demand an inquiry and say presenter deserves an apology — BBC managers faced open revolt from furious staff …
Discussion:
@coops_tv, @whenisbirths, @catherine_mayer, @charliebeckett, @oreillymiriam, @marcusryder, @basitmahmood91, @fascinatorfun and @leguape
Eriq Gardner / Hollywood Reporter:
Writers of works like Terminator and Beetlejuice are terminating copyright grants made to studios 35 years after publication, as allowed by law — Warner Bros., Disney and Skydance receive copyright termination notices over existing IP, potentially giving other studios an in.
Discussion:
@markjkings, /Film, The Playlist, Plagiarism Today and Collider