Top News:
Andrew Bucholtz / Awful Announcing:
Sports Illustrated owner Maven has fired longtime soccer journalist Grant Wahl, following Wahl's public criticism of company plans for a permanent staff pay cut — Grant Wahl is far from the only person to criticize Maven's operation of Sports Illustrated, but he may be the first to lose his job after offering those criticisms.
Discussion:
@byianthomas, @si_union, @grantwahl, The Ringer, Washington Post, @jeffmacke, @dave_schilling, @dcaraviello, @bobbyburton247, @thesagerbomb, @adamzagoria, @awfulannouncing, @woodywhitehurst, @mark_j_boyle, @osasuo, @joebanner13, @rwilliams1947, @griffinporter97, @dmccomasob, @nytimesguild, @dannyoneil, @awfulannouncing, @grantwahl, @maggiegray, @liam_twomey, @citizen_kay, @alex_kirshner, @grantwahl, @grantwahl, @rohannadkarni, @conororr, @jessica_smetana, @jennyvrentas, @chrischavez, @lmechegaray, @jmkliegman, @grantwahl, @dave_schilling, @lfcny, @jduffyrice, @ollieholt22, @nickcarboniwcnc, @rohannadkarni, @seidelumbc, @larsanderson71, @davisjsn, @c_stillitano, @annkillion, @nwbaird, @dylanbyers, @jasongay, @itsmeglinehan, @timmarchman, @kami, @nicoleauerbach, @luisomartapia, @dyoungrivals, @lacrimes, @jasonschreier, @slmandel, @lizroscher, @pacificpdx, @gabepirlo, @bydavidgardner, @jeremymbarr, @enswelljones, @kylecoche, @bykevinclark, @molly_knight, @maxwelltani, @jasonschwartz, @richarddeitsch and The Big Lead
Ben Smith / New York Times:
Sources: after handing over to the new CEO, Bob Iger effectively returned to run Disney in March, as the pandemic decimated its most profitable businesses — The former C.E.O. thought he was riding into the sunset. Now he's reasserting control and reimagining Disney as a company with fewer employees and more thermometers.
Discussion:
@yashar, @misterpatches, @mousterpiece, @jonfriedman and @stevekopack, more at Techmeme »
Daniel Chang / Miami Herald:
The Miami Herald says FL governor's aide pressured its law firm into not filing a public records lawsuit to disclose COVID-19 data; Herald to file with new firm — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' general counsel called a representative of the Miami Herald's law firm seeking to quash …
New York Times:
Hospital administrators in the US are warning doctors and nurses to not speak to the media or post online about workplace concerns, or risk suspension or firing — Hospitals have warned, disciplined and even fired staff members who went public with workplace concerns about coronavirus precautions.
Mia Galuppo / Hollywood Reporter:
SXSW filmmakers voice concerns over SXSW's Amazon Prime Video free streaming offer, saying it may hurt their film's distribution chances and future sales — “Showing things for free isn't going to make a dent,” says one producer of a project that has opted out of the tech giant's festival collection.
Discussion:
@thr, @sarahmegant, @thr, @kimmasters, @thr, @filmcollab, @tatianasiegel27 and The Playlist
Rachel Nuwer / New York Times:
Netflix's Tiger King is a product of a changing film industry in which the lines between documentary and reality TV are blurring — Critics say the popular Netflix series and its directors lost sight of the conservation and animal welfare problems at the heart of the story of Joe Exotic.
Discussion:
@pamelacolloff, @nytimes, @nytscience, @nytimes, @nytimes, @laurenbeukes, @markkatches, Tampa Bay Times, NME and Tiffany's Newsletter
Ariel Zirulnick / The Membership Puzzle Project:
How 15+ news orgs adjusted their membership programs to respond to the pandemic by making membership appeals, recreating in-person events online, and more — The world has changed dramatically since we published our case study on Zetland's successful member ambassador campaign in mid-March.
Discussion:
Trendslates eCommerce …
New York Times:
In response to the pandemic, fashion magazines adjust to reduced ads, no photoshoots, and walking the line between selling fantasy and reflecting the crisis — Glossy magazines sell fantasy. Now they have to reckon with reality. It's complicated. — Last week, Vanity Fair Italy's cover star …
Discussion:
@laurasnapes, @steve_salter, @maxapotter, @kerrymflynn and @lizziepaton
The Wrap:
Source: Valence Media plans staffing cuts of up to $10M at The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard next week, as the media company's losses are ~$18M-$19M a year — The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard are set for deep staffing cuts next week by parent Valence Media in an effort to reduce personnel …
Discussion:
@ashleyyspencer, @benjamingoggin and MediaPost
Marc Tracy / New York Times:
An estimated 28,000 workers at US news companies have been laid off, furloughed, or had their pay reduced since the COVID-19 crisis began — Roughly 28,000 workers at news companies nationwide have been laid off, furloughed or had their pay reduced. Some publications that rely on ads have shut down.
Discussion:
@bgrueskin, @marcatracy, @johngushue, @kylecharters79, monicabpotts.substack.com, @ruslantrad, @maxwelltani, @ashkan, @vwpickard, @katrinanation, @picardonhealth, @adamjkucharski, @jeffjarvis, @kimmasters, @leszaitz, @ruthbenghiat, @ericuman, @charlesornstein, @racheldissell, @racheldissell, @scenesallard, @racheldissell, @lesliembcle, @brentbeshore, @reptimryan, @saragregory, @michellelegro, @goldiestandard, @mollyjongfast, @matthewstoller, @editorialiste, @gchristcle, @attorneynora, @badams, @aprilaser, @karlbode, @carlzimmer, @slpng_giants, @schadjoe, @justinhendrix, @carlmacgowan, @tony_ganzer, @isiahmagsino, @gaufre, @gaufre, @menendezrand, @gaufre, @yashar and @maxwelltani
Sara Guaglione / MediaPost:
CNBC Digital unique visitors in March doubled since Feb., CNBC site reached 1B monthly page views for the first time, while CNBC Pro subs were up 189% since Jan — CNBC Digital hit a record number of unique visitors in March, more than doubling its February record.
Discussion:
@christinawilkie, @laurenthomas, @sherman4949 and Talking Biz News
Alex Thompson / Politico:
The Young Turks employees voted to unionize on Thursday; in a note to staff, CEO Cenk Uygur continued to oppose the union, but “would respect their choice” — Production and post-production crews at the left-wing news network The Young Turks voted Thursday night to unionize …
Discussion:
@alxthomp, @mghughesnc, @laurenthehough, @cmargaronis, @josecanyousee, @politico, @rmc031, @fawfulfan, @briantashman, @politicoryan and @treeaston