Top News:
Margaret Sullivan / Washington Post:
Bob Woodward defends his decisions to wait to reveal Trump's early pandemic comments: he aimed to provide fuller context than could occur in a news story — Two waves of outrage greeted the news on Wednesday of Bob Woodward's latest White House chronicle, a book entitled “Rage.”
Discussion:
NBC News, Associated Press, @joseiswriting, @erikwemple, @erikwemple, Mediaite, Poynter, The Hill, Politico, Breitbart, The Wrap, @nycsouthpaw, @emilybell, @biannagolodryga, @dangillmor, @mattdpearce, @mattdpearce, TMI, @emilylhauser, @newsladykatie, @petersterne, @lainnafader, @davidakaye, @anamariecox, @sethabramson, @emilycrockett, @erikwemple, @genepark, @emilyctamkin, @lukeoneil47, @peterhamby, @erikwemple, @erikwemple, @sulliview, @brianstelter, @erikwemple, @erikwemple and @erikwemple
Alex Sherman / CNBC:
The Athletic says it now has 1M subscribers and its $60M in subscription revenue and podcast ad sales is enough to make “our newsroom profitable” — - The Athletic has weathered a months-long sports shutdown as subscribers have stuck with the sports website and application.
Nicole Sperling / New York Times:
Starting in 2024, best picture submissions at the Oscars will have to meet two of four inclusion standards in onscreen representation and offscreen staffing — Beginning in 2022, films aiming for the top award will have to turn in a confidential “inclusion standard form.”
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Hollywood Reporter, Oscars.org, Vox, Always Be Watching, And That's What You Missed On, Hollywood Reporter, ScreenRant, @wectnews, Reuters, Jezebel, Mediaite, CBS News, @jshahryar, @markharrisnyc, @raju, @ira, Wall Street Journal, @markharrisnyc, New York Post, @markharrisnyc, @hillelneuer, @ramanjr, @jasonkhenson, The Week, @hello_tailor, Decider, @marleematlin, Raw Story, Ad Age, NME, CNN, ABC News, CNET and Associated Press
Joan Summers / Jezebel:
The freelancer who wrote a glowing Marie Claire cover story on Chrissy Teigen accepted a job with Teigen, a fact noted only in a small disclaimer at story's end — Marie Claire has debuted a new Chrissy Teigen cover story that, among other things, is meant to promote her new recipe and cooking website, Cravings.
Marc Tracy / New York Times:
Former NYT editor and Facebook exec Simone Oliver named EIC of Refinery29 after Christine Barberich stepped down to “help diversify” leadership in June — Simone Oliver, who has worked at The New York Times and Condé Nast, will inherit a workplace described as “toxic.”
Discussion:
The Wrap, @cliffordlevy, @thatianadiaz_, @conniewang, @jnoahmorgan, @carliwhitwell, Variety, @newhousemnd and @s_evangelina
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Randall Rothenberg to step down as CEO of IAB after 14 years; David Cohen, who served as president of IAB since March 2020, to be the new CEO — Randall Rothenberg is relinquishing his role as CEO of the Interactive Advertising Bureau after 14 years atop the digital advertising and marketing trade association.
Discussion:
IAB, Ad Age, @r2rothenberg, @jpoggi, @kerrymflynn, @iab, MediaPost, Adweek and AdExchanger
Cynthia Littleton / Variety:
NBCU veteran Bonnie Hammer moves into the NBCU vice chairman role; Universal Television chief Pearlena Igbokwe becomes head of TV content for NBCUniversal — Universal Television chief Pearlena Igbokwe has been elevated to head of TV content for NBCUniversal as part of the broader shakeup of NBCU's senior executive ranks.
Discussion:
The Wrap, MediaPost, Bloomberg, New York Post, Los Angeles Times, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and WORLD SCREEN
Andrew Bucholtz / Awful Announcing:
Yahoo Sports launches Watch Together, a remote co-viewing experience, and an augmented reality feature, PlayAR, for its NFL game streams — This fall's NFL season will mark the third year where Yahoo will stream games to phones and tablets through Verizon Media apps, including Yahoo Sports …
Discussion:
Fast Company, CNET, The Verge, Verizon, Variety, Sports Business Daily, The Streamable and Cord Cutters News
Krystie Lee Yandoli / BuzzFeed News:
One current and 23 former TMZ employees allege the outlet is a toxic workplace where staff regularly endure verbal abuse, misogyny, and racism — Since its debut in 2005, TMZ has built its brand on not only breaking celebrity news, but also a brash tone that former employees say is consistent …
Discussion:
Jezebel, @4lisaguerrero, @courtrevolution, @freeblackgirl, @ellievhall, @krystielyandoli, @lisatozzi, @knickscentral, Mediaite, @buzzfeednews, @lastskiss and @jayfaerber
Lara O'Reilly / Digiday:
Facebook apologizes for “technical issue” that it says caused its ads to appear on publisher websites in its iOS app's browser, without publishers' permission — Facebook has apologized for what it has described as a “technical issue” that caused its ads to appear …
Discussion:
VentureBeat and @larakiara
Lucas Shaw / Bloomberg:
Sony plans to release nearly 40 podcasts this year and is developing 100+ originals, says it is the biggest investment in podcasting ever by a major music label — - Sony Music is backing several podcasting ventures in new push — Company plans to release more than 40 podcasts this year
Discussion:
@djbootheic, more at Techmeme »
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Google's Area 120 launches Fundo, an app for creators to host small paid online events, available now in the US and Canada; Google takes a 20% cut of revenue — Fundo has been in beta for the past year with a few hundred “trusted testers,” who can set the price for access to online events …
Discussion:
The Verge, The Keyword and Engadget, more at Techmeme »