Top News:
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Sources: AT&T is in discussions to sell Xandr to Indian ad tech company InMobi; the mismanaged ad unit has annual revenue of ~$300-$380M and losses of $50-$90M — AT&T is in discussions to sell its ad unit to Indian ad tech giant InMobi, sources tell Axios.
Discussion:
Ad Age, @sarafischer, @acfou, @catthekin, @reckless, @alexweprin, @awolk, @aripap, @loupas, @loudmouthjulia, @karlbode and Bloomberg
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Substack is funding the launch of podcast network Booksmart, which will start with five podcasts; subscribers will get extra content for $7/month or $70/year — Substack is funding the launch of a new podcast network called Booksmart Studios, executives tell Axios.
Discussion:
axios.com, @rfaughnder, @tomgara, @sarafischer and @nwquah, more at Techmeme »
Lindsey Turrentine / CNET:
CNET, acquired last year by Red Ventures from ViacomCBS, is looking to fill 150 new roles, its biggest expansion since the 1990s — As part of our largest expansion since the 1990s, CNET is adding more than 150 new roles. … CNET, newly a part of Red Ventures, is making moves to reinvent the modern media model.
Discussion:
@techledes
Wall Street Journal:
Sources: ViacomCBS' Shari Redstone and Bob Bakish and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts met in June to discuss potential streaming partnership for international markets — Late June meeting also included ViacomCBS CEO Robert Bakish; focused on potential to join forces in international markets
Discussion:
@benmullin, @lilliannnn, @pkafka, @wsj, FierceVideo, @richlightshed, @richlightshed, @gregobr, @great_katzby, @entstrategyguy, @masasoncap and @michaelsocolow
Erich Schwartzel / Wall Street Journal:
Sources: Apple wants to lease a large campus in LA for film and TV production as competition for soundstages heats up — The producer of ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘The Morning Show’ wants to expand its presence in the competitive streaming landscape — Apple Inc. told real-estate developers it wants …
Discussion:
New York Post, @mattbelloni, @richlightshed, AppleInsider and @pat_garofalo
Todd Spangler / Variety:
WarnerMedia is letting Snapchat users in the US watch pilot episodes of some HBO Max original series, like Gossip Girl and Euphoria, for free — In a new sampling strategy to boost HBO Max signups, WarnerMedia is letting Snapchat users in the U.S. watch select pilots of the streaming service's …
Discussion:
The Streamable, Forbes, Adweek, TechCrunch, Hollywood Reporter, FierceVideo and @xpangler
Lisa Lerer / New York Times:
NYT columnist Nicholas Kristof decided to take a leave of absence last month as he considers the possibility of a Democratic bid for Oregon governor — Nicholas Kristof, the award-winning columnist for The New York Times, is considering running in the Democratic primary race for governor of Oregon.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Willamette Week, American Press Institute, Politico, @joetrippi, @nickkristof, @adamnagourney, @nytimes, @damiencave, @scarylawyerguy, @enjus, @freedlander, @jeffjarvis, @saralibby, @ccadelago, @brianstelter, @onesarahjones, @revkin, @isaacdovere, @hunterw, @brianstelter, Axios, New York Magazine, Newser, Oregonian, The Hill, Gothamist and The Wrap
Cynthia Littleton / Variety:
Univision announces executive changes: Luis Silberwasser will oversee entertainment, news, and sports, and Leopoldo Gomez will be head of the news division — Univision has unveiled a massive overhaul of its corporate ranks as well as the leadership of its entertainment, news and sports divisions.
Ilyse Liffreing / Ad Age:
TikTok launches Spark Ads, an ad format that allows brands to sponsor already published posts with the post creators' approval, potentially cutting out agencies — Spark Ads allows brands to tap into pre-existing influencer posts, cutting out the middleman
Discussion:
Adweek, @adage and Good TikTok Creative
Maeve Sheehey / Politico:
DOJ announces that it will no longer use compulsory legal processes to seize records from reporters acting “within the scope of their newsgathering activities” — The president has previously criticized the Trump administrations' secret seizure policies.
Discussion:
@ap, @ryanjreilly, Associated Press, Media Nation, The Reporters Committee …, U.S. Department of Justice, @ifjglobal, @jlpassarelli, @tedlieu, The Wrap, @reptedlieu, @repraskin, @markszaidesq, @digiphile, @alexhern, @neal_katyal, @janemayernyer, @tom_winter, @kaitlancollins, @matthewamiller, @danielschuman, @bradmossesq, @johnson_carrie, @maria_hinojosa, @dabeard, @davidfolkenflik, @alanmillernlp, @sulliview, Voice of America, CNN and Axios
Aaron Couch / Hollywood Reporter:
Comic creators at Marvel and DC express dissatisfaction over “paltry” contracts that don't account for their work being adapted into TV shows or movies — The star writers and artists behind major comic book characters are becoming increasingly outspoken about “paltry” …
Discussion:
/Film and @philjimeneznyc
Lindsey Ellefson / The Wrap:
CNN plans to hire 450 people for the launch of CNN+ for editorial, product, technology, design, analytics, and design roles — CNN will hire 450 people to help launch new streaming service CNN+, which will debut in the first quarter of 2022. — CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker was joined …