Top News:
Murray Stassen / Music Business Worldwide:
Study: just 2% of Spotify “super listeners” drive an average of 18% of all monthly streams for an artist, with the number rising to 30% for the biggest artists — MBW's Stat Of The Week is a series in which we highlight a data point that deserves the attention of the global music industry.
Discussion:
@carnage4life@mas.to, @joelmathis.bsky.social, Billboard and Music Ally, more at Techmeme »
Kashmir Hill / New York Times:
A profile of Mike Masnick, who founded Techdirt in 1998, considered by lawmakers, CEOs, and activists as an essential guide for what's happening in tech — Mike Masnick, who founded Techdirt in 1998, writes for an influential audience of lawmakers, C.E.O.s and activists.
Discussion:
@evacide@hachyderm.io, @davidkaye.bsky.social, @jeffjarvis.bsky.social, @jeffjarvis, @oneunderscore__, @jess_miers, @ruchowdh, @triketora, @kashhill, @daveleebbg, @zittrain, @mathewi, @winter, @rob_sheridan, @thestalwart, @film_girl, @tomgara, Pixel Envy, Mike Masnick on LinkedIn, @msbrumfield.bsky.social, @MagentaRocks@mastodon.coffee, @metacurity@infosec.exchange, The Verge, @joshsternberg.bsky.social, @dreamword@mastodon.social, @SarahOestreich@mstdn.social, @gshans.bsky.social and @klonick.bsky.social, more at Techmeme »
Max Tani / Semafor:
The campaign for the US presidency is playing out across an unprecedented, fragmented new media landscape, confusing voters and political observers alike — The News — Did you catch Ron DeSantis's interview with Shawn Ryan? How about Tim Scott's latest hit on Faithwire, or Joe Biden's chat with Will Arnett and Jason Bateman?
Christopher Grimes / Financial Times:
Sources: Disney hired Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, two ex-executives seen as potential successors to Bob Iger during his first stint as CEO, as advisers to Iger — Disney has hired two former executives who were seen as potential successors to Bob Iger during his first stint as the company's chief executive …
Deadline:
A look at potential mediators in the Hollywood strikes: CA Gov. Gavin Newsom, considered the main choice, LA Mayor Karen Bass, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff — Names that have been floated as potential mediators include Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and even Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times
Feven Merid / Columbia Journalism Review:
Q&A with Media 2070's director Collette Watson on shifting cultural conditions three years after its launch, advocating for media reparations, and more — In 2020, a group of Black staffers at Free Press—a nonprofit that advocates for diverse, independent media ownership and equitable access …
Ted Johnson / Deadline:
A US district judge dismisses Trump's defamation suit against CNN for using the term “Big Lie”; Trump's lawyers said the phrase linked him with Adolf Hitler — A federal judge dismissed Donald Trump's $475 million defamation lawsuit against CNN, litigation centered on references …
Discussion:
storage.courtlistener.com, CNN, Associated Press, Benzinga, @katiephang, @matthewschafer, @nateraymond, @mollyjongfast, @kyledcheney, @kyledcheney, @ajdelgado13, @kbandersen, @kyledcheney, Politico, Newser, Boing Boing, The A.V. Club, @joelmathis.bsky.social, The Wrap, Mother Jones, Vanity Fair, National Review, The Daily Beast and The Hill
Rebecca Elliott / Wall Street Journal:
Twitter/X reinstates Kanye West's account, suspended in December 2022, and says he won't be eligible to monetize it, and ads won't appear next to his posts — West won't be eligible to monetize his account, and ads won't appear next to his posts — X, the social-media platform formerly known …
Discussion:
Variety, @rmac18, Complete Music Update, Mashable, Benzinga, TechCrunch, @jamesfourm, @jgreenblattadl, @keithedwards@threads.net, CNN, @stevanzetti, @faineg, @themaxburns, Vanity Fair, @mehdirhasan, @parkerortolani, Deadline, The Wrap, RTÉ, @rmac18, @rmac18, @sauthoff.bsky.social, Al Jazeera, UPROXX, Rolling Stone, Insider, ET Canada, New York Daily News, CBS News, Washington Post, The Advertiser, Metro.co.uk, NBC News, The Hill, d2331 and Mediaite, more at Techmeme »
Adam Chitwood / The Wrap:
SAG-AFTRA defends its “interim agreement” approach that lets indie productions proceed, as some actors push back, saying the agreement would prolong the strike — The letter to members comes as actors like Sarah Silverman have spoken out against working during the strike
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Puck and Variety
Jessica Lucas / HuffPost:
Despite TikTok prohibiting branded content promoting alcohol, some creators say they're sponsored by alcohol brands, and they drink excessively to promote them — While the app has strict rules prohibiting branded content promoting alcohol, creators are still allegedly making money drinking to excess — and at least one has died.
Financial Times:
Maoyan: cinemas in China increased showings of Barbie from 9,673 on July 21 to ~36,000 on July 27, in a market dominated by patriotic and male-led action films — Cinemas increase showings of Greta Gerwig blockbuster in market dominated by action films and patriotic tales
Discussion:
@letahong, @cszabla, @curtisschin, @pekingmike, The Mary Sue, CNN and Insider
Alissa Quart / Columbia Journalism Review:
A look at the “journalism of privilege” in real estate and food, which can at times replace reporting on ordinary people's experiences of essential human needs — Celebrity-owned $25,000 glass-door fridges; hotel owners “writing off San Francisco” as the market drops …
Discussion:
@evictionlab, @econhardship, @anecdotal, @quiteuninterest, @civileats, @stevecimino, @amanduhgomez, @cjr, @miriam_mjoy, @meagankday and @cjr
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