Mediagazer: Forbes CEO Mike Federle announces layoffs affecting less than 3% of staff, saying Forbes “must remain vigilant in our current economic environment” (Sara Fischer/@sarafischer)

1:15 PM ET, January 26, 2024

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Mark Sweney / The Guardian:

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Kate Knibbs / Wired:

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Cameron Joseph / Columbia Journalism Review:

As newspapers cut DC reporters, they can no longer pressure legislators on local issues or inform readers about their legislators' performance — This week sucked. — On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times laid off 115 people, more than 20 percent of its total staff.

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Joseph Hudak / Rolling Stone:

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Alex Weprin / Hollywood Reporter:

Axios launches Axios Entertainment, a new studio division that will develop and produce original nonfiction films and TV shows — The company has projects in development with Tom Brady's Shadow Lion, Chrissy Teigen's Huntley Productions, Media Res, Guy Ritchie, Mark Wahlberg's Unrealistic Ideas, among others.

Discussion: The Wrap, @markhorowitz, @alex and @jimvandehei

Winston Cho / Hollywood Reporter:

The George Carlin estate sues Dudesy, which released a comedy special featuring an AI-generated recreation of George Carlin, alleging copyright infringement — “We have to draw a line in the sand,” says daughter Kelly Carlin, who sued creators of an hourlong special titled 'George Carlin: I'm Glad I'm Dead.'

Hanaa' Tameez / Nieman Lab:

How disagreements between the Los Angeles Times and the LA Times Guild over seniority protections resulted in more than 60 journalists of color being laid off — Disagreements between the LA Times and its Guild over seniority protections ended in more than 60 journalists of color being laid off.

Discussion: @tatecurtis, @stufalk, @suhaunah, @raminskibba, @froomkin and @sarahscire

Deadline:

Marie Donoghue, former vice president of global sports video at Amazon's Prime Video, joins DraftKings as its chief business & growth officer — UPDATE: Marie Donoghue is the new Chief Business & Growth Officer at gaming company DraftKings. — In her new role, Donoghue will work closely …

Discussion: Awful Announcing, Sports Media Watch, New York Post, @austinkarp, @draftkingsnews, DraftKings and Sportico

Sara Salinas / CNBC:

In a memo, Paramount CEO Bob Bakish announces layoffs, citing a need to “operate as a leaner company and spend less”; he did not disclose the size of the cuts — - Paramount CEO Bob Bakish announced layoffs at the media company. — He did not disclose how many jobs the company would cut.

Discussion: Variety, NBC 7 San Diego, NME, @weareyourfek, @madisonmills22, The Wrap, @tracytran, Benzinga, Deadline, Reuters, Deadline, Bloomberg, The Hill and The Messenger

Georg Szalai / The Hollywood Reporter:
In a memo, Paramount CEO outlines growth strategies for 2024, including “driving to streaming profitability” and “maximizing content with the biggest impact”

Discussion: The Wrap, Deadline, @paulvrea, Broadband TV News, @tvgrimreaper, Adweek, Reuters and Next TV

Ben Thompson / Stratechery:

Q&A with Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters on not launching an app on the Apple Vision Pro, the WWE deal, content strategy, ads, competition, gaming, bundles, and more — I am pleased to welcome Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters for a Stratechery Interview. Peters was named the co-CEO of Netflix …

Discussion: @markgurman, @loudmouthjulia, @markgurman, The Hollywood Reporter, @stevemoser, @loudmouthjulia, @markgurman, Benzinga, @mostly.borrowed.ideas …, @mostly.borrowed.ideas …, 9to5Mac, Gizmodo and AppleInsider, more at Techmeme »

Sara Fischer / @sarafischer:

Forbes CEO Mike Federle announces layoffs affecting less than 3% of staff, saying Forbes “must remain vigilant in our current economic environment” — NEW: @forbes layoffs announced today, the same day its union announced a 3-day walkout. — Unclear how many impacted yet — CEO Mike Federer said in a note to staff that Forbes “must remain vigilant in our current economic environment.”

Discussion: CNN, @taradublinrocks, @dankennedy_nu@threads.net, @jayrosen_nyc@threads.net, @nyguild, @forbesunion, @redsteeze, Talking Biz News, @ethangach, @bill_shea19, @iamkylemullins, @alexrkonrad, @sarafischer, BNN Bloomberg, @crumbler@threads.net and The Wrap

Khadeeja Safdar / Wall Street Journal:

Janel Grant, an ex-WWE staffer who received a payout from Vince McMahon and signed an NDA in 2022, files a lawsuit accusing WWE and McMahon of sex trafficking — Janel Grant files lawsuit saying McMahon pressured her into sex with him and other men at wrestling business, raising questions about 2022 board probe into CEO's payouts

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