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AT&T's Xandr says AMC Networks, WarnerMedia, and Disney joined Xandr Invest, its self-serve ad-buying platform, which will be available for 2020 “upfronts” — Battle lines are being drawn in the ongoing quest to lure advertisers to new kinds of TV commercials.
Discussion:
AdExchanger, MediaPost, Multichannel News, @simonjharris, Ad Age, Adweek, Reuters, Business Wire and @bristei
RELATED:
Reuters:
Source: Brian Lesser, the CEO of AT&T's ad-tech unit Xandr, has resigned — (Reuters) - Brian Lesser, chief executive of AT&T Inc (T.N) advertising unit Xandr, has resigned, according to a source familiar with the matter. — A spokesman for AT&T declined to comment.
Doug Haddix / IRE:
An attendee of IRE's NICAR conference in New Orleans has tested presumptively positive for COVID-19, has mild symptoms, and is self-quarantining for 14 days — UPDATES: — NICAR20 attendee tests presumptively positive for coronavirus — FAQ — NICAR20 attendee tests presumptively positive for coronavirus
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Nieman Lab, @ire_nicar, New York Post, @alancshaw, New Orleans Times-Picayune, @brianstelter, @juliangillmusic, @danahull, @conarck, @nlinphoto, @katereports, @miyashay, @a_l, @mtdukes, @carla_astudi, @lisasorg, @mtdukes, @corbettsmithdmn, @jenny8lee, @ddpan, @rw_briggs, @doughaddix, @doughaddix, @ryanfamuliner, @dataeditor and @joeleastwood

In a memo to staff, WaPo is encouraging all of its employees to work from home until the end of the month, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak — The arrangement is in response to the coronavirus crisis. — The Washington Post has sent a memo to all its employees encouraging them to work …
Discussion:
Adweek, New York Post, @timaeppel, @abtran, @donnacassata, @dataeditor, @hcjewell, @bcrodriguez, @abeaujon, @oliverdarcy, Washington Post, The Hill, @abeaujon, @abeaujon and @abarnardnyt

While ad and event revenue declines due to COVID-19 may wound the news industry, choices by hedge funds and private equity in a recession could be catastrophic — Declines in ad revenue and all those canceled events might prove manageable. But the real risk would come with a virus-inspired recession …
Discussion:
Poynter, @ylichterman, American Press Institute, @ssuttell, @ellenroseman, @darrendcarroll, @rickedmonds, @netaustin, @jbenton and CNN

Due to COVID-19, Sunday's debate between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will be held without an in-person audience, and CNN won't host a press center or spin room — The debate will still be held, though there won't be a “spin room” or filing center for the press.
Discussion:
@cnnpr, Mediaite, USA Today, @yashar, @connieschultz, @jeneps, @jonlovett, @jbarro, @carloslozadawp, @rachelnpr, @kiminsley, @kellyaucoin77, Newser, TVNewser, Variety and Wall Street Journal

Recount Media, the short-form political video startup founded by journalists John Battelle and John Heilemann, raises $13M Series A — Recount Media, a short-form political video startup created by veteran journalists John Battelle and John Heilemann, has raised $13 million its Series A funding round, executives tell Axios.
Discussion:
@fredwilson and @sarafischer

Never has conservative media's contempt for facts and science been more dangerous, as Fox News puts lives at risk by minimizing the danger from coronavirus — President Trump has been widely and correctly excoriated for the way he is dealing with the novel coronavirus. By minimizing the danger, he heightens it.
Discussion:
@walshfreedom, @johnupton, @maxboot, The Daily Beast, The Guardian, The Week and New York Times

Harvey Weinstein is sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually assaulting two women — NEW YORK — The once-powerful movie producer Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison Wednesday for sexually assaulting two women. — In its landmark verdict on Feb. 24 …
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Variety, Observer, Vox, Breitbart, @megangarber, Boing Boing, @ashleyattimes, @authorkimberley, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, @jodikantor, @oliverdarcy, @damonbruce, @viviennechow, @mega2e and @maggienyt

Disney launches Disney+ in India, weeks ahead of its scheduled launch date, through Hotstar; Hotstar gets rebranded to Disney+ Hotstar with a new logo — Disney+ has arrived in India — weeks ahead of its scheduled launch date. The American giant revamped Hotstar app and populated …
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The Financial Express, XDA Developers, Livemint, Hindustan Times, YourStory.com, NDTV Gadgets 360 and The Next Web

YouTube cancels its annual Brandcast marketing presentation scheduled for April 30 in NYC, citing COVID-19 concerns, and will instead stream the event online — YouTube will not host its annual in-person Brandcast marketing presentation in New York City this year, citing concerns about the coronovirus epidemic.
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MediaPost

How local journalism is surviving under family-owned media companies, like Arizona-based Wick Communications, and newspapers like Charleston's Post and Courier — The stories are familiar now. A longtime newspaper family decides to sell off their publications to a larger public corporation …
Discussion:
@jayrosen_nyu, @raju, @mattderienzo and @editorpublisher