Top News:


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


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 »


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


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


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


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, TechCrunch, Adweek, Hollywood Reporter, FierceVideo and @xpangler


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, @nickkristof, Politico, @joetrippi, @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


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.


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


Internal email shows Fox Corp. has implemented its own version of a vaccine passport, allowing staff to self-report the dates their shots were administered — New York (CNN Business)Tucker Carlson has called the idea of vaccine passports the medical equivalent of “Jim Crow” laws.
Discussion:
Mediaite, YouTube, Politico, @oliverdarcy, @ryangrim, Deadline, The Daily Beast, @sbg1, UPROXX, Insider, The Guardian, @jessecharleslee, @juliadavisnews, @maxboot, @drdenagrayson, @helenkennedy, @schwarz, @aprildryan, @oliverdarcy, @donmoyn, @davidoatkins, @nickfalacci, @ggreeneva, The Hill, The Wrap, Media Matters for America and Bad News


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, The Wrap, @tedlieu, @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


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