DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ The new 'tone deaf' Bob Iger might just be focused on a Disney and Apple M&A
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Peter Csathy | Fearless Media | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Fearless Media is a newsletter about the future of entertainment, media, and tech by Creative Media chairman Peter Csathy . Disney CEO Bob Iger's comments regarding the strikers may hint at his deeper M&A state of mind. For the past decades, Disney CEO Bob Iger has been perhaps the most revered media and entertainment titan, beloved by both employees and Wall Street — a rare feat and balancing act to be sure. SAG President Fran Drescher joined voices across entertainment in calling Iger's comments "tone deaf" and rich for someone who reportedly makes more than 500 times the median salary of Disney employees. Peter Csathy is the founder and chairman of Creativie Media and an internationally recognized media, entertainment, and tech expert.

Persons: Peter Csathy, Bob Iger's, Iger, Bob Iger, —, Fran Drescher, Iger's, Sun, Tim Cook —, Steve Jobs, Rupert Murdoch, Palminteri, Keyser, doesn't bode, Read Organizations: Creative Media, Disney, Morning, Fearless Media, SAG, Mouse House, Marvel, Pixar, Apple, Wall, Fox Television, Wall Street, Hollywood, Creativie Media Locations: Sun Valley, Nice

☆ 'Barbenheimer' tops $235 million in domestic debut, eyes second-highest box office weekend ever
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"Barbenheimer" exploded over the weekend, generating an estimated $235.5 million in ticket sales and reinvigorating the domestic box office. "It was a truly historic weekend and continues the positive box office momentum of 2023," said Michael O'Leary, president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners. Some box office analysts project that Monday's official weekend numbers could be quite a bit higher than Sunday's estimates, and push "Barbenheimer" weekend up the charts. The success of "Barbenheimer" comes at a time when the domestic box office has faced some hurdles. They've reignited the summer box office flame, and they've proven that studios can be a little more aggressive with counter-programming strategies in the future."

Persons: Barbie, Oppenheimer, Shawn Robbins, Michael O'Leary, O'Leary, Paul Dergarabedian, Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones, Robbins, They've, NBCUniversal Organizations: Marvel, Star Wars, Warner Bros, National Association of Theatre, Rotten, Angel Studios, Comcast, CNBC Locations: Hollywood, NBCUniversal

☆ Inside Bob Iger's Disney contract extension: a CEO moving to protect his legacy and get succession right this time
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Lucia Moses | Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Disney extended CEO Bob Iger's contract for 2 years, through the end of 2026. Company watchers won't be shocked by the move, since Iger extended his previous tenure in the role many times. Insiders said he wants to protect his legacy and stabilize the business, especially after the exit of its CFO. Disney just extended Bob Iger's contract for two more years, through 2026, the company announced today. Iger pledged at the time to prioritize finding a successor, but he has extended his contract before — four times during his first 15-year tenure.

Persons: Bob Iger's, Iger, Bob Chapek, Dave Heger, Edward Jones, Heger, Christian Knaebel, Christine McCarthy, Disney, — here's, Chapek, Jay Rasulo, Kevin Mayer, Tom Staggs, Dana Walden, Alan Bergman, Iger's reorg, Dana, who's, Bergman, Walden, Meta execs Sheryl Sandberg, Carolyn Everson, Josh D'Amaro, Jimmy Pitaro, Adam Silver, Silver, Andrew Wilson Organizations: Disney, Hollywood, Writers Guild of America, SAG, Longtime, Disney Entertainment, Pixar, ESPN, National Basketball Association, EA Locations: Iger

☆ From right-wing backlash to Apple's TV play — these 3 big questions will dominate conversations at the Cannes Lions.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Lauren Johnson | Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

This year's Cannes Lions ad festival is taking place as advertisers are reeling from major shifts. The Cannes Lions organizers said that none of the three execs have been confirmed as speakers. Generative AI must boost creativity without stealing jobsThe rapid rise of generative AI took the advertising and media worlds by storm. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hobnob with the company that kicked off the generative AI storm last November. Simon Cook, Cannes Lions CEO, told Insider that top executives from ChatGPT developer OpenAI like chief operating officer Brad Lightcap will attend the festival.

Persons: Twitter's Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Oliver Schusser, Michael Kassan, he's, execs, Bud Light, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Bud, Busch, Fura, Leslie Klein, Sir Martin Sorrell, David Droga, Nick Law, Simon Cook, Brad Lightcap, Huge's, Elon Musk, Ben Hovaness, They've, Jon Williams, Akram Chetibi, Craig Atkinson Organizations: Cannes Lions, Apple, Twitter, Netflix, Hollywood, UTA, Target, Bud Light, Anheuser, Busch, Accenture, Cannes, Apple News, Carlton Hotel, Omnicom Media, Amazon Web Locations: Cannes

☆ ‘Movie Theaters Are the Marketplace of Free Ideas’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Nicole Sperling | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

It was not a big surprise to us that the “Super Mario Bros. Movie” was going to do an extraordinary amount of business. Is there an awareness that there are issues with going to the movie theater? Now that the business is coming back, the theater owners have already started to continue to innovate and improve the experience so that it’s always better than the home. In both Los Angeles and New York, quite a few prime theaters that catered to independent film have shut down. One company, Pacific Theaters, which ran the ArcLight, is the only company in the country who filed Chapter Seven bankruptcy.

☆ Writers' strike support: Celebs stand in solidarity with TV and film writers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Several stars are vocalizing their support for TV and film writers. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is currently on strike as they seek better compensation and other concessions from studios and streamers. “Everything changed with streaming and everyone needs to be compensated for their work,” actress Amanda Seyfried told Variety on the red carpet. “Whatever I can do to support the guild,” Fallon said. She also spoke on the Met red carpet about being a member of the guild.

☆ AI is disrupting Hollywood, and one investor sees huge potential in startups harnessing data to identify valuable IP for TV and film
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A private credit investor explains why Wall Street sees the potential for big returns from the tech. "What we're interested in right now are companies that are creating a more automated way of identifying valuable IP," Aria Vossoughi of Serengeti Asset Management told Insider. To be sure, Hollywood has been taking steps toward fusing data, algorithms, and creative content for years. Michael Blank, head of consumer investing at CAA, previously told Insider that investments in this arena are "blowing up right now." It supplements it more than replacing it," he told Insider of AI tech.

☆ Inside Disney it's 'Revenge of the Creatives' and 'Shields Up!' against outside foes as returned CEO Bob Iger is taking no prisoners
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Since returning as Disney CEO, Bob Iger has vanquished foes and dumped many of predecessor Bob Chapek's hires. But it's a supercharged Bob Iger who is really taking command. "If I'm inside Bob's head coming back, after the downfall of Bob Chapek, this is all about taking no prisoners," said Will Schutte, a high-level executive coach. Disney World is scheduled to host a major conference on gay rights in September, according to the Miami Herald. Even if he wants to be the Bob Iger of old he can't be.

☆ Is AI coming for Hollywood? A Wall Street investor breaks down why he's bullish about a growing class of startups harnessing data to identify the next big blockbuster.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

☆ I got my first TV writing job at 55. It was hard being the oldest person in the room — but I'm glad I never gave up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Eboni Boykin-Patterson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Writing what he knew and making personal connections ultimately led to his first TV job at age 55. I've been working towards a TV writing job for a few years, but I've always wanted to write for the screen. I got the job sort of out of the blueThe way I got my first writing job was through a 20-year-old relationship. She was really, really complimentary. As we were taking the class, they were going around the room and each person said what scared them the most about being a TV writer.

☆ How HBO's content chief plans to grow the audience for Warner Bros. Discovery's new mega-streamer with DC and Warner Bros. shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

HBO's Casey Bloys revealed his content strategy on "The Watch" podcast and in a talk with Parrot Analytics. Bloys also shared what's ahead for HBO Max once it combines with Warner Bros. Despite economic pressures on streaming, he's not worried that HBO content will suffer. "Euphoria" is second only to "Game of Thrones" in most-viewed HBO shows, but Bloys was hesitant at first to develop its hit 2022 prequel "House of the Dragon," he told "The Watch." And he pointed to more Batman spinoffs like "The Penguin" that's coming to HBO Max and will star Colin Farrell.

☆ HBO's content chief reveals plans to build audiences for HBO Max and Warner Bros. Discovery's new mega-streamer with DC and Warner Bros. shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

HBO's Casey Bloys revealed his content strategy on "The Watch" podcast and in a talk with Parrot Analytics. Bloys also shared what's ahead for HBO Max once it combines with Warner Bros. Despite economic pressures on streaming, he's not worried that HBO content will suffer. And even after Bloys took on oversight of HBO Max Originals in 2020, "The idea is to do things that are not necessarily for HBO," he told "The Watch." And he pointed to more Batman spinoffs like "The Penguin" that's coming to HBO Max and will star Colin Farrell.

☆ The Magic of Your First Car
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Adali Schell | Remy Tumin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The ability to get behind the wheel of a car for the first time and go anywhere is a distinct American rite of passage. For many young people, their first car grants them a freedom to explore their city on an intimate level, with their windows down and music blasting – and away from the prying eyes of parents. The photographer Adali Schell, 21, grew up in Los Angeles and spent last summer documenting the members of his creative community in their cars. Finding a place to belong “feels so scarce” in L.A., Adali said. But in the confines of an old Mercedes Benz (now powered by vegetable oil), a former taxi cab, a beat-up Volvo and a “mom” car, this group of artists and students found “a stronger sense of self and sense of security.”

☆ Netflix insiders applaud new co-CEO Greg Peters, 'the only real visionary' in the C-suite, but scratch their heads over what other exec changes mean for the company
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Elaine Low | Lucia Moses | Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Netflix's elevation of Greg Peters to co-CEO shows the importance of its advertising sales effort. But Bela Bajaria's rise to content chief has caused some confusion about the future of the TV and film organization. The Netflix veteran now shares the role with current co-CEO Ted Sarandos, as company cofounder Reed Hastings steps down and settles into an executive chairman position. The move made a lot of sense to industry insiders, and even publicly, Netflix had been signaling the ascension for some time. Netflix insiders said Bajaria's new title underscored the importance of TV versus film in the streaming wars.

In an interview with Allure magazine, Stefani, 53, who is Italian American, cited the influence of Japanese culture in her home when she was growing up. "I said, 'My God, I'm Japanese and I didn't know it,'" Stefani told Allure. She later insisted, "I am, you know," calling herself a "super fan" of Japanese culture. A representative for Stefani told Calaor that she had "misunderstood what Stefani was trying to convey" but declined to provide an on-the-record statement. Even before the interview, Stefani had defended her "Harajuku" era.

☆ Netflix to live-stream Screen Actors Guild Awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Bing GuanJan 11 (Reuters) - Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) will live-stream the annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards beginning in 2024, as it explores bringing live programming to its service. The streaming giant stepped in to carry the SAG Awards, which had lost its broadcast home on cable networks TNT and TBS. Netflix will stream this year's ceremony on its YouTube Channel and, next year, stream the awards show to subscribers via Netflix's service. Nominees will be announced at 7 a.m. Pacific time on Wednesday and the 29th Annual SAG awards take place on Feb. 26. Netflix is in the early days of testing live broadcasts, as it contemplates bringing live sports to the platform.

☆ In a first, Netflix will stream the SAG awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Netflix will air a live awards show for the first time, marking the streamer’s latest expansion into live programming and further cementing its influence in Hollywood. Beginning in 2024, the Screen Actors Guild Awards will be live-streamed globally on Netflix as part of a new, multi-year partnership. This year’s 29th Annual SAG Awards will stream live for the first time on Netflix’s YouTube channel on Sunday, February 26 at 8 pm ET. The Academy of Country Music Awards switched from CBS to Amazon’s Prime Video in 2022 and will once again stream live on the service this year. Adding live events could help Netflix (NFLX) stand out against rivals as it fights to keep adding subscribers in an increasingly crowded market.

☆ 6 key Disney executives working with Bob Iger to remake former CEO Bob Chapek's business structure
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Lucia Moses | Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Disney CEO Bob Iger has returned to a company facing significant pressures on its linear and streaming businesses. He'll also need to unwind the business structure implemented in 2020 by his short-lived predecessor, Bob Chapek — which separated budgeting and distribution decisions from creative content development. Alan Bergman, chairman, Disney Studios ContentAlan Bergman. Disney Interactive/Reuters/Jonathan AlcornPitaro is close to Iger, has a long tenure at Disney, and has a foot in both creative and business sides. Dana Walden, chairman, Disney General Entertainment ContentDana Walden.

In this article DIS Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTBob Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company Scott Mlyn | CNBCDisney reappointed Bob Iger as its chief executive recently, abruptly replacing his hand-picked successor Bob Chapek, and giving Iger an early goal — find a new replacement during the next two years. Iger's attention has quickly turned to the other part of his mandate from the board — the immediate challenges facing Disney's business, such as the company's reorganization, cost structure and the future growth of its streaming business. He is the chairman of Disney's studio content and spearheaded the integration of Iger's acquisitions into Disney's overall content pipeline. D'Amaro is head of Disney's parks, experiences and products, the same position Chapek held before becoming CEO. Rebecca Campbell, who's currently in charge of Disney's international content and operations, is another candidate that Iger may favor, people familiar with the matter said.

☆ 6 Disney executives Bob Iger will trust to drive his new strategy as he radically remakes the business structure implemented by former CEO Bob Chapek
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Lucia Moses | Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The returning CEO will have to unwind the business structure implemented by Bob Chapek while finding a successor. Disney CEO Bob Iger returns to a company facing significant pressures on its linear and streaming businesses. He'll also need to unwind the business structure implemented in 2020 by his short-lived predecessor, Bob Chapek — which separated budgeting and distribution decisions from creative content development. Alan Bergman, chairman, Disney Studios ContentAlan Bergman. Dana Walden, chairman, Disney General Entertainment ContentDana Walden.

☆ Being your own boss comes with some tradeoffs. Here's how Gen Zers are managing the challenges.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Gen Z will be a major player in entrepreneurship, with 45% very likely to start a venture. Here's how Gen Z founders are managing loneliness, financial stress, and mental health. In fact, 45% of Gen Zers are very or extremely likely to become founders, according to a 2021 survey of 1,509 Gen Zers by Ernst & Young. But even with the pitfalls that come with starting your own business, young founders do find success. While imposter syndrome and lack of experience are inevitable for many Gen Zers, there are ways to learn and delegate when necessary.

☆ DC's movie and TV division has finally found its own version of Marvel's Kevin Feige
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The pair inherit a baggage-heavy DC film universe. Discovery has finally found an executive to lead its DC movie and TV franchise — well, executives, plural, that is. Warner Bros. Since Discovery and WarnerMedia merged earlier this year, Zaslav has been looking for someone to lead DC's movie and TV efforts. Gunn jumped to Warner Bros. and DC after getting temporarily fired from the third "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie in 2018.

☆ Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson to be honored as MusiCares persons of the year
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Danielle Broadway | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 20 (Reuters) - Motown icons Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson will be honored by the music industry in Los Angeles ahead of the annual Grammy Awards as MusiCares 2023 persons of the year, the organization announced on Thursday. Berry Gordy, 92, and Smokey Robinson, 82, built the Motown record label in the 1960s and for several decades was the highest earning Black American record label, nicknamed Hitsville USA for its dozens of chart toppers. How honored I am to be named the MusiCares Persons of the Year, and together with my best friend of over 65 years, the great Smokey Robinson. I am honored that they have chosen me and my best friend and Motown founder Berry Gordy to share this beautiful honor and celebrate with you all together," he added. "MusiCares is thrilled to be honoring Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson at the 2023 persons of the year gala, which will be the first time we are honoring two legends together,” Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares, said in a statement.

☆ Insiders cast doubt on Warner Bros. Discovery's plans after it axed, then reinstated, a revered TV writers' workshop. It highlights a 'huge crisis' facing Hollywood creatives.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Discovery abruptly axed, then reinstated, its longstanding TV writers' training program. Numerous TV writers told Insider they would not have been able to establish their careers without the TV workshop. The WBTV workshops not only developed emerging talents, but also helped ease their way into paid work in Hollywood. But even with Zaslav examining every asset across the company to find a promised $3 billion in synergies, the WBTV writers' and directors' workshops seemed unlikely targets. "The training is just phenomenal," a third alum of the writers' workshop told Insider.

☆ How Bryan Lourd became one of the most powerful people in the history of Hollywood
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

Lourd, 61, isn't a household name, but he wields a stunning amount of influence in Hollywood. Lourd's Hollywood clients aren't just A-listers, they're A+-listers: Brad Pitt. An old-fashioned talent agent who loves discussing old movies and doesn't mind pointing out the flaws in his own clients' work, Lourd has become arguably the most powerful person in Hollywood. "He's one of the most powerful people in the history of Hollywood," said Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. But Lourd's clients are such bankable stars that it's equally important for Hollywood executives to be friendly with him as it is beneficial for Lourd and CAA.

Search resuls for: "Creative Community"

25 mentions found