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☆ How FTX's implosion put crypto news sites like CoinDesk, The Block, and Decrypt in the spotlight as they work to fend off an ad slump and conspiracy theories about their coverage
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Reed Alexander | Steven Perlberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

Crypto news sites like CoinDesk, The Block, and Decrypt have dominated coverage of the FTX implosion. Now, crypto media staffers are wondering whether more dominoes falling from FTX could further hurt the industry or cripple their ad revenues. "We cover the good, the bad and the ugly," Dan Roberts, the editor-in-chief of Decrypt, told Insider. "In general, I think these things are good for crypto media," he said. Stacy-Marie Ishmael, the managing editor for Bloomberg's crypto team, likened burgeoning crypto coverage to 1990s coverage of the Internet.

Bob Iger's return as Disney's CEO was met with surprise and relief by current and former employees. News of Bob Iger's return as Disney's CEO shocked the media world, but for many inside the company, the news touched off a mix of surprise as well as relief. Insider spoke with eight current and recently departed Disney employees about their reactions, hopes, and concerns for what's next. One theme park designer and former Disney employee, Taylor A. Baird, said he "almost cried" upon hearing about Iger's return because of his past success running the company. And there's still worry about where cuts will hit and how deep, and what's in store for Disney's streaming business.

☆ NBCUniversal layoffs are coming in January
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Layoffs will come in ad sales and marketing in the linear television business but won't affect theme parks. NBCUniversal is the latest major media corporation to plan layoffs, according to two company insiders and a third person closely familiar with plans. The axe will fall mainly in ad sales, marketing, and back-end functions at the traditional broadcast and cable business units, but will come division by division, two people said. Paramount Global also conducted layoffs last week, mainly in ad sales in New York and Los Angeles. NBCUniversal was the first major media firm to conduct a corporate restructure of its business back in 2020.

☆ Disney, Comcast should keep their joint venture in Hulu, says Engine Media's Tom Rogers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailDisney, Comcast should keep their joint venture in Hulu, says Engine Media's Tom RogersTom Rogers, Engine Gaming & Media executive chairman, and Claire Atkinson, Insider chief media correspondent, join CNBC's 'Squawk Box' to discuss Bob Iger's return to Disney and what it means for the company's future.

☆ Disney first approached Bob Iger about returning as CEO just days ago
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Grace Kay | Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Disney's plan to bring back Bob Iger as CEO came together in only a few days, a senior employee said. A top executive reached out to Iger about returning as CEO and the board agreed to the change. The board reached out to Iger on Friday, CNBC reported — just three days before the company announced that the former executive would immediately replace Bob Chapek as CEO. Over the past few months, several high level Disney executives told the board they were considering leaving under Chapek's leadership, the Disney exec told Insider. Read more on Bob Iger's return to Disney: A senior executive's outreach to the former chief followed months of complaints to the board about CEO Bob Chapek

☆ Inside Bob Iger's return to Disney: A senior executive's outreach to the former chief followed months of complaints to the board about CEO Bob Chapek
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Bob Iger is returning to Disney as CEO, ending the rocky tenure of his successor, Bob Chapek. This person said the board realized its chief executive simply wasn't up to the job after the high-level company executives shared their frustrations. "Bob Iger is one of the top executives of the last decade. Daniel and a handful of other top executives are expected to find out their fate in the next 24 hours, said the senior Disney Insider. "I'm really happy pleased that Bob Iger has accepted this has decided to come back at a critical time for the company," the senior Disney insider said.

☆ Disney shares jump as Bob Iger returns to lead the company after shock dismissal of CEO
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Zahra Tayeb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Disney stock rose as much as 10% on Monday after Bob Iger's shock return as CEO. Iger will replace Bob Chapek, who was ousted as CEO, while working the company looks for a successor. Chapek was dismissed after Disney posted dismal quarterly earnings and a $1.5 billion loss. "The Board has concluded that as Disney embarks on an increasingly complex period of industry transformation, Bob Iger is uniquely situated to lead the Company through this pivotal period," said Susan Arnold, Disney board chairman, in a statement. After the earnings report, Chapek said in an internal memo that Disney was planning hiring freezes and job cuts, CNBC reported.

☆ The story of Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX implosion put crypto news sites like CoinDesk and The Block on the map. Inside their plan to fend off an ad slump and conspiracy theories — and keep winning.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Reed Alexander | Steven Perlberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Now, crypto media staffers are wondering whether more dominoes falling from FTX could further hurt the industry or cripple their ad revenues. Crypto media kicks into overdriveRoberts said Decrypt's traffic doubled during the first week of the FTX saga. "In general, I think these things are good for crypto media," he said. Stacy-Marie Ishmael, the managing editor for Bloomberg's crypto team, likened burgeoning crypto coverage to 1990s coverage of the Internet. "It's now a situation where the crypto media has egg on their face.

☆ Bob Chapek's Disney angered Scarlett Johansson, Florida's governor, and more in his two-plus years as CEO
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Disney announced Sunday that Bob Iger would return as CEO, replacing his successor Bob Chapek. Less than three years later, Chapek is out, and Iger, who led Disney through unprecedented success, is back in. By 2021, with theatrical attendance still rocky, Disney aimed to release some movies in theaters and, for a fee, onto Disney+ simultaneously. Star Scarlett Johansson sued Disney, claiming the move breached her contract, as her salary was based on a portion of box-office earnings. It also led to creatives speaking out on the lack of LGBTQ+ representation in Disney movies.

☆ Some Disney employees were so shocked by CEO Bob Iger's return they suspected an email announcement was a scam
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Some Disney staffers thought the press release about Bob Iger's return was a scam, Variety reported. Iger, who led Disney from 2005 to 2020, was asked to come back to replace current CEO Bob Chapek. Disney stock is down nearly 40% so far this year, though it got a boost on news of Iger's return. The news of Iger's replacement of current Disney CEO Bob Chapek came around 6:45 p.m. Pacific Time, while some top Disney leaders were at a pre-show reception at Los Angeles's Dodger Stadium for Elton John's farewell show, according to Variety. Arnold added that Iger is "greatly admired by Disney employees worldwide."

☆ Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings reacts to surprise news that Disney is bringing back Bob Iger: 'Ugh. I had been hoping Iger would run for president'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings tweeted his reaction to the news that Bob Iger returned to Disney. Hastings wrote that he had been hoping Iger would run for US president. Iger mulled running for president in the past, but has since said it was "a little bit too idealistic." I had been hoping Iger would run for President," Hastings tweeted out late Sunday night in reaction to the news. Looking back at his political aspirations, Iger told Variety during a 2021 interview that he was and was "really naive" about his leadership abilities and chances of winning.

☆ 'Top Gun' studio Skydance just inked a TV and film partnership with the NFL. Here are 10 more top production companies capitalizing on the sports content boom.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Claire Atkinson | Colin Salao | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The NFL has partnered with Skydance Sports to create a "global multi-sport production studio." Netflix's Formula 1 series, "Drive to Survive" is the model other streamers and leagues hope to emulate. Insider identified 11 top companies making scripted and documentary sports content to feed the boom. NFL is muscling into the booming sports production world, investing in a new joint venture with David Ellison's Skydance Sports. Speaking to buyers, sellers, and other industry stakeholders, Insider identified 11 production companies making the most sought-after sports content.

☆ CNN CEO Chris Licht details layoff plans at all-hands company meeting
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Claire Atkinson | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

CNN CEO Chris Licht detailed layoff plans to staff amid tough conditions for parent Warner Bros Discovery. CNN Worldwide Chairman and CEO Chris Licht attempted to assert his authority at an all-hands meeting with staff Tuesday morning about the coming layoffs and his plans for the news organization. Licht took some fire at the all-hands over his previous assertions in June that there would be no major layoffs. He told staff there will be a wider reorganization of newgathering staff. Licht also said there would be no layoffs at CNN Digital, although some newsgathering staff are part of CNN Digital.

☆ Lachlan Murdoch biographer breaks down his relationship with dad Rupert and why his siblings want to change 'destructive' Fox News
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

A new unauthorized biography of Lachlan Murdoch explores his business profile and family relationships. Its author, Paddy Manning, speculates about who might exit if Rupert Murdoch's Fox Corp and News Corp recombine. Lachlan Murdoch was named Fox's CEO, and James Murdoch, after four years as CEO of 21st Century Fox, was left to carve his own path. Why did you want to write a book about Lachlan Murdoch? Did you talk to Lachlan Murdoch?

☆ CNN CEO Chris Licht is facing an increasingly angry newsroom as more layoffs loom, plans are murky, and staff have lost confidence after 'horrible programming decisions'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

CNN CEO Chris Licht has been faulted by the newsroom for too many changes and not enough communication. Chris Licht needs a hit. "People are starting to believe there is no plan," said one executive familiar with the workings of CNN. "Is Chris Licht going to be there for them and push back on government officials? Many on the ad sales team that was formerly dedicated to CNN have either been pink-slipped or joined the broader ad sales group under WBD ad honcho Jon Steinlauf.

☆ Apple has touted its 'deliberate' hiring amid a tough economy, but insiders say widespread hiring freezes are in place for the year ahead
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Reed Alexander | Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Apple has frozen hiring for roles across corporate divisions at the tech giant, three sources tell Insider. The company has said it will be "deliberate" with recruiting but has not acknowledged halting hires in some departments. Since the summer, Apple has touted its "deliberate" decisions about investment and hiring, including on its most recent quarterly earnings call last week. But three sources with close knowledge of conversations at the company told Insider it has paused almost all hiring. The second source, who has knowledge of multiple high-level conversations inside Apple, agreed that it's experiencing a hiring freeze.

☆ After Elon Musk’s wild weekend on Twitter, will advertisers stick with it?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“I think advertisers are bracing to leave,” said Claire Atkin, co-founder of the adtech watchdog Check My Ads. Most marketers bristle at the thought of having their ads run alongside toxic content such as hate speech, pornography or misinformation. Also on Monday, Angelo Carusone, CEO of media watchdog Media Matters for America, tweeted calling on major Twitter advertisers “to be putting pressure on Twitter right now” to better address the increase in hate and other toxic content. “I think advertisers are going to look at this and say, is the weak Twitter advertising product becoming a better or worse investment? After GM announced its Twitter advertising pause, some users on the platform, including some right-leaning political figures, have called for a boycott of the automaker.

Sam Zimmerman, AMC NetworksZimmerman. AMCWant to break bread with Zimmerman, VP of programming at AMC Networks' horror destination, Shudder? One of the first original documentary projects he commissioned for Shudder was "Horror Noire," focused on Black stories and creators. Zimmerman oversees a team of creatives who acquire and develop feature films and television series. "She taught me a lot about building audiences for films and when they'll reject new discoveries," Zimmerman said.

☆ Meet the 'stone-cold-brilliant' Apple exec heading up Apple TV+, Sports, gaming and more, who insiders think could succeed Eddy Cue
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The former Time Warner Cable exec is driving Apple's subscription businesses including TV+, Sports, and Apple One. But inside and outside the tech giant, people are eyeing one cable TV alum who is being positioned for bigger things under Eddy Cue, the company's longtime Services SVP. As VP, Services, Stern is responsible for running strategy and operations for multiple growth businesses inside Apple. Here's how Stern ascended from cable TV to the top of the tech giant, and what his moves mean for the future of Apple Services. He appeared on stage in 2019 as the frontman for the Apple TV app, in a pair of dark-wash jeans and an untucked gray button-down.

☆ NFL Films is building its 'version of the Marvel universe' with a push into movies, dozens of TV projects, and partnerships with athletes from Tom Brady to Ronda Rousey
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

NFL Films is in talks with Hollywood partners about expanding its TV and film efforts. "We have a sport that is most akin to Hollywood," NFL Films senior director Ross Ketover told Insider. Among the buyers are Disney's ESPN, ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+; AppleTV+ and Amazon Prime Video. NFL Films and Omaha also made a version starring MMA's Ronda Rousey called "Rowdy's Places," for ESPN+. NFL Films helped make a season of its Amazon series, "All or Nothing," for the English Premiere League's Manchester City back in 2018.

☆ Meet the under-the-radar Apple executive who heads Apple TV+, gaming, and sports, and drives more than 860 million paid subscriptions
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The former Time Warner Cable exec is driving Apple's subscription businesses including TV+, Sports, and Apple One. As VP, Services, Stern is responsible for running strategy and operations for multiple growth businesses inside Apple. Here's how Stern ascended from cable TV to the top of the tech giant, and what his moves mean for the future of Apple Services. A third former high-placed Time Warner Cable alum also recalled this exchange. He appeared on stage in 2019 as the frontman for the Apple TV app, in a pair of dark-wash jeans and an untucked gray button-down.

☆ Meet 9 top media bankers transforming the M&A landscape and driving deals for Warner Bros. Discovery, Legendary, Amazon, and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

2022 kicked off with some huge transactions, from AT&T's WarnerMedia spin-off to private equity scooping up content players. Brad Pitt's production company, Plan B, and Diamond Sports Group both recently tapped big banks to explore their options. Not surprisingly, WarnerMedia was at the heart of the richest transaction fee waterfall for big banks in 2022. Moelis and LionTree were just tapped to help figure out what's next for Sinclair's Regional Sports Networks, Diamond Sports Group, while Brad Pitt's production company, Plan B, also hired Moelis to shop the production company, according to Variety. There's lots of dry powder still in private equity, Navid Mahmoodzadegan, co-founder and co-president at investment bank Moelis, told Insider.

☆ The CEO of Barry Diller's IAC says Netflix with ads will be a double blow to network TV revenue: 'Now they're losing audience and losing scarcity.'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The growth of ad-supported streaming at scale is set to challenge the $60 billion TV ad business. One top internet executive, IAC CEO Joey Levin, says Netflix will destroy networks' scarcity argument. Wall Street also is waiting to see if Netflix draws ad dollars from social media or TV. Traditional TV networks are about to lose one of their main arguments for charging big rates for ads. Netflix's arrival on Madison Avenue next year is going to erode the hugely lucrative TV ad business, said Levin, who spoke with Insider in September.

☆ Executives from Google, NBCUniversal, Uber, and others have poured $7 million into a new fund to turn 15 women-led companies into billion dollar businesses
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Princeton classmates Lynda Clarizio and Joy Marcus are aiming to create a new ecosystem for funding women-led businesses. The $7 million fund is still raising money to help 15 women-led businesses have a chance at success. Clarizio and Marcus hope to fund women-led companies around media, advertising, and content — areas that they both know well. The98 also hopes to create even more proof in the market that women-run businesses can be billion dollar companies, said Marcus. In the first half of 2022 start-ups with female founders raised $20.8 billion of venture funding, according to Pitchbook.

☆ Jeffrey Katzenberg's WndrCo is betting big on cybersecurity tech and consumer VPNs as 'concerns around privacy have exploded'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Jeffrey Katzenberg and his WndrCo partner Sujay Jaswa are betting big on VPNs and other cybersecurity tech. WndrCo has $1.7 billion in net asset value and is looking for companies that can change the world. The company has acquired or invested in VPNs including Super Unlimited, a top app on Apple's App Store. Like everyone else in the global workforce, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Sujay Jaswa, his investing partner at venture firm WndrCo, use Zoom to connect. WndrCo made several other VPN acquisitions, ultimately merging them into a single cybersecurity venture called Aura, in which WndrCo is a significant stakeholder.

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