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☆ Nets owner says he is 'disappointed' after Kyrie Irving appeared to promote antisemitic film
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai said he is "disappointed" after all-star guard Kyrie Irving appeared to promote a film deemed antisemitic. "I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion," Tsai tweeted Friday. Irving tweeted a link Thursday to the 2018 movie "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America." The Nets said in a statement that it strongly condemns and has zero tolerance for the promotion of hate speech. We thank those, including the ADL, who have been supportive during this time," the Nets said.

☆ Ye mural in Chicago, where he grew up, covered after antisemitic comments
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Chantal Da Silva | Chantal Da Silva Is A Breaking News Editor For Nbc News Digital Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A Chicago mural celebrating Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and his roots in the city has been painted over as the artist continues to face backlash over his recent antisemitic comments. Video shared on social media appeared to show the West Loop mural being painted over with black paint. "Very crazy I’m witnessing this right now.. they’re painting over the Kanye mural in Chicago," the Twitter user who posted the video wrote. Later footage captured by NBC Chicago showed the final product, with Ye's image transformed into a silhouette. In addition to the Chicago mural being covered, the Wieners Circle, a local eatery famed for its mean customer service, made clear Ye was not welcome at the establishment.

☆ In the span of a month, Kanye West has destroyed his empire
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has lost deals to the tune of billions of dollars this month. Ye later sent a box of the shirts to homeless people on Los Angeles' Skid Row in a move one local advocate said made "a mockery and political prop of Black Angelenos." Adidas and Gap cut their ties with Ye this week. A day later, fashion magazine Vogue and its editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, said they had no plans to continue working with him. This week, famed talent agency CAA dropped Ye, and film and TV studio MRC shelved a finished documentary on him.

☆ Kanye West has a disturbing history of admiring Hitler, sources tell CNN
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Chloe Melas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Several people who were once close to the artist formerly known as Kanye West told CNN that he has long been fascinated by Adolf Hitler — and once wanted to name an album after the Nazi leader. The executive told CNN that West spoke openly about reading “Mein Kampf,” Hitler’s 1925 autobiographical manifesto and expressed his “admiration” for the Nazis and Hitler for their use of propaganda. Four sources told CNN that West had originally suggested the title “Hitler” for his 2018 album that eventually released as “Ye.” They did not want to be named, citing concern for professional retribution. TMZOne of the sources who spoke to CNN and was at the TMZ interview said West had favorably referenced Hitler. The revelation of West’s alleged history of admiring Hitler comes amid a wave of inflammatory actions by West that began earlier this month.

☆ Read the pitch decks that helped 14 creator economy startups raise millions of dollars
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The "creator economy" is catching the attention – and wallets — of notable VCs. Here are the pitch decks that 14 startups used in Series A, Seed, and pre-Seed rounds. So, how do creator economy startups land those investments? They broke down the pitch decks they used to secure millions of dollars in funding. Read the pitch decks that helped 14 creator-focused startups to fundraise millions of dollars:

☆ Kanye West anti-Jewish posts lead Adidas to cut ties way too late
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Josh Levs | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

After weeks of inaction, Adidas on Tuesday finally dropped its partnership with the proud antisemite Ye, aka rapper Kanye West. But the delay fuels the antisemitic narrative by suggesting Adidas took this step reluctantly and only under pressure. As a company with its own Nazi history, Adidas had every reason to know the dangers of letting antisemitism grow and fester. As a company with its own Nazi history, Adidas had every reason to know the dangers of letting antisemitism grow and fester. It’s a fact that should make Adidas the first business to act against antisemitism on its watch.

Adidas shutting down its partnership with Kanye West is just the latest shoe to drop surrounding the artist's recent run of controversial public behavior. To Adidas, the reputational cost of maintaining ties with Ye ultimately outweighed those considerations, said Neil Saunders, managing director at the GlobalData Retail research group and consultancy. Adidas will stop the Adidas Yeezy business with immediate effect." Instead, it was likely the growing threat of an international boycott that pushed Adidas to sever ties, said Kenneth Anand, Goldstein's co-author of "Sneaker Law." "So they had to act very fast to sever ties given what had transpired," Anand said of Adidas.

☆ Ben Feigin, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ executive producer, dies at 47
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Ben Feigin, an award-winning producer on “Schitt’s Creek” and founder and CEO of Equation Unlimited, LLC, died Monday of pancreatic cancer. Feigin served as executive producer on “Schitt’s Creek,” serving as a key force in the series’ development and launch. For the final season of “Schitt’s Creek,” Feigin received an Emmy for outstanding comedy series, a Producers Guild Awards for outstanding producer of episodic television for a comedy and a Golden Globe for best musical or comedy television series. Feigin also received a GLAAD Media Award for best comedy series in 2020 and 2021. Feigin joined Anonymous Content in 2006, founding their comedy and enterprise divisions, in addition to continuing work as a producer.

☆ Ye's antisemitic comments show the risks companies face when they hook up with big-name celebs
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Rachel Durose | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The apparel company's decision to end its partnership with designer Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, shows the perils companies can face when they hand over the keys to impossible-to-control celebs. In some cases — such as in Ye's partnership with Adidas — the payoff of a relationship might not exceed the eventual cost. "A brand can spend hundreds of millions of marketing dollars building its brand and then see it all undone with a bad celebrity partnership." "The world was treating Ye a lot differently when the Yeezy deal was signed," said Monson. But he brought some of the allure and some of the danger with him that he infused into the Yeezy brand."

☆ People are urging Adidas to cut ties with Kanye West after his antisemitic comments
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Morgan Sung | Morgan Sung Is A Trends Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Adidas is facing increased pressure from people online to cut ties with Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, after he made a string of antisemitic comments. Ye announced last month that he had terminated his collaboration with Gap over disagreements over the distribution of Yeezy Gap. But several people online pointed out that Gap appears to continue to market the Yeezy Gap collection. Gap told CNN last month that it will continue to sell its existing merchandise from Yeezy Gap in its stores and on its website. It said it will also continue to sell forthcoming collections from Yeezy Gap in the fall and into the first half of 2023.

☆ 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.

☆ Adidas terminates partnership with Ye following rapper's antisemitic remarks
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Kanye West at an event announcing a partnership with Adidas on June 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. Adidas on Tuesday ended its partnership with Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, after the musician made a series of offensive and antisemitic comments. Adidas said in a statement: "Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech. Adidas will stop the Adidas Yeezy business with immediate effect." Conservative social media platform Parler then announced Ye had agreed to buy the platform.

☆ Adidas is cutting ties with Kanye West over his recent offensive behavior, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Adidas could announce plans to end its partnership with Kanye West as early as Tuesday, sources told Bloomberg. Ye wore a "White Lives Matter" shirt and has made multiple antisemitic comments in recent weeks. People familiar with the matter told the publication that the sportswear company could announce plans to end its partnership with the rapper as early as Tuesday because of his offensive behavior. Adidas said earlier this month that it was reviewing its partnership with Ye, without specifying a reason. Ye told Fox host Tucker Carlson that he wore the shirt because it's "funny" and because he thought the motto was correct.

☆ Corporate America is canceling Kanye West
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Ye, also known as Kanye West, has become a controversy magnet. Later, West threatened on Twitter to “Go death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.”Since Ye’s antisemitic comments, businesses have come under pressure to take further action against him. You still might see Yeezy Gap merchandise on the Gap site, though. BalenciagaKanye’s antisemitic comments were also the final straw for luxury fashionhouse Balenciaga, which severed ties over the weekend. He had collaborated with Balenciaga for a wildly popular Yeezy Gap line earlier this year.

☆ Adidas terminates partnership with Kanye West
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Adidas said it will take a €250 million hit ($246 million) to its fourth quarter sales. Adidas has partnered with West since 2013, when the company signed his brand away from rival Nike. In 2016, Adidas expanded its relationship with the rapper, calling it “the most significant partnership ever created between a non-athlete and an athletic brand.”But Adidas put the “partnership under review” in early October after he wore a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt in public. “In the end, Adidas’ action sends a powerful message that antisemitism and bigotry have no place in society.”Shares of Adidas fell about 5% in Frankfurt. Adidas said it will release additional information about the financial implications of dissolving its partnership with Ye in its upcoming earnings report on November 9.

☆ Talent agency CAA drops Ye, as film studio MRC ditches documentary because of his antisemitic remarks
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Kanye West attends the Givenchy Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 02, 2022 in Paris, France. Major Hollywood talent agency CAA on Monday dropped Ye, also known as Kanye West, as the rapper and business mogul faces intensifying criticism over his recent antisemitic remarks. The film studio MRC also said it was dropping a documentary about the artist. The moves come as athletic apparel maker Adidas faces growing calls to end its relationship with Ye. At least three legal organizations have written letters to the German company to cut ties with Ye due to his recent antisemitic comments.

☆ Adidas is on the hot seat to cut ties with Kanye West
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Jon Sarlin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Balenciaga and Vogue publicly cut ties last week, and on Monday talent agency CAA dropped West as a client, and production company MRC said that it’s shelving a documentary on West. Celebrities including Kat Dennings, Josh Gad and Meg Stalter condemned Adidas for sticking by West. We are waiting @adidas,” read Shannon Watts’ tweet in response to the incident that received more than 100,000 likes. Earlier this month after West wore a “White Lives Matter” shirt in public, Adidas said that it was reviewing its lucrative partnership with his Yeezy brand. With pressure mounting and West’s hate campaign against Jewish people continuing, it seems the question is when, not if, Adidas will cut ties.

☆ Kim Kardashian condemns hate speech in midst of Kanye West controversy
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Days after a fellow celebrity called her out for remaining publicly silent in the face of antisemitic comments made by her former husband Kanye West, Kim Kardashian has released a statement condemning hate speech. Kardashian posted her statement on the Instatstories portion of her Instagram account on Monday. “Hate speech is never OK or excusable,” her statement read. The Anti-Defamation League categorizes that phrase as a “hate slogan” used by White supremacist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan. A spokesperson for the talent agency CAA confirmed to CNN on Monday that West is no longer a client.

☆ Kanye West has reportedly been dumped by talent agency CAA, and a film studio has scrapped a finished documentary about the rapper in the wake of his antisemitic remarks
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Famed talent agency CAA is the latest company to cut ties with Kanye West following his recent antisemitic remarks. In addition, film and TV studio MRC said it's shelving a completed documentary about the rapper. Several brands have distanced themselves from West in recent weeks, including Balenciaga and Vogue, and others may follow suit soon. The same day, film and TV studio MRC said it's shelving a completed documentary on the rapper and Yeezy entrepreneur. On Monday, West's ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, appeared to address West's antisemitic remarks in a message of her own, writing on Twitter, "Hate speech is never OK or excusable.

☆ 'Top Gun: Maverick' studio Skydance just scored a $400 million funding led by KKR. Meet 16 private equity players betting big on Hollywood now.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Elaine Low | Claire Atkinson | Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Private equity firms are investing more deeply in film and TV content companies, even amid a possible recession. Private equity accounted for 42% of deals over the last year vs. 24% in 2018, according to PwC. KKR just led a $400 million funding round for Skydance, giving the "Top Gun: Maverick" studio a $4 billion valuation. And earlier in July, Swedish firm EQT invested in UTA, which makes the private equity player the largest outside shareholder of the talent agency. And KKR is continuing to make big bets: It just led a $400 million funding round in "Top Gun: Maverick" studio Skydance that sent the production company's valuation north of $4 billion.

☆ I'm a 62-year-old Instagram influencer who also owns a PR firm. I worried what my clients would think, but being on social media has actually helped my career.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Julie Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

When I got my contract, my agent told me, "You're going to need to post on Instagram." I found myself thinking, 'If I have to post on Instagram, let me write'Dian Griesel. Being on social media has also generated work for me as an advisor to companies looking to understand the 50-and-up demographic. If I'm on set, that's an eight- or 10-hour day. There's the side that you have to get the job done, yes, that's business.

☆ 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.

☆ How a TikToker with 1.8 million followers built a 6-figure income without an agent or manager
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

His "stank walk challenge" video went viral two months later, and brands started reaching out. Nate White had been posting on TikTok for a month when he saw the viral "stank walk challenge" his friend Crayzrah created in April 2020. He started making money from social media later that month when brands reached out to collaborate. Now, White has 1.8 million followers on TikTok and almost 340,000 followers on Instagram. Brands pay him to make in-person appearances at events, post a video on his account promoting a product, or appear in campaign videos.

☆ Why an influencer talent agency just acquired a startup that helps creators make media kits
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Influencer-marketing and talent agency Viral Nation has acquired creator economy startup MediaKits. MediaKits, which launched in 2021, helps influencers design media kits using real-time social data. Influencer-marketing and talent management agency Viral Nation has acquired creator economy startup MediaKits. Creators often make media kits using software like Canva or Adobe, before sharing them with brands as PDFs. To help make these media kits more up to date and shareable, O'Brien and Adams built a tool that lets creators design media kits with real-time data from platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

☆ Two veteran sports execs launch firm aiming to invest up to $50M in early-stage companies
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Two longtime sports executives are launching an investment firm they say will back startups capitalizing on the growing opportunities at the intersection of sports, media and entertainment. Velocity Capital Management said Tuesday it will invest up to $50 million in early-stage companies with enterprise values of up to $2 billion. "Camp is a business that cuts across some of the things we've been looking at as a firm," said Abrams. Before joining Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment as its chief investment officer in 2018, Abrams served as a partner at Apollo for much of his career. Rees previously guided Sportradar, a data firm that works with sportsbooks, sports federations and media companies, through its IPO in 2021.

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