WPP's GroupM names Brian Lesser, a veteran Madison Avenue operative who has worked in senior media investment roles on both sides of the table, as global CEO (Brian Steinberg/Variety)

Mediagazer: WPP's GroupM names Brian Lesser, a veteran Madison Avenue operative who has worked in senior media investment roles on both sides of the table, as global CEO (Brian Steinberg/Variety)

Top News:

Financial Times:

Sources: WBD weighs splitting off its streaming and studio businesses from its legacy TV networks including CNN, leaving most of its debt with the TV networks— Group behind CNN and HBO has discussed options including spin-off of its streaming service and movie studio
Discussion: The Desk, The Wrap, @aysrick, @edgecliffe, Deadline, Yahoo Finance and The Hollywood Reporter

Discussion:

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: WBD considers splitting streaming, legacy TV businesses

Ross A. Lincoln /
The Wrap: Warner Bros Discovery Weighs Splitting Studio, Streaming Into Standalone as Stock Sags | Report

Rick Ellis /
@aysrick: I have no doubt that Zaslav would *like* to spin off the linear networks and most of the debt. But aside from the fact that it's not likely he'll find someone willing to take on that financial suicide mission, it doesn't solve his streaming problems. In fact, it makes them worse @edgecliffe: Big @FT scoop from @HeeterMaria @AntoineGara @sindap @JFK_America @grimes_ce - Warner Bros Discovery has discussed the idea of splitting its streaming and movie studio business from its TV networks to boost its stock $WBD https://www.ft.com/...

Anthony D'Alessandro /
Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Mulling Split To Boost Stock Price

New York Times:

Sources: the WNBA's media rights deals mirror the NBA's, and the league is set to get at least $2.2B over 11 years or $200M/year, up from the current ~$50M/year— The WNBA's next national media rights package has come into shape. The league is set to receive roughly $2.2 billion …

Discussion:

Ahmad Austin Jr /
Mediaite: WNBA Set to Receive a Staggering $2.2 Billion in New Media Rights Deal: Report

Daniel Frankel /
Next TV: WNBA More Than Quadruples Its Current National TV Contract With 11-Year, $2.2 Billion Deal

Kenny Smith /
@kennysmith.bsky.social: $200 million a year, plus some other deals pending. Now you can pay the players and have equal footing and ... [embedded post]

Kurt Badenhausen /
Sportico: WNBA Players Union Questions New $2.2 Billion Media Deal

Chelsee Washington /
Chelsee Washington on LinkedIn: Just released: The WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) has just landed a massive $2.2B, 11 year media rights deal with Disney, NBC and Amazon (The Athletic). …

Nick Cottongim /
Black America Web: New WNBA Media Rights Deal Is Worth Quadruple The Amount Of The Previous Deal

Mike D. Sykes /
USA Today: The 2024 MLB All-Star game wasn't that interesting but Paul Skenes sure was

Jon Lewis /
Sports Media Watch: WNBA said to be in line for as much as $260m per year in new NBA deal

RELATED:
Associated Press:

The NBA's Board of Governors approves the league's next media rights deals with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video; WBD could still match one of the deals— The NBA's Board of Governors approved the league's next media rights deals with Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime Video at its meeting Tuesday …

Discussion:

Tom Friend /
Sports Business Journal: WBD officially intends to match Amazon's NBA media rights deal

New York Times:
NBA will turn to ‘consideration of expansion’ after media rights deal complete, Adam Silver says

Jill Goldsmith /
Deadline: Warner Bros. Discovery Intends To Match Amazon's NBA Rights Deal

Raymond McCain /
Cord Cutters News: Report: TNT Isn't Out of NBA Yet, WBD Officially Intends to Keep Games & Match Amazon's Media Rights

Alex Sherman /
@sherman4949: Adam Silver says he doesn't have a sense yet of how difficult getting the media rights deal finalized will be if Warner Bros Discovery matches and/or sues. “We'll see.”

Mike Vorkunov /
@mikevorkunov: Adam Silver says the NBA's new media deals were discussed at today's Board of Governors meeting. “We did approve this stage of media proposals,” Silver said, but cautioned that the process is not done and there's some things he can't say now.

Kurt Badenhausen /
Sportico: WNBA's $2.2B Media Rights Deal Marks 6x Jump for League

Jill Goldsmith /
TVNewsCheck: Warner Bros. Discovery Intends To Match Amazon's NBA Rights Deal

Steve Aschburner /
NBA.com: Commissioner Adam Silver breaks down state of NBA at Summer League in Las Vegas

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: NBA Board approves telecast deal with ESPN, Prime Video, NBC

Ben Axelrod /
Awful Announcing: Warner Bros. Discovery will reportedly attempt to match Amazon's NBA package

Hong Kong Free Press:

Hong Kong-based reporter Selina Cheng says she was fired by The Wall Street Journal for taking up the position of chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association— American newspaper The Wall Street Journal has fired Hong Kong-based reporter Selina Cheng weeks she was elected chair …

Discussion:
Washington Post, @selina_cheng, Al Jazeera, @jonamorem, @jfsteinfeld, @maryhui, @selina_cheng, @mike_hixenbaugh, @dancow, @moorehn, Eric Wishart on LinkedIn, @sharp_writing, @_karenhao, @semaforben, The Atlantic, @lewispants, @lilahass, @missanabeem, @compliancememe, @tulikabose_, @nate_dicamillo, @johnsimpsonnews, @laurengoode, @wesleylowery, @usa_baozilover, @feliciasonmez, @debbychan_hk, @tomgrundy, Sheila Coronel on LinkedIn, Semafor, @jenvalentino_nyt@threads.net, The Guardian, Reuters, Dr. Eric Yan-ho Lai on LinkedIn, Associated Press and Talking Biz News

Discussion:

Shibani Mahtani /
Washington Post: Wall Street Journal fires Hong Kong reporter who headed embattled press club

Selina Cheng /
@selina_cheng: Today I was fired from the Wall Street Journal. This is my statement: [image]

Jonathan Moremi /
@jonamorem: This is utterly shocking, @WSJ! Bad enough that the #UK and the rest of the world don't care that #China is violating all contracts in #HongKong. But to provide cover for that and attack your own journalists is beyond despicable. Full solidarity with the colleague(s). #EpicFail

Jemimah Steinfeld /
@jfsteinfeld: “It is obvious to me that the fear and unease the press in Hong Kong have been facing for years now has equally affected the Journal's management, even though they're far away on different continents”

Mary Hui /
@maryhui: Thank you, @selina_cheng, for your unwavering work in defending & expanding the space for press freedom in Hong Kong. As she says: “The right for reporters to work w/o fear must be protected not just by the law, but more crucially, by ourselves: reporters, editors, & publishers”

Selina Cheng /
@selina_cheng: Below is HKJA's statement: [image]

Mike Hixenbaugh /
@mike_hixenbaugh: “The editor said employees of the Journal should not be seen as advocating for press freedom.”

Dan Nguyen /
@dancow: “The editor said employees of the Journal should not be seen as advocating for press freedom” 🤯

Heidi N. Moore /
@moorehn: The WSJ firing reporters for joining a union for press freedom. Incredible. Particularly disgraceful of the paper to do this as WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich is imprisoned in Russia.

Eric Wishart /
Eric Wishart on LinkedIn: The Wall Street Journal has fired Selina Cheng, the newly elected chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association.

Andy Sharp /
@sharp_writing: Unprecedented (at least in my knowledge) for a reporter to hold a press conference after being fired. I think we all need to hear the @WSJ 's side of this story.

Karen Hao /
@_karenhao: The @WSJ today fired my former colleague for STANDING UP for press freedom. Words cannot describe how twisted & abhorrent this is, at a time when journalists around the world are being intimidated, detained & killed into silence. In awe of Selina's bravery, strength & leadership.

Ben Smith /
@semaforben: Huge media story out of Hong Kong, where news organizations (not just WSJ) have been backing away from journalist organizations

Timothy McLaughlin /
The Atlantic: When the Press Turns Its Back on Press Freedom

Lewis Raven Wallace /
@lewispants: This is a truly absurd, painful, and telling example of the inconsistent standard created by claims of “objectivity” in mainstream press. What is uncontroversial in the U.S. (fighting for press freedom) is not permissible for a journalist in Hong Kong. Bananas.

Lila Hassan /
@lilahass: Disturbing that @WSJ holds press freedom to double standards, and in the process endanger reporters and itself. It campaigns for Evan in Russia, with its whole staff, but not in Hong Kong. Selina is right. Press freedom isn't controversial anywhere, it's essential everywhere.

Annalisa Merelli /
@missanabeem: Solidarity with @selina_cheng and journalists standing for press freedom everywhere, especially where it's most threatened (including by their employers).

Matt Kelly /
@compliancememe: Seems a bit nuts that @WSJ is (rightly) fighting for press freedom for Evan Gershkovich, but firing another reporter for same because it might ruffle Beijing's feathers.

Tulika Bose /
@tulikabose_: Devastated to continue to see attacks on female journalists of color in mainstream news outlets. This is unethical and wrong — advocating for press freedom does not make you biased if you're not white

Nate DiCamillo /
@nate_dicamillo: This looks like the @WSJ is willing to bend the knee to the CCP which is extremely disturbing

John Simpson /
@johnsimpsonnews: The Wall Street Journal @WSJ has sacked @selina_cheng, who is chair of the Hong Kong Journalists' Association. The HK authorities don't like the HKJA. You'd hope a big Western news organisation would stand up to Chinese pressure and defend its own. Not, it seems, in this case.

Lauren Goode /
@laurengoode: “The right for reporters to work without fear must be protected not just by the law, but more crucially, by ourselves: reporters, editors, and publishers.” https://x.com/...

Wesley /
@wesleylowery: today brings us a new greatest hits in “the appearance of objectivity” cannon: newspaper that is currently running an international press freedom campaign - directly involving its reporters and editors - fires a reporter for being elected to run a press freedom group. @usa_baozilover: If you think China is an evil totalitarian dictatorship then you were knowingly endangering your journalist colleagues

Felicia Sonmez /
@feliciasonmez: “The right for reporters to work without fear must be protected not just by the law, but more crucially, by ourselves: reporters, editors, and publishers.”

Debby Chan /
@debbychan_hk: Wall Street Journal has pressured a reporter not to stand for the HK Journalist Association's election. It then dismissed her after she was elected as the union's chair.

Tom Grundy /
@tomgrundy: JUST IN: The Wall Street Journal have fired the head of the embattled #HongKong journalists association, @HKJA_Official says - 24 days after she took the position. Press con at 5.30pm. @wsj. Stay tuned to @HKFP.

Sheila Coronel /
Sheila Coronel on LinkedIn: This is how press freedom dies—in seemingly minor accommodations and compromises that add up over time. …

Diego Mendoza /
Semafor: Wall Street Journal fires reporter who led Hong Kong Journalist Association

Jennifer Valentino-DeVries /
@jenvalentino_nyt …: This just makes me sad. From her statement: “The editor said employees of the Journal should not be seen as advocating for press freedom in a place like Hong Kong.” https://www.nytimes.com/...

Amy Hawkins /
The Guardian: Wall Street Journal fires new chair of Hong Kong Journalists Association

Dr. Eric Yan-ho Lai /
Dr. Eric Yan-ho Lai on LinkedIn: This is clearly a breach of local labour law and Basic Law in Hong Kong and international law, including the ILO Conventions. …

Associated Press:
Head of Hong Kong journalist group says she lost WSJ job after refusing to drop role

Deadline:

Emmy nominations numbers: Netflix took the top spot with 107; FX had 93, HBO/Max 91, Apple TV+ 72, ABC and CBS 38 each, Prime Video 37, Hulu 26, and Disney+ 19— The revolving door of Emmy nominations leader continues to swing. — Netflix has taken top spot with the most Emmy nominations …

Discussion:
Variety, Adweek, BGR, GoldDerby, The Ringer, Variety, Los Angeles Times, SWAMY WORLD, AppleInsider, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Media Play News, Associated Press, Next TV, The Wrap, 9to5Mac and ComingSoon.net

Discussion:

Clayton Davis /
Variety: Lily Gladstone and Kali Reis Make Emmys History as First Indigenous Women Nominated for Acting

Saleah Blancaflor /
Adweek: The Bear Isn't Just a Comedy; It's the Most Dominant Comedy Ever After Emmy Nominations

Jacob Siegal /
BGR: All 35 Netflix shows, movies, and specials nominated for Emmys

Matthew Stewart /
GoldDerby: 2024 Emmy nominations: ‘Shogun,’ ‘The Bear,’ ‘Only Murders’ score more than a score each

Miles Surrey /
The Ringer: The Winners and Losers of the 2024 Emmy Nominations

Aramide Tinubu /
Variety: Apple and FX's Diverse Storytelling Leads to Historic Emmy Nominations Success

Mary McNamara /
Los Angeles Times: Finally, FX gets the Emmy recognition it deserves SWAMY WORLD: Emmy nominees 2024: ‘Shogun’ and ‘The Bear’ clinch nominations in overwhelming race for FX

William Gallagher /
AppleInsider: Apple TV+ shows get 72 nominations for the 76th Emmy Awards

Mikey O'Connell /
The Hollywood Reporter: Dana Walden on Disney's Emmy Noms, ‘Shogun’ Future and Giving Kimmel a Hosting Break

Cynthia Littleton /
Variety: Emmy Nominations 2024 Scorecard: Netflix on Top, FX Makes History and Apple TV+ Packs a Punch

Erik Gruenwedel /
Media Play News: Streamers Score Big on 76th Emmy Awards Nominations, Led by Hulu's ‘Shōgun,’ ‘The Bear’

R. Thomas Umstead /
Next TV: FX Series ‘The Bear,’ ‘Shōgun’ Dominate Emmy Nominations

Lucas Manfredi /
The Wrap: Emmy Nominations by Network: Netflix Leads With 107 Total Nods

Ryan Christoffel /
9to5Mac: Apple TV+ scores Emmy nominations in every major 2024 category

Brandon Schreur /
ComingSoon.net: 2024 Emmy Nominations Announced for Upcoming Awards Ceremony

The Verge:

Spotify launches an AI DJ that speaks Spanish in beta for Premium users in markets where its English-language DJ is available alongside Spain and Latin America— The new Spanish-language voice has been provided by Spotify's senior music editor, Olivia “Livi” Quiroz Roa …

Discussion:
@glenngabe, Axios, Digital Trends, Engadget, Music Business Worldwide, Spotify and TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Glenn Gabe /
@glenngabe: Livi -> Spotify launches a new voice and language for its AI DJ “The new Spanish-language voice has been provided by Spotify's senior music editor, Olivia “Livi” Quiroz Roa, with users able to switch between hearing Livi or Xavier “X” Jernigan.” https://www.theverge.com/...

Sachin Bahal /
Digital Trends: Spotify's AI DJ now speaks Spanish

Danny Gallagher /
Engadget: Spotify's AI music DJ can now speak Spanish

Mandy Dalugdug /
Music Business Worldwide: Meet ‘Livi,’ the new Spanish-speaking voice of Spotify's AI DJ

Sarah Perez /
TechCrunch: Spotify adds a Spanish-speaking AI DJ, ‘Livi’

Werd I/O:

The news media seems to be trapped in a place where technical innovation is nonexistent, perhaps due to the risks of experimentation or due to top-down culture— If you're waiting for permission to build something, or if you want to see how well something has worked for your peers …

Discussion:

Tyler Dukes /
@mtdukes@threads.net: Oh.

Nilay Patel /
@reckless1280@threads.net: Absolutely underrated here is that any change to web design often results in a steep Google referral penalty, a negative incentive that's frozen most publishers in amber

James Gayfer /
@jgayfer@fosstodon.org: @ben > the most innovative thing that's actually been shipped is getting people to subscribe by addicting them to puzzle games — So true!

Anuj Ahooja /
@quillmatiq@threads.net: This has been racing through my mind for the last few months, especially after seeing publishers sign deals with AI companies. It feels like yet another cycle of tech companies being the product managers for publishers when there's so many tools for publishers to finally detach.

Variety:

WPP's GroupM names Brian Lesser, a veteran Madison Avenue operative who has worked in senior media investment roles on both sides of the table, as global CEO— Brian Lesser, a veteran Madison Avenue operative who has worked in senior media-investment roles on both sides of the table …

Discussion:
Digiday, Mumbrella, The Information, MediaPost, Adweek, AdExchanger, The Media Leader, Next TV and Ad Age

Discussion:

Rosie Drew /
Mumbrella: GroupM announces new global CEO

Sahil Patel /
The Information: Ad Giant GroupM Names New Global CEO

Steve McClellan /
MediaPost: Lesser Returns, Replaces Juhl As GroupM Global CEO

Allison Schiff /
AdExchanger: Brian Lesser Is The New Global CEO Of GroupM

Jon Lafayette /
Next TV: Brian Lesser Returns To GroupM as Global CEO

On my Om:

The Apple News deal with Taboola is shocking and off-brand, calling into question Apple's commitment to good customer experience, including privacy— I've been a happy Apple One customer. It made perfect sense signing up for the package considering I was paying for Apple TV+, Apple Music and iCloud storage.

Discussion:
Media Voices, @joejanecek, @playon.bsky.social, Spyglass, @om, AppleInsider, @ainemacdermot.bsky.social, @ckrewson, @ianb@mastodon.well.com, @simondowens@threads.net, @thomholwerda@exquisite.social, @benedictevans@threads.net, @joesteel@duck.haus, Jay Friedman on LinkedIn, @franksting@theblower.au, One Man & His Blog, Simon Owens's Media Newsletter, The Drum, The Verge, MediaPost, 9to5Mac, Reuters and Axios

Discussion:
Media Voices: Thursday 18th July: Will Apple News finally generate meaningful revenue for publishers?

Joe Janecek /
@joejanecek: @om Bad move by Tim Apple @om: Apple's decision to strike a deal with Taboola is shocking and off-brand — so much so that I have started to question the company's long-term commitment to good customer experience, including its commitment to privacy. https://om.co/...

@om:
@joejanecek Amen to that. This is such short-term thinking and devaluing customer experience for the sake of what won't even amount to a tenth of a penny per person. It is the problem when bonus-culture takes over a company.

William Gallagher /
AppleInsider: Apple News ads may get much worse with new Taboola deal

Chris Krewson /
@ckrewson: This. I can't think of anything more inimical to Apple's carefully curated brand than ads showing people how shocked they should be by how much Jan from the Brady Bunch has changed or whatever crap is in the chum box

Ian Betteridge /
@ianb@mastodon.well.com: Quote of the day from Om — https://om.co/... [image]

Simon Owens /
@simondowens@threads.net: Apple News has always undermonetized its large user base, mostly because Apple's always been hesitant to build out ad products. This Taboola partnership may supercharge its advertising sales and result in better revenue sharing for publishers. https://www.axios.com/... @thomholwerda@exquisite.social: Speaking of Apple and sleaze, Apple struck a deal with Taboola, the ad company responsible for those bullshit clickbait ad boxes with fantastical, untrue, sleazy headlines. Taboola is going to run ads in Apple News on your iPhone. — Apple PR spokesperson @gruber has written extensively about how much he despises Taboola. …

Benedict Evans /
@benedictevans@threads.net: Taboola is the herpes of the internet - this seems a very strange decision from Apple. https://www.axios.com/...

Joe Rosensteel /
@joesteel@duck.haus: Apple News customers complaining about low quality ads in Apple News has finally moved the needle at Apple ... towards even worse ads. — A+ job, ad bros. High-fives all around. Bonuses for everyone. — https://www.axios.com/...

Jay Friedman /
Jay Friedman on LinkedIn: This feels like the equivalent of Louis Vuitton partnering with Goodwill to operate its retail outlets. What am I missing? — https://lnkd.in/...

Windy Frank /
@franksting@theblower.au: I already don't read Apple News, so this doesn't affect me directly, but what the every loving fuck is wrong with the business people at #Apple that they think partnering with whatever shit name they call Outbrain these days is a good idea? https://om.co/...

Adam Tinworth /
One Man & His Blog: Bad News: Apple ❤️ Taboola

Simon Owens /
Simon Owens's Media Newsletter: Will Apple News finally generate meaningful revenue for publishers?

Kendra Barnett /
The Drum: Taboola shares surge as the adtech firm, known for clickbait, secures Apple ads deal

Laurie Sullivan /
MediaPost: Apple Strikes Deal With Taboola To Power Native Advertising

Ryan Christoffel /
9to5Mac: Apple taps infamous Taboola as new ad seller for Apple News and Stocks

Financial Times:

Publicis reports H1 2024 revenue up 7.7% YoY to €7.7B and raises revenue growth guidance from 4%-5% to 5%-6% for 2024, as US tech clients' ad spending picks up— Paris-based advertising agency nudges up annual forecast on recovery in marketing budgets

Discussion:
Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Publicis Groupe, MediaPost

Discussion:

Leo Marchandon /
Reuters: Advertising firm Publicis ups guidance after Q2 beat

Adrià Calatayud /
Wall Street Journal: Publicis Raises Guidance After Revenue Growth Beats Expectations

Francois De Beaupuy /
Bloomberg: Publicis Raises Annual Revenue Outlook on US, China Growth Publicis Groupe: First Half 2024 Results — • H1 2024 net revenue organic growth of +5.4%; +7.4% on a like-for-like revenue basis

Steve McClellan /
MediaPost: Omnicom Reports 5.2% Growth For The Second Quarter

Bloomberg:

The US SEC sues former DWAC CEO Patrick Orlando for allegedly misleading investors about his company's plans for a SPAC merger with Trump's social media company— - Patrick Orlando eyed Trump Media before IPO, SEC claim — SEC settled with DWAC for $18 million over similar issue

Discussion:
Raw Story, @hugolowell and Reuters

Discussion:

Daniel Hampton /
Raw Story: Alleged fraud in Trump Media deal leads to ex-CEO being charged by authorities

Hugo Lowell /
@hugolowell: NEW — Patrick Orlando, the former chief executive of the SPAC that took Trump Media public, has been charged with securities fraud over the deal [image]

The Guardian:

Source: PE firm CVC Capital Partners is considering a bid for the Telegraph, ahead of a deadline for the first round of auction of the newspaper group this week— Potential bid by CVC Capital Partners believed to be structured to back newspaper group's management team

Discussion:
Telegraph

Discussion:

Christopher Williams /