Bday 22

USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative released a study today examining the diversity of Netflix ’s original content. If anything the study could be summarized by Dr. Stacy L. Smith who said in a video: “Inclusion happens when women are given the keys to the kingdom.” “I rarely have anything positive to say,” said Dr. Smith said during a symposium for the unveiling of the Netflix study. “This report was a bit of a reprieve from my typical rollout of information.” Dr. Smith was joined on the virtual panel by Netflix’s Bela Bajaria , Vice President, Global Series; Scott Stuber Vice President, Global Film; as well as Tigertail director Alan Yang and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom director George C. Wolfe . The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative studies diversity in entertainment and has released numerous studies and reports when it comes to representation . Netflix commissioned Smith and initiative to study for its original, English-language series and film … [Read more...] about USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Releases Netflix Diversity Study, Finds Women Of Color Are Critical Component Of Inclusion

Popular Kids Entertainment channel, Sony YAY!, is all set to introduce kids to their new best friend with a 'roaring’ personality — Kikoumba . Starting 22 nd February, every Monday-Friday at 8:30 AM, kids shall accompany Kikoumba the lion on his quirky challenges and hilarious instances/ clashes. The delightful lion - King Kikoumba will transport kids to the majestic jungle where each day hilarious escapades and fun challenges occur. The narrative unfolds in the Jungle where once in every thousand years all the animals in the kingdom get a chance to face off against their King to be the next ruler of the Jungle. But this time around, the task of defending the crown rests upon King Kikoumba the lion, who loves to sleep and chill a little too much. Will the cunning animals of the kingdom manage their mischief? What new stunt will Kikoumba pull for his reign to prevail? Tune-in to Sony YAY! this week to see Kikoumba reveal his hilarious antics and innocuously mighty ways … [Read more...] about Sony YAY! Prepares Yet Another Crazy Adventure Ride For All Kids With New Show Kikoumba

M ike Love bounds up the stairs inside his massive Lake Tahoe home (10 bedrooms in all, 12 bathrooms, two elevators, not to be believed) and into a large walk-in closet stuffed to overflowing with garish, multicolored shirts and a gazillion baseball caps, many of them emblazoned with the name of his band, the Beach Boys . A suitcase rests on the floor. Love nods at it, prods it with his foot. “A lot more shirts are in there,” he says, “because, if you must know, I haven’t unpacked.” And why should he unpack? For the past 54 years, he and various versions of the Beach Boys , which these days include only him as an original member, have toured almost constantly. On his current outing, he has 172 dates lined up, cramming 19 European shows into 22 days this past December, for instance, and shortly thereafter flying back stateside to give the 6,500 citizens of tiny Avon, Colorado, the chance to hear all about California girls. From there, it’s onward, evermore, venues big and small, … [Read more...] about The Ballad of Mike Love

A few weeks ago, New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state would reopen large arenas at 10 percent capacity for sports and music — spiking Google searches for “concerts in 2021” and setting off a flurry of excited chatter about live music ’s long-awaited return. “One thing is clear, we must act,” Cuomo had said at the start of the year. “We cannot wait until summer to turn the lights back on for the arts and provide a living wage for artists.” But this was political posturing — and it illustrates a fundamental misunderstanding about how the live music industry works. The miniature reopening will certainly not provide a “living wage,” as limited-capacity shows will not jump-start major concerts and the multi-state tours that most artists need to profit. For one thing, Cuomo announced his decision a day after Dr. Anthony Fauci predicted full concerts could return in the fall of 2021; other live music experts are looking as far out as 2022 . For another, Cuomo based … [Read more...] about Why Limited-Capacity Concerts Just Don’t Make Sense

UPDATED with details of executive compensation plan: In an unusual move for a big public company and a bid to buck up the malingering stock, AMC’s 14 top executives including CEO Adam Aron agreed to slash their cash salary and bonuses for three years in exchange for stock that will only vest if the price doubles or triples. Their cash payouts will be shaved by 15% and other compensation will be tweaked too. Aron said during a post-earnings conference call that it’s a $1.6 million hit for him personally over three years but he’s doing it because he and other managers believe really strongly the shares are “fundamentally mispriced at current levels.” In lengthy remarks he basically declared war on AMC’s $6 stock, which has declined by over 50% in the past year, and over 80% in the past five. AMC said all senior officers have signed on to the new pay regime except ones retiring during the period. Two recent new hires also agreed to accept lower compensation than they were … [Read more...] about AMC Entertainment Top Execs Take Salary Cuts To Boost Stock