Cost cutting strategies for companies

RTL is centralizing its German publishing arm, as the European networks and media group continues to reshape its assets. More than 500 roles will be cut as the company aims to focus on “core brands” and bringing its publishing, TV and streaming businesses closer together. RTL bosses say the reorg will result in €75M ($80.2M) of annual savings and €80M will be invested in digital transformation of its remaining publishing assets. Publishing brands Stern, Geo, Capital and Stern Crime are being integrated into RTL News in Germany. This is due to “synergies with RTL Deutschland’s TV editorial teams” and comes after RTL Deutschland and publisher Gruner + Jahr merged in November last year. Other publishing brands such as Brigette, Gala and Hauser will remain under RTL’s Gruner + Jahr Deutschland business and will “collaborate selectively” with RTL Deutschland’s TV and streaming businesses. All other titles will be sold or discontinued, and RTL Deutschland is entering into … [Read more...] about RTL To Cut Hundreds Of Roles In German Publishing Biz Shake-Up

EXCLUSIVE : Lauren Oliver — the bestselling YA author, screenwriter and producer known for titles like Panic and Before I Fall — has today announced the launch of her new media company, StoryGiants , also naming projects currently on its slate. StoryGiants is a decentralized company with employees and partners in L.A., NY, Palo Alto, Austin, Dubai and France, which will look to create powerful and compelling stories across a variety of mediums, leveraging both technological and structural innovation to improve production efficiency and grow the value of great IP faster. The company is building at launch upon its own library of IP, the goal being to introduce universes of content with myriad expressions of media and revenue opportunities. By anchoring content creation into proprietary real-time animation and VFX technology, StoryGiants will be able to produce not only animated and live-action series, but also feature films, digital media, and published works. The … [Read more...] about ‘Panic’ Creator & Author Lauren Oliver Launches Media Studio StoryGiants, Unveils Upcoming Slate

The six-member editorial staff at Talking Points Memo has voted unanimously to ratify the WGA East ’s new three-year contract with the political news website. “The guild’s new collective bargaining agreement with Talking Points Memo raises the bar for online media workers, setting standards that keep up with cost-of-living expenses and the state of the industry,” said WGA East Executive Director Lowell Peterson. “It is rewarding, especially for guild members working at Talking Points Memo, to see a company live up to the values it espouses online.” The new contract will see the minimum salary go from $52,000 up to $65,000 in January 2025. Employees making below $75,000 will receive a 3.5% salary increase in each year of the contract, those making up to $100,000 will receive 3.25% annual salary increases, and staffers making over $100,000 will receive 3% annual salary increases. The company also agreed to increase severance minimums from six weeks to eight, with two … [Read more...] about Talking Points Memo Editorial Staffers Ratify New WGA East Contract

Former CNN marketing exec Rick Lewchuk is launching Film at 11 Marketing to providing coaching for news, sports, and entertainment marketers. “In my career as a marketing executive, I had a dual role … the responsibility of overseeing our marketing and creative efforts and also the role of coaching my teams,” said Lewchuk. “That was the advantage that the large organizations for which I worked. They could have an executive with decades of experience to work with and develop the next generations of talent. Unfortunately, many smaller networks, station groups, and local stations don’t have that luxury. That is where bringing in a coach with experience will add effectiveness to any marketing team’s efforts.” Lewchuk is the former Senior Vice President, Creative Marketing and Brand Standards for CNN Worldwide. For over a decade, Lewchuk oversaw on-air and off-channel brand and marketing for all CNN Worldwide businesses including CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, HLN, … [Read more...] about Former CNN Marketing Exec Rick Lewchuk Launches Film at 11 Marketing Firm

The 11-member editorial staff of Talking Points Memo has unanimously ratified its first union contract with the WGA East , making it the latest digital news site to come under the guild’s umbrella. All members of the news and political site’s editorial staff signed a letter expressing their intent to join the guild in May 2018, and publisher Josh Marshall immediately recognized the union as their bargaining representative. The new three-year agreement includes a minimum starting salary of $52,000, annual cost-of-living wage increases of 3% for employees earning under $75,000, weekend pay and reimbursements, 10 weeks of paid parental leave and a non-discrimination clause and a commitment from management for diverse hiring practices. “TPM has a history of reporting on labor rights and this collective bargaining agreement demonstrates that they are willing to walk-the-walk and address the concerns raised by guild-represented employees at the bargaining table,” said … [Read more...] about Talking Points Memo Editorial Staff Ratifies First Contract With WGA East