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  • Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022
Amazon testing TikTok-style feed on its app, AI firm says
An Amazon logo appears on a delivery van, Oct. 1, 2020, in Boston. Amazon appears to be getting the TikTok bug, joining other companies seeking to hold consumers’ attention by introducing replicas of the popular social platform. According to the artificial intelligence firm Watchful Technologies, the e-commerce giant has been testing a feed on its app that enables shoppers to scroll through TikTok-like photos and videos of products posted by other users. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
By Haleluya Hadero, Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- 

Amazon appears to be getting the TikTok bug, joining other companies seeking to hold consumers' attention by introducing replicas of the popular social platform.

The e-commerce giant has been testing a feed on its app that enables shoppers to scroll through TikTok-like photos and videos of products posted by other users.

Using the feature, called Inspire, customers can like, save and share posts of products, and purchase items directly from the feed, according to Watchful Technologies, an Israeli-based artificial-intelligence firm that analyzes apps and has tracked the feature.

The test doesn't mean Amazon will roll out the widget to the public in its current form — or at all. Alyssa Bronikowski, an Amazon spokesperson, declined to say if the company has plans to introduce the feature to all its customers. In a statement, Bronikowski said the company is "constantly testing new features to help make customers' lives a little easier More

  • Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022
Ali Rez named London International Awards’ TV/Cinema and Online Film Jury president
Ali Rez
LONDON -- 

Ali Rez, Impact BBDO’s chief creative officer in the MENAP region, has been named the 2022 TV/Cinema and Online Film Jury president. 

Rez commented, “What an absolutely stellar jury to lead at an absolutely stellar show--I am incredibly honored, and look forward to seeing some of the most impactful films of the year. Films that engage you, that astound you, that transform behavior and industry, that move brands forward, that shape culture.”

Barbara Levy, president of LIA, said, “This is a category that offers so much in terms of not just the idea, but also how the idea is crafted and executed. The combined expertise and experience of the jury under the leadership of Ali will ensure that no piece of great work will be overlooked.”

  • Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022
Mark Hoffman out as CNBC chief; KC Sullivan replacing him
CNBC's Mark Hoffman appears during a panel discussion on the changing worlds of media and music at the eMerge Americas technology event in Miami Beach, Fla., on April 19, 2016. Hoffman is leaving the network after 28 years, with London-based executive KC Sullivan replacing him early next month, the network said on Tuesday. Hoffman was named president of the financial news network in 2005 and elevated to chairman in 2015. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
NEW YORK (AP) -- 

Veteran CNBC chief Mark Hoffman is leaving the network after 28 years, with London-based executive KC Sullivan replacing him early next month, the network said on Tuesday.

Hoffman was named president of the financial news network in 2005 and elevated to chairman in 2015.

"During his tenure, CNBC became a world leader and every year it has grown better and stronger," said Cesar Conde, chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group.

Sullivan, who begins as CNBC president on Sept. 12, is currently president and managing director of global advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal, and has been based in London. He was in executive roles at NBC and CNBC for the decade before that.
 

  • Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022
Trailer Park Group acquires gameplay video production company Dark Burn
Dark Burn founders Tanner Boyajian (l) and Chase Boyajian
LOS ANGELES -- 

Trailer Park Group, know for its expertise in entertainment marketing and content production, has acquired Dark Burn, a gameplay video production company.

Dark Burn serves some of the largest game publishers in the industry--including Electronic Arts (EA), Epic Games, Riot and Amazon--and has built a reputation for creating gameplay video trailers for blockbuster titles from "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order" to "Fortnite."

Rick Eiserman, Trailer Park Group CEO, said: “Dark Burn is the best in the business at gameplay video production and their success over the past eight years is largely due to their absolute focus and commitment to perfecting their craft.  From their roster of amazing talent to their technological innovation in the category, Dark Burn’s collective passion for gaming shines through every aspect of the operation. Trailer Park Group is absolutely committed to continuing that legacy.”

Founded in 2014 by brothers Tanner, More

  • Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022
Ezra Miller seeks treatment for "mental health issues"
This undated photo provided by the Hawaii Police Department shows actor Ezra Miller who was arrested after an incident at a bar in Hilo, Hawaii. According to a report from the Vermont State Police on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, Miller has been charged with felony burglary in Stamford, Vt., the latest in a string of recent incidents involving the embattled star of “The Flash.” (Hawaii Police Department via AP, File)
By Jake Coyle, Film Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- 

After a string of arrests and erratic behavior that spanned Hawaii to Vermont, "Flash" actor Ezra Miller said they have begun treatment for "complex mental health issues."

The 29-year-old Miller, who identifies as non-binary, issued a statement late Monday. On Sept. 26, Miller is due to appear for arraignment in Vermont Superior Court after being cited for felony burglary in Stamford, Vermont. Authorities last week said Miller had taken several bottles of alcohol from a residence while the homeowners weren't present.

"Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment," Miller said in a statement. "I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life."

Miller was arrested twice earlier this year More

  • Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022
Walmart deal with Paramount gives members streaming perks
The Walmart logo is displayed on a store in Springfield, Ill., May 16, 2011. Walmart Inc. said Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, that it has signed a deal with Paramount Global to offer the entertainment company's streaming service as a perk to subscribers of the discounter's shipping subscription service. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
By Anne D'Innocenzio, Retail Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- 

Walmart Inc. said it has signed a deal with Paramount Global to offer the entertainment company's streaming service as a perk to subscribers of the discounter's shipping subscription service.

The move is part of efforts by the nation's largest retailer to better compete with Amazon's Prime membership program, which offers an array of perks.

Starting in September, subscribers to Walmart+ will be have access to the Paramount+ Essential Plan, which includes ads and offers original dramas such as "1883" and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," along with the preschool franchise "PAW Patrol," recent blockbuster films such as "Sonic the Hedgehog 2," and live sports.

The cost of Walmart+ will remain $98 a year, or $12.95 a month, the retailer said. It includes free shipping on items and discounts on gasoline. An Amazon Prime membership costs $139 a year, or $14.99 a month, and includes the Amazon Video service, original programming and free More

  • Monday, Aug. 15, 2022
Film academy apologizes to Littlefeather for 1973 Oscars
Sacheen Littlefeather appears at the Academy Awards ceremony to announce that Marlon Brando was declining his Oscar as best actor for his role in "The Godfather," on March 27, 1973. The move was meant to protest Hollywood's treatment of American Indians. Nearly 50 years later, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has apologized to Littlefeather for the abuse she endured. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Monday said that it will host Littlefeather, now 75, for an evening of “conversation, healing and celebration” on Sept. 17. (AP Photo, File)
By Jake Coyle, Film Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- 

Nearly 50 years after Sacheen Littlefeather stood on the Academy Awards stage on behalf of Marlon Brando to speak about the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood films, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences apologized to her for the abuse she endured.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Monday said that it will host Littlefeather, now 75, for an evening of "conversation, healing and celebration" on Sept. 17.

When Brando won best actor for "The Godfather," Littlefeather, wearing buckskin dress and moccasins, took the stage, becoming the first Native American woman ever to do so at the Academy Awards. In a 60-second speech, she explained that Brando could not accept the award due to "the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry."

Some in the audience booed her. John Wayne, who was backstage at the time, was reportedly furious. The 1973 Oscars were held during t he American Indian Movement's two- More

  • Monday, Aug. 15, 2022
Strike four: Facebook misses election misinfo in Brazil advertising
An iPhone displays the Facebook app in New Orleans, Aug. 11, 2019. Facebook failed to detect election-related misinformation in ads ahead of Brazil's 2022 election, a new report from Global Witness has found, continuing a pattern of not catching material that violates its policies the group says is “alarming.” (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
By Barbara Ortutay

Facebook failed to detect blatant election-related misinformation in advertising ahead of Brazil's 2022 election, a new report from Global Witness has found, continuing a pattern of not catching material that violates its policies the group describes as "alarming."

The advertisements contained false information about the country's upcoming election, such as promoting the wrong election date, incorrect voting methods and questioning the integrity of the election.

This is the fourth time that the London-based nonprofit has tested Meta's ability to catch blatant violations of the rules of its most popular social media platform— and the fourth such test Facebook has flubbed. In the three prior instances, Global Witness submitted advertisements containing violent hate speech to see if Facebook's controls — either human reviewers or artificial intelligence — would catch it. They did not.

"Facebook has identified Brazil as one of its More

  • Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022
Amazon's Ring, MGM to launch show from viral doorbell videos
A Ring doorbell camera is displayed outside a home in Wolcott, Conn., on July 16, 2019. Two Amazon-owned companies — Ring and Hollywood studio MGM — are teaming up to create a TV show in the mold of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” using viral footage from Ring’s doorbell and smart-home cameras. The half-hour show, called “Ring Nation,” will premier in syndication on Sept. 26, 2022, MGM said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
NEW YORK (AP) -- 

Two Amazon-owned companies — Ring and Hollywood studio MGM — are teaming to create a TV show in the mold of "America's Funniest Home Videos" using viral footage from Ring's doorbell and smart-home cameras.

The half-hour show, called "Ring Nation," will be hosted by actor and comedian Wanda Sykes and premier in syndication on Sept. 26, MGM said.

The studio noted audiences should expect to see the usual things that go viral — marriage proposals, neighbors saving neighbors and silly animals.

The series showcases Amazon's fusion of its various business arms, this time to highlight what MGM called "interesting moments from communities across the country."

"You have one company that owns two juggernauts and (has) just figured out how to leverage one against the other," said Robert Passikoff, president of the brand research firm Brand Keys. He noted that unlike scripted movies or shows, a reality series using Ring footage will More

  • Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022
"Arcane," "We're Here," "Annie Live!" among juried winners for 74th Emmy Awards
"Arcane"
LOS ANGELES -- 

The Television Academy has unveiled the winners of the 74th Emmy® Awards in juried categories from Animation, Costume, Hairstyling, Makeup and Motion Design. These juried awards will be presented at the 2022 Creative Arts Emmy® Awards, which take place at the Microsoft Theater on both Saturday, Sept. 3, and Sunday, Sept. 4, at 5 pm. An edited presentation will be broadcast on Saturday, Sept. 10, (8 pm ET/PT) on FXX.

Juried category entrants are screened by a panel of professionals in the appropriate peer groups (Animation, Costume Design, Hairstyling, Makeup and Motion Design) with the possibility of one, more than one or no entry awarded an Emmy. As a result, there are no nominees but instead, a one-step evaluation and voting procedure. Deliberations include open discussions of each entrant's work with a thorough review of the merits of awarding the Emmy.

The following juried awards will be presented during the Creative Arts More

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