The AvA Connection

🗽 AvA IRL IN NYC: PANELISTS ANNOUNCED

Tickets are sold out, but I’m giving away 10 spots on my guest list. Hit the link below to win your spot.

🐝 The Weekly Buzz - 3 Entertainment Industry Headlines That Actually Matter

1) Paramount & Skydance Media confirmed their $8.4B merger and is putting a “$2 billion cost savings plan” in motion. It’s been a wild 18 months at Paramount, the media giant who owns CBS, MTV, and more. There was a deal in July 2024. Then no deal. Now a deal is done.

• This will most likely include hundreds of layoffs, including the CEO of Paramount Global. 

• To get the FCC’s green light, Skydance promised to kill off all DEI programs at Paramount and keep them six feet under post-merger. The pledge was part of a regulatory filing meant to soothe concerns about media consolidation… Sure.

• Get caught up: Critics accused Paramount of bribing Trump over a $16 million settlement. Then the abrupt axing of Colbert’s “Late Show” days before the green light. Colbert dropped an f-bomb, and CBS swore it was just business. Their own show South Park then got in on the action and it may create legal issues.

• Looking ahead: Want to join the fun and work for CEO David Ellison? How does $21/hr sound to you!?!?!

2) Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour wraps as the biggest country tour in history. The final gross surpasses $400M in just 3 months. Queen B(etter believe she’s country and breaking records doing it). No further opinions will be heard!

3) ‘E! News’ has officially been cancelled after 32 years of operations. Why? “as news consumers demand real-time digital coverage, a broadcast during the 11 p.m. slot no longer best serves the audience.” Another seismic move towards the downfall of linear TV.

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🏃 Industry Moves

1. Amidst the new merger mentioned above, Paramount Globals Co-CEO Chris McCarthy will be leaving the company. Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins is said to be departing as well.

2. Josh Greenstein the Sony Motion Picture Group co-president is leaving for a major role at Paramount.

3. EMPIRE just poached Jennifer Way from Sony Music, and she is taking on the roll of Executive Vice President. Way previously held the Senior Vice President position at Sony, and both roles were based in Nashville. Music City Tea!

4. Lionsgate’s two film marketing heads have stepped down. The most interesting part though? They are not seeking replacements, and the current head of the studio at large will be expected to take on a bigger role.

📚 Book and Podcast Rec:

Each week, I highlight a new book and podcast that I am into. This week’s is Empire of the Elite: Inside Condé Nast, the Media Dynasty That Reshaped America. The book chronicles the building of Condé Naste into a magazine powerhouse: “the ultimate influencers before social media changed everything.” In a ever changing media/entertainment world its a great look at what came before digital.

And tap into a slightly older pod from Jake Shane on Colin and Samir where they discuss blowing up on TikTok and Jakes big plans (in 2024). Spoiler alert, a lot of was checked off the list in his meteoric rise.

👋 See you back here on Wednesday for a brand new selection of Entertainment jobs

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This newsletter is written by Warner Bailey and edited by Riley Furey and Dominik Sansevere.

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