New Structure Designed to Further Accelerate the Company’s Direct-to-Consumer Strategy, in light of the Rapid Success of Disney+ Company’s Creative Engines Will Focus on Producing Content for DTC as well as Legacy Platforms, while Newly Centralized Distribution Group Will Oversee Commercialization and Distribution of All Content Globally Alan F. Horn and Alan Bergman, Peter Rice, and James Pitaro Will Lead the Company’s Three Content Creation Groups Kareem Daniel Named Chairman, Media and Entertainment Distribution,…

W2O, the leading independent provider of analytics-driven, technology-enabled marketing, and communications solutions, announced the acquisition of entertainment and influencer marketing agency starpower. The agency, which has offices in New York and Los Angeles, was founded in 2007 by lifelong friends Matthew Lalin and Jared Weiss. Since then, starpower has been a leader in influencer, celebrity, and entertainment marketing, creating innovative and unique partnerships backed by data-driven social strategies for brands…

Howard University and Amazon Studios announced a second year of the Howard Entertainment program, an experience designed to diversify the entertainment industry by creating a pipeline for African-American students and other underrepresented populations to train and study alongside entertainment executives. Applications will open Monday, Sept. 28, with the program set to restart in January 2021, with increased slots available for current Howard students. "The continuation of Howard Entertainment is a testament to the…

NTN Buzztime, Inc. signed a definitive asset purchase agreement to sell its social entertainment, customer engagement, and advertising technology assets to eGames.com Holdings LLC (eGames.com) for $2.0 million in cash. The proposed transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2020 subject to the satisfaction or waiver of closing conditions in the purchase agreement. Marketing Technology News: Outbrain Launches Carousel, A New Interactive Smartad eGames.com is a game publishing business. Founder Aram Fuchs…

SoundExchange announced the appointment of Esther-Mireya Tejeda as chief marketing and communications officer, strengthening the company's executive team as it works to reshape and modernize the music industry. Tejeda will report to SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe. Tejeda will oversee the company's brand strategy and marketing, global communications and public relations, industry relations, and public policy groups as well as a team of nearly two dozen marketing and communications professionals, multiple…

Veritas Entertainment, a company that develops physical esports and gaming venues across the globe named LVL, and Anzu.io, the world’s leading in-game advertising platform, have announced a new partnership. Together, the two companies, both innovators in the bustling gaming and esports industries, will team up to offer advertisers unprecedented opportunities to connect with hyper-engaged audiences in games, in esports tournaments, and in live streams. Meanwhile, the gamers will benefit from the enhanced user interface…

Year-Round Digital Platform Supports Networking, Discovery, Education and Commerce NAB Show, the world's leading convention for media, entertainment and technology professionals, is launching NAB AmplifyTM, a dynamic year-round digital platform designed to extend the impact of NAB Show throughout the year by providing opportunities for networking, discovery and education. Launching in November 2020, NAB Amplify will engage and grow the global NAB Show community through an innovative and interactive online experience.…

Companies pledge to bring together cloud and production expertise to create production asset platform for Universal and DreamWorks Animation films Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Microsoft Corp. on Friday announced a strategic partnership to cloud-optimize live-action and animation productions. The partnership aims to empower the creative community with cloud-based production workflows that enable frictionless remote collaboration and content creation. Working together, the teams will extend DreamWorks…

Degy Entertainment (Degy Booking International, Inc. and Degy World LLC.) announced the hiring of Natalie Sitter as “Director & World Operations Coordinator,” and Adam McMichael, “World Support Coordinator” following the recent launch of Degy World, an immersive and customizable virtual event platform. With the innovative new offering, Degy World delivers a variety of online event spaces including expo halls, stages, ballrooms, team suites, auditoriums, classrooms, and more. The two hires are a direct reflection of Degy…

Mood Media’s specialty division, Technomedia, celebrated for their excellence and innovation in the international visitor attractions industry Mood Media, the world’s leading in-store media solutions company dedicated to elevating the Customer Experience, announced that its specialty division Technomedia has won three 2020 Thea Awards from the  (TEA). The 26th Annual Thea Awards credit Technomedia, an advanced AV systems integrator that develops large-scale immersive audio-visual experiences globally, among the…

First Time Music Legend's Music and Merchandise to be Available in One Place The Thread Shop, the merchandising division of Sony Music Entertainment, in partnership with Authentic Hendrix LLC and Experience Hendrix L.L.C., has launched an online Jimi Hendrix store, offering exclusive, authorized merchandise of the legendary artist worldwide. This launch is a result of an agreement signed by the companies in 2019. The new Jimi Hendrix online store offers unique merchandise—including clothing, accessories, and…

Sirius XM Holdings Inc., the leading audio entertainment company in the US, announced the appointment of Jonelle Procope as a new independent member of its Board of Directors. Ms. Procope brings to the SiriusXM Board significant entertainment industry, legal and business experience. She serves as the President and CEO of the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization that operates the Apollo Theater in New York. She is also an active member of many civic and community organizations in New York City.…

Launching in Beta With Over 20 Hours of First Run Programming Per Week, Expanding to 50+ Hours in 2021, VENN Will Have More Weekly Live Original Entertainment Than Any Other Network VENN Sets August 5th Launch Date, Lineup of Original Shows to be Helmed by Some of the Biggest Names and Creators in Gaming and Pop Culture VENN, the Video Game Entertainment and News Network, is proud to unveil Part One of an in-depth look at its creative programming and broadcast talent, debuting live on August 5th. More shows and talent…

WarnerMedia, a division of AT&T Inc., has announced the appointment of Priya Dogra as President, WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, EMEA and APAC. For the time being, Dogra will continue her responsibilities as Executive Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development for WarnerMedia. With her added responsibilities, Dogra will report to Gerhard Zeiler, Chief Revenue Officer, WarnerMedia & President, WarnerMedia International Networks. She replaces Giorgio Stock who stepped down at the end of June.…

VIZIO's Smartcast Experience Is Faster and More Responsive, With More Free Channels and Popular Apps Built-In, and Wireless Streaming Features for the Ultimate Smart Home Experience VIZIO, Inc., the #1 American-based TV brand, known for delivering incredible value and performance, continues to improve the award-winning SmartCast platform. With faster navigation, more content than ever before, versatile work from home features and improved smart home functionality, it is easier than ever to stream and interact with your…

Partners Extend Agreement as They Launch Digital Sports Betting and iGaming in Pennsylvania and the Launch of Sports Betting in Indiana Scientific Games Corporation and world-class gaming operator Caesars Entertainment, have extended their existing digital sports betting partnership in preparation for the relaunch of the 2020/21 major league sports seasons. The move comes following recent mobile sports wagering launches in Pennsylvania and Indiana and the launch of online casino gaming in Pennsylvania. "We're delighted…

Qumulo on Amazon Web Services enables Cinesite to produce computer-generated films and meet production deadlines Qumulo, the leading provider of cloud file data services, today announced that Cinesite Studios, a global producer of special effects and feature animation, has selected Qumulo’s file software to support its extensive rendering workloads. Cinesite is a leading digital entertainment studio with credits including the Avengers, James Bond movie franchises, The Witcher, Locke and Key, and Raising Dion television…

Victory Square Technologies Inc. portfolio company FansUnite Entertainment Inc. and Askott Entertainment Inc. (“Askott”) announced entering into a definitive agreement on June 22, 2020 (the “Agreement”) to combine in an at-market merger, creating one of Canada’s leading gaming companies. Under the terms of the Agreement, FansUnite will acquire all of the outstanding securities of Askott by way of a three-cornered amalgamation (the “Transaction”) pursuant to which Askott and a newly incorporated subsidiary of FansUnite will…

ViacomCBS has named Yolanda T. Cochran as Senior Vice President, Live-Action Long-Form Production, ViacomCBS Kids & Family, responsible for managing all aspects of live-action physical production for the Nickelodeon brands – Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick and Nicktoons – and for Gen Z-focused brand Awesomeness. Based in Hollywood, Cochran will report to Megan Ring, Executive Vice President of Production, ViacomCBS. Marketing Technology News: CyberScout Hires Global Marketing Executive Jeremy Barnett as Chief…

Bamboo Learning, CoolGames, Sony, VoiceBrew and Voicebot.ai Featured VOICE Talks Presented by Google Assistant announces its third episode themed, "How Voice Technology is Shaping Education and Entertainment." Each episode is hosted by Google Assistant's Sofia Altuna and brings together the most innovative technologists, researchers, community builders and developers in the voice ecosystem. This upcoming premiere episode will feature interactive discussions with executives, engineers and developers from Bamboo Learning, …