Writers Guild of America East members are reacting to today’s news of the shuttering of G/O Media’s Jezebel after an unsuccesful attempt to sell the site. The closure came amid word that parent company G/O Media was laying off 23 staffers, including Jezebel’s team.
The company attributed the cuts to part of a restructuring to cope with economic headwinds and a difficult digital advertising environment. The New York-based company also announced the departure of G/O Media editorial director Merrill Brown.
“We are devastated though hardly surprised at G/O Media and Jim Spanfeller’s inability to run our website and their cruel decision to shutter it,” the Wgae statement said. “Jezebel has been a pillar of fearless journalism and important cultural commentary since 2007 and made an indelible mark on the media landscape.
“The closure of Jezebel also underscores fundamental flaws in the ad-supported media model...
The company attributed the cuts to part of a restructuring to cope with economic headwinds and a difficult digital advertising environment. The New York-based company also announced the departure of G/O Media editorial director Merrill Brown.
“We are devastated though hardly surprised at G/O Media and Jim Spanfeller’s inability to run our website and their cruel decision to shutter it,” the Wgae statement said. “Jezebel has been a pillar of fearless journalism and important cultural commentary since 2007 and made an indelible mark on the media landscape.
“The closure of Jezebel also underscores fundamental flaws in the ad-supported media model...
- 11/10/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground Productions has expanded its executive team. Priya Swaminathan, the co-head of film and TV at the company, will step down from her role later this summer as part of the change.
Swaminathan was Higher Ground’s first hire, and she oversaw the company’s Oscar-winning “American Factory” and the Oscar-nominated “Crip Camp.” Tonia Davis will now serve as the sole head of film and TV.
Among the company’s new hires are Joe Paulson as head of business and strategy. He was formerly special assistant to the President at the White House and was deputy chief of staff to the former president, having worked with the Obamas since the earliest days of the campaign in 2007 and overseen the creation of Higher Ground.
The company also hired Dan Fierman as head of audio, creative director Anna Holmes and Mark R. Wright...
Swaminathan was Higher Ground’s first hire, and she oversaw the company’s Oscar-winning “American Factory” and the Oscar-nominated “Crip Camp.” Tonia Davis will now serve as the sole head of film and TV.
Among the company’s new hires are Joe Paulson as head of business and strategy. He was formerly special assistant to the President at the White House and was deputy chief of staff to the former president, having worked with the Obamas since the earliest days of the campaign in 2007 and overseen the creation of Higher Ground.
The company also hired Dan Fierman as head of audio, creative director Anna Holmes and Mark R. Wright...
- 7/29/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Higher Ground, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s media company, has made several new additions to its executive team.
Joe Paulsen has been named Head of Business and Strategy. Dan Fierman will lead the company’s podcast projects as Head of Audio and will be joined by Creative Director, Anna Holmes. The two oversaw the launch of The Michelle Obama Podcast, which became the most listened to Spotify Original to date, as well as Renegades: Born in the USA, and the recently released Tell Them, I Am. Mark R. Wright joins the team as Vice President of Film and Television. He will concentrate on scripted feature films and will report to Head of Film and Television, Tonia Davis.
Priya Swaminathan is stepping down from her role as Co-Head of Film and Television later this summer.
“We are so grateful to Priya for her tremendous impact at Higher Ground these past few years,...
Joe Paulsen has been named Head of Business and Strategy. Dan Fierman will lead the company’s podcast projects as Head of Audio and will be joined by Creative Director, Anna Holmes. The two oversaw the launch of The Michelle Obama Podcast, which became the most listened to Spotify Original to date, as well as Renegades: Born in the USA, and the recently released Tell Them, I Am. Mark R. Wright joins the team as Vice President of Film and Television. He will concentrate on scripted feature films and will report to Head of Film and Television, Tonia Davis.
Priya Swaminathan is stepping down from her role as Co-Head of Film and Television later this summer.
“We are so grateful to Priya for her tremendous impact at Higher Ground these past few years,...
- 7/29/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Priya Swaminathan is stepping down from her role as co-head of film and television at Higher Ground, the media company founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.
At the same time, the former president and First Lady announced several new additions to the company’s executive team, most notably hiring Joe Paulsen, an old Obama hand, as head of business and strategy.
Swaminathan, a former executive at Annapurna, was the first hire the Obamas made when they launched Higher Ground. She has helped grow the company since joining it in 2019, overseeing the rollout of the Oscar-winning documentary “American Factory” and the Oscar-nominated “Crip Camp.” The decision to leave the company was Swaminathan’s own and she remains a favorite of the Obamas, as evidenced by a glowing statement they released.
“We are so grateful to Priya for her tremendous impact at Higher Ground these past few years,” the Obamas said in a statement.
At the same time, the former president and First Lady announced several new additions to the company’s executive team, most notably hiring Joe Paulsen, an old Obama hand, as head of business and strategy.
Swaminathan, a former executive at Annapurna, was the first hire the Obamas made when they launched Higher Ground. She has helped grow the company since joining it in 2019, overseeing the rollout of the Oscar-winning documentary “American Factory” and the Oscar-nominated “Crip Camp.” The decision to leave the company was Swaminathan’s own and she remains a favorite of the Obamas, as evidenced by a glowing statement they released.
“We are so grateful to Priya for her tremendous impact at Higher Ground these past few years,” the Obamas said in a statement.
- 7/29/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground is launching its first Spotify podcast after striking a deal with the music streaming service last year.
The Michelle Obama Podcast will launch on July 29 and will feature candid and personal conversations from the former First Lady. You can listen to a teaser for the pod here.
The pair said that the podcast will “show us what’s possible when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to open up, and to focus on what matters most”.
Guests will include Marian and Craig Robinson, Conan O’Brien, Valerie Jarrett, Michele Norris and Dr. Sharon Malone MD. Salesforce and Procter & Gamble brands Dawn and Tide will serve as the first season’s presenting sponsors.
Higher Ground Audio is led by Dan Fierman, a veteran of Epic Magazine, MTV, Grantland and GQ. First Look Media alum and Jezebel founder Anna Holmes is the group’s Executive Vice President.
The Michelle Obama Podcast will launch on July 29 and will feature candid and personal conversations from the former First Lady. You can listen to a teaser for the pod here.
The pair said that the podcast will “show us what’s possible when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to open up, and to focus on what matters most”.
Guests will include Marian and Craig Robinson, Conan O’Brien, Valerie Jarrett, Michele Norris and Dr. Sharon Malone MD. Salesforce and Procter & Gamble brands Dawn and Tide will serve as the first season’s presenting sponsors.
Higher Ground Audio is led by Dan Fierman, a veteran of Epic Magazine, MTV, Grantland and GQ. First Look Media alum and Jezebel founder Anna Holmes is the group’s Executive Vice President.
- 7/16/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Women In Entertainment (Wie) announced today Fireside Chats with icons to its fourth annual summit in Los Angeles, on October 11, 2018, at the Skirball Cultural Center.
Over the course of the day, Wie gathers some of the most creative game-changing minds in television, film, and sports for a series of powerful keynotes, thought-provoking panel discussions, and inspirational fireside chats. Founded by two innovative leaders in the entertainment and marketing worlds, Gretchen McCourt and Renee Rossi (Relativity Ventures), Wie is designed to address a range of pivotal and timely issues that affect women. Topics to include: the rise of women’s leadership, addressing our evolving world in the wake of the Me Too movement, how storytelling can impact social change, and empowering the next generation of extraordinary women creatives.
This year’s Wie Summit will be led by a keynote from Geena Davis. Fireside Chats will feature intimate sit-downs with a number...
Over the course of the day, Wie gathers some of the most creative game-changing minds in television, film, and sports for a series of powerful keynotes, thought-provoking panel discussions, and inspirational fireside chats. Founded by two innovative leaders in the entertainment and marketing worlds, Gretchen McCourt and Renee Rossi (Relativity Ventures), Wie is designed to address a range of pivotal and timely issues that affect women. Topics to include: the rise of women’s leadership, addressing our evolving world in the wake of the Me Too movement, how storytelling can impact social change, and empowering the next generation of extraordinary women creatives.
This year’s Wie Summit will be led by a keynote from Geena Davis. Fireside Chats will feature intimate sit-downs with a number...
- 10/10/2018
- Look to the Stars
Women In Entertainment (Wie) announced today that it will host its fourth annual summit in Los Angeles, on October 11, 2018, at the iconic Skirball Cultural Center.
Over the course of the day, Wie will once again gather some of the most creative game-changing minds in television, film, and sports for a series of powerful keynotes, thought-provoking panel discussions, and inspirational fireside chats. Founded by two innovative leaders in the entertainment and marketing worlds Gretchen McCourt and Renee Rossi (Relativity Ventures), Wie is designed to address a range of pivotal and timely issues that affect women. Topics to include: the rise of women’s leadership, addressing our evolving world in the wake of the Me Too movement, how storytelling can impact social change, and empowering the next generation of extraordinary women creatives.
This year DreamWorks Animation Television will present the “She-Ra: Evolution of a Warrior Princess” panel at Wie ahead of it...
Over the course of the day, Wie will once again gather some of the most creative game-changing minds in television, film, and sports for a series of powerful keynotes, thought-provoking panel discussions, and inspirational fireside chats. Founded by two innovative leaders in the entertainment and marketing worlds Gretchen McCourt and Renee Rossi (Relativity Ventures), Wie is designed to address a range of pivotal and timely issues that affect women. Topics to include: the rise of women’s leadership, addressing our evolving world in the wake of the Me Too movement, how storytelling can impact social change, and empowering the next generation of extraordinary women creatives.
This year DreamWorks Animation Television will present the “She-Ra: Evolution of a Warrior Princess” panel at Wie ahead of it...
- 10/1/2018
- Look to the Stars
Exclusive: The fourth annual Women In Entertainment Summit has revealed its roster of guests and speakers which includes Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis and Jessica Jones Executive Producer Raelle Tucker. The event will also include a panel which will take a look at the forthcoming DreamWorks animated series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. The summit takes place on Oct. 11 at that Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
From women in leadership to the #MeToo movement to the power of storytelling, Women In Entertainment (Wie) was founded by Gretchen McCourt and Renee Rossi as an organization designed to address a range of pivotal and timely issues that affect women. This year’s daylong summit will gather some of the most creative game-changing minds in television, film, and sports for a series of powerful keynotes, thought-provoking panel discussions, and inspirational fireside chats.
In addition to Davis, who is also the founder...
From women in leadership to the #MeToo movement to the power of storytelling, Women In Entertainment (Wie) was founded by Gretchen McCourt and Renee Rossi as an organization designed to address a range of pivotal and timely issues that affect women. This year’s daylong summit will gather some of the most creative game-changing minds in television, film, and sports for a series of powerful keynotes, thought-provoking panel discussions, and inspirational fireside chats.
In addition to Davis, who is also the founder...
- 9/24/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
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