Media Insider: Lee Fights Hostile Takeover, Fortune Debuts Climate Change Series
Welcome to Media Insider, PR Newswire’s roundup of media news stories from the week.
AP NEWS | JOSH FUNK
Lee Enterprises asks investors to help fight off hedge fund
Lee Enterprises sent out a letter to shareholders asking for help in fighting off a hostile takeover by Alden Global Capital. Lee recently rejected Alden’s $141 million offer because it said the bid grossly undervalues the company. The two sides are locked in a court battle over whether Alden will be able to nominate its own directors before Lee’s annual meeting in March. The trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 7. Lee asked shareholders to have faith in the company’s current strategy to shift its publications to digital delivery because it has seen its digital-only subscriptions grow 65% over the past year.
Read the full letter to shareholders.
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER | J. CLARA CHAN
Amazon, Wondery Acquire Exclusive Rights to ‘My Favorite Murder’ Podcast
Amazon Music and Wondery signed an exclusive ad sales and distribution deal with Exactly Right Media. Exactly Right Media was founded in 2018 by My Favorite Murder co-hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. As part of the deal, episodes of My Favorite Murder will drop one week early on Amazon Music and Wondery+. Kilgariff said, “It’s a dream come true for us to be joining a company like Wondery. Their name is synonymous with hit podcasts and the consistent quality of their work is beyond compare. We’re so grateful for this opportunity to grow the Exactly Right Network with their guidance, support and know-how.”
More podcast news: Neil Young demanded Spotify remove his music in protest of Joe Rogan spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine and Spotify complied.
MEDIAPOST | TONY SILBER
Fortune Brand Studio, Salesforce Partner For Streaming Series Focused On Climate Change
Salesforce and Fortune magazine’s Brand Studios have teamed up for a 12-episode streaming documentary-style series called The Ecopreneurs. The series will feature everyday people working to solve climate-related challenges in hopes of taking viewers out of the conference room and into live experiences. The first episode debuted last week at Salesforce+ and highlighted Michael Stewart, the co-founder of SeaTrees, a nonprofit working to regenerate and protect blue-carbon coastal ecosystems. The series was produced by Fortune magazine’s team, which will also host content on the ecopreneurs and climate challenges highlighted in each episode.
Read next: CNN continues its hiring spree with the goal of enticing more people to pay for streaming news.
ASSOCIATED PRESS | JOSH BOAK
Biden Caught on Hot Mic Swearing at Fox News Reporter
In a meeting with the Competition Council on Monday, Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked Biden about inflation and Biden shook his head and responded, “What a stupid son of a b****.” The president’s insult was captured on video and by the microphone in front of him, but was cut from the White House video feed. Doocy’s question came after a Fox News poll released Sunday found that 85% of Americans are worried about inflation. The White House has not responded but Doocy said that Biden called him later to the clear the air and jokingly responded, “Nobody has fact-checked him yet and said it’s not true.”
News on the former president: Trump’s new social media network Truth Social is quietly courting influencers.
MEDIAPOST | TONY SILBER
‘New York’ Doubles Crossword Puzzle Frequency, Launches Pop-Culture Puzzle For ‘Vulture’
New York Magazine is expanding its print and digital crossword offerings starting with a new daily 10×10 Vulture crossword puzzle. The Vulture daily puzzles will be created by puzzle veterans Malaika Handa and Stella Zawistowski. New York’s flagship 21×21 puzzle by Matt Gaffney will now run weekly online and in print starting on Sunday, Jan. 30. The print issue will now include one 21×21 puzzle and three 10x10s in every issue.
ICYMI: Sarah Palin’s defamation trial against the New York Times was postponed after she tested positive for COVID-19.
