Shari Redstone Scraps Skydance-Paramount Deal, Latasha Gillespie Exits Amazon in DEI Shakeup and Kassan to Launch MediaLink Rival at Adfest

Plus: Sage Steele sues CAA for ESPN scandal, ‘Baby Reindeer’ breaks into Netflix top 10 and HBO explores collegiate mental health in trailer for ‘One South’ [Skydance Media CEO David Ellison and National Amusements President Shari Redstone]( [Shari Redstone's National Amusements Scraps Skydance-Paramount Merger]( By Lucas Manfredi Shares of Paramount Global dropped 7% at close on Tuesday after Shari Redstone decided to end talks on a merger deal with David Ellison’s Skydance Media after failing to reach “mutually acceptable terms.” The decision comes after months of negotiation with Skydance, who proposed a two-step deal that would’ve seen the studio acquire National Amusements, which controls 77% of Paramount’s voting stock. The second step would’ve seen the studio merge with Paramount to form a combined company. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Latasha Gillespie and Amanda Baker-Lane]( [Amazon MGM Studios Becomes Latest to Lose High-Profile DEIA Exec as Latasha Gillespie Exits]( By Jacob Bryant Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video’s global head of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, Latasha Gillespie, is leaving the company, continuing a trend of DEI shakeups in the tech industry. She will be replaced by Amanda Baker-Lane, who previously served as head of DEIA product and strategy. The news was shared with staff in an internal memo from Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke. Gillespie is leaving Amazon to “pursue other endeavors,” the memo said, and she will continue to work with the company “in a consulting capacity for a period of time.” [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Cannes Lions]( [Cannes Lions Clash: Michael Kassan to Launch Competitor to UTA-Owned MediaLink at Adfest | Exclusive]( By Emily Smith Former MediaLink CEO Michael Kassan will launch a new company at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity next week to compete with MediaLink, the firm he founded which is now owned by United Talent Agency. He also plans to mark his presence at the global advertising conference with a slate of private gatherings with highly connected followers to compete with his former company. “It feels like I am going to Cannes Lions this year and competing with myself,” Kassan told TheWrap in an exclusive interview. “I am not going after MediaLink and UTA clients. But I’ve had many, many calls from important people in the industry who say they will follow me to wherever I go.” [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Sage Steele]( [Sage Steele Sues CAA for Failing to Act in Her Best Interest in Vaccination Scandal With ESPN]( ['Baby Reindeer' Breaks Into Netflix's Top 10 Most Popular TV Shows Ever With 84.5 Million Views]( [One South: Portrait of a Psych Unit]( [HBO Explores Collegiate Mental Health in First Trailer for 'One South: Portrait of a Psych Unit' | Exclusive]( [Star Wars Has an Older, More Male-Skewing Audience Than Marvel | Charts]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [WrapPRO logo] Discover why entertainment executives and professionals rely on the WrapPRO platform daily for exclusive coverage, analysis, deeper reporting, and access to VIP events & screenings throughout the year. [Subscribe Today]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( TheWrap | 2034 Armacost Ave Los Angeles, CA 90025 [Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [LiveIntent Logo]( [AdChoices Logo](