Ex-Messenger Staffers Sue Site Over Layoffs, Meta Tops Q4 Revenue Estimates and 'Argylle' Won't Break Box Office Slump

Plus: Apple reports 2% boost in revenue amid China concerns, The Messenger tried to merge with LA Times and Pitt re-teams with Tarantino for 'The Movie Critic' [Jimmy Finkelstein The Messenger]( [Ex-Messenger Staffers Sue Shuttered News Site Over Mass Layoffs]( By Natalie Korach Just one day after digital news start-up The Messenger was shuttered and 270 employees were laid off, now-former staffers filed a class-action lawsuit against their former employer on the grounds that they were not given proper notice. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday in the Southern District of New York and argues that the failure to give proper notice before ending their employment is a violation of the New York Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN). [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Meta Earnings]( [Meta Soundly Tops Q4 Revenues Estimates as Company Doubles-Down on AI Development]( By Natalie Korach Meta, bucking broader industry struggles with digital advertising, rode stronger advertising results and restructuring savings to report higher-than-expected earnings of $14 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, as the company said it was accelerating a rapid pivot towards AI development initiatives while continuing to pour investment into metaverse research. Here are the top-line results: [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Henry Cavill and Dua Lipa in 'Argylle']( [‘Argylle’ Won't Do Much to Break the Current Box Office Slump]( By Jeremy Fuster After two weeks of no major film releases, movie theaters are in great need of a fresh hit to break the late-winter box office drought. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Universal/Apple’s “Argylle” will be that big hit. Tracking for Matthew Vaughn’s spy thriller is projecting an opening weekend of $18 million, half of the $36.2 million opening that Vaughn’s 2014 film “Kingsman: The Secret Service” earned. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Apple Earnings]( [Apple Reports 2% Increase in Revenue Fueled By iPhone Sales As Concerns in China Continue]( [Jimmy Finkelstein and Patrick Soon-Shiong]( [The Messenger's Desperate Bid to Merge With LA Times Collapsed When Time Ran Out]( [Brad Pitt]( [Brad Pitt to Reteam With Quentin Tarantino for 'The Movie Critic']( [Amazon CEO Andy Jassy at the Rings of Power L.A. premiere]( [Amazon CEO Has 'Increasing Conviction' Prime Video Will Be 'Large and Profitable Business']( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Wrap Pro 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](