Dozens of Netflix employees and LGBTQ supporters walked out of the streaming giants offices in Hollywood this morning in protest of comedian Dave Chappelle's incendiary new special "The Closer." They were met by a group of Chappelle supporters who carried signs saying "Jokes are funny." Things quickly turned tense. Read more...
Here's what else we're reading in the news:
- PayPal considers acquiring the social media platform Pinterest, reportedly valued at $45 billion.
- Activision Blizzard says California agency lawyers may have potential conflicts of interest.
- Snap is launching a global creative studio to help brands develop augmented reality ads.
- Irvine-based Rivian is facing pressure from a union-affiliated pension fund adviser to address human rights and environmental issues ahead of its IPO.
- Mubi, a U.K.-based streaming platform, is testing a movie-a-week subscription pass in New York City, and in Los Angeles in 2022.
- YouTube Music will begin offering free background listening next month.
Backlash to Dave Chappelle Special Was Swift
In his new show on Netflix, comedian Dave Chappelle called himself "Team TERF" (Trans-exclusionary radical feminism), a term that's used for people who, among other things, don't believe transgender women are women. The backlash on social media to Chappelle's comments was swift.
"Dear White People" showrunner (and transgender woman) Jaclyn Moore tweeted the day after "The Closer" aired that she was leaving the company. "I will not work with them as long as they continue to put out and profit from blatantly and dangerously transphobic content," Moore said. Several other Netflix employees have vocally opposed the special on social media.
Climate Change Events Threaten Winc's Bottom Line
Buoyed by a surge in sales during the pandemic, Playa Vista-based wineseller Winc aims to raise as much as $92 million in a public debut that's anticipated this week. But while the pandemic has been a boon for Winc's sales, another global emergency poses a threat to its bottom line: destructive events linked to climate change, such as wildfires and extreme weather.
Jessica Jackley on Pursuing a Goal: 'Just Take More Steps Anyway'
On this episode of the LA Venture podcast, Untapped Capital, Alltruits and Kiva founder Jessica Jackley talks about her experience supporting entrepreneurs across the world, and offers advice to founders on what to do when encountering doubt -- from themselves or others.