While video game publisher Activision Blizzard inches toward sealing its $70 billion acquisition by Microsoft, behind the scenes, employees are ramping up efforts to unionize the Santa Monica company’s workforce. Reporter Samson Amore looks at what organizers hope to accomplish before the deal goes through.
Here’s what else we’re reading in the news:
- Neil Young sends Spotify an ultimatum.
- Irvine-based ecommerce platform PriceSpider acquires rival Hatch.
- YouTube loses three long-time top executives.
- SpaceX's Starlink develops a new, more rugged satellite dish.
- TikTok creators are upset about how its top talent gets paid.
Organizers Want to Unionize All Activision Workers Ahead of Microsoft Deal
According to labor organizers with the Communication Workers of America (CWA) guild, the plan is to bring more of Activision’s roughly 10,000-person workforce into Raven Software’s Game Workers Alliance union once it is certified. Activision had until Tuesday to voluntarily recognize the Raven union.
ServiceTitan Reportedly Files for IPO at $18B Valuation
The Glendale-based firm is said to be pursuing a valuation as high as $18 billion via an IPO sometime this year—though both the timing and valuation could change. At that figure, ServiceTitan would rank among the five-most valuable venture capital-backed businesses in Southern California.
Four Things to Watch as the Influencer Economy Ramps Up
After years of gaining momentum, the creator economy has gone mainstream. We talked with Famous Birthdays founder Evan Britton–whose platform tracks and measures the industry–along with several emerging influencers about what's coming next.
Why the FTC is Suing to Block Lockheed Martin’s $4.4B Deal
The Federal Trade Commission announced it is suing to block defense contractor Lockheed Martin’s $4.4 billion purchase of El Segundo-based Aerojet Rocketdyne over concerns it would give Lockheed a monopoly over the missile industry.
Ecommerce Retailer Fashion Nova Fined Millions—Again
The Los Angeles-based fast fashion retailer will have to pay $4.2 million to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that the company purposefully blocked negative reviews of its merchandise from being posted online.