Innovation
Disney patents AR without headsets for theme park rides
Disney was granted a patent for a Virtual World Simulator that enables multiple users to experience a 3D virtual world from multiple vantage points without any glasses, goggles or digital devices. #AR
Warner Music Group Delves Deeper Into NFTs
www-benzinga-com.cdn.ampproject.org
Warner Music Group on Monday said it has partnering with OneOf, a NFT platform backed by Quincy Jones. OneOf announced a three-year collaboration with the Grammy Awards and a partnership with iHeartMedia recently. The move by Warner Music Group follows up on last week’s announced partnership with virtual land company The Sandbox to create the first music-themed world in the gaming metaverse of The Sandbox. Through the partnership, Warner Music Group will have a musical theme park and concert venue in The Sandbox, which could provide additional opportunities for its artists to perform virtual concerts and connect with their fans. #NFTs
Technology
More Than 80% of NFTs Created for Free on OpenSea Are Fraud or Spam, Company Says
Sony is buying Bungie, the developer of Destiny and original creator of Halo Bungie for $3.6 Billion
Amazon says it made more than $31 billion in advertising last year, after keeping the size of its budding ad empire under wraps.
www.axios.com
The company for years kept the size of its budding ad empire under wraps.
Jeff Bezos’s $200 million, 50-year naming-rights deal with the Smithsonian for the Air & Space Museum does not include a ‘morals clause’
LEGO is donating MRI scanner models to hospitals to help calm children — www.brickfanatics.com
ICYMI
Publishing & Media
AI Influence on Audiobooks Grows — As Does Controversy — www.publishersweekly.com
The dawn of AI-enabled audiobook narration has led to fierce industry debate.
BookTok giving bookshops a boost not seen since Rowling, says Daunt
The owner of Waterstones, US-based hedge fund Elliott Advisors, is orchestrating talks to buy Blackwell’s, the family-owned academic bookseller which is up for sale for the first time in its 143-year history
Follett bought by private investors group
Follett bought by private investors led by Jefferson River Capital, a private investment company controlled by the James family. Tony James is former executive vice-chairman, president and CEO of the Blackstone Group and chairman of Costco
Pearson acquires US based digital credential specialist
London-based learning company @Pearson_UK acquires US digital credential specialist for the workforce @credly to expand Pearson’s presence in the workforce skills sector.
Just how big is the real ebook market?
HT @craicer While there are reports that ebooks are down 4.7%, @thenewpubstd says ebook subscription services are up and that consumption patterns have changed (and self-publishing is not counted in trade figures) #ebooks
Ambo Anthos Suspends Printing of The Betrayal of Anne Frank
lunch.publishersmarketplace.com
Dutch publisher Ambo Anthos has suspended printing of The Betrayal of Anne Frank after questions emerged about its research, Reuters reports. Published on January 18, the book named a Jewish man, Arnold van den Bergh, a relatively obscure figure, as the top suspect who informed the Nazis of Anne Frank and her family’s hiding place.
NYPL Launches “Vibrant Voices,” Great Books for all Ages by Authors of Color — www.slj.com
The New York Public Library partnered with the New York City Department of Education. As a starting point, in January 2022, they launched the reading list Vibrant Voices: A Booklist Celebrating Stories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The Library created this list as part of its newly-launched Center for Educators and Schools, a new initiative which aims to make all of the Library’s resources accessible and useful for educators.
Poland’s Authors May Benefit From Pensions, Insurance, Other Benefits
HT @craicer A bill expected to be approved by the Polish Parliament, creates a new Chamber of Artists to administer a benefits plan for creative workers. Via @pubperspectives
Here are 50 books Texas parents want banned from school libraries — www.nbcnews.com
RT @AmericanPublish The free exchange of ideas and opinions is critical to our democracy, especially when people disagree. Censorship is never the answer. Check out this important story from @nbcnews on 50 books that have been targeted for banning.
Why Book Ban Efforts Are Spreading Across the U.S.
Challenges to books about sexual & racial identity are nothing new in American schools, but the tactics and politicization are. The ALA said it received an “unprecedented” 330 reports of book challenges, each of which can include multiple books, last fall.
Missouri school district bans Toni Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye’ — www.today.com
A Missouri school district joins a growing list of districts across the country to ban books highlighting issues of race, sexuality, and the Holocaust.
Students protest book bans by distributing ‘Maus,’ ‘Beloved’
abcnews.go.com
Voters of Tomorrow will distribute Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” and Art Spiegelman’s “Maus.”
A Virtual Conversation with Art Spiegelman, Author of Maus
Sponsored by: Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, B’nai Zion Congregation, Mizpah Congregation, Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension, The Tennessee Holler.
The Bizarre, Unsolved Mystery of Filippo Bernardini and the Stolen Book Manuscripts
An 8-year-old slid his handwritten book onto a library shelf. It now has a years-long waitlist.
ICYMI Staff librarians who found it agreed that as unconventional as it was, Dillon’s book met the criteria for the collection.
TelevisaUnivision Created as Spanish-Language TV Giants Merge
TelevisaUnivision has been created from the $4.8 billion merger, with Univision and Televisa completing their merger and building a Spanish language streaming service.
Apple News launches its first daily local newsletter, targeting Bay Area readers
Apple News is introducing its first daily local newsletter for the Bay Area and is actively exploring expanding the offering to other cities.
News Corp Australia, Google unite to train journalists
www.theaustralian.com.au
News Corp Australia and Google have joined forces to establish a groundbreaking digital news training initiative, which will develop and enhance the online skills of journalists across the country.
Rachel Maddow to take a temporary break from her MSNBC show to work on NBCUniversal movie and podcast projects — www.businessinsider.com
Wordle: how a simple game of letters became part of the New York Times’ business plan — theconversation.com
Capital B, a new online news publication for Black audiences, is launching with $9 million in philanthropic backing. — www.washingtonpost.com
Netflix Jr. Is Launching A Totally Free Kids’ Magazine That’ll Be Delivered In The Mail — www.romper.com
Netflix plans to launch a free magazine for kids featuring stories, games and crafts — all starring Netflix Jr characters. via @romper #Netflix #magazines
Forbes is Building an Exclusive LinkedIn
Conde Nast is launching a recipe subscription product that draws from the editorial expertise of Bon Appetit and Epicurious.
Coming off big digital subscription growth, Hearst Newspapers plan a new data and product hub for 2022
Resources & Opportunities
Publishing Fellowship — Latinx in Publishing
RT @LatinxinPub Calling all aspiring editors! Applications are open for the 2022 Publishing Fellowship in editorial. Deadline to apply: Feb. 15th
Conference/Retreat — Zoeglossia — www.zoeglossia.org
RT @LambdaLiterary If you are a poet (age 21+) who identifies as disabled and is interested in building community and pursuing artistic excellence in a diverse cohort of writers, apply to the third annual Zoeglossia Retreat. Deadline Feb 15. #writingretreat
MT @ALALibrary Join the @TXLA on 2/24 for a crucial roundtable discussion of censorship and tangible steps to protect the freedom to read in this free @ALA_Booklist panel sponsored by @MacKidsSL. Attendees will also receive helpful resources and hear from @OIF.
Writopia Lab’s Youth Essay Writing Conference 2022
MT @WritopiaLab Our Youth #Essay Writing Conference will be held online on 3/19/2022, from 2–5PM EST! Submissions for papers are now open for writers ages 10–18 and are due 2/19/2022. No page limit. No more than 2 submissions per writer.
NYC Media Lab and Bertelsmann NFT & Blockchain Challenge — www.nycmedialab.org
HT @nycmedialab NYC Media Lab and Bertelsmann are working together to launch an NFT and blockchain exploratory program. Open to university (grad students + faculty) & startup teams. The 12-week challenge begins in April. Submission deadline 2/28. #NFT #blockchain #teamPRH
www.hbscnycommunitypartners.org
MT @HBSCNY Apply before February 11 for a full scholarship to the Driving Nonprofit Performance and Innovation, June 2022 @HBSExecEd’s virtual program. NYC nonprofit leaders are encouraged to apply. #NonprofitLeadership#HBSExecEd
New to WMG? Join me at this virtual FREE Members-Only New Member Social on 2/16 at noon ET.
Can’t wait for this virtual @WMG_NYC event! FREE for members, $15 for non-members. All proceeds from this program will benefit the Women’s Media Group Educational Foundation. Sign up today!!