RT @ThadMcIlroy While journalists may be performing an essential business, the business of journalism is facing an extinction-level threat.

The move comes as advertisers cut back on spending in the age of COVID-19 as consumers face layoffs and curtail spending.

As information about the novel coronavirus swells online, Google is upping its funding of fact-checkers and anti-misinformation nonprofits.

Macmillan Publishers has laid off an undisclosed number of employees across all divisions, temporarily reduced pay for select employees, and implemented a hiring freeze, effective April 2. As a result of the layoffs, the Thomas Dunne imprint has been shuttered.

The mass-media company, which owns many large newspapers including USA Today, announced Monday that the coronavirus downturn has forced the company to make deep cuts.

New Zealand’s biggest newsstand magazines have folded, as Bauer Media abruptly closed its doors as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The New Zealand wing of the company published popular magazines including Woman’s Day. via @nzherald

Maven Media Brands said Monday it will be laying off employees from Sports Illustrated + TheStreet and senior management will see a 30% reduction in their salaries as the coronavirus pandemic impacts the company’s operations.

The WSJ ad must achieve at least a 70% recall rate, as measured by Research and Analysis of Media (RAM), a 3rd-party intl research firm. If not, those advertisers will be offered the same-size ad + placement for free within 2 weeks of original ad’s run.

And they should be!

In an attempt to maintain its place in international rights for children’s and YA content, Bologna Children’s Book Fair announces an online trading program.

Canada’s National Arts Center is using streaming video for authors to promote their spring and summer titles to a nation stuck indoors by the pandemic.

Several indies have launched, with varying degrees of success, GoFundMe fundraising campaigns to help them raise funds to pay bills and employees during a national shutdown that may last for months.

ICYMI Editors and writers on the NY Times Books desk — along with colleagues from the newsroom — recommend some time-tested books that offer escape from the present moment.

ICYMI – From my company @penguinrandom: “We now understand that there are multiple canons, that they’ve shifted over time. Canons don’t come down from God. They’re shaped by sociology.” Penguin Classics will launch Penguin Liberty this fall — six small anthologies featuring historical, political and legal texts focused on constitutional rights — starting with a collection of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Supreme Court decisions and dissents. As part of her commitment to keep readers actively engaged with classics, Ms. Rotor is also starting Penguin Classics Voyages, which will allow readers to sign up for trips inspired by literary classics, starting next year with Greece, to discuss the “Odyssey.”

Comics have been published on a regular basis in the U.S. through all number of existential threats in the past, whether it’s World War II, Watergate, oil crises or 9/11 — but for the first time, the comic book Industry is on hold.

The family behind storied magazines like the New Yorker and Vogue has agreed to buy The Ironman sports group, known for its intense races, from Wanda Sports Group.

No new magazines will be sold at Barnes & Noble while the coronavirus rages, Media Ink has learned.

That was fast! Essays from 25 authors on the pandemic are collected by Mauri Spagnol’s Garzanti to benefit the Pope John XXIII Hospital in Bergamo. The collection goes on pre-sale April 3 and publishes April 9. Via @pubperspectives

Snap’s App Stories enables 3rd-party apps to post Stories created in Snapchat to their services, allowing users who don’t use Snapchat to see. Initially they are starting with social apps Triller + Octi, video-calling app Squad + dating app Hily, and are looking for more partners

The goal of How We Feel is to collect real-time data to help researchers detect regions on the brink of a coronavirus outbreak.

SoftBank Group has pulled a $3 billion tender offer for WeWork shares citing closing conditions not being met. The investment behemoth had been rumored to be getting cold feet when the WSJ reported last month that it was using regulatory investigations as a way to back out of its commitment to buy $3 billion in shares.

HT @jkhoey. Via @ElanaLyn #femalefounders#womenentrepreneurs #RedBackpackFund

The Silicon Valley giants have often led the field in employee benefits—but the new policy doesn’t extend to contract workers

Sony is launching a $100 million fund to support medics, children and creators in the music, pictures, games and animation sectors.

The company claims he violated its safety regulations.

From @thebookseller (UK)

RT @sljournal This Week, Dav Pilkey and the Library of Congress launch a site with activities and videos and Dolly Parton and LeVar Burton are ready to read to us.

Spotify announced Tuesday that the family-friendly app has been bolstered with 30% more songs, playlists, stories and other streamable content.

The online video game lets Gen Z rebuild its physical campuses from scratch.

The book is available for download.

RT @mediastarnews The Amazon Prime Video app on iPhone + Apple TV now allows users to rent + purchase movies inside the app using a credit card on file w Amazon. It’s a big change. Amazon had previously declined to offer in-app purchases in iOS apps.

RT @PublicTheaterNY In case you missed it: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is now streaming for free in the U.S. via @GPerfPBS (And yes, it does feature this @thedanieb move)

Want to feel productive with a fairly mindless task?

These coloring sheets by beloved artists are freebies and will keep you busy for hours getting creative.

RT @MayorsAlliance #NYC pet food distribution center established by @ASPCA in partnership w/ @petcofoundation @bluebuffalo @PetSmartChariTs. Free access for NYC residents to dog/cat food & supplies (inc. kitty litter) BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! @1010WINS @susanrichard