1. CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA FOUNDER DROPS OUT OF CANNES LIONS PANEL: Alexander Nix, the founder of the now-nonexistent Cambridge Analytica, dropped out of a panel at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity after protests from industry leaders and piracy activists. Advertising Age: “Nix was to have been interviewed by Financial Times editor Gillian Tett. Had it gone through, it would have been Nix’s first speaking appearance following the scandal that brought consumer privacy concerns to the fore for both consumers and government officials, festival organizers said. … Both Nix and the festival came under pressure after Guardian reporter Carole Cadwalladr, who was among several writers who broke the initial Cambridge Analytica story, began protesting on Twitter, saying it wasn’t right that Nix would be getting a platform to speak.” 2. MIAMI GIVES ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL LICENSE TO RETURN TO FORMER VENUE: The Miami City Commission has authorized the city manager to give Ultra Music Festival a license to return to its former home of Bayfront Park. The development comes after the same panel last year revoked the electronic dance music festival’s event license to operate at the venue for the 2019 edition in March, citing noise complaints. Billboard: “Tuesday's resolution acknowledges the event's economic and cultural impact on the city throughout its 21 years. The resolution states: ‘The Licensee has previously staged the Event at the Property between 2013 and 2018, during which time the Licensee expended substantial resources toward the direct promotion and marketing of the City; and whereas, since 2012, the Event has generated approximately $995 million of economic impact, generating $168 million and creating 1,834 jobs in 2018 alone.’ The resolution continues that the license is not set for any fixed term and is revocable at the City's will without consent from Ultra. Ultra Music Festival 2020 is set to return March 27 to 29.” 3. CRACKER BARREL BANS CHURCH EVENT OVER PASTOR’S L.G.B.T. HATE SPEECH: Cracker Barrel has banned a Tennessee pastor who made death threats against gay people from holding an event at one of its locations. Grayson Fritts, a pastor and county police detective, had planned an event at a Cracker Barrel in Cleveland, Tennessee, for the All Scripture Baptist Church, on June 29. Cracker Barrel, which is based in Lebanon, Tennessee, said it condemned his “statements of hate and divisiveness.” CNN: “When the Tennessee Democratic Party caught wind of the event, chairwoman Mary Mancini shared a letter she sent to Cracker Barrel C.E.O. Sandra Cochran asking the company to review the decision based on the pledge of inclusivity and diversity on its website, which calls for ‘fairness, mutual respect and equal opportunity.’ In an official statement on Twitter, Cracker Barrel denied any affiliation with Fritts or the church and said it wouldn't allow the Tennessee store to hold the event.” |