UTA Hires Eric Iverson, Formerly CAA’s Top Technology Exec, as CTO

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Ben Sherwood and Joanna Coles inked a deal to lead IAC’s The Daily Beast, under which the media veterans have been granted a minority stake in the news and opinion site. Effective immediately, Sherwood — one-time president of the Disney ABC Television Group — will serve as The Daily Beast’s publisher and CEO. Coles, previously Hearst Magazines’ chief content officer, is the site’s chief creative and content officer.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Spotter, which provides capital, services and software aimed at helping creators and brands grow their online businesses, hired former Adobe Systems and Microsoft exec Ivo Manolov as chief technology officer. In the CTO role, Manolov will be responsible for leading all technology with a focus on launching Spotter’s suite of AI-powered software tailored to YouTubers.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Four members of Paramount Global‘s current 11 board of directors will step down, the company disclosed, coming as the company has stepped up talks with Skydance Media about an M&A deal. The four directors — Dawn Ostroff, former chief content and advertising business officer of Spotify; Nicole Seligman, former president of Sony Entertainment; Frederick Terrell, vice chairman of investment banking at Wells Fargo; and Rob Klieger, partner at Hueston Hennigan LLP, who had served as legal counsel to Sumner Redstone — will not stand for reelection at Paramount Global’s annual meeting, set for June 4.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor YouTube is advising viewer discretion with the newly dropped trailer for Warner Bros.’ “Joker: Folie à Deux” — warning users that it “may contain suicide or self-harm topics.” As of Wednesday morning, a new message appeared before the trailer is playable on YouTube: “The following content may contain suicide or self-harm topics. Viewer discretion is advised.” Before they can watch the “Joker 2” trailer, users must click on a button that says, “I understand and wish to proceed.” The warning label did not initially appear on the trailer when it was released Tuesday evening.

Michaela Zee On the “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart decided it was time for a “wellness check” on Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war reached the six-month mark Sunday. “As the war has grinded on, justice is beginning to seem more like cruelty,” “The Daily Show” host said on Monday night.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Disney‘s games group has bulked up executive ranks with new hires and promotions after the announcement of its $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games and partnership to create a virtual world featuring the Mouse House’s brands and characters. Ray Gresko, formerly chief development officer at Blizzard Entertainment (who left prior to its the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard), joins the Disney Games team as senior VP, product and development.

People can now set foot in one of Manchester’s most unique attractions for free - and visit the spot where celebrities like Tilda Swinton, Hugh Grant and Alex Chung danced the night away at the Chanel afterparty last December. Manchester’s Victoria Baths has announced the return of Welcome Wednesdays, which sees the venue open its doors to the public every Wednesday, from now until September.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Spotify announced the appointment of Christian Luiga, a senior executive at European defense and security company Saab AB, as its next CFO. Luiga is expected to start in the third quarter of 2024. Ben Kung, Spotify’s VP of financial planning and analysis, will serve as interim CFO until Luiga’s start date.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor The Webby Awards have announced nominations for the 2024 ceremony, recognizing excellence in internet content. Variety landed three Webby nominations, for: best website (in the general websites and mobile sites – entertainment category); 2023 Actors on Actors (in the video series and channels – entertainment category); and “I’m Not a Victim: Pamela Anderson Opens Up About Money, Abuse and the ‘Assholes’ behind Pam & Tommy,’” by Tatiana Siegel, Variety executive editor, film and media (in the websites and mobile sites’ features and design – writing category).

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Vince McMahon, the founder and former CEO of wrestling entertainment company WWE, received about $100 million through a sale of about 3.5 million shares of TKO Group. TKO Group was formed last year through the Endeavor-led merger of UFC and WWE. Endeavor maintains a majority interest in TKO.

EXCLUSIVE: Alejandra Reyes, most recently a TV lit agent at UTA, is switching to management and joining 3 Arts Entertainment. She is bringing an expertise in the international space — focusing on Latin America and Spain — which she developed as an agent, introducing international writers and directors to the US market, attaching them to major series and closing first-look/overall deals for them. That includes a first-look deal with Onyx for The House of Flowers creator Manolo Caro and his production company Woo Films and an overall deal with Netflix for Chilean writer José Ignacio “Chascas” Valenzuela, creator, executive producer and showrunner of Who Killed Sara?

EXCLUSIVE: After repping New York Times bestselling author Casey Sherman for publishing for many years, UTA has expanded the relationship, moving to rep him in all areas.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Stassi Schroeder Clark’s weekly lifestyle podcast, “Straight Up With Stassi,” has joined Dear Media’s roster of 80-plus shows — and it’s getting a new name. Beginning today, the podcast will be renamed “Stassi.” With distribution deal for Schroeder Clark’s podcast, Dear Media has announced a “refreshed content format” along with new visual branding across all podcast distribution platforms.

We're all partial to a cheesy romcom - whether we like to admit it or not. And Netflix's latest release, Irish Wish, is no exception.

The BBC has “no plans” to use AI again to promote Doctor Who after receiving complaints from viewers.

Actor Anil Goutam has shaken up Emmerdale by taking on the role of Evil Amit Sharma. Fans of the ITV soap have been on the edge of their seats as they wonder who will be Amit’s next victim.The murderer already targeted his brother Rish in a dark twist to secure some inheritance money. And now some fear beloved Dales favourite Eric Pollard could be next, with Amit growing more and more suspicious of Eric investigating him.

BBC presenter David Capper has sadly passed away at the age of 91.The legendary journalist, who was a former BBC Ireland Correspondent, reported on some of the most challenging times during the Troubles across TV and radio. David leaves behind three children, Chris, Diarmit and Samantha, and nine grandchildren. Adam Smyth, Director of BBC NI, has paid an emotional tribute to David, calling him a "journalistic icon".

EXCLUSIVE: If you thought the multi-million-dollar war of words and legal filings between UTA and former Medialink CEO Michael Kassan had been bare knuckles before, you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer United Talent Agency has amended its lawsuit against former MediaLink chief Michael Kassan — striking its initial claims against its former partner to move those grievances to arbitration. The amended complaint offers new details of allegations of financial mismanagement against the advertising industry’s famous matchmaker and fixer, who blasts the litigation in a statement to Variety as a “smear” effort.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer Joana Vicente has stepped down as CEO of the Sundance Institute. The news will come as a shock to the global independent film community, as Vicente served under three years in a plum role she took after years in leadership at the Toronto International Film Festival.