Leading Friday morning’s news cycle: Obama in Japan
President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshima on Friday morning. He did not apologize for the atomic bombing of the city in 1945, but the president did call for a world without nuclear weapons. Obama is in Japan for G7 meetings.
Will Facebook remove Peter Thiel from its board
Silicon Valley insiders are wondering whether Facebook, mired in its own media controversy, will remove Peter Thiel from its board for funding lawsuits against Gawker. Nick Denton, founder and CEO of Gawker, penned an open letter to Thiel late Thursday afternoon challenging him to a public debate. The New York Post reported yesterday that Denton is trying to sell the company, but Gawker said its soliciting of financial backers is old news.
U. of Illinois dropped Edelman last summer
Then-new University of Illinois Chancellor Barbara Wilson pulled a contract with Edelman to develop a marketing and branding plan for the school shortly after she took office last summer, Champaign, Illinois’ News-Gazette reported this week. The university paid Edelman $382,000, but ultimately decided to create an in-house marketing advisory council instead. The contact was worth $550,000.
Snapchat is one student’s route to an internship
California Baptist University student Graham Allgood got the attention of Horizon Media by creating a Snapchat filter for the advertising agency. The firm responded by bringing him in for an interview and ultimately giving him a paid internship, according to Mashable.
When Horizon sends you a snapchat (after my interview in their LA office) to let you know you made the team in NYC! pic.twitter.com/IslZ3Y5ZBd
— Graham Allgood (@causeitsallgood) May 19, 2016
Takata airbag crisis worsens, again
Eight automakers, including Honda and Fiat Chrysler, are recalling more than 12 million automobiles due to defective airbags, and more companies are expected to announce recalls soon. Japanese authorities said this week that they are recalling 7 million additional cars with Takata airbags.
