A Little of the Old In and Out



Yummy. (image via theworldjournal)

In: DKNY Director�s Label Party. If only the Evangelical Christian Right were to argue that Helena Christensen was proof positive that an omniscient and benevolent Being was behind the evolution of the species, all conversation on intelligent design would end. Abruptly; quod erat demonstrandum. (Arched eyebrow cocked and loaded). Now, According to Fashionweekdaily, "Helena Christensen is DJing the DKNY Director�s Label party for Palm Pictures this Thursday."

Be still our blogging heart.



(image via peoples.ru)

Out: Monica Lewinsky. Now, from the sublime to the conspicuous: What do John F. Kennedy, Mick Jagger and Monica Lewinsky have in common? The London School of Economics, apparently. According to those intrepid Page Sixxies: "MONICA Lewinsky is leaving New York. 'I'm thrilled to be returning to London, a city I love,' she informed PAGE SIX yesterday. 'I am delighted I have been accepted as a candidate for a master's degree in Social Psychology at the London School of Economics.' The former White House intern said she was fascinated by psychology 10 years ago when she graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore. 'The same is true today, and with further education I hope to someday make a meaningful and significant contribution to the field.'"

No doubt (Exaggerated cough suggesting feigned detachment), but we cannot fail to note that her meaningful contribution to the "oral sex isn't really sex" debate already ranks her high in the, uh, annals -- no pun intended -- of Sociology. According to the website for the Institute for Social Psychology, their stated goal is, "... to understand, through theoretical development and empirical research, the social processes that emerge at the intersection between the individual and wider societal contexts. Thus for example, our research and teaching focuses on organisational behaviour and dynamics, risk in society, communication multiculturalism and discrimination, individual and social health and the community, decision taking and the social production of knowledge."

Let's hope this directed course of study by distinguished and powerful father figure types further informs the "education reforms" (Averted Gaze) Miss. L recommended to former President Bill Clinton in a previous incarnation.

Ah well, we all do stupid things in our twenties; so, honestly: best of luck.



(image via milikeninstitute)

In: Newscorp Internet Strategy. How fascinating it is to watch the flow of power distribute itself at Rupert Murdoch's mighty media empire. The drama at Newscorp unfolds with a rhythmic, ancient, ceremonial power, not unlike that of the winged guardian in Assyrian statuary. The firstborn son -- prodigal? -- leaves with a $15 million payout. A new generation arrives, almost Biblically (considering, to be frank, his age), thus adding to the dynastic intrigues of The Patriarch's future succession.

The pendulum swings; the medium changes. According to the Financial Times (link via iwantmedia):

"Rupert Murdoch has summoned his most senior executives for the second summit in seven months on News Corporation's internet strategy. The broadcasting and publishing group�s executive committee will gather this weekend near Mr Murdoch�s ranch in California.The summit comes as Mr Murdoch received an important show of support on Tuesday from Prince Alwaleed bin Talal�s Kingdom Holding Company. The Saudi prince, a long-time shareholder, converted his non-voting shares in News Corp to a 5.46 per cent stake of the voting shares and said he might buy more 'if the situation warrants.'"

The story continues:

"The summit is understood to involve members of News Corp's large executive committee, which meets only rarely, as well as outside speakers.

"... Although no big deals are expected to be announced at the US gathering, it will be seen as a sign that Mr Murdoch is eager to accelerate the company's internet investments.

"The summit in New York in February marked a distinct change in strategy for Mr Murdoch, who had cooled on internet investments after initial enthusiasm in the late 1990s when his son, James, was in charge of the group's new media strategy.

"He warned this year that media groups had to reinvent themselves to meet the demands of the 'iPod generation,' which was bypassing traditional suppliers by consuming news and entertainment online. Mr Murdoch's strategy was given a symbolic boost by the announcement by Prince Alwaleed, who expressed his 'utmost confidence in Mr Murdoch, his management team and his succession planning.'"



(image via stanford)

Out: Neal Shapiro. It would be an understatement of cosmic proportions to say, offhand, "the landscape of network news is changing." Of course it is. The aging of the Evening News demographic leaves something to be desired (like, say, the ability to advertise something other than a astonishing array of life-prolonging and penile erecting pharmaceuticals) We thought 'fer sure that Zucker would get his ass handed to him by NBC brass before Shapiro. Our man Zuck's future looked quite ... "opaque." According to MediaLife Magazine:

"Just whether Neal Shapiro is leaving his job as NBC News president entirely on his own is in debate, but there's no debate that his timing--he resigned yesterday after months of speculation-- is right on. Shapiro is leaving the news division with its three top shows all ranking No. 1, just as they were when he arrived four years ago.

"But whoever takes over from Shapiro will have a real struggle on his or her hands, and much of it will be in keeping the network�s once-impenetrable 'Today' show from losing further ground to ABC's 'Good Morning America,' with its lead over the latter having shrunk to a mere 40,000 viewers last May. It will be one challenging assignment, and it will take a strong manager indeed, as well as a tough, innovative thinker. It was a task beyond Shapiro, described by many as a nice guy who was more comfortable editing a story than managing troops, or perhaps more to the point, seeking ways to update the morning show."

The Salmon colored weekly on Shapiro here.



(image via journalists.org)

In: We: Media Conference at the Associated Press. The Corsair usually doesn't do conferences (Averted Gaze). They tend to be a magnum of chloroform (Exaggerated cough suggesting feigned detachment). However, we will be in attendance at the We Media Conference, because, well, it rocks (Ed Note: The Corsair guest blogged for the We Media's Morph on Tuesdays this summer). This, from the most excellent Gloria Pan:

"Al Gore, chairman of Current TV and former Vice President of the United States, will deliver the keynote speech at The Media Center's Oct. 5 We Media conference at The Associated Press.

"We are very excited by Al's participation because it will bring heightened interest to our conference, which is intended to be a major step in advancing The Media Center's mission to help create a better-informed society."

In addition to Gore, our Larry Kramer, President of CBS Digital Media, a man who we stalk often, but well within the bounds of any restraining order; Ana Marie Cox; Farai Chideya of Popandpolitics; Jessica Coen; Tom Curley, President of The Associated Press; Jason Calacanis; Nick Kristof, NYT Columnist. And more. This is hott; The Corsair is so there.

Information on registration: here