Day: March 9, 2017

Filmart: IM Global Inks Output Deal With Chinese Studio Enlight Pictures

Stuart Ford’s veteran film financing and distribution venture will handle worldwide sales on at least six titles from the Beijing studio’s slate. The veteran Los Angeles-based film sales, financing and production outfit has reached an agreement to handle worldwide sales, outside of China, on at least six titles from the Beijing studio’s slate.

Coachella festival boosts its VR experience for 2017 with augmented reality

Over the years, the ticket packages for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival have become a fun unboxing surprise, with snapshots filling Instagram long before fans flood their social media streams with selfies from the festival itself. Artwork, miniature pop-up scenes of the Empire Polo Club in Indio and calendars have been inside the boxes, along with Coachella’s coveted entry wristbands, in recent years.

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American Bankers Association CEO Robert Nichols weighs in on his meeting with President Trump over financial reform efforts that affect community banks. President Trump met with community bankers from across the country to find out the potential regulatory reforms and other steps the federal government could take to help boost lending to U.S. small businesses as well as consumers.

Samantha Bee apologizes after mocking man with brain cancer…

Comedian Samantha Bee apologized Thursday for inadvertently including a man with brain cancer in a segment about “Nazi hair” at the Conservative Political Action Conference. A segment on an episode of “Full Frontal” this week observed that one style of haircut, known as the “Hitler Youth,” was especially prevalent at CPAC this year.

Brock Osweiler went from a prized $72 million quarterback to a…

With Peyton Manning retiring and a weak quarterback market, Osweiler had flashed enough in seven games with the Broncos, plus four years of tutelage under Manning, to draw serious interest in free agency. The Texans ended up winning the war, giving Osweiler a four-year, $72 million contract with two years and $36 million guaranteed, more than the Broncos were willing to offer.

(FILES) This file photo taken on February 05, 2016 shows WikiLeaks…

This file photo taken on February 05, 2016 shows WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange coming out on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy to address the media in central London. This file photo taken on February 05, 2016 shows WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange coming out on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy to address the media in central London.

Apple’s iPhone 6 Revival Could Go Over Well in China and India

With manufacturing costs for older and/or less advanced models likely in the $200 range or below, the company can easily sell such iPhones at lower price points while still turning a profit, and in doing so take share from mid-range Android rivals. But when a company is selling over 200 million phones annually at an average selling price well north of $600, it’s hard to blame it for being cautious about how much it moves down-market, given the risk of potentially cannibalizing sales of pricier models.

Deadline on Soured Indian Loans Offers Opening to Private Equity

An impending round of bad-loan provisioning by Indian banks provides an opportunity for private equity and special-situation funds to pick up soured assets at lower prices. Brought on by the expiry of a central-bank deadline for lenders to clean up their balance sheets, the expected provisions will force them to recognize lower valuations on bad debt, making them easier to dispose, according to S. Sriniwasan, chief executive officer of the Kotak Special Situations Credit Fund.

Treasury calls on Congress to raise debt limit, begins steps to delay default

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday began taking “extraordinary measures” to delay the U.S. government from defaulting on its obligations, as he called on House Speaker Paul Ryan to lift the debt ceiling “at its first opportunity.” Mnuchin, in a letter to Ryan , said Treasury was now suspending the sale of certain state and local securities, a practice the federal government normally performs to assist with tax policies.

Columbia Sportswear: Cramer’s Top Takeaways

For an “Executive Decision” segment, Cramer spoke with Tim Boyle, CEO of Columbia Sportswear , the outdoor apparel and footwear maker with shares that are down by 8% over the past 12 months while much of the U.S. is emerging from a very warm winter season. Boyle said with so many apparel brands out there, you really need to differentiate yourself — and for Columbia, they do that with innovation.

AIG Chief Undone by Lost Credibility, Frustrated Investors

Before he lost the confidence of big-name investors and his company’s board members, Peter Hancock squandered the faith of many of his staff. It was November 2015, after a disappointing quarter for American International Group Inc., and Hancock — then a year into his tenure as chief executive officer — told employees they shouldn’t count on lifetime jobs.

After escaping net neutrality probe, Verizon expands data cap exemptions

Just a few weeks after escaping a net neutrality investigation into data cap exemptions, Verizon has decided to let its FiOS mobile video stream on its wireless network without counting against data caps. Customers who have Verizon FiOS TV at home and a Verizon Wireless smartphone plan can watch TV outside their homes without using up the data allotments on limited mobile plans, the company announced today .

AT&T Outage Takes Down 911 Emergency Lines across the US

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Delta’s CEO Sounds Optimistic Note for 2017; Hopes to Meet Buffett

Delta Air Lines Inc. Chief Executive Ed Bastian on Thursday sounded an optimistic note for 2017 earnings and said he expects to meet soon with the company’s newest and biggest investor, billionaire Warren Buffett. Two months ago Delta announced last year’s record-breaking performance, but noted that higher fuel prices and wage costs could weigh on margins during the March quarter before they expand again in the second half of the year.

Andrew Puzder: Carla s Jr. Racy Ads Saved the Company

In an exclusive interview with Neil Cavuto on the FOX Business Network , CKE Restaurants CEO Andrew Puzder said the suggestive ad campaigns starring female celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and Heidi Klum saved the company. CKE’s franchises, which include Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., were infamous for using racy ads that generated backlash from women and other groups who found it demeaning and sexist.

Wall Street Stuck in Place as Investors Wait for February Jobs Report

Wall Street churned around the flatline for much of the day with investors reluctant to commit to any one direction until the release of Friday’s highly anticipated jobs report. Wall Street churned around the flatline for much of the day with investors reluctant to commit to any one direction until the release of Friday’s highly-anticipated jobs report.

Meredith Buying Time May Be Its Safest Route to Really Going Digital

Time has begun to show signs that legacy print publishers can transition to digital from print, but merging with Meredith may be the best way to get there. Experience matters, and reports that Time is no longer being pursued by an investor group led by Edgar Bronfman Jr. should come as a welcome sign for a company that would probably be best served if its new owners have first-hand knowledge of the digital magazine business.

Amidst Fierce Competition, Target Is Unlikely to Recover Soon

Bricks-and-mortar, retail giant Target Corp has seen its shares plummet about 24% year to date year-to-date, under-performing rivals like Wal-Mart and Costco , and even minnows such as Dollar Tree and Dollar General . Despite the company’s intent to focus more on digital commerce , doubts remain surrounding the company’s strategy for reviving earnings .

Trump’s Run of Dumb Luck

How quickly Washington forgets. It was only two weeks ago that the biggest story in the nation’s capital was how President Donald Trump’s aides were pressuring the FBI and allies in Congress to shoot down the stories whirling around about his associates’ ties to Russia.

Airbnb Closes $1 Billion Funding Round With War Chest for Growth

Airbnb Inc. closed a funding round of more than $1 billion, valuing the home-sharing startup at about $31 billion, according to three people familiar with the company. In December, Bloomberg first reported the company’s plans to increase the funding it was seeking by authorizing the sale of an additional $153 million in equity.

FCC probing AT&T’s Wednesday night 911 outage

The Federal Communications Commission says it is investigating why AT&T cellphone customers were unable to call 911 in several states on Wednesday night. Law enforcement and government agencies in Texas, Florida, Tennessee and other states reported the problem and provided alternate numbers for people to call during emergencies.

Illinois budget impasse increasingly hurts universities: Moody’s

Illinois’ record-breaking budget impasse, which has led to sporadic funding for higher education, is increasingly pressuring the finances and competitiveness of state universities, Moody’s Investors Service said on Thursday. The credit rating agency said the lack of complete state funding has forced schools to take “considerable steps,” including cutting academic programs and raising tuition, in order to keep operating and preserve financial liquidity.