innovations: Last News

Abigail Lee Javier Pons has been promoted to chief content officer and head of Telemundo Studios, the production arm of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. Pons, who formerly served as executive VP at Telemundo Studios starting in 2024, reports in his new position to Telemundo chairman Luis Fernandez.

Carolyn Giardina As CinemaCon got underway this week in Las Vegas, Cinema United president and CEO Michael O’Leary called on exhibitors and distributors to “come together” to transform the industry. “The world is different today than it was yesterday, and we must not just adapt, but evolve if we want to realize our future potential.” Some of that, he said in his remarks, includes investment by exhibitors.

EXCLUSIVE: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Michael Boatman (The Good Fight), and Karen Allen (Indiana Jones franchise) are set to topline The Cutting Room Floor, the first feature from writer-director Victoria DeMartin.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Jon Batiste will be honored with the inaugural Ray Charles “Architect of Sound” Award at the Grammy Hall of Fame Gala, the Grammy Museum announced on Thursday. The honor, which builds on the museum’s relationship with the Ray Charles Foundation, will be presented at the gala, taking place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on May 16. According to the announcement, the award recognizes an artist “whose influence echoes across generations.

The Mole producer Eureka Productions is staffing up.

resort? Stepping out to do some press for Dying for Sex, the star seems to be rocking the , otherwise known as the C-nty Little Bob, a look that’s having its moment thanks to on the Slate showed off her quirky cool-girl style for a taping of Good Morning America in a sheer top and skirt and a white wool coat, accessorizing with black sunglasses, a black handbag, and nude heels.To be fair, has been experimenting with levels of c-ntitude and bob-liness for a while now, but the style is about to have its most major moment this summer, mark our words.Slate hasn’t revealed any of her hair secrets so far, but Bibb’s stylist did give fans a point by point breakdown on how he achieved the cut we can’t stop thinking about, in case you’d like to give it a go at your next salon appointment. The trick is to really get in there with a trimmer on the back of the neck to even things out, and go layer by layer until it’s all perfectly even.

Anyone but You press tour was dogged by rumors of an on-set affair (a publicity strategy…?), fans are once again speculating that the two stars might be a couple, with recently attending a Powell family wedding just after calling off her engagement to Jonathan Davino.But not so fast. Sweeney is just pals with Glen’s little sister Leslie, and she brought a friend as her plus-one, according to Powell’s mom. That’s right—Glen Powell has struck, in my opinion, PR gold with the innovation to have his mom do his press releases.Meanwhile, Sweeney’s blue dress at Glen Powell’s sister’s wedding was giving bridesmaid vibes.“They’re definitely not together,” Cyndy Powell calling the stories of their purported fling “silly” and insisting, “[There is] nothing going on behind closed doors.” And TBQH, we believe her.

EXCLUSIVE: Brandee Evans has signed with Innovative Artists for representation.

Jack Dunn Amber Ruffin gave an equal parts seething and sarcastic response on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” after the White House Correspondents’ Association canceled her appearance at its annual dinner. Meyers opened the segment by saying he was saddened that Ruffin was dropped by the event because he was a “big fan” of hers and would have “loved to hear what she had to say.” He then briefly dove into a joke about a bodega robbery before he was interrupted by Ruffin. “I’m gonna stop you right there Seth,” Ruffin said.

vodka brands — and why they're still generating hype in an era dominated by tequila.Dan Aykroyd's Crystal Head Vodka (Launched: 2008)You know him as the comedic genius behind Ghostbusters, but Dan Aykroyd also has a spirited side hustle. Co-founded in 2008, Crystal Head Vodka is instantly recognizable for its skull-shaped bottle—a visually striking piece inspired by ancient legends. Aykroyd touts it as an additive-free vodka, produced using pure Newfoundland water.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Warner Bros. Discovery is reorganizing its streaming content acquisitions teams across global territories into one division led by Royce Battleman, who is being promoted to executive vice president of global content acquisitions.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large The Television Academy is getting into the festival business. The org is planning to launch “Televerse,” its first-ever TV fest, in August at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles.

Fatal Fury game.The original Fatal Fury: King Of Fighters was released back in 1991 and spawned a number of spin-offs and sequels. Due for release April 24, Fatal Fury: City Of The Wolves is the first new entry in the iconic series for 26 years, following on from 1999’s Mark Of The Wolves.Fatal Fury: City Of The Wolves “features a unique art style that stimulates the senses and an innovative REV System that supercharges the excitement.

Innovative Artists Entertainment has received a strategic investment from Los Angeles-based private equity firm Coral Tree Partners. Coral Tree takes a minority stake in the agency, which will continue to be led by Innovative Founder and CEO Scott Harris and his management team. The investment from Coral Tree will help accelerate the Innovative Artists Entertainment’s expansion by enhancing the resources to support its agents and a growing roster of talent. 

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor One of the advertising industry’s top forecasters has tempered its expectations for ad spending in the U.S., citing a foggy economic outlook and a downturn in consumer confidence. Magna, a media-research unit that is part of the IPG Mediabrands division of the ad-holding giant Interpublic Group, has called for U.S. ad sales to reach $397 billion this year, an increase of 4.3% from 2024 when factoring in cyclical events such as last year’s election season.

to like the Solawave wand (which I religiously use every weekend). There’s also markdowns on (now’s the perfect time to stock up), and candles that make a great (cause, well, is coming up).

Abigail Lee Loyola Marymount University will host its inaugural Innovators Film Festival, offering panel discussions and experiential installations centered around AI. The free festival, hosted by LMU’s School of Film and Television, will include screenings of student short films as well as panels and workshops made up of industry professionals who will speak about topics like the ethical use of AI in entertainment.

Kevin McCloud's journey with Grand Designs is a true underdog story, as producers initially doubted he was the right fit for the show. When Grand Designs was first proposed to Talkback Thames in the late 90s, Channel 4 bosses were sceptical about Kevin's presenting chops.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor The American Film Institute has opened applications for this year’s Cinematography Intensive Workshop. This year’s edition of the AFI Cinematography Intensive Workshop will take place May 29–June 1 on the AFI Campus in Los Angeles, and is presented by Panavision.

Getting a beautiful manicure is such a treat that can often help make us feel a bit more put together - and is a lovely thing to do with your mum come Mother's Day. But for time or financial reasons, a regular manicure isn't always an option and in these instances, press-on nails make a fantastic alternative. Even celebs like Jennifer Lopez are understood to be huge fans of them.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music After weeks of rumors, Variety can confirm that the estate of the Notorious B.I.G. and Primary Wave Music have struck a partnership encompassing the late rapper’s music publishing and recordings, as well as his name, image, and likeness. The estate and Primary Wave will collaborate on all business moving forward.