Must-know tech news of day.
Video Game Voice Actors Consider Strike
SAG-Aftra video game voice actors are considering a strike after failing to reach a collective bargaining agreement with video game studios. The union proposed a strike vote to its voice actor members in postcards that were sent out Sept. 16, Variety reported. For a strike to be authorized, 75 percent of union members have to vote for it by Oct. 5. One issue in dispute: SAG-Aftra would like performance bonuses of $3,300 for its members each time an additional 2 million game copies, downloads or unique subscriptions are sold. FULL STORY
Snapchat Chief Talent Officer Reportedly Fired
Snapchat Chief Talent Officer Simmi Singh has left the company. She was reportedly fired, though Snapchat of Venice declined to comment on the specifics of her departure. Singh had joined the company in February and is one of four recent executive departures including Chief Operating Officer Emily White, Director of Human Resources Sara Sperling and Sales Head Mike Randall.
Snapchat Shelves Its Original Content Channel
After signing up 15 different publishers to its Discover content portal, such as ESPN, CNN and Buzzfeed, Snapchat has shuttered its original content channel called Snap Channel. The channel featured original content produced by Snapchat, including a scripted drama named “Literally Can’t Even.” In a statement, Snapchat said it viewed the channel as an experiment and is currently working on something new in its place.
Edmunds.com Goes on Executive Hiring Spree
Car shopping website Edmunds of Santa Monica has hired four executives: Chief Marketing Officer Nathalie Lubensky; Senior Vice President of Dealer Business Mark Longfellow; Vice President of Dealer Platform Development Mark Rankin; and Vice President of Brand and Product Marketing Sven Wood. An Edmunds spokesman said the hires were made to help support growth and to push additional innovation.
Former Spokeo Chief Executive Sues Fellow Co-Founders
Spokeo co-founder and former Chief Executive Ray Chen has filed a lawsuit against his former company and its two other co-founders, including current Chief Executive Harrison Tang, for wrongful discharge, retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Spokeo of Pasadena is an online white pages that catalogs information such as court records, contact information and family relations.
In his suit, Chen alleges he was pushed out in June 2014 in a “surprise coup” by his co-founders, who harbored personal animosity towards him. Spokeo said in a statement that Chen was fired over “differences of opinion about the strategic direction of the business.”
Technology reporter Garrett Reim can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @garrettreim for the latest in L.A. tech news.
