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Paramount Pulls Ads Over Merger Button Feud
14 Apr
Summary
- Paramount suspended advertising due to buttons advocating against a merger.
- Editorial director was seen with "Block the Merger" buttons at CinemaCon.
- An open letter against the merger was signed by over 1,000 Hollywood figures.
Paramount has halted its advertising with entertainment industry outlet The Ankler. This decision stems from its editorial director and chief columnist being seen with "Block the Merger" buttons at CinemaCon earlier this week. A subsequent conference call between Paramount executives and The Ankler's leadership did not resolve the dispute.
Paramount asserted its action was not censorship, but rather a response to advocacy against its planned merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The studio directed its employees to cease cooperation with the outlet.
The controversy unfolded hours after a significant open letter against the merger was published. This letter, signed by over 1,000 prominent figures in film and journalism, expressed concerns that the merger would further concentrate media power.
