Partnership Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorAt this year’s Cannes Film Festival, heads will turn at a new May-December romance: TikTok, which is 6 years old, has hooked up with the venerable fest, now celebrating its 75th anniversary.How is it that Cannes — which, in years past, notoriously banned social-media posting from its famous red-carpeted steps — is now welcoming TikTok as one of its elite sponsors? For the festival, the partnership is aimed at pulling Cannes forward into the 21st century, lending it a sheen of techno-hipness and ideally attracting younger film fans. For TikTok, which boasts more than 1 billion monthly users worldwide, pairing with the Cannes Film Festival is an effort to show filmmakers that the app is more than just a place for teenagers to lip-sync to the latest viral dance craze.

Lise Pedersen The 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival also marks the 25th anniversary of its partnership with luxury jewelry and watchmaker Chopard.Chopard artistic director and co-president Caroline Scheufele remembers fondly when Pierre Viot, then president of the Cannes Film Festival, asked her to create a new version of the world-famous trophy in 1997.“You can imagine my racing heart when he invited me to redesign a fresh interpretation of the Palme d’Or,” Scheufele tells Variety. “The following year, at the closing ceremony of the 1998 Cannes Festival, the new Palme d’Or was unveiled to the world in the form in which it still exists today.For Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Frémaux, the 25-year partnership with Chopard is a relationship based on loyalty and trust.

Kendrick Lamar‘s music video for ‘The Heart Part 5’ has launched a partnership with South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.Although Lamar directed and executive produced the video himself, it features a deepfake blending his face into those of OJ Simpson, Jussie Smollett, Nipsey Hussle, Kobe Bryant and Kanye West.The deep fake was brought to life by Deep Voodoo, Parker and Stone’s studio specialising in the technology, according to Variety.Take a look at the video for ‘The Heart Part 5’ here:It marks the first collaboration between Lamar and Deep Voodoo, which made its first major steps with Sassy Justice in 2020, with the publication suggesting more projects to follow.In a five-star review of ‘The Heart Part 5’, NME wrote: “Lamar’s comeback takes a political stance, which is similar to his second album ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ — hence the reference Obama, who was in the White House when it was released.“Like the 44th president, Kendrick is an emotive speaker and ‘The Heart Part 5’ finds him trying to get his crime-riddled neighbourhood to change.” Meanwhile in South Park news, the show announced a 25th anniversary live concert featuring performances from Primus and Ween.The special “one night only” event will take place at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado on August 10.The show is set to “celebrate 25 years of the music of South Park” with Parker and Stone also due to be in attendance on the night.“We’re so excited to go home and play at Red Rocks, a place that’s been known for hosting the most legendary artists and musicians.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIt took a village to create Kendrick Lamar’s mind-melting new video for his song “The Heart Part 5,” which on the surface is just him performing in front of a red backdrop until you realize that his face deepfakes into those of OJ Simpson, Jussie Smollett, Nipsey Hussle, Kobe Bryant and Kanye West (who, ironically, himself dropped a video the same day using deepfake technology).While the video was directed and executive produced by Lamar and longtime collaborator Dave Free and features a host of creative collaborators (listed below), the deep fake is credited to Deep Voodoo, a studio launched by “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone to specialize in the technology — and the “The Heart Part 5” video appears to be the first fruit of a partnership between Lamar’s PGLang company and the “South Park” founders’ Park County banner to produce a new feature film for Paramount Pictures. (While Lamar, Parker, Stone and reps for PG Lang and Deep Voodoo all declined Variety’s requests for an interview about.) The Deep Voodoo studio — the name of which almost certainly was chosen in part for its phonic similarity to the term “deep doodoo” — made its first major splash late in 2020 with “Sassy Justice,” a spoof of a television investigative report on deep fakes done in collaboration with actor Peter Serafinowicz.

Outfest Screenwriting Lab has become the cornerstone of Outfest’s education and creative development programming.As the arts, media and entertainment organization celebrates its 40th anniversary, and the lab its 25th, Outfest has expanded the program with the support of partner Netflix, waiving submission fees for all applicants and providing grants for each of the selected screenwriters to help financially support them.“Everyone knows that a great film, a great series, a great story begins with the screenplay,” stated Outfest executive director, Damien S. Navarro.

EXCLUSIVE: The Game Awards and Summer Game Fest producer Geoff Keighley has partnered up with Imax to level up the two annual gaming events.

EXCLUSIVE: Cutting Edge Media Music has inked a slate partnership deal with Asbury Park Pictures, which will see it fund five of the company’s films, in exchange for the corresponding original music publishing rights. Cutting Edge’s latest deal comes on the heels of its successful, multi-year slate partnership deal with Thunder Road, of which Asbury Park is an expansion launched by Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee.

EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has renewed Pàlpito (The Marked Heart), the Spanish-language hit from Leonardo Padrón which premiered on April 20. The series has reached 68.04 million hours viewed and has hit the Top 10 in 68 countries within and beyond Latin America.

Naman Ramachandran Banijay U.K.’s Kudos has signed a creative partnership deal with “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight. Under the terms of the deal, Kudos will get a first look at future U.K. based projects originated by Knight and support the Birmingham film and TV industry.Kudos, the production company behind “Deadwater Fell” and “Grantchester,” is also producing the upcoming BBC One series “SAS Rogue Heroes,” created by Knight.

EXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) and Nordic streamer Viaplay has agreed a multi-year extension to their content partnership, bringing the likes of Kraven The Hunter, Madame Web and Morbius to the Nordics once they debut.

Before NATO Boss John Fithian and MPA Chief Charles Rivkin took the stage this AM at CinemaCon in Las Vegas,  The Batman director Matt Reeves started things off, praising exhibition, and promising theater owners, he’s in for the long haul when it comes to making movies for the big screen.

Michelle Obama will not be renewing their lucrative podcast partnership with Spotify after clashing with the streaming giant over exclusivity and how much they were expected to appear in episodes.  The former first couple are said to be looking instead for a new deal at Amazon with its Audible service, or at iHeartMedia, according to Bloomberg which first revealed that the arrangement was not being renewed.  The Obama's signed their deal with Spotify in 2019 for an undisclosed sum but it is likely to be in the realm of $30million, the amount scored by Harry and Meghan in 2019 for a multi-year deal.

EXCLUSIVE: Tori Dunlap, host of the Financial Feminist podcast, is relaunching her audio series with a new ad sales partnership deal with AdLarge and new representation.

EXCLUSIVE: Burgeoning British podcast studio Novel is making a big U.S. play, hiring senior execs from The Daily and Today in Focus, striking a partnership with UTA and opening up conversations over TV and film adaptations.

ever celebrity partner since “Beauty has always been a way for me to express myself,” Rodrigo, who has been drawing on her signature flicks of eyeliner since she was 14, tells Vogue. “I’m still figuring out what works for me,” she continues.

EXCLUSIVE: J. Miles Dale, Oscar-winning producer of The Shape of Water and nominee Nightmare Alley, has formed a creative partnership with Netflix. Dale will produce feature films under a multi-year first-look deal via his Demilo Films banner. Dale’s currently an executive producer and co-showrunner on the Netflix series Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet Of Curiosities and he is also executive producer on the Netflix series Sex/Life.

Turner Classic Movies is expanding its partnership with The Film Foundation with a multi-year financial commitment to fund education and restoration of classic movies.

Naman Ramachandran After a temporary COVID-induced pause, the Busan International Film Festival‘s Asian Film Academy, a talent incubator for emerging Asian filmmakers, is returning, in partnership with Chanel. The renamed Chanel X BIFF Asian Film Academy promises “a solid foundation for educating young promising Asian talents in a broader and more innovative way and provides the driving force to strengthen their capabilities.

The and the are delighted to announce a new headline partnership with for both the Official Americana Chart, and the association’s annual festival UK Americana Music Week and awards ceremony, taking place in January in Hackney.

Naman Ramachandran Warner Music India is set to make its debut in Bollywood soundtracks via a strategic partnership with Jjust Music.The deal will see Warner Music India make its first foray into marquee Bollywood releases, while Jjust Music’s artists will benefit from being plugged into Warner Music’s global network. The partnership’s first joint release will be an English-language pop track by Bollywood star Tiger Shroff.Jjust Music was launched by Bollywood producer and actor Jackky Bhagnani in 2019 and the label is known for singles, including “Vande Mataram” featuring Tiger Shroff, “Prada” featuring Alia Bhatt, and “Muskurayega India” featuring Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Ayushmann Khurana, Kriti Sanon, Vicky Kaushal and Taapsee Pannu.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorVariety has struck an exclusive editorial agreement with news service Film New Europe to augment its coverage of growing content markets across Eastern and Central Europe.The partnership gives Variety access to Film New Europe’s roster of top journalists dedicated to reporting on the rapid expansion of media and entertainment in 18 countries, including Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria and Croatia. At a time when global markets have never been more vital to the business of Hollywood, the alliance with Film New Europe allows Variety to bring more essential news and analysis to its audience of industry professionals.The pact is “a continuation of Variety‘s commitment to covering global show business which began, in essence, with our very first issue in 1905,” said Steven Gaydos, Variety‘s Executive Editor of Global Content, who spearheaded the deal.

Justin Bieber has a new partnership to help support those who work for him, as well as his fans.

Candle Media Founder Kevin Mayer has set out his strategy to take advantage of the wealth of deep-pocketed new buyers, as he unveils a tie-up between kids powerhouse Moonbug Entertainment and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.

Naman Ramachandran Vice Distribution has struck a content partnership deal with French media group M6 to bring over 100 hours of premium Vice content to the TV network’s AVOD platform, 6play.The lineup of Vice shows set to roll on 6play comprises the fourth season of the hit psycho-analytical documentary franchise “Thérapie,” the acclaimed documentary “Real par Soul Sisters” and the street food series “Au Camion.” Some Vice franchises are also part of the deal, notably “Dark Side of the 90s,” “Rise Up” and “The Story Of,” as well as award-winning content such as “Gaycation,” “The Trixie” and “Katya Show” and “What Would Diplo Do?”“Vice produces and distributes premium content that resonates with young audiences around the world,” said Bea Hegedus, Vice global head of distribution. Vice Distribution launched in 2020 with a catalogue of over 1,000 of programming.

CBS News and The Weather Channel have announced a partnership on weather reporting and technology.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterWWE and Fanatics have partnered on a new long-term sports and entertainment deal, Variety has learned.The deal will see Fanatics use their digital sports platform to create an enhanced experienced for WWE fans all over the world. It encompasses areas including e-commerce and licensed merchandise as well as physical, digital, and NFT trading cards.

Vanessa Bryant will keep Kobe Bryant’s name alive and has renewed their partnership with Nike in honor of the late basketball player and their daughter Gigi Bryant.According to the former model, businesswoman, and philanthropist, fans of Kobe would be able to enjoy his sneakers for many more years. “We’re excited to announce our partnership with Nike is going to continue! I am so proud that my husband’s shoes are still the most worn by players on NBA courts and that the demand for his shoes remains so desired by his fans around the world,” Vanessa said in a statement posted to Instagram.“With this new partnership, fans will soon be able to have access to Kobe and Gigi Nike products for years to come and with Nike donating 100% of the net proceeds yearly for Gianna’s shoes to our Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation (M&MSF),” she continued.The 39-year-old star said she and Nike will “establish a youth basketball center in Southern California that will share the Mamba Mentality with youth athletes for generations to come.”Vanessa thanked Kobe and Gigi’s fans for their unconditional support.

frustrating week on the Senate floor, as President Joe Biden’s Ketanji Brown Jackson has been subjected to a nonstop barrage of racist and generally offensive questioning courtesy of GOP senators like Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz. Seeing a Black woman begin the process of (hopefully) being confirmed to the should have been a watershed moment, and for many, .

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentParamount Plus, which is the global streaming service of recently rebranded Paramount — formerly ViacomCBS — has forged a three-year partnership with Gaumont, the storied French studio behind Netflix’s “Lupin” and “Narcos,” to jointly produce a slate of high-end original shows for its growing subscribers around the world.Under the partnership Gaumont will produce these series in association with Paramount’s international studio, VIS. The shows will be part of Paramount Plus’s stated plans to green light 50 new non-U.S.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSony Music Group and GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, have announced a new partnership to advance LGBTQ representation in music and amplify LGBTQ voices in the industry.According to the announcement, the partnership includes several initiatives to advance LGBTQ advocacy and inclusion at Sony Music Group and within the broader music industry:“Over the past several years, many LGBTQ artists have made major strides within the music industry, but there is still significant room to improve LGBTQ inclusion, representation, and awareness at all levels,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Sony Music Group continues to be an incredible leader for diversity, equity, and inclusion in music, and we’re grateful to partner with them to both amplify diverse LGBTQ voices and establish greater pathways to grow LGBTQ inclusion within the industry at large.” “We believe in building an industry that is as diverse as the stories our artists and songwriters tell through their music every day,” said Tiffany R.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorMushroom, Australia’s largest independent label group, and Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, a division of Universal Music Group, have announced a multi-layered global partnership to support and distribute Mushroom artists’ releases worldwide, outside of Australia and New Zealand.Under the terms of the agreement, VLMAS will provide promotion, marketing and audience label services to Mushroom’s existing US and UK infrastructure. In addition, selected Mushroom artists’ releases will be issued through UMG’s major label network, when agreed by both parties.Mushroom’s Chief Executive, Matt Gudinski said “Mushroom has been a market leader for decades in Australia and today we take another huge step in building Mushroom into a truly global brand.

Wyatte Grantham-Philips editorFootball legend Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions and the Mint Collective have agreed to a three-year partnership — which includes a deal to produce original content with a sports memorabilia collectors event set to take place later this month.This month’s inaugural event, presented by eBay and held in Las Vegas March 25-27, will also include a speaking appearance by Manning and the release of 50 co-branded collectible trading cards. Alongside the Mint Collective, Omaha Productions will develop original series and provide digital coverage of the event — where attendees can meet top collectors/experts, leading sports brands, view rare memorabilia and more.“The MINT Collective is bringing together people who love collecting and who recognize the great growth the sports memorabilia world has been experiencing,” said Manning in a statement.

Storied Media Group has promoted four executives across its Content and Client Partnership and Operations divisions. Kevin Fernandes, in charge of day-to-day operations of the company, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Operations, along with Shayna Lyga to Vice President, Content and Client Partnerships; Jonny Harris to Director, Content and Client Partnerships and Ben Rosen to Senior Editor, StoryScout.

Naman Ramachandran BAFTA and sponsor, telecommunications provider EE, are celebrating a 25 year partnership with a trailer that is playing across U.K. cinemas from Friday. The partnership is one of the longest running arts partnerships in the U.K.

EXCLUSIVE: Amblin Partners and Nordisk Film have set a multi-year renewal of their long-standing distribution partnership.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterA&E and WWE have signed a multi-year extension of their programming partnership.Under the terms of the deal, A&E has ordered more than 130 hours of new programming centered on the sports entertainment giant.“A&E is an amazing partner with an impressive lineup of signature series across its networks,” said Nick Khan, WWE president. “The expansion of our partnership will allow us to continue creating a massive slate of new content with a trusted partner, while further establishing A&E as a destination for WWE fans for years to come.”The partnership includes 35 new episodes of “Biography: WWE Legends,” which was A&E’s most-watched series of 2021.