Corporate Gossip

Please Rate and Review this Podcast!! CW: Suicide, Sexual Assault Join the Patreon for the aftershow and tons of bonus content No game developer would even think to create a dungeon troll as sinister as Bobby Kotick. Bobby's life is a video game where gobbling up cash is the mission and when it comes to retribution there is no side quest too small! When the WSJ drops a bombshell report about years of sexual harassment and toxic culture at Activsion Blizard, will Bobby Kotick finally run out of lives? Or will he respawn in the form of a trash goblin who gets bonus points for punching down? Thanks to our sponsor Borough House Creative Advertise on the Corporate Gossip Podcast Watch on YouTube Time Stamps: 00:00 - Background on Activision Blizzard 09:30 - Bobby Kotick meets Daddy Wynnbucks and becomes an adopted nepo baby, starts game publisher Activision and develops expert level skill in suing people less rich than him 29:30 - Blizzard origin story, early reports of sexual harassment 51:00 - Activision Blizzard merger, Bobby Kotick turns the company into the Triangle Shirtwaist factory while board members look the other way 56:00 - Bobby Kotick completes the CEO right of passage - bending over for the CCP! 60:00 - The lights come on and everyone realizes Bobby Kotick is a little dungeon troll Note: Activision Blizzard denied any wrongdoing, and the settlement confirms California Civil Rights Department (CRD) could not substantiate those claims. As part of the settlement, the CRD withdrew the claims related to harassment from its complaint. Links: Play Nice (book) 'Scorched earth' and big profits: How embattled gaming titan Bobby Kotick outlasts his opponents At Blizzard, groping, free-flowing booze and fear of retaliation tainted 'magical' workplace Blizzard Sets Off Backlash for Penalizing Hearthstone Gamer in Hong Kong Activision CEO Bobby Kotick Knew for Years About Sexual-Misconduct Allegations at Videogame Giant A group of Activision workers say their C.E.O. should step down. Parents Say Sexual Harassment at Activision Blizzard Led to Their Daughter's Suicide

The hosts delve into the contentious Starbucks store closures and the backlash from Reddit, sparking conversations about corporate transparency. They explore the layoffs affecting 12% of the workforce and the partner outrage over sudden closures. Meanwhile, Starbucks' CEO faces scrutiny as the turnarounds seem too slow for Wall Street. In a surprising twist, they also discuss the sentencing of Charlie Javice, revealing shocking details about her fraud case and the implications for corporate ethics.

Dive into the murky depths of Johnson & Johnson's history, exposing scandals, deception, and questionable ethics. Discover the unsettling details behind the 1982 Tylenol cyanide murders and the company's secretive practices regarding acetaminophen safety. Uncover the shady marketing tactics behind Risperdal and the disturbing impact on vulnerable populations. With insights on the FDA's ties to the industry and ongoing talc lawsuits, this discussion reveals the dark side of a household name.

A shocking investigation reveals JPMorgan's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, raising critical ethical questions. Jamie Dimon's recent troubles highlight the consequences of corporate complicity in scandal. The discussion uncovers Epstein's rise in Wall Street, exploring his connections and manipulation of powerful figures. Hear about the political fallout as House Democrats push for hearings, questioning the bank's ethics in light of disturbing new revelations. This episode dives deep into a web of wealth, crime, and corporate intrigue.

The tale of AOL and Time Warner unfolds as a cautionary story of ambition and missteps. The humorously chaotic merger highlights the peak and plummet of two tech titans, with Steve Case and Jerry Levin at the center. Nostalgia takes a turn as the cultural impact of AOL Instant Messenger is explored, alongside hilarious anecdotes from the dot-com bubble era. The fusion of corporate tactics and personal stories paints a vivid picture of a unique yet turbulent time in tech history.

In a lively discussion, the hosts tackle the wild claims surrounding AI and its dire environmental impacts. They draw parallels between tech ambitions and the Dust Bowl, highlighting the need for grounded policies. Cult dynamics within the tech industry are explored, alongside the troubling rise of surveillance capitalism. The conversation takes a humorous turn, critiquing data center placements and the philanthropic actions of tech leaders. Finally, they unveil the harsh realities of labor exploitation in the AI sector, urging for more accountability and worker protections.

Explore the tangled web of Silicon Valley as the discussion unravels Sam Altman’s rise to power, his questionable tactics, and the secrets lurking behind OpenAI’s closed doors. The hosts weave humor and irony while critiquing tech titans and the toxic work culture they create. Revelations about personal turmoil within tech families and the urgent call for ethical AI development add depth to the conversation. With a spotlight on the release of ChatGPT-5, the episode raises pressing questions about AI's impact on society and the environment.

Why is it that no one wants to see a hot guy succeed?!!!? This is the story of the three best friends, lead by Bell Air Boy Boss Sean Rad. They created Tinder and became the coolest millennials in LA, hosting parties with Jason Derulo and Kristen Doute and preparing their bank accounts for an influx of cash after being acquired by Match.com. But it's hard to read the fine print on a legal document by the light of a glow-stick! And while they were partying, Barry Diller was scheming from his megayacht. Soon, their viral app would be swiped from under them. Join the Patreon for bonus episodes! Watch on Youtube Advertise on Corporate Gossip Pictures from today's episode 10:00 - Intro 23:30 - Corporate Gossip #1: Here, put on this bedsheet and gladiator sandals, we're going to a COLLEGE TOGA PARTY!! FOR BUSINESS!! 37:00 - Corporate Gossip #2: Business daddy issues 46:00 - Corporate Gossip #3: Tinder founders - "we're stupid, BUT we're also sexual harassers, (allegedly)" 51:30 - Corporate Gossip #4: Nanci Jo Sales strikes 56:30 - Corporate Gossip #5: The VC urge to give a bunch of 20 somethings a million dollars and no oversight 1:04:00 - Corporate Gossip #6: Literally Match I Double dog dare you to find someone to be CEO who isn't a dumb creep 1:12:25 - Corporate Gossip #7: Nasty Grams from Blatt 1:15:00 - Corporate Gossip#8: Follow up & Takeaways Links: Mr. (Swipe) Right? 'Sodomy' and scandal: Tinder's thoroughly embarrassing stock-market debut A Tinder Revenge Story The revolutionary dating app made a lot of people rich. Co-founder Sean Rad didn't feel rich enough. An Open Letter to Tinder's Sean Rad from V.F.'s Nancy Jo Sales Thank you to today's sponsors! Karinas Confectioneries Ellin Lolis

The CEO of tech company Astronomer was caught at a Coldplay concert canoodling with the head of HR in a video that has since gone mega-viral. And SUDDENLY everyone is interested in what I thought was a niche topic - CEOs behaving badly!! In this emergency episode, I review the latest in the Astronomer scandal and recap my favorite executive cheating scandals that we've covered on the podcast. Correction: In an earlier version of this epiosde, I said Friends and ER were on CBS. They were not, they were on NBC. I also said Rupert Murdoch's wife was "Jerry Halloway" not "Jerry Hall." That's because I'm a millenial and I'm always thinking about the Spice Girls. Timestamps: 00:00 Astronomer 07:25 - Kevin Plank (Under Armour) 13:30 - Sergey Brin (Google) 20:00 - Les Moonves (CBS) 24:30 - SBF (FTX) 26:00 - Jack Welch (GE) 27:20 - Rupert Murdoch (NewsCorp / Fox News) I also touch on Dov Charney (American Apparel), Eddie Antar (Crazy Eddie), The Insys Sales Reps, and Vince McMahon (WWE)

Checking in before our OFFICIAL Corporate Gossip Summer Research Break! We'll be back in July with regular episodes. Join us on Patreon Sign up for the Corporate Gossip Ad program here This Brain Had a Mouth: Lucy Gwin and the Voice of Disability Nation Audubon chapter rejects offer from The Hartford to reinstate coverage BTW - we forgot to mention, but after The Hartford said they'd reinstate coverage, the Audobon chapter told the company to kick rocks!