Zuckerberg Interview, Facebook Head of News, NatGeo’s Upfront Event, Sheryl Sandberg’s New Book, TFP’s Infographic Pick of the Week

Welcome to Technology for Publishing’s roundup of news, stories of interest, and tips for media industry pros! This week, we’re sharing posts about Mark Zuckerberg’s thoughts on Facebook’s mission, the search for someone to head the platform’s news products, “Genius” and other series showcased at Nat Geo’s Upfront event, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s new book, and more.

  • Zuckerberg imageIn a recent Fast Company interview, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg delves into a wide range of topics, including his company’s mission and values (“to make the world more open and connected”), how the platform is evolving and dealing with problems like fake news (“you uncover new issues that you need to solve to get to the next level”), and where he sees the company going in the future (“whether it’s information diversity or misinformation or building common ground, these are the next things that need to get worked on”). The broad theme throughout the discussion is that Facebook is still, despite its phenomenal size and reach, a work in progress: “[Facebook is] almost at 2 billion people out of more than 7 billion in the world, so from our perspective, we are earlier on in this than later,” Zuckerberg says.
  • As a work in progress, Facebook is looking to recruit a tech/media veteran to oversee news products and efforts to curb the spread of misinformation on the platform, according to a Recode post. Sources say, however, that the company is “having trouble finding someone with both the news and technology chops necessary to fill the role.” The position, which will report to news and video VP Fidji Simo, is different from that held by TV journalist Campbell Brown, who was hired in January as chief of news partnerships.
  • Calling this week’s Upfront presentation to advertisers “Further Front” to emphasize its effort to move “beyond its famed yellow border in 2017,” National Geographic showcased “Genius,” its first scripted series, which is set to premier April 25. The network also highlighted “The Strange Rock,” a docuseries filmed around the world and in outer space “using micro- and macro-photography technology…bringing cameras where they’ve never been before,” an Adweek post says. Among other shows NatGeo highlighted: “The Long Road Home,” a military drama based on ABC News correspondent Martha Raddatz’s book; “Chain of Command,” a docuseries detailing U.S. military actions in Afghanistan; another season of “The Story of Us,” with Morgan Freeman; and “Gender Revolution,” a series from Katie Couric set to air next year.
  • As anticipated, best-selling Lean In author and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and co-author Adam Grant are releasing their new book, Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy. Available for preorder with general release on April 24, the book details how Sandberg coped following the sudden death of her husband, offering  her “personal insights with [Grant’s] eye-opening research on finding strength in the face of adversity.” As described on Amazon, Option B also tells the compelling stories of how others have “overcome hardships including illness, job loss, sexual assault, natural disasters, and the violence of war. Their stories reveal the capacity of the human spirit to persevere.”

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Posted by: Monica Sambataro

Monica Sambataro
Monica Sambataro is a contributing editor and copyeditor for Technology for Publishing. Her publishing background includes work for leading technology- and business-related magazines and websites.
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