Wednesday News: NAL merges with Berkley, big data & advertising, Disney’s Pocahontas, and the Simpsons honor Hayao Miyazaki

JanetPublishing NewsAdvertising / anime / big data / culture / Disney / History / media / Penguin Random House / publishing / reorganization / television2 Comments

People: NAL Is Merged Into Realigned Berkley Publishing Group – Well, this is unfortunate. Berkley and NAL (New American Library) are being merged into a “new” Berkley Publishing Group, and also reorganized, with NAL focusing on non-fiction and Berkley focused on fiction, and what looks like a significant number of firings, based on President Leslie Gelbman’s announcement today:

“What have to this point been separate editorial, managing editorial, production and art departments” for Berkley and NAL will be brought together as of July 1. An unspecified number of people are having their positions eliminated as a result. A spokesperson declined to provide additional details. Gelbman writes: “A major organizational realignment always involves difficult decisions, and that is true today. After taking a long, close look at our publishing program, we have taken the step to eliminate a number of positions in our editorial, managing editorial, art, copy and production departments. I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to those who are leaving, as their individual and collective contributions to Berkley and NAL have been enormous.” –Publishers Marketplace

Big Data’s Big Impact on the Future of Advertising – I pretty much read this piece by Nielsen CEO Mitch Barns in horrified fascination, because Barns argues that advertising will be transformed by isolating “bigger” data, and, more importantly the “right” data, which means the data that allows advertisers to focus more accurately on specific consumer preferences and behavior. Because that’s not at all scary, especially in this environment where data security has become such a concern. Of course, Barns insists that privacy is super-important (but of course), but he cannot really contain his excitement over the prospect of data patterns that “allow manufacturers to identify, with extraordinary precision, what mix of advertising will most contribute to their brands’ growth prospects”:

This kind of calibration will become more and more important, because what we call big data today will not always be big enough. We are entering a world where no company will have enough data on its own to do what can now be done. Gathering truly comprehensive data will involve negotiating with multiple owners who will share their data only with those they trust to keep it safe and use it impartially. Independent data, always an important element when financial decisions are on the line, will be more vital than ever. –re/code

In Defense of Pocahontas: Disney’s Most Radical Heroine – Speaking of horrified fascination, that’s pretty much how I started this article by The Atlantic’s Sophie Gilbert that argues in defense of Disney’s Pocahontas as one of their most independent self-confident, and powerful female characters. Yeah, I know. But give the argument a shot. Although I refuse to endorse or reject the analysis without re-watching the movie first, I appreciate that Gilbert acknowledges the problems with the film (and the legitimate critiques made against it) while still making some interesting points about how Pocahontas broke the Disney heroine mold in important ways. Why write the piece now? Because the film was released twenty years ago, in 1995(!).

When asked about whether he thought the movie accurately portrayed history, the Native American actor Russell Means, who gave his voice to Pocahontas’s father, said he was shocked by how revolutionary the plot was: “The Eurocentric males are admitting why they came here—to kill Indians and to rob and pillage. That’s never been done before. This is also the first time, other than on Northern Exposure, that a human face has been put on an Indian female.”

* * *

While its interpretation of history attracted considerable criticism, less was written about the fact that Disney had, for the first time, provided an independent and fearless heroine with a strong sense of self. Pocahontas, whose marriage has been arranged by her father to a warrior named Kocoum, expresses doubt that he’ll be a good match for her, stating that he’s “so … serious.” She seeks guidance from her elders, but also knows herself well enough to intuit that she’s too unconventional for such a husband. Compared to Belle, who’s imprisoned by the Beast before eventually seeing his good side, or Ariel, who falls in love with Prince Eric at first sight, or Cinderella and Aurora and Snow White, all of whom seem to accept that their marriages are pre-ordained, Pocahontas has a remarkable amount of acuity when it comes to choosing a romantic partner—to the point where she’s able to let him go rather than sacrifice her happiness. –The Atlantic

The Simpsons Pay Wonderful Tribute to the Anime of Hayao Miyazaki – And speaking of history…

When the TV series The Simpsons first premiered on December 17, 1989, the Berlin Wall had just fallen, the internet wasn’t really a thing yet, and Taylor Swift was just four days old. While the show might not have the bite or the currency it had in the mid-90s, the series still manages to deliver some absolutely wonderful moments. Last Halloween, for instance, they did a hilarious extended riff on the works of Stanley Kubrick. But perhaps the best thing they’ve done recently is a tribute to legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. You can see the clip above. –Open Culture

Janet

isn't sure if she's an average Romance reader, or even an average reader, but a reader she is, enjoying everything from literary fiction to philosophy to history to poetry. Historical Romance was her first love within the genre, but she's fickle and easily seduced by the promise of a good read. She approaches every book with the same hope: that she will be filled from the inside out with something awesome that she didnʼt know, didnʼt think about, or didnʼt feel until that moment. And she's always looking for the next mind-blowing read, so feel free to share any suggestions!

→ Janet