Dave Beanes has been named executive VP and general manager of Universal Operations Group, filling the position vacated last month by Jim Watters. Beanes previously served as sr. VP of production services, Universal Operations Group, a role he held since May 2001. He had also been VP of production services since January 2000.
In his new capacity, Beanes will have responsibility for Studio Operations, including production and postproduction facilities, and ancillary production support departments. In addition, he will oversee and manage the company’s real estate of more than 2 million square feet of office and production support space within Universal’s 392 acres.
For nearly two decades Beanes has been a valuable resource to NBCUniversal and has built extensive relationships inside and outside the company. Before joining the Universal Operations Group, he served as VP of Television Production for Universal Television from 1995-97 and VP, Television Production, Studios USA Television from 1997-99.
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More