Jay D. Roth, national executive director of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), announced that Frank Bennett Gonzalez will take on an expanded role in overseeing the Guild’s diversity efforts.
“Frank’s commitment to increasing diversity in DGA-covered categories has been a valuable asset to our Guild,” said Roth. “And that benefit will continue to grow as he steps into this expanded role designed to strengthen the diversity programs and resources available to our membership.”
As executive in charge of Diversity Programs and Committees, Gonzalez will manage the DGA’s expanded diversity programs including the DGA Director Development Initiative–a networking and educational program launched in January–which prepares members for opportunities to further their television directing careers; as well as an upcoming director mentorship program. He will also continue to coordinate the DGA’s diversity strategy in concert with the Guild’s Diversity Task Force and committees. Gonzalez reports to Bryan Unger, associate national executive director.
Prior to joining the DGA in 2014, Gonzalez worked for more than 13 years on diversity initiatives for the Disney/ABC Television Group, most recently serving as director of creative talent development, where he spearheaded and expanded keystone creative initiatives and talent development programs such as the Disney/ABC Writing Program and the Disney/ABC-DGA Directing Program. In that position, Gonzalez also worked closely with the entertainment guilds and built strong relationships with community arts organizations. Gonzalez earned an MFA from the UCLA School of Film & Television Producers Program and a B.A. in Film Studies from UC Irvine.
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