In this Monday, March 16, 2015 file photo, Will Ferrell walks the red carpet for the world premiere of "Get Hard" during the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP, File)
NEW YORK (AP) --
The fate of a Lifetime TV movie featuring Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig remained unclear on Friday after the project's secrecy was spoiled.
Lifetime confirmed on Thursday that the former "Saturday Night Live" stars had taped the ominously titled "A Deadly Adoption," playing a couple who befriend a pregnant woman in hopes of adopting her child.
After word got out, Ferrell issued a statement that he and Wiig had decided it was best to forego a project they had labeled "top secret."
Michael Feeney, spokesman for Lifetime's corporate parent, A&E Networks, said Friday that it's a disappointment that news was leaked, and that "the network is in the process of deciding what to do with the project." Earlier, the network had said it would air this summer.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion … could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
