THE WRAP's Jethro Nededog reported News Corp. Senior Exec VP DAVID HILL "will oversee production" on Fox' "American Idol" and "The X Factor." A network rep "emphasized that Hill is not a replacement" for former Fox Alternative Programming President MIKE DARNELL, as the company is "continuing to search for candidates." Hill will act as Fox' supervising exec for the shows in their upcoming seasons, and "will then help the new reality chief transition into the shows for future seasons" (THEWRAP.com, 6/5). Hill also is "leading the launch efforts" of Fox Sports 1, which debuts in August (BROADCASTINGCABLE.com, 6/6).
BRANCHING OUT: FORTUNE's Adam Lashinsky writes William Morris Endeavor co-CEO ARI EMANUEL is "trying to transform" his Hollywood talent firm, which had roughly $400M in revenues in '12, "into a significant corporation." Emanuel has "set about building WME into a media, marketing, and investment company." WME's client roster is "diverse," and includes the UFC. The "sense of urgency" for Emanuel is "fueled by his intention to diversify WME, moving it away from a consolidating entertainment industry." It is "widely believed that WME will bid for the remnants of IMG" (FORTUNE, 6/10 issue).
THE AFTER PARTY: The Ravens “gathered again at the White House on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate" their Super Bowl championship with President BARACK OBAMA. There were a “few notable no shows” among the players, who mostly were “dressed in suits and ties avoiding any criticism about proper attire like they did in 2001 when they made their last visit here.” Obama was “quite the host” as he “covered most of the issues in 2012 from the injuries” to former LB RAY LEWIS’ retirement to QB JOE FLACCO’s new contract to WR JACOBY JONES’ appearance on ABC's “Dancing with the Stars” (Baltimore SUN, 6/6).
NAMES: Golfer DUSTIN JOHNSON will have TaylorMade-adidas Golf VP KEITH SBARBARO "caddying for him this week as well as next week at the U.S. Open at Merion.” Johnson’s full-time caddie, BOBBY BROWN, is “expecting the birth of a child any day.” Sbarbaro has “quite a bit of experience caddying for Johnson in the past, including" at the Presidents Cup in '11 (MYRTLEBEACHONLINE.com, 6/4)….Wizards C JASON COLLINS, for the first time since he came out as gay, will be “back in Boston” tonight for the Red Sox’ “Pride Night.” Collins on Saturday will “march in the Boston Pride Parade with his college roommate,” Massachusetts state Rep. JOSEPH KENNEDY III (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/6)....Pro Football HOFer DAN MARINO has joined Corporate Resource Services as a shareholder and business development advisor (CRS)….Knicks F CARMELO ANTHONY appeared Tuesday night with designer TOMMY HILFIGER and rapper SWIZZ BEATZ at the Gordon Parks Foundation Awards dinner at the Plaza Hotel in N.Y. (N.Y. POST, 6/6)….The Multi-Unit Foodservice Operator Conference announced that Louisville men’s basketball coach RICK PITINO will deliver the keynote address during the MUFSO SuperShow Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in Dallas (MUFSO)….Former NBAer CHARLES OAKLEY sold his three-bedroom condo in Chicago’s South Loop for $900,000 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/6)….Basketball HOFer JULIUS ERVING today appeared on “CBS This Morning” to discuss the upcoming NBA TV documentary “The Doctor,” which airs Monday at 9:00pm ET (THE DAILY).
