A Personal Note On Nikki Finke From Mike Fleming

Earlier today, I got an urgent e-mail blast from The Wrap about Michael Douglas contracting throat cancer from cunnilingus. It was presented with the same traffic-pandering, classless urgency as similar blasts I’ve gotten from the same publication on health issues faced bravely by Angelina Jolie, again presented in an utterly sensationalized classless manner, and all based on the reporting of others. So to me, that’s The Wrap. Now, The Wrap is writing that Nikki Finke has been fired, and I don’t believe it for a moment. Nobody fires Nikki Finke. I was copied on this email that Jay Penske wrote to Wrap editrix Sharon Waxman: “Sharon, your story isn’t true and all of the ‘facts’ that you mention are completely erroneous.” As for me, I can only say this: Nikki convinced me to leave Daily Variety after 20 years, and it was the right move and I have never enjoyed collaborating with a journalist more than I have with her. I love what the reporters and editors here have built here with her guidance, it feels memorable and important, and I think we have a lot more to say and do together. Internal stuff happens from time to time and it gets worked out, despite the sensationalized reporting that amounts to wishful thinking on the part of The Wrap, which couldn’t carry Deadline’s jockstrap.

Here is an official response just sent internally:

Dear PMC Team,

As you may be aware, Sharon Waxman at TheWrap has just published a libelous, false, and defamatory story on her blog, in which she claims amongst other things that PMC has fired Nikki Finke from Deadline.

This is a complete fabrication, with not an ounce of truth to it. Just to be clear, Nikki Finke has a multi-year contract with the Company, and it is the Company’s absolute intention to continue its obligations under the agreement.

It is sad when a rival business feels the need to fabricate stories to create traffic and notoriety. Due to the defamatory and disparaging nature of some of the completely innaccurate statements made by Waxman, PMC has turned this matter over to our attorneys. Contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Lauren Gullion
Head of Communications–PMC