Warner Bros Discovery Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Zaslav faced boos from Boston University students amid his commencement speech at his alma mater.
The incident, which gained widespread attention, was fueled by the support from the graduates amid the writers' strike outside the Boston University commencement exercises.
Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav Booed
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 25: David Zaslav, Chief Executive Officer, Warner Bros. Discovery speaks during the State of the Industry and Warner Bros. Pictures Presentation at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on April 25, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The commencement exercises of Boston University graduates were like no other. The Associated Press News reports that a giant inflatable rat sat outside the Nickerson Field, where the Warner Bros Discovery boss gave his address to students. Besides that, roughly a hundred protesters stormed outside, chanting their plea, "No wages, no pages." Some were carrying signs demanding higher pay and support for writers.
And as such, attendees of the graduation rites, including graduates, family members, and professors, had to go through the writers' strike outside the stadium. Apart from the protest outside, a small plane flew above the venue, urging the Warner Bros boss to compensate the creative minds in the entertainment industry. The massive banner reads: "DAVID ZASLAV - PAY YOUR WRITERS."
As the Warner Bros Discovery president addressed the crowd in the stadium, the Boston University graduating students unified their voices, chanting, "Pay the writers!" ABC News reports the students, donning red graduation gowns, also turned their backs on the CEO while he spoke. The chant and booing during the 20-minute speech goes to show the students' support for a writers' strike.
After the event, Zaslav addressed the outburst of graduating students, "I am immensely supportive of writers." On top of that, he hopes "the strike is resolved soon and in a way that they feel recognizes their value."
In the same statement, the Warner Bros boss thanked his alma mater, Boston University, for inviting him to speak at the event. He also expresses his gratitude for the honorary degree the university conferred on him.
According to Daily Mail, Zaslav is an alumnus of Boston University. The 63-year-old exec graduated from law school way back in 1985.
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Hollywood Writers' Strike
Writers walk the picket line on the second day of the television and movie writers' strike outside of Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, California on May 3, 2023.
The Writers Guild of America, composed of roughly 11,500 Hollywood creative minds, began their strike in early May. The protest kicked off shortly after the negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to come to terms.
Since then, Hollywood writers have stormed the streets to voice their demands, including higher minimum pay for writers. They are also clamoring for more shows alongside shorter exclusive contracts amid the streaming era.
Despite that, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers claims it offered the WGA the highest first-year wage increase, among other "generous increases in compensation for writers."
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