• TikTok is looking to shed its label as a Chinese social media app and rebrand itself, according to people familiar with the discussions, as the social media company faces mounting scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and regulators. Employees and advisers to the company, which has already minimized Chinese content on the app, have suggested expanding operations in Southeast Asia and rebranding in the United States. (The Wall Street Journal)

• Airbnb Inc. said it has signed a sponsorship deal with the International Olympic Committee that will cover the next five Olympics until 2028, which people briefed on the talks said is worth $500 million. The extensive sponsorship, the first of its kind for the rental property company, will include games in Beijing, Paris, Milan and Los Angeles — cities that are among Airbnb’s largest markets for private accommodation rentals worldwide. (Financial Times)

• Interpublic Group of Cos.’ McCann Worldgroup is one of several advertising agencies said to be reconsidering their membership in the American Association of Advertising Agencies, according to three people close to the matter, as agencies’ budgets continue to tighten. McCann Worldgroup, which spends around $250,000 in dues for the 4A’s, declined to confirm that it is considering exiting the advertising lobbyist group. (Ad Age)

Martin Sorrell denies slapping former WPP protégé
Alex Barker, The Financial Times

Martin Sorrell was involved in an explosive confrontation last week in which the advertising mogul is alleged to have slapped the face of one of his old WPP protégés.

‘It’s super wonky’: Ahead of Black Friday, ad buyers and brands are having issues with Facebook’s Ads Manager
Kristina Monllos, Digiday

Ad buyers are fed up with Facebook Ads Manager. They have dealt with multiple issues in recent months that has led to lackluster campaign performance.

Ad buyers to TikTok: Make it easier to buy ads
Deanna Ting, Digiday

TikTok has attracted a variety of brands, from Chipotle to Ralph Lauren, and even U.S. Presidential candidates, but it still has work to do in terms of making it easier for advertisers to use and keeping TikTok in their regular media plans. 

What Ads Are Political? Twitter Struggles With a Definition
Kate Conger, The New York Times

Twitter has said it will ban all political ads. But what is or isn’t a political message is often in the eye of the beholder.

NFL, MLB Players Tie Up With Private Equity to Boost Videogame, Card Revenue
Miriam Gottfried et al., The Wall Street Journal

Professional football and baseball players have long made money from their likenesses in videogames and on trading cards. 

The Streaming Era Has Finally Arrived. Everything Is About to Change.
Brooks Barnes, The New York Times

Once a generation, Hollywood experiences a seismic shift. It is happening again.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Netflix and Disney Battle Hallmark for Christmas Viewers
R.T. Watson, The Wall Street Journal

Streaming services enter the fray to take on the cable channels that have dominated the holiday movie binge.

Campbell’s Secures Prime Real Estate At Walmart In Deal With Hallmark Channel
Jeanine Poggi, Ad Age

‘Joy Night In’ campaign includes cooking demos at Walmart stores and integrations in Hallmark holiday movies.

Carlyle Blasted by Elizabeth Warren Over Taylor Swift Songs
Jennifer Surane, Bloomberg

The private equity industry has once again drawn the ire of Senator Elizabeth Warren — this time over its financing of a record label.

In Prime Time, Two Versions of Impeachment for a Divided Nation
Michael M. Grynbaum, The New York Times

At a historic moment, viewers turn to MSNBC and Fox News, reflecting a sharp political divide.

Sara Lee reacts to Harry Styles’ raunchy ‘SNL’ sketch
Eric Hegedus, The New York Post

Nobody doesn’t like Sara Lee — except maybe during a threesome.

James Charles Announces New YouTube Makeup Competition Series
Amy Lee‍, Entertainment Tonight

The 20-year-old YouTube star announced on Friday that he will be a host, mentor and executive producer on a new competition series for YouTube Originals, where aspiring makeup creatives take on innovative challenges to become the next big thing in the beauty influencer world.

How Conde Nast plans to make money from Instagram TV
Max Willens, Digiday

Condé Nast wants to change the way it makes money from Instagram, so it is taking a second stab at Instagram TV.

Inside the Disintegration of Colin Kaepernick’s NFL Workout
Andrew Beaton, The Wall Street Journal

Between issues over a liability waiver and the event’s transparency, the acrimony between Kaepernick and the NFL proved insurmountable for the unprecedented event.

WeWork May Lay Off Thousands
Peter Eavis and Mike Isaac, The New York Times

The beleaguered office space company is said to be planning to cut its work force by at least a third in a bid to stabilize its business.

Trump Retreats From Flavor Ban for E-Cigarettes
Annie Karni et al., The New York Times

Advisers say the president pulled back from proposed restrictions intended to curb teenage vaping after he was warned of the political fallout among voters.

Rent the Runway and Nordstrom have big plans to reshape retail
Elizabeth Segran, Fast Company

Rent the Runway, the decade-old clothing rental platform now valued at $1 billion, is expanding its partnership with heritage department store Nordstrom. 

FAA Chief Explores Overhaul of Plane Approvals After 737 MAX Crashes
Benjamin Katz and Andy Pasztor, The Wall Street Journal

Administrator Stephen Dickson said in an interview regulators should be talking with plane makers as new jets are developed.

How Natural Wine Became a Symbol of Virtuous Consumption
Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker

The mainstreaming of natural wines has brought niche winemakers capital and celebrity, as well as questions about their personalities and politics.

Haven’t Started Christmas Shopping? These People Are Already Done
Anne Marie Chaker, The Wall Street Journal

Hyper-organized millennials and bargain-conscious moms are wrapping up their holiday shopping before most people even start. And retailers are pushing promotions even earlier.

Amazon adds new ‘Amazon Pharmacy’ branding to PillPack and promotes its CEO
Christina Farr, CNBC

PillPack, the Internet pharmacy it acquired last year, has updated its logo to “PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy.”

Everyone’s obsessed with brand purpose. Too bad no one understands it
Scott Omelianuk, Fast Company

Just as the subprime mortgage crisis was turning into the Great Recession, I was asked to remake the iconic This Old House, the original home improvement brand, which included television shows, websites, a magazine, and other businesses. 

Au naturel trend a problem for cosmetics sector
Lisa Fickenscher, The New York Post

Hollywood’s fascination with the #nomakeup selfie is starting to take a toll on the cosmetics industry.

Her Lifestyle Brands Include Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba
Monica Corcoran Harel, The New York Times

Nicole Quinn of Lightspeed Ventures helps celebrities tap into their entrepreneurial potential.