Netflix Fires PR Chief After Use of N-Word in Meeting.
Jonathan Friedland, the chief communications officer for Netflix has been fired following “insensitive” remarks he made to his team. Sources say that Friedland used the N-word in a meeting with other Netflix members, some of whom later reported the incident. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings sent a company-wide email explaining Friedland’s firing around 12:45 p.m. PT on Friday.
Friedland, who was a former Disney executive, first joined Netflix in February 2011 as vice president of global corporate communications. A replacement for Friedland has yet to be revealed.
“I’m leaving Netflix after seven years,” said Friedland in a statement to The Hollwood Reporter. “Leaders have to be beyond reproach in the example we set and unfortunately I fell short of that standard when I was insensitive in speaking to my team about words that offend in comedy. I feel awful about the distress this lapse caused to people at a company I love and where I want everyone to feel included and appreciated. I feel honored to have built a brilliant and diverse global team and to have been part of this collective adventure in building the world’s leading entertainment service.”