It was a family affair asRupert MurdochandJames Murdochhosted a glittering array of media and movie stars for a private screening of “X-Men: Days of Future Past” at New York City’s Crosby Street Hotel on Wednesday.
The 21st Century Fox event brought out the likes of VogueeditorAnna Wintour, “Black Swan” director Darren Aronofsky, “Crash” director Paul Haggis, Ivanka Trump and media mogul Jared Kushner, Fox News president Roger Ailes and astrophysicist and ” Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” host Neil deGrasse Tyson.
It also offered up further indication of James Murdoch’s rising profile in his father’s media empire. In March, James Murdoch was elevated to co-chief operating officer and given direct responsibility for Fox Networks Group. He had previously served as 21st Century Fox’s deputy chief operating officer and chairman and CEO, international.
James’ older brother, Lachlan Murdoch, was named non-exec co-chairman at News Corp. and at 21st Century Fox as part of the move.
It’s not the only high-profile event that will feature James Murdoch front and center. Next week, he will introduce Star India CEO Uday Shankar at a Paley Media Council breakfast. 21st Century Fox owns the Indian media and entertainment company.
That’s to say nothing of reports that the Murdochs have ambitions to sell Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland to British Sky Broadcasting Group in a $14 billion deal. James Murdoch previously served as non-exec chair at BSkyB, in which Fox has a controlling minority stake.
Source: Variety.com
