Thre-mail

Twentieth job to Cook

A confirmation is expected imminently that marketing veteran Bob Cook will fill the post left vacant by the death of Twentieth Television president Rick Jacobson in March at the age of 48. It has been long known that Cook, a veteran of the syndication marketing and promotion scene, was being courted by Twentieth (HR 9/25). There was also speculation that Cook would play a somewhat different role in the company than Jacobson did. But sources said Wednesday that "Cook's job will be Jacobson's old job." Sources said Cook, who was most recently executive vp at CBS Enterprises, will be announced within the next week. A spokeswoman for Twentieth declined comment, and Cook could not be reached at press time. (Steve Brennan)

No Entiendo!

There were puzzled reactions Wednesday at Columbia TriStar International Television when Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca sent out a news release saying it had inked a groundbreaking deal with CTIT. "What deal? There's no deal," CTIT president Michael Grindon said when asked to comment on TV Azteca's jubilant announcement. TV Azteca, in an embarrassing faux pas, broke ground too early on talks about the possibility of CTIT and Azteca teaming to make soap operas and movies in Mexico. It would be a major development for Mexico's No. 2 broadcaster if it were indeed the case. But Grindon said: "We have no agreement with TV Azteca to make telenovelas (soaps) or TV movies. That being said, we supply them with a game show called 'Best Friends,' and they are a good client. We will be having discussions with them about future business." A major fly in the ointment for TV Azteca is that first refusal on any soaps or movies made with CTIT would have to go to Telemundo, a sister company of CTIT. TV Azteca recently launched a new U.S. operation to compete with Telemundo. (Steve Brennan)

Rage losing its cool

One of the few remaining politically charged rock bands, Rage Against the Machine, is losing a founding member. Singer/ co-songwriter/lyricist Zack de la Rocha has decided to leave the band. "I feel that it is now necessary to leave Rage because our decision-making process has completely failed," de la Rocha said. "It is no longer meeting the aspirations of all four of us collectively as a band and, from my perspective, has undermined our artistic and political ideal. I am extremely proud of our work, both as activists and musicians, as well as indebted and grateful to every person who has expressed solidarity and shared this incredible experience with us." The band was formed in L.A. during the '90s. (Tamara Conniff)