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'It's Early Days for L.A.': The Mayor and the Chairman on the City's Tech Future

'It's Early Days for L.A.': The Mayor and the Chairman on the City's Tech Future

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'It's Early Days for L.A.': The Mayor and the Chairman on the City's Tech Future

The mayor of Los Angeles and the chairman of one of the city's largest startups weighed in today on what they see for the future of Los Angeles. Mayor Eric Garcetti penned an opinion piece laying out why he thinks the city's tech sector is poised for rapid growth, and what he's doing to ensure that growth reflects the diverse face of L.A. That vision is in keeping with the view of Snap Chairman Michael Lynton. In an exclusive interview with dot.LA's Tami Abdollah, he said he sees L.A.'s diversity — in "business, culture, academics, you name it"— as the city's great strength.

Today's stories

On a late afternoon, after a long, drawn-out game of phone tag, Michael Lynton put off his family dinner for just a while longer to talk. The former CEO of Sony Pictures has been notoriously press shy since hackers calling themselves "Guardians of Peace" leaked a trove of confidential -- and sometimes embarrassing -- data plucked from the studio's servers.

And, since taking over in 2016 as chairman of Santa Monica-based Snap Inc., he's chosen to stay mostly out of the media's glare. In his first wide-ranging interview in years, Lynton did not hold back: "I will be a little controversial here." >>

Los Angeles is in the midst of a once-in-a-generation moment.

Last year, Schroders Global Cities Index ranked Los Angeles as the most economically vibrant city in the world and the best city for investment. Our metropolitan economy is the world's third largest in economic performance. And in six years we have cut the unemployment rate by more than half. >>

The owner of consumer rewards site SwagBucks bought the digital coupon-cutter company CouponCause Monday, expanding its e-commerce brands as it bulks up its consumer data and analysis business.

Parent company Prodege did not disclose terms of the deal on Monday but said it will absorb the Santa Monica-based company at its El Segundo headquarters where it keeps a live tracker of gift cards redeemed from around the world. >>

Venture-backed NEXT Trucking has laid off nearly 20 percent of its workforce as trade tensions have put pressure on the Southern California ports where it is concentrated.

The company had been on a fast track for growth as it sought to bring a sleek tech-sensibility to the grimier port logistics industry. Layoffs of 65 of its 300 workers will take effect on March 17, according to a document filed with state's Employment Development Department. >>