‘Bye, Zynga
Zynga said Paul Bettner and David Bettner, developers of “Words With Friends,” a mobile game it acquired with its $53.3 million purchase of the Bettners’ Newtoy Inc. in 2010, have left the company.
Monster low
Monster Worldwide shares fell 9.3 percent to $7.30, the most in two months, after a report that talks with a private-equity firm over a potential buyout had ended, DealReporter said.
Adios, Avon
Avon Products said Chairman and former CEO Andrea Jung will step down at year’s end and be replaced as chairman by lead director Fred Hassan.
Social exit
Joe Lockhart, the former White House press secretary who joined Facebook’s communications team last year as the social site approached its IPO, is leaving the company.
Deficit slims
The federal budget deficit for the just-ended 2012 fiscal year shrank by $207 billion from the prior year, but still marked its fourth straight year above $1 trillion, at $1.09 trillion.
Vilar release
Alberto Vilar, the co-founder of Amerindo Investment Advisors convicted in 2008 of stealing from clients, may be released from prison on $10 million bond while awaiting appeal, a judge ruled after being ordered by an appeals court to set bail for the onetime philanthropist and opera lover.
OSI loan
OSI Restaurant Partners, owner of Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill, will hold a lender meeting on Oct. 10 to discuss a $1 billion loan the company is seeking to refinance debt.