iHeartMedia’s Post

It’s Black History Month!  While we at BSI support this month of “celebration" - we remind the industry to forge ahead with equitable actions at all times, across the year. Black Owned Media is a moral imperative with critical business impact. In this NPR interview, we learn about the important role that black owned media serves in HUMANIZING, instead DEMONIZING the black experiences in America. If not for Black press through the generations, there would be no accountability for the adverse actions against the black community at large. Owning the narrative is owning the future. https://lnkd.in/gWRu7Uga

On this Juneteenth, how about we free Black content from its captive state. While many of the decision-makers in advertising are frolicking in the South of France right now, I wonder if anyone is broaching the topic of the placement of Black content. The current cycle goes something like this: >Black Consumers: “where is the content that tells our stories; shows our perspective; gives a fuller picture of Black life?” >Networks: “we hear you; we want to be more equitable with our programming; we have to do better and we will!” >Black Consumers: “great, love to hear it!” >Networks: identifies Black creatives, produces content featuring Black talent, and promptly places content on subscription-only streaming platform only to cancel when the audience doesn’t follow suit This pattern is a clear indication that networks don’t value the content or they only view the Black consumer as a cash cow. Neither perspective is acceptable. #actualequity #canneslions2024 #diversityinadvertising #diversityequityinclusioninmedia #diversityinmedia #juneteenth #justathought

"If we had to do an advertising campaign to combat bias, prejudice and racism in advertising (DEI), what would we do? I hope we'd do more than showing Black people being treated badly." I posted this in a private group. And realized it's a public question that deserves an answer. Who is the target audience for making advertising more inclusive? Why is adv. not more inclusive? What action do we want the target audience to take? How will we gauge results? What timeframe for change do we have? What are the major barriers to change? I just came from the The One Club TheOneClub "Where Are All The Black People" conference, and that space was packed with Black and Brown faces wanting into advertising. Please do not move your copulating lips to say, Black people don't know about advertising as a career." We know. Now, realizing that we know about advertising. We can go deeper than that tired ass trope? Please. Who is the target audience for our message? Come on, you can say it.

We must remember this is not history, it is happening today. Take a moment and research the locations in the world today where slavery exists. Inform yourself about human trafficking. Canada has recently passed legislation attempting to combat human trafficking (slavery) by requiring organizations to report and remove these from supply chains. There is substantial risk of human slavery with low cost/cheap goods. Be part of the answer in removing human slavery, ask about the supply chain, discover if it uses child labor or adult human trafficking.

How do you convey your heartfelt gratitude to an exceptional team and an incredible alliance of cultural partners who birthed an idea that’s never existed before (a theme park celebrating the richness of Black culture)? How can you adequately express your appreciation to those daring advertisers that ventured to invest in a mere vision etched on a piece of paper? And how do you find words to articulate your deepest thanks to a global icon who ignites a fire within within every team he leads to dream on an unprecedented scale? The truth is, words alone cannot capture the magnitude of the gratitude. So, instead, we place our bets on the outcome, demonstrating that every ounce of effort and every resource invested has not been in vain. This past weekend, that’s exactly what we did. And we won — all of us. Together. To those advertisers who use "lack of inventory” as a pretext for their reluctance to invest in Black-owned media, I would simply say: You’re not being creative enough. As an example, one month ago, REVOLT WORLD was a mere concept, and today it is poised to resonate with millions across the globe. The achievement was made possible by a select few brands that were willing to envision the boundless potential of the future with us. To each and every one of you, our profound thanks. Walmart - Presenting Partner Sponsors: PepsiCo, McDonald's, Ally and State Farm https://lnkd.in/gdavAWKv

If we and to get to a place where all lives matter, then we have to make sure that black lives matter, too. - Alicia Garza 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁! #BlackHistoryMonth #StillServingU #BuyingandSellingwithME #ICanHelpU2

My Code is promoting the fact that #BlackHistoryMonth provides a significant opportunity for brands to build deeper connections, relevance, and trust with Black consumers. Their data show Black consumers are paying close attention and are very aware of how brands have invested in The Culture. • 71% of Black adults say Black History Month is very important to them • 72% say they want to see more brands present at events rooted in Black culture �� 67% of Black adults prefer to buy from brands that support the Black community Download My Code’s report on The Power of Values-Driven Marketing to Black Consumers. https://lnkd.in/gXdqpEX5

🚀 Did you know? Black consumers lead the charge on social media platforms. Let's celebrate the vibrant voices shaping our digital communities! #BlackExcellence #socialmedia ✨ Learn more about our FOCUS Black study here: https://buff.ly/3QEfNoB

♥️ Valentine's Day Promo: Highlight a special promotion or sale 🖤 Black History Month Spotlight: Share stories, contributions, or achievements of Black individuals in your industry. You could also highlight how your business supports diversity and inclusion. 🤍 Behind-the-Scenes: Give a glimpse of your team hard at work. This could be tied to a February theme, like preparing for a spring launch. 🤎 Educational Content: Share tips or insights related to your industry that are particularly relevant. For instance, if you're in finance, you might talk about preparing for tax season. #contentideas #februarycontent #valentinesday #contentmarketing

"Multicultural America" is America. Learn how to reach and resonate with Black consumers by joining us on November 14th for our free webinar. It will cover best practices for reaching Black consumers through smart media buying and culturally sound creative and messaging. Register below!