Group Black and NBCUniversal Partner to Accelerate Inclusive Investment Across NBCUniversal's Content Portfolio

News provided by

Jun 19, 2023, 07:00 ET

Group Black will exclusively work with NBCUniversal to scale and sell ads within Black-led content including Black-led comedies, cinema and dramas

NEW YORK, June 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Group Black, a modern media company with the largest collective of Black-owned media, and NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies, announced that they will be entering an exclusive partnership aimed to amplify Black-led content today and beyond. Through Black Excellence 365, NBCUniversal has curated a collection of Black-led and diverse content for exclusive marketing and sale by Group Black, growing full-year advertising opportunity and investment in the Black-owned ecosystem.

Through this partnership, Group Black will have exclusive access to sell ads within premium Peacock AX programming that features Black-led dramas, Black-led comedies, and Black-led cinema, as well as a curated collection of NBCUniversal content that amplifies Black voices. Black Excellence 365 will give marketers and advertisers the opportunity to work with Group Black to increase their scale while continuing to buy in familiar formats with best-in-class NBCUniversal measurement for effectiveness.

With Group Black having exclusive selling rights, the partnership will allow the majority of client ad spend to be funneled back into the Black-owned media ecosystem further fueling Group Black's mission to dramatically transform the face of media ownership and investment which includes supporting Black content creatives

"The scale of investment that NBCUniversal has made into Black audiences is the first of its kind, making this pioneering partnership a major step towards growing diverse voices in general media," said Bonin Bough, Group Black's co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer. "It is a clear example of the power of our mission at Group Black and the effectiveness of our strategy to provide more scale and solutions that deliver against brand goals while unlocking the spending power of diverse audiences."

"What we know is that brands want content that is premium, brand safe, and also provides the amplification that streaming can give," said Cavel Khan, Group Black's Chief Growth Officer. "This partnership shows that it is possible to listen to what brands want, but still invest in the Black-owned pipeline. Through this collaboration, we are showcasing the value we can bring together that we cannot accomplish individually."

"Creating long-lasting change and impact across audiences is vital, and I am incredibly proud that NBCUniversal is partnering with Group Black to move the industry forward in a meaningful way," said Peter Blacker, EVP, Streaming & Data Products and Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Global Advertising and Partnerships, NBCUniversal. "This partnership demonstrates how NBCUniversal is collaborating with the industry on innovative ways to connect with the full spectrum of identities and communities across the globe."

"NBCUniversal takes great pride in developing strategies and partnerships to amplify a focus on diverse and inclusive content and talent in front of and behind the camera and encouraging investment in powerful growth segments," said Carla Kelly, SVP, Client Partnerships, Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal.

This collaboration was born out of a request from brands for more content that authentically reflects diverse audiences – audiences that were traditionally underserved. Brands know that growth opportunities lie in these communities, but currently, there isn't enough scale to meet the demand. In a study done by Nielsen, it was found that 55% of Black viewers are more likely to buy from brands that advertise in inclusive content, making this partnership between NBCUniversal and Group Black an answer that brands have been searching for when it comes to inclusive advertising that delivers on business growth.

About Group Black

Group Black is where culture calls home. Group Black's objective is to build the largest collective of Black-owned media and diverse creators by actively deepening the pipeline of media dollars allocated to Black-owned media businesses and by investing in the next generation of innovative and equitable media. It is composed of two divisions, Group Black Media and Group Black Ventures, with the simple mission to dramatically transform the face of media investment and ownership. Group Black seeks to connect a diverse generation looking for content and experiences that reflect who they are. (www.groupblack.co)

About NBCUniversal

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.

SOURCE Group Black