HM NEWSLETTER: EDITION SIX
Call for Diversity in Media: The Power of Authentic Storytelling
Last week, I attended Advertising Week in New York City. One of the highlights was speaking at The Female Quotient’s #EqualityLounge, an initiative dedicated to providing women with a platform at industry-leading conferences. The panel was a powerful reminder of the importance of promoting gender diversity in our field. It was a dynamic exchange of ideas and a step towards closing the gender gap in advertising.?
For the first time, women represent 51% of CMOs, but the statistics reveal that we still have much work to do. In the world of advertising, women account for just 35.3% of creative directors and a mere 1% of agency owners. We have to make a more conscious effort to elevate the voices of women in advertising.
I attended activations and brand experiences that celebrated culture and creativity, however, I noticed one undeniable truth that still prevails – cultural diversity wasn’t as present as it could have been on the main stage at Advertising Week. Thank goodness for Shelley Zalis and The Female Quotient for making space for women like me and my fellow diverse panelists.?
While I joined several activations that aimed to represent and uplift diverse voices, I couldn’t help but notice the underrepresentation of Black executives and creatives in the event’s spotlight. And oftentimes we are limited to only speak on topics specific to our community based on race and certain stereotypes, and not given as many opportunities to speak based on our technical and professional expertise. This observation led me to reflect on the profound impact that this lack of representation has on media, storytelling, and the portrayal of people of color, especially the Black community.?
My whole career has been about breaking the paradigms of what others think it is to be Black. And this why I’m so passionate about getting more stories out there – giving our voices as many platforms as possible. That is exactly what we are doing at Hero Media Inc. With over 20 Hero Originals in development, we aim to fill in the gaps, and shine a new light on the Black experience. From travel, to culinary arts, finance, investigative journalism and so much more, we are building a foundation to revolutionize storytelling and give multicultural audiences authentic stories we can all relate to.?
- Lauren Maillian , President, Digital Innovation
HERO MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
Cinneah El-Amin: The 9-to-5 Hottie’s Path to Financial Freedom
In a world where financial independence and living your best life seems mutually exclusive, Cinneah El-Amin stands out as a beacon of hope and inspiration for fellow 9-to-5ers. From living paycheck-to-paycheck to doubling her income and becoming 100% debt free in five years, this self-proclaimed 9-to-5 Hottie managed to defy all odds and achieve financial success – without sacrificing her love for luxury travel – all at 26. Cinneah’s resilience, determination and savvy use of her corporate skills have not only transformed her life, but also led her to launch Flynanced?, a finance and career platform to empower Black women to take control of their finances.
Cinneah’s financial journey began with a common struggle that many young professionals face. Despite landing her first “big girl job” and obtaining a salary described as great “for a younger person’, Cinneah found herself living off credit cards and sinking into debt. In 2018, El-Amin officially hit financial rock bottom when faced with a daunting credit card balance of $10,000+ that was due in full and no way to pay it off. This moment marked the beginning of her financial transformation. Immersing herself in the realm of debt-free living and financial management, she spent 2019 honing her budgeting skills, developing financial discipline, and working closely with a financial coach. By January 15, 2020, Cinneah’s debt totaled $23,022. However, by year’s end, she had successfully climbed out of her financial hole, attaining a debt-free status.?
But Cinneah’s pursuit of financial success didn’t end with debt elimination. As part of her financial transformation, El-Amin strategically leveraged her existing skills to move up the corporate ladder and swiftly increase her income. By September 2022, she had achieved an impressive net worth of $100,000 and secured an annual salary of $186,000 at 26, ultimately doubling her initial career salary of $72,000.?
In the midst of her journey, Cinneah also launched Flynanced. Initially intended as a personal documentation of her path towards financial freedom, this platform quickly evolved into a thriving community tailored for Black women. Its mission: To empower them to claim their worth, start building generational worth, and live their dream lifestyle without acquiring debt. Now, at 28, El-Amin has transitioned into her full-time entrepreneurship era. After being laid off by her most recent employer in February 2023, she’s decided to redirect her time and energy towards her business, helping women everywhere find financial freedom while living luxuriously.?
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HERO MEDIA BITES
Through the “Inclusive Media Initiative,” spearheaded in conjunction with video advertising company Pixability and Whalar, YouTubers for the first time will be able to self-select how they identify regarding their race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender and disabilities.
65% of Black Gen Zers believe that too many brands have not done enough research on including racial and ethnic diversity in their advertising, and 31% have been dissatisfied with the portrayals of their race and ethnicity in advertising.?
Ebony Media Group has partnered with Lionsgate to launch Ebony TV by Lionsgate, a new FAST channel geared to Black audiences.
Just a few months after Macro lined up a new $90 million round of investment, Hollywood went on strike. Charles D. King, Macro’s CEO and founder, has been using his entrepreneurial drive to make the best of a tough situation.