The only industry conference devoted exclusively to African-American marketing, media and consumer research

Receive thousands of dollars in new data from the nation's leading sources and experts in African-American consumer research -- all for one low registration fee.

Plan now to attend one of the industry's most anxiously awaited annual events. This is the most comprehensive and accessible conference on African-American consumer research. It is the ideal environment to explore new trends and business opportunities. Share information and insights with top executives and decision makers.

Registration for the Summit typically reaches "sold-out" capacity. You'll want to reserve your place as soon as possible. Stay in one of Chicago's most luxurious hotels and enjoy the city's summer attractions, including the food, music and fireworks at the Taste of Chicago.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE SUMMIT WORKBOOK WITH PRESENTATION DECKS.



SUMMIT PANELS AND PRESENTATIONS

SUMMIT AGENDA

MONDAY, JULY 2^ND

8:00      Welcoming Remarks and Introductions

9:00      The Buying Power of Black America
Presenter:         Ken Smikle, President
                        Target Market News

Target Market News will review findings in its 13^th annual edition of its report on black households expenditures. The latest trends will be offered in how African-Americans are changing their purchasing habits on such items as cars, food, consumer electronics, clothing, leisure activities and more. This is the nation's most widely quoted source of information on where African-Americans’ dollars are being spent.
 
10:00    What’s Black About It: Understanding Black Consumer Attitudes
Presenter:         Pepper Miller, President
                        The Hunter-Miller Group

Being sensitive to cultural, social and demographic changes that have occurred among African-American can have a tremendous impact on the accuracy of your research and marketing efforts. Presenter Pepper Miller has more than 25 years of expertise in psychographic research on black consumers for Fortune 500 clients. 

11:00    The Urban Radio Market: Arbitron’s Black Radio Report
Presenter:         Julian Davis, Director of Urban Radio
                        Arbitron Inc.

Urban radio is changing. Satellite and high definition are presenting marketers with new challenges and opportunities. As the medium with the greatest penetration in reaching black audiences, you’ll want to hear how the latest developments will impact your radio buys. Julian Davis will share new research from Arbitron/Scarborough on why the urban radio audience remains is so unique, and how you can use radio more effectively in targeting to African-Americans consumers.

12:00    Luncheon Session

1:00      Three Years and Counting: Black Consumers and the 2010 Census
Presenter:         Marilyn D. Stephens, Information Services Specialist
                        U.S. Census Bureau

Planning for the 2010 Census is moving full steam ahead. In addition to the changes that will be introduced in the count, there are new statistics that are useful already available from the American Community Survey. These data are bringing new insights on the African-American market and will surely impact how it’s viewed in the near future. You’ll want to hear how the current findings affect your marketing and media planning. This session has always been one of our most anticipated, and this year will be no exception.

2:00      The How-To of Buying African-American Media
Presenter:         Deborah Gray-Young, Vice President and Director of Media
                        And Strategic Services
                        E. Morris Communications
                        Clients: Tyson Foods, Illinois Department of Tourism

                        Camellia Ware, Vice President/Director of Media Services
                        UniWorld Group
                        Clients: Ford-Lincoln/Mercury, Burger King, GlaxoSmithKline                  
 
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Reaching black consumers through today’s mix of media options presents numerous challenges for media buyers. What elements go into crafting an effective media strategy? How can you tap into your target customers without overspending? Hear what the best in the business factor into their equations for success.

3:00      Marketing and Street Cred In The Post-Imus Era
Presenters:       Len Burnett, Group Publisher
                        Vibe Magazine

                        Cliff Franklin, President
                        FUSE Advertising
                       
How will advertising targeting African-Americans be changed by the Don Imus incident? Will less emphasis be placed on ads being edgy? Will advertisers still try to seek so-called street cred for their brands? Our panel of marketing execs, creatives and researchers will reflect on the possible changes ahead.

4:00      The Universal Truth: Developing Creative that Resonates with African-American Consumers
Presenter:         J.P. James, Director of Strategic Planning
                        UniWorld Group           
                        Clients: Ford-Lincoln/Mercury, Burger King, GlaxoSmithKline

More times than not, African-American ad agencies and marketers are forced to use positioning and insights when developing African American Marketing Communications.  The result is creative that is seen but does not resonate with the African American Consumer.  When marketers take an consumer centric approach to their integrated marketing communications, the result is an understanding of a product/services' Universal Truth and how that truth lives within the African-American consumer market. UniWorld Group's J.P. James will talk about strategies for this effective approach to marketing communications.

5:00      End of Day Reception

6:30      MAAX AWARDS RECEPTION

7:30      THE 2007 MARKETING TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS WITH EXCELLENCE (MAAX)
             AWARDS

Join us as we pay tribute to the outstanding achievements and lifetime accomplishments of the honorees of the second annual MAAX Awards.

Advertising Executive of the Year: Eugene Morris, Chairman and CEO, E. Morris Communications
 
 Media Executives of the Year: Catherine L. Hughes, Chairperson and Founder, Radio One; and
 Alfred C. Liggins, III, Chief Executive Officer and President, Radio One
 
 Marketing Executive of the Year: Gwen Kelly, Senior Marketing Manager, African American Initiatives, Wal-Mart
 
 Research Executive of the Year: Pepper Miller. President, Hunter-Miller Group
 
 Public Relations Executive of the Year: Michelle Flowers, President and CEO, Flowers Communications Group
 
 Lifetime Achievement Award:  Carol H. Williams, CEO and Chief Creative Officer, Carol H. Williams Advertising
 
 
TUESDAY, JULY 3^RD

8:00      Welcome and Recap

9:00      Current Trends That Effect How We Market and Advertise To The African American Community
Presenter:         Ron Franklin, Executive Vice President, Director of Research & Planning
                        GlobalHue
                        Clients: Wal-Mart, Chrysler, Verizon,
                        President, NSights Worldwide, LLC.

Always one of the most anticipated presentations of the Summit, Ron Franklin will offer key insights and trends that impact marketing strategy. These observations from the Franklin, affectionately known as the dean of African-American researchers, are invaluable to all those engaged in developing marketing initiatives targeting black consumers.


10:00    Controversial Talk and the Black Consumer
Presenter:         Cheryl Mayberry-McKissack, President
                        Nia Enterprises, Inc.

What's the connection between Black consumers' perceptions of controversial language and images in the media--such as use of the n-word--and their decisions to buy products or patronize media outlets? Nia Enterprises examined this question in a 2007 survey of 500 African-American men and women ages 18-54 associated with its NiaPulse online research panel. This presentation will present the results and discuss their relevance to recent events.

11:00    Marketing & Ministries: Is There Really A Black Christian Market?
Presenters:       Pam Perry, President
                        Ministry Marketing Solutions, Inc.

                        Hugh Brown, Director of Urban Marketing
                        The Media Audit

                        Melanie Few, President
                        Results, Inc.

More and more marketers are seeking ways to tap into the black Christian consumer market. The available targeted media to this segment is growing, and more mega-churches are establishing marketing programs and networks that encourage corporations to partner with them. How large is the opportunity? What are some of the basic do’s and don’ts? This session will make you savvier and give you a preview to our upcoming Marketing & Ministries Summit this fall.

12:00    Luncheon Session

1:00      Advertising Impact Effectiveness Study
Presenter:         Djuana Stoakley, Senior Research and Strategy Manager
                        Burrell Communications Group
                        Clients: Toyota, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble, General Mills

                        Sarah Patterson, Senior Vice President
                        Strategic Planning and Research
                        Burrell Communications Group

                        Daniel Murphy, CEO
                        Murphy Moderating

In 2006, Burrell commissioned The Advertising Effectiveness Study. Of the 800 participants, half were African-American, and half non-African-American. They were also equally divided between men and women and ranged in age from 18-45 years. Consumers were exposed to ads with variations of multicultural casts and from a variety of categories: automotive, quick service restaurants, diapers; telecommunications; and soft drinks. During this presentation, members of the Advertising Effectiveness Study team will review and discuss the results.

2:00      The Power of Print: Results from the EPMG Black Newspaper Readership Study
Presenter:         Robert Bush, Vice President
                        Ethnic Print Media Group

In this session, Ethnic Print Media Group will present the results of its second nationwide Black newspaper readership study. The survey revealed key socioeconomic factors among Black newspaper readers that will prove invaluable when planning African American print advertising campaigns. Of the 10,319 readers surveyed, 77 percent frequently purchase products or services seen advertised in their preferred African American publication.  Survey findings also include grocery store spending behavior, coupon usage, product purchasing influencers, banking characteristics and preferences, and vehicle purchasing habits. 

3:00      Can Black Consumers Rescue the Auto Industry?
Panelists:         Chuck Morrison, Executive Vice President
                        UniWorld Group
                        Clients: Ford – Lincoln Mercury, Burger King, GlaxoSmithKline

                        Marc Bland, Manager - Analytical Solutions
                        R.L. Polk & Co.

                        Randi Payton, President
                        On Wheels Inc.
                       
                        Ricardo Bates, Group Account Director Automotive Strategic Planning
                        UniWorld Group

Detroit is trying to find a magic bullet that will steer African-Americans into showrooms and back to their offerings. Blending urban cultural influences with car culture is the latest attempt being tried by automakers. Is it working? Can clues for attracting all consumers be found in mastering black consumer marketing? Our panel will explore these questions from all angles and share insights derived directly from research on black consumers’ attitudes on the cars they drive.

4:30      Conclusion of Summit
 
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