Target Market News

THE LATEST NEWS
Bob Johnson says organizations must ask 'tough questions' on ownership

Time for Bob Johnson to step aside?

By R. Thomas Umstead
Multichannel News
(Sept 13, 2005 -- New York) Diversity organizations such as the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications should not be afraid to ask serious questions of industry leaders regarding diversity and should seek resources outside of the industry to achieve their goals, according to Black Entertainment Television founder and CEO Robert Johnson.

Johnson -- who received NAMIC’s “Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award” Tuesday at the organization’s annual conference here -- said NAMIC should ask tough questions of the industry regarding the lack of minority ownership of systems and cable networks without fear of retribution from the very companies that provide organizational funding...

“There are questions that you should not be afraid to ask [of industry companies] irrespective of how you’re funded,” he said. “We should not be sitting here five years from now asking these same questions.”

Johnson also implored NAMIC to tap outside diversity organizations such as the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, as well as activists like the Rev. Al Sharpton, for both moral and financial support to reach its goals.

Johnson -- who is retiring at the end of the year after 25 years at the helm of BET -- said the industry gave him the opportunity to thrive and succeed in creating BET, and it should provide the same opportunities for others.

“It should not be a victory of one, but of many,” he said. “You have the responsibility to make sure that you can change the paradigm of [industry ownership] and be part of the economic development of the industry. There are talented individuals out there who simply need an opportunity.”

Go to Target Market News homepage


Saturday, September 10, 2005 HOME \| STATS \| PUBLICATIONS \| REGISTER \| CONTACT US
Departments Advertising & PR News Marketing News TV & Cable News Radio News Magazine News Newspaper News Internet News Retailing News Consumer Research Expenditure Data People in the News Industry News Company Bios and Background Register Here STAY IN-THE-KNOW! Are you getting the latest industry news when it happens via e-mail? Click here for free delivery of the Target Market News Bulletin You'll receive news of breaking stories, exclusives, updates and headlines on the latest developments in African American marketing and media Black Stats Frequently requested data on African American consumers Black Buying Power: $656 Billion (2003) Black U.S. Population: 38.3 million Top Five Black Cities - New York - Chicago - Detroit - Philadelphia - Houston Top Five Black Metros: - New York-New Jersey - Washington-Baltimore - Chicago-Gary - Los Angeles - Philadelphia Top Five Expenditures: - Housing 145.2 bil. - Food 56.5 bil. - Cars/Trucks 32.6 bil. - Clothing 23.0 bil. - Health Care 18.0 bil. Click here for more stats from "The Buying Power of Black America." ______________________ Get quick access to key U.S. Census Bureau Data Click here to go to African-American Census Bureau data _____________________ Copyright `© 2005 by Target Market News Inc.` All rights reserved Business address: 228 S. Wabash Ave. Suite 210 Chicago, IL 60604 t. 312-408-1881 f. 312-408-1867 info@targetmarketnews.com	THE LATEST NEWS Bob Johnson says organizations must ask 'tough questions' on ownership By R. Thomas Umstead Multichannel News (Sept 13, 2005 -- New York) Diversity organizations such as the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications should not be afraid to ask serious questions of industry leaders regarding diversity and should seek resources outside of the industry to achieve their goals, according to Black Entertainment Television founder and CEO Robert Johnson. Johnson -- who received NAMIC’s “Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award” Tuesday at the organization’s annual conference here -- said NAMIC should ask tough questions of the industry regarding the lack of minority ownership of systems and cable networks without fear of retribution from the very companies that provide organizational funding... “There are questions that you should not be afraid to ask [of industry companies] irrespective of how you’re funded,” he said. “We should not be sitting here five years from now asking these same questions.” Johnson also implored NAMIC to tap outside diversity organizations such as the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, as well as activists like the Rev. Al Sharpton, for both moral and financial support to reach its goals. Johnson -- who is retiring at the end of the year after 25 years at the helm of BET -- said the industry gave him the opportunity to thrive and succeed in creating BET, and it should provide the same opportunities for others. “It should not be a victory of one, but of many,” he said. “You have the responsibility to make sure that you can change the paradigm of [industry ownership] and be part of the economic development of the industry. There are talented individuals out there who simply need an opportunity.” Go to Target Market News homepage	11th Annual Edition Available 'Buying Power' report reveals surge by black households for consumer electronics Despite tighter economic times, African-American households are significantly increasing their expenditures on consumer electronics for the home, according to the newest edition of The Buying Power of Black America report. In many categories such as video games, televisions, CD players, cable TV service and sound equipment, black households are spending more on average than their white counterparts. According to the 103-page report, black households had $656 billion in earned income in 2003, an increase of 3.9% over the $631 earned in 2002. Read more and see the latest expenditure figures for black consumers SUBSCRIBE TODAY! The trade publication for in-depth coverage of Black Consumer Marketing and Media news ORDER THE WORKBOOK NOW! The sixth annual event examining the latest trends, findings and practices in marketing to African-American consumers Presentations from: America Online Arbitron Inc. Burrell Carol H. Williams Advertising E. Morris Communications Ethnic Print Media Group GlobalHue Hunter-Miller Group Images USA Nia Online NSights Worldwide LLC On Wheels Inc. R.J. Dale Advertising & P.R. Target Market News U.S. Census Bureau ...and more!