New York, NY - February 26, 2015 - Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) and the company's Black Employee Network (BEN) announced today that Martin Luther King III will be the keynote speaker at the company's signature event taking place in honor of Black History Month. The event, 'Black Images in Media: Sharpening the Focus and Framing the Picture,' is co-sponsored by IPG's BEN as well as the Bounce TV television network, and will explore issues surrounding the imagery of African Americans in the media.
More than 300 New York-based IPG employees will attend the live event and several hundred more across the United States are expected to participate via webcast. The event will include a keynote from Martin Luther King III, an American human rights advocate and community activist, and a co-founder and board member of Bounce TV, the nation's first and only over-the-air broadcast television network designed for African American audiences. Following the keynote, a panel representing a cross-section of media leaders and influencers will discuss their perspectives on the portrayal of African Americans in advertising and other media. Panelists will also address the role of media content providers and how to effectively engage Black consumers.
Austin Patrick, Multicultural Integration Director, McCann, will moderate the panel that follows Mr. King's keynote. The panel includes David Banner, rapper, record producer and actor; Columbia University Professor June Cross; Jemele Hill, co-host of ESPN's His & Her; and Ri-Karlo Handy, Vice President, Original Programming, Bounce TV. The evening will conclude with a spoken word performance by David Banner.
"We give tremendous credit to IPG and their Black Employee Network for producing such an important event and we are thrilled and honored to participate," commented Ryan Glover, President of Bounce TV.
"Diversity and Inclusion is a key area of focus for IPG," commented Heide Gardner, SVP, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Interpublic. "Our Black Employee Network as well as our other Business Resource Groups, are part of a comprehensive and ongoing program at IPG to encourage an inclusive workplace. 'Black Images in Media' hones in on a timely topic for our company and our industry. We are pleased that Mr. King III, and our terrific panelists, will join us to share their views at this important event," concluded Ms. Gardner.
To foster an inclusive work environment as well as increase networking and business opportunities, IPG has activated cross-agency employee Business Resource Groups that, in addition to the Black Employee Network, include the Asian Heritage Group, the IPGLBT, SOMOS: Hispanic/Latino Heritage Group and the Women's Leadership Network (WLN).
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About Bounce TV
Bounce TV targets African Americans with a programming mix of original series, theatrical motion pictures, documentaries, specials, game shows and inspirational faith-based programs. Bounce TV is currently seen in 90 markets, including all of the top African-American television markets, 90% of African-American television homes and 74% of the total television homes in the United States. Bounce TV can be found online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.
About Interpublic
Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include BPN, Craft, FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding), FutureBrand, Golin, Huge, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, Lowe and Partners, MAGNA GLOBAL, McCann, Momentum, MRM//McCann, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands include Avrett Free Ginsberg, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, ID Media, Mullen and The Martin Agency. For more information, please visit www.interpublic.com.
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Contact Information
Jemma Gould
(Press)
(212) 704-1327
Jerry Leshne
(Analysts, Investors)
(212) 704-1439
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Source: INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. via Globenewswire
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