HARTBEAT AND SUNDIAL MEDIA GROUP ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO LAUNCH ESSENCE-BRANDED FAST CHANNEL

Hartbeat, the global entertainment company founded by Kevin Hart, and Sundial Media & Technology Group (SMTG), a human connections company and home to iconic brands like ESSENCE, AFROPUNK, and Refinery29, today announced a partnership to launch an ESSENCE-branded FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channel. This collaboration addresses a significant gap in the streaming landscape by creating the first major streaming platform specifically designed for Black women, combining SMTG's robust content library with Hartbeat's award-winning, premium production and creative capabilities.

The partnership emerges at a pivotal moment when Black viewership on Connected TV (CTV) and FAST platforms is experiencing explosive growth, yet programming specifically tailored to Black women remains underserved across major streaming platforms. According to recent industry data, Black households over-index significantly in CTV consumption, with streaming viewership among Black audiences growing 40% year-over-year, while targeted content remains severely underrepresented.

"Hartbeat has consistently identified and served underrepresented markets," said Jeff Clanagan, President and Chief Distribution Officer of Hartbeat. "This ESSENCE-branded FAST channel represents another strategic opportunity to create authentic content for an audience that has been overlooked by traditional streaming platforms. We're not just launching a channel – we're creating a cultural destination."

"For decades, we've built iconic brands like ESSENCE and AFROPUNK that celebrate and serve diverse communities through powerful content and unforgettable experiences," said Kirk McDonald, CEO of Sundial Media & Technology Group. "This partnership with Hartbeat allows us to extend those brands into the streaming ecosystem for the first time, creating a dedicated platform where Black women can see themselves authentically represented in premium entertainment."

The FAST channel will feature a dynamic mix of acquired programming from SMTG's extensive library and original content produced through the partnership. Hartbeat's production team will develop exclusive content that celebrates Black women's experiences, achievements, and cultural contributions.

"This groundbreaking partnership highlights ESSENCE's commitment to innovation and premium storytelling, ensuring Black women are not only seen, but centered, in the next frontier of media," said Michele Ghee, ESSENCE Chief Content Officer. "We're proud to introduce an ESSENCE-branded FAST channel that elevates the voices, experiences, and culture of our audience, offering access to curated, empowering content whenever and wherever she wants it. We're not just launching a channel; we're creating a new space for our community to see themselves reflected and celebrated in bold, authentic ways. "

An integral part of this partnership includes leveraging the relationships of Hartbeat and ESSENCE to engage with established Black women actresses, writers, and directors, providing them with a platform for creative freedom and empowering them to produce authentic content. It will provide sustainable funding for premium programming and create new revenue streams for Black women creatives, while delivering authentic brand messaging that resonates with the target demographic.

The collaboration harnesses the combined power of two iconic brands in Black culture. For 55 years, ESSENCE has served as the definitive voice of Black women, celebrating their beauty, brilliance, and influence across generations. SMTG's powerhouse portfolio of platforms reaches millions of culturally engaged consumers and commands deep audience loyalty, anchored by tentpole experiences like the ESSENCE Festival of Culture® and Beautycon™.

Hartbeat provides world-class production capabilities, digital distribution expertise, and proven success in creating culturally relevant content that resonates with diverse audiences. Hartbeat's track record includes building the Laugh Out Loud Network into the #1 cultural comedy network; producing acclaimed series including "Number One on the Call Sheet" for Apple TV+" and "Fight Night" on Peacock; and championing diverse voices, launching programs like Women Write Now, which champions Black female writers in Hollywood.

The channel will launch across all major Connected TV, YouTube, and FAST platforms, leveraging Hartbeat's extensive distribution network to ensure maximum reach and accessibility for Black women across all viewing preferences and devices.

ESSENCE Announces New Orleans Will Remain the Home of the ESSENCE Festival for the Next 5 Years

NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, ESSENCE Communications Inc., the leading media, technology and commerce company serving Black women, announced an extended five-year partnership agreement with the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana to host its signature ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ through 2024. A platform to advance global Black culture, economic ownership and inclusion, and community development, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture has contributed more than $4 billion to the local economy since its inception. Now the world’s largest cultural, music, entertainment and empowerment experience and the global epicenter of Black culture, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture has created a home for Black communities around the world and routinely attracts more than half a million international attendees over July 4th weekend – annually contributing more than a quarter billion dollars in economic impact to the City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana.

To celebrate ESSENCE’s 50th Anniversary, the 2020 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola will be extended to five days for the first time ever and will run from July 1-5. The additional days will be curated with experiences and activations throughout New Orleans and Louisiana focused on advancing economic development, education and entrepreneurship.

Our decision to remain in New Orleans, Louisiana was ultimately rooted in the landmark partnership that we have developed with the City and the State over the past 25 years and in our collective intentionality to bring even more depth to that relationship,” said Michelle Ebanks, CEO of ESSENCE Communications. “This includes working together more closely to perpetuate a stronger cycle of Community Commerce that will equip Black and women-owned businesses with the access, expertise and financial resources to transform their local communities and economies today – and elevate their global influence and opportunity tomorrow. This is the purpose and power of the nearly 50-year old ESSENCE brand and the 25-year-old ESSENCE Festival of Culture as much more than a magical moment each summer, but as a movement in continuous service to Black women and Black communities in New Orleans, in Louisiana, across the nation and around the world.”

The Festival continues to be the only-of-its-kind merging epic entertainment experiences with extensive daytime programming that intersect key cultural pillars including Arts, Entertainment, Music, Beauty, Fashion, Technology, Film, Food, Wellness, Advocacy, Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment.

“It is always great to be in the City of New Orleans with our Essence family as we cannot accomplish what we do alone, and it takes great leadership to bring about change and elevation," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "This commitment was made possible by all of our partners, and we are excited to sign our new contract for another five years. It really is a privilege to be the Mayor of the City of New Orleans. We made history with electing the first female Mayor of the City and of course marking the 25th year of the Essence Festival of Culture. It has always been a part of me as a woman, and as an African American woman, something to be particularly proud of.”

In 2019, in response to its identification of a critical void of Black professionals prepared to bid on large-scale live events and technical production, ESSENCE partnered with the City of New Orleans and the Urban League of Louisiana to launch “The Pipeline: An Economic Inclusion Initiative” in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Monroe. This ground-breaking effort – designed to increase the pool of women and Black professionals pursuing entrepreneurial business opportunities and careers in live events and technical production – will also create opportunities to connect existing production entrepreneurs to service contracts in the industry at both the corporate and governmental levels and give them access to networking, capital raising and opportunities for training and skills development. It also includes an internship program for youth seeking careers in media, live production and more.

“I am excited to welcome ESSENCE back to New Orleans through 2024 and am proud for the state of Louisiana to continue its partnership with this iconic event,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “New Orleans is a place like no other in the entire world, making it the best backdrop for the unique experience of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture. This is an economic opportunity not just for the state and the city, but also for the entrepreneurs, business leaders and others who will broaden their networks and connections through the many events associated with the ESSENCE Festival of Culture.”

In 2019, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture launched several new curated daytime-and-nighttime experiences across Louisiana in more than 40 venues, including the ESSENCE Global Black Economic Forum™, ESSENCE Fashion House™, ESSENCE Wellness House™, and ESSENCE After Dark™. In addition, more than 80 artists performed at the Louisiana Superdome – headlined by Forever First Lady Michelle Obama – including Mary J. Blige, Nas, Missy Elliott, H.E.R., Big Freedia, Pharrell Williams and more.

The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is supported by a host committee comprised of the City of New Orleans; New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation; New Orleans & Company; Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association; New Orleans Multi-Cultural Tourism Network, Inc.; the Mercedes-Benz Superdome; the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center; and the State of Louisiana.

Sponsors for the 2020 ESSENCE Festival of Culture include Coca-Cola and State Farm. The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is produced by ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

About Essence Communications, Inc.

Essence Communications, Inc. is the number one media, technology and commerce company dedicated to Black women and inspires a global audience of more than 20 million through diverse storytelling and immersive original content. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, experiential and online, ESSENCE encompasses its signature magazine; digital, video and social platforms; television specials; books; and live events, including Black Women in Music™, Black Women in Hollywood™, Beauty Carnival™ and the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™. Essence Communications is owned by Essence Ventures, an independent Black-owned, consumer technology company merging content, community and commerce to meet the evolving cultural and lifestyle needs of people of color.

THE 10 BEST WORKPLACES FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS

Essence compiled a list of the ten best workplaces for African Americans. Check out that list below and learn more about the ten companies here.

1. QUICKEN LOANS

2. Credit Acceptance

3. ULTIMATE SOFTWARE

4. ALLIANCE DATA

5. NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

6. CARMAX

7. HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION

8. QUIKTRIP CORPORATION

9. JM FAMILY ENTERPRISES INC.

ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL