OWN Joins Initiative To Bring More Diversity To Advertising

“It’s a beautiful moment in media when national blue-chip brands support a deliberate intention to engage with Black women and boldly declare that not only do we see her, but we celebrate her.”

Contributed by Rebecca Johnson

The Oprah Winfrey Network, OWN, has teamed up with the Association of National Advertisers’ #SeeHer initiative to increase the diversity of women on screen in advertising and media, reports Variety.

“It’s a beautiful moment in media when national blue-chip brands support a deliberate intention to engage with Black women and boldly declare that not only do we see her, but we celebrate her,” said Sheereen Russell, group vice president of ad sales and partnership solutions at OWN in a statement. “OWN is proud of the endless ways we are reflecting her specificity, her endless expressions of beauty, her nuanced love stories, her family heritage, her triumphs, her challenges, her accomplishments, and her many conversations on our network.”


Oprah Winfrey released a video with a message about the partnership.

“One of the secrets I learned early on in my career is that you will resonate with an audience when they can see themselves in you.”

The partnership has four parts. A space for storytellers to learn best practices, industry events, new content, and a sheet with tips for storytellers to facilitate inclusive conversations behind and in front of the camera.