Kamau's Business Blog Page - The World's 1st Black and Minority Business Blog!
Monday, May 10, 2004
What are you watching?
The announcement by Nielsen Media Research that they will implement the largest increases in its samples of African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans does not address errors in its tracking of minority viewership, according to the “Don’t Count Us Out Coalition.” Paul Williams, President of 100 Black Men of New York, said "Adding more people to the system will not fix the problem. It is further indication that Nielsen has no clue how to accurately measure African-American television viewership. Rather than take the time to work with coalition members to get it straight beforehand, Nielsen would rather implement a system that unfairly undercounts people of color as if it doesn't matter. Well, it does matter, and I was raised to think that issues of justice and fairness always mattered in this country." As its prepares to roll out its Local People Meters, Nielsen Media Research has yet to undertake a study to determine the cause of its systemic flaws in accurately tracking minority viewing. While the Don't Count Us Out Coalition was encouraged that Nielsen acknowledged the flaws in their system and delayed the launch of LPM's, Nielsen can not mask the fact that they are miscounting African Americans and Latinos by simply counting more of them.Unity First Diversity News Wire
Soul Plane
Jessy Terrero, the noted Latino music video and motion picture creator, will make his major motion picture studio directorial debut with MGM's new urban comedy "Soul Plane" which will be released on Friday, May 28, 2004 at the start of the Memorial Day weekend. "Soul Plane," Terrero's first major motion picture, is an urban comedy based on the 1980 hit movie "Airplane." It is about a passenger who creates the full-service airline of his dreams, complete with sexy flight attendants, funky music, a dance club and a bathroom attendant. The comedy stars Tom Arnold, Kevin Hart, Snoop Dogg, Method Man, D.L. Hugley, Sofia Vergara and Mo'Nique Imes-Jackson. Jessy Terrero, Producer and Director of MGM's "Soul Plane" and President of Terrero Films, commented: "Soul Plane is a refreshing, entertaining, comical experience, much like Friday's urban humor meeting Austin Powers' eclectic style." Terrero Films is dedicated to creating films, which represent views of the ever growing English speaking Latino and Urban communities, and that are genuine, sensitive and attractive to all audiences.Black Public Relations Society of Greater New York to honor African American Pioneers in Theatrical Marketing and PR
Three of the most accomplished marketing and public relations professionals on the performing arts scene today - Irene Gandy (National Black Arts Festival), Marcia Pendleton (Walk Tall Girl Productions), and Donna Walker-Kuhne (Walker International Communications Group) - will be honored by the Black Public Relations Society of Greater New York as African-American pioneers in the field on Monday, May 17, 2004 at the Manhattan offices of Burson Marsteller, located at 230 Park Avenue South, at 6:00pm. Admission to the event is $15.00 for members, ($20.00 at the door). To RSVP and for more information, call (516) 377-6146.Cinco de Mayo
Recently, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined millions of Americans in celebrating Cinco de Mayo. The day marks the historic triumph of the Mexican people over the French Army in the battle of Puebla in 1862. Pelosi released the following statement: "On May 5, 1862, untrained, outnumbered, and outgunned Mexican forces determined to protect their land successfully defended the town of Puebla against the French. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo represents freedom and self-determination for the people of Mexico, and it is a symbol of Mexican unity, patriotism and pride. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is also a celebration of the rich cultural heritage Mexican Americans have brought to this country and the contributions of all Hispanics in the United States.”Source: Unity First Diversity News Wire
Boston ’s first African American Owned Hotel
The new Hampton Inn & Suites at Boston Crosstown Center has announced it has hired minorities to five of the hotel’s top seven senior management positions. Opening in June 2004, Hampton Inn & Suites is located at 811 Massachusetts Avenue , off Exit 18 on I-93, across from Boston Medical Center and close to the Longwood Medical Area. The 175-room Hampton Inn & Suites is being developed and is owned by a partnership that includes Boston developers Kirk Sykes, Tom Welch, Gene Sisco and Corcoran Jennison Company. A majority of the hotel’s owners are African American, making this Boston ’s only African American owned hotel. This is one of only 37 African American owned hotels, less than 2%, of the nearly 2,100 hotel properties within the Hilton Family of Hotels. The hotel announced last month the hiring of Phillip Tucker as General Manager. In addition to Mr. Tucker, the Crosstown Hampton announces the following positions have been filled; Wanda Green, Director of Human Resources; Charice Cleckley, Accounting Manager; Palmira Teixeira, Executive Housekeeper; and Fred Newton, Chief Engineer.Source Unity First African American News
