AIMM Inaugural Event GrowthFronts

March 1, 2023, Dotdash Meredith Headquarters, NY

Thank you to our speakers, hosts, sponsors, and everyone who attended the 2023 AIMM GrowthFronts Event

Event Recap

The Diverse Owned and Targeted Media upfront event was aimed at increasing visibility, access, and understanding of diverse owned and targeted media entities.  The event brought together 40 Asian, Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ media entities that owned and targeted video, digital, print, audio, and content integration platforms with buyers and advertisers. 

The goal of the Growthfronts was to increase investment into diverse owned and targeted media to a minimum of 4.6% by 2025, as current investment levels are only at 1.2%.  The event, which included one-on-one meetings, networking sessions, and panel discussions featuring CMOs and industry leaders, and performances by drag artists was made possible by sponsors and AIMM members including P&G, Publicis, Target, Verizon, DotDash Meredith, Anheuser-Busch, Omnicom, AARP, and Nielsen. 
 
According to the 40 diverse media entities represented, the Growthfronts “provided unprecedented access to high level client and agency meetings that would have taken months to organize on our own, if at all”(FUSE MEDIA)…” The Growthfronts created a momentous opportunity for diverse owned media companies to be seen and heard”(LATV)… “The 1-1 meetings were leagues more efficient all-around than spending resources on cold outreach that ultimately end up clogging inboxes and wasting more time. And, everyone seemed enthusiastic and open-minded towards what was being shared.​” (Asian Media Group)… “The Growthfronts bring the value of diverse-owned media to the forefront of conversation and provide meaningful connections to brands and advertisers that are committed to improve the way marketing dollars are spent. The level of participation from major brands is a testament to the desire to advance change in our industry and to move from pledges to action.” (REVOLT)
 
Eighty-one percent of respondents said that the Growthfronts exceeded or met most of their expectations.  On average, each media entity completed 8 meetings that day (and up to 15 meetings for some entities) and 70% of those meetings have proceeded to further dialogue with media companies and/or marketers.  Even though the Newfronts and Upfronts have not taken place yet, 14% of the connections have moved to negotiation stages.  Finally, 77% of respondents stated that the programming agenda exceeded all or met most of their expectations.
 
AIMM is planning virtual networking encore sessions with diverse targeted entities to continue the momentum and allow additional entities to connect with interested parties. 

The second AIMM Diverse Targeted Growthfronts will take place in the Spring of 2024.

Videos and Presentations – March 1, 2023

Topic

Speaker

  • Bob Liodice , CEO, ANA
  • DeLonzo Rhodes, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Dotdash Meredith
  • Stephanie Stopulos, Vice President, Media & Channels, Target
  • Lisette Arsuaga, Co-Founder of AIMM and Co-CEO of DMI-Consulting
  • Carlos Santiago, AIMM Co-Founder & President & CEO of SSG
  • Kathleen Coffey, Founder & CEO Media Frameworks/MAVEN
  • Todd Koons, VP, Strategic Partnerships, Standard Media Index
  • Lisette Arsuaga, AIMM Co-Founder and Co-CEO of DMI-Consulting
  • Bob Liodice, CEO of ANA
  • Brianne Boles-Marshall, Diversity Media Strategy and Investment Lead at General Motors
  • Lisa Torres, President, Publicis Media
  • Rachel Chan, Brand Media Strategy & Activation, Verizon
  • Edna Kane Williams, EVP & Chief Diversity Officer, AARP
  • Sue Seams, Senior Director, Experience Planning, Kellogg’s
  • Royal Jackson, EVP, Impact Network
  • Dean Cates, SVP of Business Development, The Africa Channel
  • Kerel Cooper, President of Advertising, Group Black
  • Bree Balogun, VP of Account Management, REVOLT
  • Devon Johnson, Founder/CEO, BleuLife Media Group
  • Moderator: Renetta McCaan, Chief Inclusion Experience Officer, Publicis Groupe
  • Aki Li, VP, Sales & Marketing, Crossings TV
  • Genessee Semler, VP of Advertising, Asian Media Group
  • Theresa Mai Wright, VP Media Sales & Marketing, Little Saigon TV
  • Eric Orrantia, Vice President, Sales, ODK Media
  • Moderator: Richard Lui, Breaking News Anchor, MSNBC/NBC
  • John Leguizamo, Actor & Partner at NGLmitu
  • Moderator: RIchard Lui, Breaking News Anchor, MSNBC/NBC
  • Charles Cantu, CEO, Reset Digital
  • Charlotte La Niear, U.S. Multicultural Media Senior Director , Procter & Gamble
  • Eric Austin, Global Media Senior Director, Procter & Gamble
  • Justin Garrett, Chief Revenue Officer, Q.Digital
  • Damian Pelliccione, CEO/Co-Founder, Revry
  • Anya Richkind, Director of Brand Partnerships, Autostraddle
  • Michael Kelley, Chair, President of Global Growth and Development, equalpride
  • Moderator: Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO, GLAAD
  • Isabel Rafferty, CEO/Co-Founder, Canela Media,
  • Lino Garcia, President, Unanimo Sports Media
  • Gisella Fu-Ripp, SVP of Sales & Strategic Partnerships, LATV
  • Jessica Ricaurte, CRO, Adsmovil
  • Tony Gonzalez, CEO/Founder, Mundial Media
  • Moderator: Gilbert Dávila, AIMM Co-Founder and DMI-Consulting Co-CEO
  • Bob Liodice , CEO, ANA
  • Gilbert Dávila, Co-Founder, AIMM
  • Drag Performers: Lagoona Bloo, Castrata and Peachez
Network Opportunity and One on One MeetingsHispanic, LGBTQ and Indigenous Media Entities*Opportunity to pre-arrange meetings.