GroupM Unveils Partnership with A+E Networks as Part of its Diverse Voices Accelerator

Domino’s Continued Commitment to Championing Diverse Creatives Supports DVA Premiere with The HISTORY Channel’s “761st Tank Battalion: The Original Black Panthers”

New York, NY (September 14, 2023) – GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, today announced a partnership between GroupM Motion Entertainment and the global content company A+E Networks to support GroupM’s Diverse Voices Accelerator (DVA), an effort that bolsters diverse creatives in the development, funding, distribution, and marketing of premium content. As the newest partner to GroupM’s DVA, A+E Networks launched The HISTORY Channel’s original documentary “761st Tank Battalion: The Original Black Panthers” last month with a commitment from Domino’s.

Executive Produced by Academy Award®-winning actor Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary’s production company, Revelations Entertainment, in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment, the powerful documentary tells the true story of the 761st Tank Battalion, the first Black tank unit to serve in combat during WWII, and explores in-depth the major battles they faced both overseas while in combat and against racism back home in the United States. The documentary received critical acclaim for bringing this largely forgotten chapter in American history to audiences.

This partnership will combine GroupM Motion Entertainment’s best-in-class expertise with the reach and engagement of A+E Network’s platforms, including A&E, Lifetime, The HISTORY Channel and more brands within the company’s portfolio.

“A+E Networks is committed to sharing diverse stories and ensuring that our content reflects the global audiences who consume our programming across our platforms,” said Peter Olsen, President of Ad Sales for A+E Networks. “Our partnership with GroupM’s Diverse Voices Accelerator has matched our best-in-class programming with powerful brands like Domino’s who share A+E’s dedication to advancing authentic storytelling from a diversity of voices and perspectives behind the camera, in addition to on-screen.”

“761st Tank Battalion: The Original Black Panthers” is the latest program that has been produced as a part of GroupM’s DVA, an initiative that connects advertisers with media companies to launch inclusive programming from diverse perspectives. Domino’s, a founding partner of the DVA, continues its intentional media investment as an extension of the brand’s overarching mission to drive equity in entertainment.

“Domino’s is proud to support programming that reflects diverse voices and stories,” said Kate Trumbull, Domino’s senior vice president – chief brand officer. “It’s important that we advertise and invest in media that reflects the diversity of our customers, team members, and communities we serve every day.”

“We’re proud to bring together members of the advertising community with diverse filmmakers whose stories deserve to be seen, heard and known,” said Chet Fenster, Chief Content Officer, Programming & Strategy, GroupM Motion Entertainment, NA. “We’re thrilled to work with A+E Networks and Domino’s, who share our vision and understand the importance of bringing these projects to fruition.”

The DVA is a part of GroupM’s Media Inclusion Initiative (MII) — an integrated strategy for directing investment in and creating opportunities for diverse media companies and content creators – and a key pillar of GroupM’s Responsible Investment Framework.

 

About GroupM

GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare, Wavemaker, EssenceMediacom, and mSix&Partners, and cross-channel performance (GroupM Nexus), data (Choreograph), entertainment (GroupM Motion Entertainment) and investment solutions, GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more at www.groupm.com.

About GroupM Motion Entertainment

GroupM Motion Entertainment funds, develops, produces, and distributes premium television and digital content around the globe. In partnership with the world’s leading producers, talent, networks, and platforms, the company has co-produced over 1,800 series, equating to over 26,000 hours of television. Motion works across all programming genres and creates innovative business models to serve the creative and strategic needs of its partners. The company operates in 44 countries, with global headquarters in London and Los Angeles. Motion is part of GroupM, the world’s leading full-service media investment management operation, a WPP company.

About A+E Networks

A+E Networks® is a global content company comprised of some of the most popular and culturally relevant brands in media, including A&E®, Lifetime®, The HISTORY Channel™, LMN®, FYI,®, VICE TV® and Blaze®.  A+E Networks’ portfolio extends across platforms and genres with a scripted production division, A+E Studios™; unscripted production, Six West Media™; and independent film unit, A&E IndieFilms®. A+E Networks Digital™ includes watch apps, games, FAST channels, AVOD, and SVOD products Lifetime Movie Club® and HISTORY Vault®; and podcasts such as History This Week™. A+E Consumer Enterprises™ includes experiential/branded live events such as HISTORYTalks™ and E-commerce; and A+E Networks International® includes branded channels, content distribution and scripted/unscripted co-productions around the world. A+E Networks’ content reaches more than 414 million households in 200 territories in 40 languages. A+E Networks is a joint venture of Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aenetworks and Facebook at facebook.com/AENetworks.