Latest news with #CharlenePoliteCorley
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Diversify Your Business For Smarter Growth
Colorful diverse people crowd abstract art seamless pattern. Multi-ethnic community, big cultural ... More diversity group background illustration in modern collage painting style. In the dynamic and often unpredictable landscape of the business world, relying on a single product, service, or market can feel like navigating a tightrope without a safety net. By strategically expanding into new markets, companies can mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations, tap into unexplored customer segments, and unlock novel avenues for revenue generation, ultimately fostering long-term stability and a competitive edge. In my interview with Charlene Polite Corley, Nielsen's VP of Diverse Insights and Partnerships, who leads thought leadership and exclusive initiatives, she said, 'Business leaders know to diversify their investment portfolios, why not also their teams?' According to Nielsen's research, 34% of the buying power, or $7 trillion, comes from diverse communities. The American economy is resilient because of the diversity of its consumer base. Polity Corley encourages apprehensive organizations to think about diversity as their responsibility to their consumers. To serve the full market's potential, it is so hard to do without being inclusive. In my interview with Stacie de Armas, the Senior VP of Diverse Intelligence & Initiatives at Nielsen, she explained the business opportunities of serving a more diverse population. For example, the Hispanic population is 10 years younger than other ethnic populations in the U.S. The Hispanic population also overindexes on loyalty, so this is a longer-term opportunity. De Armas said, "When you have these groups of customers who haven't necessarily had the opportunity to build an affinity for your brand yet, this is where your investment is going to get you two to three times more. This is where you're going to get the bigger return on investment. Not only does it make great business sense, but it's also a great opportunity to reach out and build loyalty with customers that you haven't had a relationship with in the past." Polite Corley said, 'Centering one community does not exclude other communities.' When you better serve one community, you better serve all communities. De Armas made clear, 'With diversity, there are more problem solvers. Similar groups have similar ways of thinking. New ideas come from engaging people who have been historically excluded.' Diversity is a significant driver of business growth. Engaging with historically excluded consumer groups is essential for long-term business growth as they represent untapped markets and offer greater potential for building brand loyalty and achieving higher returns on marketing investment. Polite Corley noted, "Black and African American consumers in particular remain the most likely to buy from brands that feature someone from their identity group in their ads. With the right folks at the table with the right data involved in your strategy, these are new opportunities and ways to ensure growth." Understanding nuanced cultural and consumption habits is crucial for effective marketing: A "copy-paste" approach to marketing is ineffective. Brands need to develop a deeper understanding of the media consumption habits and cultural nuances of diverse audiences to connect authentically and build lasting relationships. Data shows, for example, that Black, Hispanic, and Asian audiences spend significantly more time online. That is an opportunity for more online business. Centering diverse narratives benefits everyone and creates a broader cultural impact. Focusing on representing specific communities authentically in content and advertising doesn't exclude other groups. Instead, it provides "windows" into different experiences, enriching everyone's understanding and often leading to broader cultural trends and significant financial success.
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
SPOTLIGHT: Nielsen Study Connects Culture With the Bottom Line
Originally published on Geena Davis Institute A new study from Nielsen, which arrives just in time for Black History Month, serves as a reminder that Black history is being made every day. That's increasingly true in the economic landscape, where Black America wields an outsized impact thanks to audiences that lead media engagement across multiple channels. The Nielsen report serves as a green light for brands and programmers to invest in customer-centric strategies that deepen connections with Black audiences. And opportunities abound. The study estimates that Black audiences will pack $2.1 trillion in buying power in 2026, up 2.4 times since 2000. Nielsen's introduction to the study, titled ' Engaging Black Audiences: How brands impact, grow and win with inclusion,' drives home this message at this pivotal juncture for advertisers: 'One thing is certain, brands' approach to Black consumers cannot be business as usual. As more Black people embrace the nuances of their identities, they expect brand outreach and targeting to better understand and reflect them in order to earn their business long-term.' Indeed, no audience is a monolith that can be reached by one-size-fits-all advertising. Sometimes the approach requires a more thoughtful approach via different channels. The bottom line? Expanding the net of inclusion is good for business. The study is part of Nielsen's 'Diverse Intelligence Series' and arrives as a follow-up to a February 2024 research study from Nielsen, The global Black audience: shaping the future of media, which explored this increasingly influential demographic. To help make sense of the latest installment, Spotlight spoke with Charlene Polite Corley, Nielsen's Vice President of Inclusive Insights. 'Really, this is a call to action and a reminder for advertisers that just trying to reach Black consumers is about more than just business as usual at this moment,'' she said. 'It's about connecting to the audience that is engaging with media more so than any other population.' Nielsen's latest study, offers critical insights into the economic and cultural influence of Black consumers, reinforcing the importance of intentional and authentic engagement. As a longstanding partner of Nielsen, the Geena Davis Institute recognizes the value of data in shaping industry practices, and this research provides a compelling case for why media and brands must move beyond generic outreach and truly connect with audiences. While the study focuses on consumer behavior and purchasing power, its findings highlight the need for storytelling, advertising, and content strategies that resonate with Black audiences in meaningful ways. BLACK AUDIENCES ARE DIGITAL TRENDSETTERS As the report notes, digital media trends are a perfect example of Black America's outsized cultural and economic influence. Black audiences spend 31 hours and 56 minutes on apps and websites on their smartphones and tablets—two full hours more than the U.S. overall. 'There's just this omnipresence of smartphones in particular, of just staying connected,'' Corley said. But any company looking for a return on investment on their ad dollar should know that it's more complicated than that. Reaching Black audiences is one thing, but understanding how to connect deeply is the most important part. As Corley put it, there is a difference between 'Wow, they really get me!' versus 'They just got to me.' Considering how much time the Black community invests in social media and its influence in that space, brands should be on the lookout for how to create authentic connections. The Nielsen report suggests strategies such as deeper partnerships across channels with creators. A Nielsen Brand Lift study found 77 percent of creator fans felt connected to brands featured in creator content. 'The more that brands can really be intentional about what representation and inclusion looks like for their current and potential consumers – that can help make them even more effective,'' Corley said. 'Just putting up an ad and reaching someone doesn't mean that that ad was effective, or that it was the best opportunity to really move somebody to take action.' Nielsen's research continues to show that the best way for brands to maximize the connection is to understand the nature of their conversations with Black audiences. 'What part of the culture are you speaking to? Because of course, there are differences in region, in lifestyle, and life stage that need to be taken into account now more than ever,'' Corley said. 'Yes, we are still a community and a diaspora, but intentionality and nuance can just really superpower a brand's efforts and help them be more effective.' Establishing those lines of communication could prove vital to the bottom line. Within the Black community, the influence of online buzz holds tremendous power. Nielsen determined that 44.4% of Black audiences reported buying products based on product recommendations from YouTube. That came as a bit of a surprise, considering word-of-mouth (43.7%) has historically been the key source. 'It was still close, but for Black Americans to say that – for more folks to say or agree that YouTube recommendations can have more sway than what you heard through your family or neighbors – was pretty interesting,' Corley said. BLACK AUDIENCES ARE AVID LISTENERS Nielsen's research spotlighted how Black audiences tune in to audio-based media like podcasting and radio, which create personal connections to hosts – and the brands that support them. The recent election cycle highlighted this phenomenon, the study notes, and underlined how podcasts offer audiences content that can seem less scripted and feels more authentic. There is something egalitarian about this medium – anyone with access to a microphone can start a podcast – but brands are still figuring out how to keep up with the fragmented media landscape. Still, as Nielsen notes, the payoff can be worth it: Among Black listeners, podcast ads continue to drive strong brand recall, motivating listeners to learn more and make purchases. In fact, 73 percent of Black podcast listeners were able to recall a brand name after ad exposure compared to 70 percent overall. Moreover, a recent Nielsen survey found that Black listeners were two times more likely to want to try a brand's product advertised on local radio. Corley views these statistics as an extension of how Black audiences have long gravitated toward trusted voices over the airwaves. 'It's a cultural tradition, especially when it comes to African Americans,'' she said. 'Everybody after the election was talking about the engagement with podcasts and how important that was. But if you've been paying attention to data from these audiences, you know that there's just something about audio that remains so centered to this culture. And whether that be radio or podcasts, there's so much engagement.' Radio and podcasts often have the advantage of delivering information in a conversational tone. Longtime listeners might even feel as if they're hearing updates from a friend. 'It cuts to that tradition of having a conversation around these key pieces of content in the culture,'' Corley said. 'It extends really naturally to the podcast environment because it allows those people who maybe haven't had the primary voice within the community to take the mic and talk about their experience.' Nielsen's survey found that 54 percent of Black listeners are more likely than overall listeners to buy a new product when their favorite podcast host or local radio personality mentions it. 'There's just ongoing engagement with your local expert that knows the slang, knows the culture, knows the trends, knows the hit songs, but also knows the news and how it might impact you,'' Corley said. 'So there have just been decades of growing this connection when it comes to broadcast radio that remains in a lot of communities.' The study spotlights the engagement of Black men from different age groups, including Gen X-aged men with online radio. Among Black listeners aged 18-49 the format gets 13.2 percent of all radio listening. This is a significant reach with a key demographic many advertisers are eager to engage. 'Maybe it also has to do with learning styles,'' Corley said. 'Really tuning in and hearing someone out and kind of having that conversation, and then oftentimes getting in on the conversation through comments or social media. 'So I think it's part tradition, but also the innovation of getting to hear from more and more nuanced voices in the community than ever before. And it's a perfect storm.' BEYOND THE GAME: HOW SPORTS AUDIENCES INTERACT When it comes to success stories in this space, the new basketball league called Unrivaled lives up to its billing. The 3-on-3 professional venture, which opened play in January, completed a riveting social media rollout by knowing exactly how to press their target audience's buttons. 'Oh, my gosh, that's a great example of somebody who is doing everything right,'' Corely said. 'They've been very digital-first. Particularly through Instagram, it's really been kind of a slow drip, edge-of-your-seat type of strategy that has got everybody talking. Lots of engagement in the comment sections.' One key has been centering the marketing on player stories, maximizing their compelling backgrounds. It's helped drive the conversation about women's professional basketball, specifically among Black audiences. Black fans are four times more likely to be very interested in the WNBA, according to Nielsen. That success story drives home another finding from the Nielsen survey, which discovered that Black audiences are interested in so much more than the final score. Nielsen looked at an advanced audience of 'sports superfans,' who represent the heaviest viewers of sports programming, and determined that while Black sports superfans underindex the broader sports superfan segment for watching sporting events, they're the most likely to tune in for sports commentary. 'It's about the game, but also the culture and context around the game,'' Corley said. 'It's about the stats and the analysis and the 'who's training who' and all of that behind-the-scenes stuff.' That demographic wanted the commentary before and after sporting events, with an interest that was roughly four and a half times viewers in general. 'We're seeing sort of an over-index with supporting ancillary content around the game, not just the game itself,'' Corley said. Advertisers should take note of the strategies that took root. Nielsen advised companies looking to make a connection to focus their investment on growing and amplifying women's sports stories – especially for Black athletes whose contributions can often go unsung. Furthermore, they suggested adding genuine value to the fan experience through consistent and authentic sponsorship across women's sports. Nielsen noted that at 52 percent, Black fans are 5 percent more likely than all sports fans to believe that brand sponsors are socially responsible. Look no further than the WNBA as proof. 'I think as the 'W' has continued to expand its programming strategies, the audience is answering the call and showing up,'' Corley said. 'So it's really, really cool to see how audiences are driving a ton of growth and success across women's sports.' WHAT IT ALL MEANS When Black Americans consume media, they seek culture and connection. For brands and programmers, that means exploring data-driven strategies so they can do more than merely reach Black consumers. The relationship must go deeper. Nielsen's study lists these findings as the two biggest takeaways: Corley is eager to see how this dynamic continues to evolve. 'You can have super-targeted communications, right?' she said. 'And there's a chance to take advantage of that to reflect someone's unique experience. It's a great opportunity to go beyond just reach and tap into a connection. 'But really connecting with us takes a little bit of a different approach – more intentional, more nuance. Because, like many other folks, there's a demand to see perspectives and experiences reflected in the media and even the advertising that we consume.' Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Nielsen
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
YouTube Reaches 12.7% TV Viewership Among Black Audiences
As streaming platforms compete for consumers' attention, Black Americans are proving to be 'power TV viewers,' accounting for 46 hours and 13 minutes per week, compared with 34 hours and 57 minutes for the overall U.S. population, according to a new report by Nielsen. When it comes to their streaming preferences, the biggest beneficiary is YouTube, which claimed 12.7% of total viewing time as of July, compared to 10% for U.S. viewers overall, the ratings measurement firm found. As for the other streaming platforms, Netflix came in second with a 7.2% share, followed by Tubi with 4.8%, Amazon with 4%, Hulu with 2.4%, Roku with 2.2%, Disney+ and Pluto TV with 1.3% each, Peacock with 1.2%, Paramount+ with 1% and Max with 0.9%. YouTube reaches 63% of Black adults and 44.4% surveyed said that they have purchased products based on YouTube content – outpacing word of mouth (43.7%), Facebook (35.7%), Instagram (32.8%) and TikTok (31%). 'Reaching Black consumers may not be a challenge—but connecting with us can be. Black consumers are leaning into platforms that emphasize conversation and create a sense of connection,' Charlene Polite Corley, Nielsen's vice president of diverse insights and partnerships, said in a statement. 'To win with this community who wields $2 trillion in buying power, brands must prioritize engagement strategies that center diverse Black experiences and cultural nuances.' Despite streaming gaining overall share with Black viewers year over year, broadcast and cable make up a larger share of the demographic's TV viewing on a combined basis at 47%, compared to streaming's 41.4% share – suggesting that traditional channels remain a powerful way for advertisers to reach Black audiences. And sports remains a key area that offers an opportunity to turn fan loyalty into brand loyalty. Nielsen noted that Black viewership for the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship was up 51.2% year over year, while the WNBA All Star Game was up 161% year over year and the WNBA Draft was up 226.9% year over year. Nielsen found that 51% of Black sports fans would recommend a brandsponsor—making them 3% more likely than all sports fans. And Black fans are 7% more likely than all sports fans to buy a brand after seeing its sponsorship activations. Sporting events accounted for 19% of Black sports supersfans' viewership by genre, compared to 17% for general dramas, 12% for news, 10% for a feature film and 9% for sports commentary. The survey was based on a sample of more than 42,000 homes and over 100,000 real people selected from Nielsen's national TV panel, as well as 45 millionbig data households and 75 million devices from Comcast, Dish, DIRECTV,Roku and Vizio. The post YouTube Reaches 12.7% TV Viewership Among Black Audiences appeared first on TheWrap.
Associated Press
29-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Nielsen exclusive report: inclusive, digital content drives Black audiences from reach to conversion
NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Black audiences spend 32 hours on apps and websites on their smartphones and tablets—two hours more than the total U.S. population, according to the latest exclusive Nielsen's Diverse Intelligence Series report Connecting with Black America: How brands impact, grow and win with inclusion. As Black consumers continue to be digital trendsetters, brands' must finetune their approach to engaging with this audience in order to drive long-term connections. 'Reaching Black consumers may not be a challenge—but connecting with us can be. Black consumers are leaning into platforms that emphasize conversation and create a sense of connection,' says Charlene Polite Corley, Vice President of Diverse Insights & Partnerships. 'To win with this community who wields $2 trillion in buying power, brands must prioritize engagement strategies that center diverse Black experiences and cultural nuances.' With the growing diversity of audiences and media platforms, Nielsen's approach—big data verified and enhanced by robust panels—helps marketers understand what and where diverse audiences are consuming content. Social media apps have become a haven for Black consumers – Black adults overall spend more time scrolling than their peers. Black millennials (between 18 and 34-years-old) spend the most time on social media among all adults by almost an hour per week. Black adults also have high engagement with radio and podcasts. Radio averages the same as TV in weekly reach with Black adults – each medium reaches 27 million Black adults on average. Black audiences continue to be power TV viewers, spending 46 hours and 13 minutes per week watching TV, compared to almost 35 hours for the total U.S. population. 46% of that time is spent on streaming, which is gaining share year-over-year with Black adults. YouTube is the top platform—where Black audiences spend 13% of their total TV time, compared to 10% for all U.S. viewers. In fact, YouTube reaches 63% of Black adults and 44% report that they have purchased products based on YouTube content. The preference for YouTube as a source outpaces word of mouth, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Other digital platforms also offer the conversations and commentary that influence Black consumers' purchasing decisions. 63% say they're more likely to evaluate a new brand based on a social media ad or content, compared with 58% overall. In addition, podcasts drive powerful connections: 73% of Black listeners were able to recall a brand name after ad exposure compared to 70% overall. Black sports fans offer brands a new opportunity to turn fan loyalty into brand loyalty. For women's basketball, with Black talent like Angel Reese and A'ja Wilson attracting interest, viewership hit record highs. Between 2023 and 2024, Black viewership increased 161% for the WNBA All-Star Game, 227% for the WNBA Draft and 51% for the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. This engagement is likely to drive sales: Black fans are 7% more likely than all sports fans to buy a brand after seeing its sponsorship activations. For more details and insights, download the full report. Join the conversation on LinkedIn. In 2011, Nielsen launched the Diverse Intelligence Series, a robust portfolio of comprehensive reports that focus on diverse audiences and their media preferences, media trends and representation. The series has become an industry resource to help brands better understand and reach diverse customers. To learn more about Nielsen's Diverse Intelligence research series, visit ABOUT NIELSEN Nielsen shapes the world's media and content as a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics. Through our understanding of people and their behaviors across all channels and platforms, we empower our clients with independent and actionable intelligence so they can connect and engage with their audiences—now and into the future. Nielsen operates around the world in more than 55 countries. Learn more at and connect with us on social media (X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram).
