Bonin Bough’s Post

As we gather for the prestigious Cannes Lions 2024, we extend a special invitation to you. Join us at Inkwell Beach-Cannes on Monday, June 17, at 4 p.m. for a momentous celebratory toast to Adrianne C. Smith, the visionary behind the first standalone diversity, equity and inclusion activation at Cannes Lions. This unique space sparks discussions about the untapped market potential of diverse audiences whose scale had not yet been realized. Messages often take time to resonate. Although Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865—two and a half years later—that Major General Gordon Granger and the Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with news of freedom. Over 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became Juneteenth, or Freedom Day. Just as there was a significant delay in the widespread adoption of mobile technology, investing in diverse audiences has lagged. However, thanks to Adrianne’s profound foresight, this is now the fourth year of Inkwell. If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had the dream, we have Cannes, and our visionary who walked a different path until those who believed turned it into a movement: Adrianne. Her message transcends equity; it’s about economic impact. The New Majority represents nearly $25 trillion in spending, making it the only growth audience. We often confuse the concept of equity with the straightforward reality of simple economics: low penetration, reach without resonance, and investment without continuity. Adrianne's transformative insights have reshaped our industry and inspired us to think differently, making her recognition all the more significant. So please join us and witness Inkwell Beach-Cannes' profound impact on the world's largest advertising event. Adrianne, we extend our deepest gratitude to you. With respect and appreciation. Cavel Khan, Jeff Swierk, Ashley Banks, Kerel Cooper, Asha Davis, Enrico Mowatt, Lizzie Garlinghouse, Group Black.

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The countdown to POSSIBLE begins! 1 more week... Who's going to be there? Group Black is taking over Miami, and we want to see YOU on the ground! Make sure to RSVP to the Culture Unleashed Stage here: https://lnkd.in/eC3aNJ54 In true Group Black fashion, there will be electrifying conversations and of course a show stopping party 💥 Official programming below!

Head's up! Shoptalk is almost here, who's going to be on the ground next week? Hope to see you there! #Shoptalk2024 #Retail #RetailTech #RetailInnovation #joinmeatShoptalk

📣 CALLING ALL SHOPTALKERS!! 📣 I’m going to be in Vegas for ShopTalk March 17 & 18 and I want to know who’s going to be on the ground? Would love to connect with some familiar and new faces! See you there!

📣 CALLING ALL SXSW LOVERS 📣 Who will be in Austin for SXSW this year? Anyone who knows me knows it is one of my favourite events of the year and I will be back for 2024! Would love to see some familiar and new faces, let me know if you're going to be on the ground!!

💥 💥 💥 !! Exciting Announcement !! 💥 💥 💥 Pleased to share that I will be joining my friend Raja Rajamannar on Quantum Marketing Sense Live — on Thursday, February 1st at 11:15 AM ET. Tune in to watch us discuss social and digital marketing, how inclusion can help you innovate responsibly, and more. If you would like to watch, click this link and hit “Attend” so you’ll be notified of the event on Thursday: https://lnkd.in/ehmin2g7

At Group Black we believe in the importance of growing an equitable media ecosystem, because while there is currently $330 billion being funneled into the industry each year, less that one billion dollars is going to Black owned media. That’s less than 1%. Studies have shown that if brands would have started investing in closing the racial gaps in the US 20 years ago, we could have generated trillions of dollars in GDP. Investing in diverse audiences isn’t just the right thing to do  - it’s good for business.