On the cusp of the announcement that ViacomCBS will be dropping Nick Cannon from their lineup of creative contributors for anti-semitic comments, CBS Television Studios has struck a multi-year partnership agreement with the NAACP to create content across its platforms.
The news was delivered by George Cheeks, CBS President and CEO, and Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. The two entities will come together to develop a team and streamline a system that will produce content that promotes more diversity.
CBS released the following statement:
“An important way to diversify and grow our storytelling is to expand our horizons beyond the traditional studio-producer system,” said Cheeks. “There is no better partner than the NAACP – the preeminent civil rights organization in our country – to help us find, develop and tell these inclusive stories. “At the same time, this is a strategic opportunity for CBS to build upon as well as re-imagine our pipeline for existing and emerging creative talent.
In this moment of national awakening, the time has never been better to further tell stories of the African American experience,” said Johnson. “Programming and content have the power to shape perspectives and drive conversations around critical issues. This partnership with CBS allows us to bring compelling and important content to a broad audience.”
Checkmate.
