Nielsen establishes African American Advisory Council.

Nielsen Media Research announced the creation of the African American Advisory Council (AAAC), which consists of 12 industry, community, and business leaders. The Council will advise Nielsen on a range of issues involving sampling of African Americans for television audience measurement in the U.S. and will assist Nielsen in reaching out to African American communities and those within the industry. The first AAAC meeting was held in September in New York.

“African Americans represent more than 13 million television households in the U.S., representing approximately 12 percent of all U.S. television households,” said Sara Erichson, general manager of National Services at Nielsen Media Research. “It is imperative that our insight into the viewing habits of this community begins with culturally sensitive recruitment strategies and outreach.”

“Regardless of whether an African American resides in a rural or urban community, it’s important that all of their viewing habits are accurately measured and reported,” said Ken Smikle, president of Target Market News and a newly appointed member of the Council. “Nielsen has done a commendable job in ensuring that the African American population is represented within its samples. The Council can advise Nielsen on how to better reach African Americans and communicate a message of inclusion to the public.”

“There is an economic impact to understanding the household characteristics and viewing trends of African Americans,” said Vic Bulluck, executive director of the NAACP Hollywood Branch. “As a Council member, I hope to provide insight that will help Nielsen understand why the data the company provides should be able to meet the unique needs of industry leaders that specifically target the African American community, thus forging an even stronger relationship with these prospective allies.”

The members of the African American Advisory Council are:

* Vic Bulluck, Executive Director, NAACP, Hollywood Bureau, Los Angeles

* Reverend Jacques Andre DeGraff, Associate Pastor, Canaan Baptist Church in Harlem

* Ronald Franklin, Executive VP, Director of Research and Planning for GlobalHue, Southfield, Michigan

* Deborah Gray Young, Director of Media, E. Morris Communications, Chicago

* Adonis Hoffman, Senior VP and Council, American Association of Advertising Agencies, Washington

* Warrington Hudlin, President, Black Filmmakers Foundation, New York

* Ivan Juzang, CEO, MEE Productions, Philadelphia

* Michelle Moore, Senior VP Marketing and Communications, National Urban League, New York

* Cynthia Perkins Roberts, Vice President Diversity Marketing & Sales Development, CableTelevision Advertising Bureau, New York

* Ken Smikle, President, Target Market News

* Mitsy Wilson, Senior VP Diversity Development, Fox Entertainment Group and News Corporation, Los Angeles

* Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago