PRESS
Bet Her Announces Five Female-centric Original Films
The Hype | March 11, 2021
BET HER, in partnership with producer Tressa Azarel Smallwood of MegaMind Media, announces the green light of five female-centric original short films, directed by prominent African American women primarily known for being in front of the camera. Veteran Hollywood stars VIVICA A. FOX (“Kill Bill”), YVETTE NICOLE BROWN (“Community“), MONA SCOTT YOUNG (“The Gossip Game”), TA’RHONDA JONES (“Empire“) and CARALENE ROBINSON (“Disordher“) dive into location shooting in Maryland’s Prince George’s County this week, helming five brand-new, original films. These 20-minute dramatic short films focus on topics vital to today’s Black women, ranging from the varied impact of breast cancer, mental health struggles, and domestic violence on them and their families.
TV REVIEW - KING ESTER (47TH DAYTIME EMMYS)
THE M REPORT | March 25, 2020
The nominations for the 47th Daytime Emmys were announced on May 21. CBS is the front-runner with 57 nods. In terms of other traditional television networks, NBC has 43. ABC has 38 and PBS has 28. Syndicated programs account for 52 of the nominations. Digital streaming platforms are seeing significant numbers too. Amazon Prime has 55 nods and Netflix has 40. YouTube earned 17 nominations. A good chunk of that recognition was the result of this series, written and directed by Dui Jarrod who created BET's Brooklyn. Blue. Sky. and presented by Issa Rae of HBO's Insecure.
Black Trans Web Series 'King Ester' Receives Four Daytime Emmy Nominations
LIVING OUT LOUD 2.0 | March 22, 2020
The 47th Daytime Emmy Awards were announced on Thursday, and the new trans centered web series "King Ester" received four nominations.
"King Ester" tells the story of a trans woman struggling to find her path in New Orleans during the week before Hurricane Katrina. In the face of an evacuation order, she is forced to make a choice that will impact her future forever. The digital drama debuted in 2019 on Issa Rae's (Insecure) YouTube channel.
Red Cups & Rosé | King Ester Ep. 7 | Aftershow w/ Caralene Robinson
Issa Rae Presents | November 28, 2019
Dui sits down with Executive Producer Caralene Robinson to discuss the finale episode of King Ester.
New Site Sets Black Women Up As The Sheroes of Their Own Retirement Savings
Caroline V. Clarke | October 24, 2019
It’s no secret that money and stress go hand in hand. “Mo’ money, mo’ problems,” might hold true, but a lack of money, especially when it comes to retirement savings, is a problem like no other.
According to AARP reports, just 35% of African Americans feel they’re doing a good job of saving, and a third admit to having less than one month of funds to rely on in a crisis. This is despite the fact that money management 101 dictates at least six months’ worth if you want to stay afloat. For women, this represents a particular challenge because when you operate at a gender-and-race-based earnings disadvantage (never forget: black women currently earn 61 cents for every dollar earned by white men—and that’s 18 cents less than white women), savings are hard to come by.
Issa Rae YouTube Channel to Release New Web Series 'King Ester'
Sydney Scott | October 8, 2019
"King Ester” stars Rowin Amone, Angelca Ross, and Janet Hubert in a drama about a transgender woman’s quest for stardom.
Issa Rae Productions will release a new web series that follows a transgender woman living in New Orleans as she navigates her sexual identity and forges a path to stardom.
TV News Roundup: ‘King Ester’ to Premiere on Issa Rae’s YouTube Channel
Breanna Bell | October 3, 2019
In today’s TV news roundup, a premiere date is announced for upcoming drama series “King Ester” and Starz acquires six new titles to premiere this fall/winter.
Drama series “King Ester” is slated to premiere on Issa Rae Presents Youtube channel on Oct. 17, Variety has learned exclusively. Starring “Pose’s” Angelica Ross, and Janet Hubert of “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” the series follows an audacious transgender woman named Ester (Rowin Amone) in New Orleans as she navigates her sexual identity and journey to fame while the wrath of Hurricane Katrina terrorizes the city and lives around her. Following its premiere, new episodes will air every Thursday for the next seven weeks.
Practice Your Pitch on the Stoop
Brooklyn Free Speech | October 1, 2019
BRIC's two Community Media TV Networks—Brooklyn Free Speech and BRIC TV—come together to bring you a unique opportunity; the BRIC Community Media TV & Film Pitch Series. Now in its third year, the series was created with one goal in mind— to turn media dreamers into media makers.
‘Harriet’ to Open 2019 Urbanworld Film Festival
By Mackenzie Nichols | August 30, 2019
The lineup for the 23rd annual Urbanworld Film Festival was announced Friday, with Tony-award winning broadway actor Cynthia Erivo and Emmy award-winning director Roger Ross Williams making appearances at the event, which is geared towards representing and celebrating diverse, international voices in film, music videos, television, screenplays and shorts.
New-to-Denver film fest highlights filmmakers of color this weekend at Newman Center
By Lisa Kennedy | July 16, 2019
The Color of Conversation Film Festival is an offshoot of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
Stephanie and Floyd Rance sit in a booth at Stapleton’s Four Friends Kitchen for breakfast and a conversation.
He’s a bit of a trickster. She’s got an energy that combines the breathless with the savvy. Together they’ve got the makings of a comedy routine — or self-aware talk show. Conversation — smart, funny, engaged — is clearly a thing with them. So much so, that seven years ago they launched The Color of Conversation Film Festival, an offshoot of their Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, now in its 17th year. (The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences designated it an Oscar-qualifying fest in 2018.)
Producer Caralene Robinson on Why We Need More Transgender Films
By Alex Tyson | August 15, 2018
Caralene Robinson is a polymath. A former marketing executive who’s worked with iconic brands such as VH1, The Coca-Cola Company, and Virgin Mobile, Robinson recently left the C-suite to pursue entrepreneurial filmmaking. An accomplished writer, director, and producer (check out her IMDB page, friends), she now has several award-winning projects in distribution.
Former VH1 and Logo Executive Vice President Talks Her New Film, “The Bill”
By Chinazo Enigwe | June 25, 2018
Have you ever experienced going out to dinner with a few friends (maybe for a birthday) and everything is going well, you’re catching up with an old friend, laughing, munching on your catfish and Mac& cheese, pouring your fourth margarita pitcher, then things get tense when the bill arrives?
All of a sudden half of your friends turn into accountants while others come up with what sounds like a crowdfunding pitch to cover their portion of the bill. In fact, this experience has become so common that it’s the story line for the short comedy film, “The Bill.”
Cast of "The Bill" at Urban World Film Fest 2017: (from left to right) Tanyika Carey, Perri Camper, Perry King and Crystal Whaley.
Urbanworld Film Festival celebrates 21st anniversary with diverse showcase of filmmakers
By NILE CLARKE | September 25, 2017
Some of the world's most unique and undiscovered films are shown in New York City because of the Urbanworld Film Festival.
Rich characters, diverse genres, and exclusive show premieres make Urban World a paradise for movie buffs and movie makers, according to festival director Gabrielle Glore. "We are proud that Urbanworld remains THE destination for storytellers and studios to connect with a viewing audience as we continue to take a lead role in inclusion," she told the Daily News.
‘Marshall,’ ‘Queen Sugar’ Set for 2017 Urbanworld Film Festival
By Erin Nyren | August 23, 2017
The 21st Annual Urbanworld Film Festival has announced its 2017 slate, with the likes of Ava DuVernay and Chadwick Boseman making appearances at the festival that aims to represent a broad lens of diversity and expand the definition of urban beyond ethnicity.
Filmmakers prepare for BronzeLens Film Festival
WSB-TV ATL | August 14, 2017
How to Create a Modern Marketing Mix for a Media Brand
CMO Spotlight: Caralene Robinson, VH1
By Drew Neisser | June 22, 2016
The ingredient list for today's marketing mix just keeps getting longer. This is particularly true for media entities, which -- in addition to doing social media and advanced analytics -- still interact with traditional press more than the average consumer brand.
Moët Hennessy exec: Leveraging social influencers is paramount for audience-targeting
By Alex Samuely | April 29, 2016
One of blogger Julia Engel of Gal Meets Glam's sponsored photos for Chandon
VH1’S CANDIDLY NICOLE PRESENTS “CANDID MOMENTS”
Entered in INFLUENCER & CELEBRITY CAMPAIGN
Following a memorable first season, VH1's Candidly Nicole geared up for its season 2 premiere by partnering with five top online personalities to create "Candid Moments," a multipart digital video campaign featuring show star Nicole Richie on various adventures with The Fat Jew, Baddie Winkle, Girl with No Job, Hannah Bronfman and Jenn Im.
You Can Literally Undress This ‘Dating Naked’ Billboard on Hollywood’s Busiest Corner
By Jason Lynch | July 16, 2015
When it comes to promoting the return of its nude dating competition series, Dating Naked: Playing for Keeps, VH1 has found that less—much less—is more.
#PassTheBaton To Be On TV During The Drumline: A New Beat Premiere!
By Elizabeth Black | September 30, 2014
Listen up, musicians and music lovers! VH1 is offering you and your school a chance to be on TV during the Drumline: A New Beat premiere on October 27th, and help an amazing cause all at the same time! Watch the video and check out all the #PassTheBaton details below!
How VH1 and Epic Went All in With TLC and What's Next
By Sophie Schillac | October 14, 2013
Inside the group's carefully orchestrated comeback, as longtime manager Bill Diggins, the network and the record label make a big push for big numbers."They either had to pivot and drive forward, or their career would be over."
Boost Puts 'Shrinkage' In A Positive Light
By Aaron Baar | November 1, 2010
In the world of "Seinfeld," shrinkage was portrayed as a negative (particularly for men). But Boost Mobile looks to turn that into a positive to promote its $50 Monthly Unlimited with Shrinkage plans, which reduces monthly fees for every six months of on-time payments.
Boost Mobile 'Shuffles' Into Its First Super Bowl
By Aaron Baar | January 20, 2010
Boost Mobile is making its first foray into the Super Bowl with an updated version of the Super Bowl Shuffle, sung by a reunited 1985 Chicago Bears football team (a/k/a "the Shufflin' Crew"). "Any football enthusiast fondly remembers the original Super Bowl shuffle," Caralene Robinson, Boost's director of marketing, tells Marketing Daily. "It was iconic, and funny; it was a classic. We thought it would be a great way to boost awareness for Boost since we're a new Super Bowl advertiser."
Boost Mobile targets thrifty prepaid subscribers with new campaign
By Mickey Alam Khan
Boost Mobile, Sprint's wholly owned prepaid wireless carrier, has launched a new ad campaign that rails against "abuses"suffered by mobile subscribers even as it moves beyond its urban youth market to price-conscious consumers.
New sequel to Boost Anthem
By Dianna Dilworth | November 30, 2007
Mobile services firm Boost Mobile is debuting a multichannel marketing campaign, through agency Berlin Cameron, called Anthem 2.0, to sell music and mobile phones. The new campaign includes a song that was created exclusively to promote Boost Mobile's latest pay-as-you-go handset, the Motorola i425. The new song, by recording artists Jermaine Dupri, Young Jeezy and Mickey Avalon, is aimed at 12-34 year olds who are attracted to success.