Dentsu and Urban One Partner on Season 3 of More Than That with Gia Peppers
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Entertainment journalist Gia Peppers utilizes her voice to raise awareness on current social, cultural, and global issues on over 100 Black-owned radio stations
New York — February 8, 2023
Expanding on the success of the previous two seasons that resulted in more than $8 million invested into Black-owned media, More Than That with Gia Peppers has launched its third season. The program elevates conversations impacting Black America with a wide range of topics that inspire and engage diverse communities and was born out of a desire to respond to the inequities seen in the advertising supply chain. As leaders in media, dentsu, along with partners General Motors, Procter & Gamble, Kroger, and Mastercard have committed to raise Black voices with this first-of-its-kind program that is exclusively produced and distributed by Black-owned media partners across radio broadcast and streaming. The series will also live as a podcast – available on all major streaming platforms.
The award-winning first two seasons created a sonic journey across Black America, highlighting discussions with Black leaders, cultural trendsetters, and educators that resonate with the Black community and extend the conversation to a wider audience. Seasons one and two saw episodes ranging from Juneteenth with Baratunde Thurston, journalism and sports with Jemele Hill, environment and resilience with Master P, and the Black family with Kenya Barris.
The third season will build on the series' earlier reach, which had sponsorship messages performing above radio industry norms and, at times, outperforming 90% of radio ads. The podcast also had 750MM impressions throughout the previous seasons and was celebrated with multiple awards: 2022 Adweek Best DE&I Podcast and Microsoft Global Social Impact Award.
Season three sees Emmy-nominated producer Quan Lateef-Hill joining as showrunner with Executive Producers Ma'at Zachary and Simmy Bhargava helming the team. Dreux Dougall and Jemilla Mills-Smith are returning as series writers, Christine Mangosing is joining as creative director and Anne Coburn returns as executive editor.
On hosting the series, Executive Producer Gia Peppers said: “It’s an honor to return as the host and co-executive producer for a third season of More Than That. When Adweek recognized our show as one of the most important ones of the year, in a time with dozens of new podcasts starting every single day, it affirmed that all the hard work dentsu, Urban One, and our partners do is worth it. Inspiring and informing our listeners for two seasons has given me profound joy and I’m even more ready to dive deeper into conversations around wellness in all aspects of the Black community. For season three, we will add more conversations around mental health, financial stability, sustainability, environmental justice, and more. Stay tuned! You won’t want to miss it.”
Simmy Bhargava, Executive Producer at Dentsu Good said: “By exclusively producing and distributing the show by Black-owned media partners across radio broadcast and streaming, the program is successful not only in the relevant and thoughtful discussions it is able to showcase, but also in the production process that is committed to the Black community.”
Ma’at Zachary, Executive Producer at One X Studios said: “Season after season, this project continues to amplify Black voices through powerful conversations and conscious storytelling that has been successful on many levels. With passionate leaders at the helm, every aspect of this program is committed to celebrating the Black experience.”
Listen to More Than That with Gia Peppers HERE
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PRESS CONTACTS:
Paul Buranosky: paul.buranosky@dentsu.com
Kate Kelley: Kate.Kelley@dentsu.com
Kerry Smalls: Ksmalls@ionedigital.com
About Dentsu
Dentsu is the network designed for what’s next, helping clients predict and plan for disruptive future opportunities in the sustainable economy. Taking a people-centered approach to business transformation, dentsu combines Japanese innovation with a diverse, global perspective to drive client growth and to shape society.
https://www.group.dentsu.com/en/
About Urban One
Urban One
We Inform.
We Inspire.
We Entertain.
We are the largest distributor of urban content in the country. For more than 35 years, Urban
One has been the leading voice speaking to Black America. First, as the largest local urban radio network. Then, as the largest syndicator of urban programming. Yes, we can even claim our position as the largest African-American owned television network and distributor of digital urban content. Our brands are unsurpassed. Our content is relevant. Our reach is unparalleled. No other multimedia company reaches 82% of Black America. We proudly wear our banner and lift our voice as we ‘Represent Black Culture’ boldly, courageously and unapologetically.
Despite the medium, TV One, Radio One, Reach Media, iONE Digital or One Solution, we create content that REPRESENTS a people whose impact has touched every fiber of American life. That’s what makes us experts. We are creators and distributors. We are developers and executors. We provide solutions to advertisers seeking a deeper customer engagement. And we are the answer for urban enthusiasts wanting content to satisfy their mind, body and spirit. We are ONE. ONE company serving a diverse people all seeking ONE thing…URBAN.