Pics from ASPiRE Television Network Launch Event
Posted by Wilson Morales
June 28, 2012
Last night, Blackfilm.com attended the private, star-studded ‘ASPiRE‘ Television Network Launch Event at Cipriani 42nd Street.
Led by Magic Johnson and his company, Magic Johnson Enterprises, the new television network debut on Wednesday, June 27 at 8:00 pm EST with a unique mix of original and groundbreaking programming aimed at African-American viewers. The network launched with inaugural distribution partners Comcast and Time Warner Cable.
Magic Johnson came on stage to thank all for attending and supporting his new venture and thanked the many sponsors responsible for helping him get the network off the ground.
In speaking with Blackfilm.com about the historic launch, Aspire general manager Paul Butler stated his excitement, “Beyond words. It’s an amazing opportunity. This is an historic occasion. Everybody who’s been working on it is passionate about this and will make sure that it succeeds.”
What’s going to make Aspire different from networks?
PB: The goal with Aspire is to celebrate the ground breaking work of African Americans and also to introduce and create a platform for the next generation. We want to make sure we do both things in a way that reflects the positive image of who we are and show the depth of the community.
How did ‘ABFF Independents‘ come about as the first series?
PB: GMC (Gospel Music Channel), who’s partners with Aspire, has been partners with ABFF for some time. Out of that relationship, we were talking to ABFF about Aspire and the importance of independent film and film in general in the black community as a story telling device to tell provocative stories and stories that are not getting told. It was a natural conversation that came out of that relationship. They have a lot of films in their library and it’s a great partnership.
We then spoke to Chrysler Corporation’s Kim Adams House, Head of Jeep Advertising & Communications and Justin S. Byrd, Head of Multicultural Marketing & Advertising about their company’s involvement with the network.
What’s Chrysler’s involvement?
Kim Adams House: We’re really pleased to actually be on the ground floor here. The Chrysler Group is the exclusive auto motor partner with Aspire and we feel what this offers us, along with the Aspire brand, the opportunity to two brands with a common DNA of quality products and service and bring it to a diverse and evolving marketplace. We’re shown over time that the Chrysler group is resilient and we think differently. Partnering with Aspire and Magic Johnson is a great opportunity to showcase our brand and product with inspiring and relevant programming.
Justin S. Byrd: The thing we are excited about is that we really feel the brand value of Aspire really aligns well with ours. It’s all about providing great products and services to a diverse clientele that we have out in the marketplace. This is the tip of the iceberg for us. We’re really looking to finding out what the programming will be, in what slots, and what will be some of the features. We know that Magic will focus more on some of the up and coming artist, entrepreneurs, and for us, that’s a very creative space and something we’re encourage by.
Once the network went live on the air, the audience was treated to by New Edition. Followed by their performance, DJ Nice entertained the crowd to until the end of the party.
Among the celebrities in attendance were Magic Johnson’s wife, Cookie Johnson, singer Natalie Cole, ABFF Founder Jeff Friday and wife Nicole Friday, NFL great Curtis Martin, Kwame Jackson, New York Knicks player Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks exec Allan Houston, New Edition, GMC TV Vice-Chairman Brad Siegal, Colman Domingo, director Malcolm D. Lee, Flo Anthony, publicist Marvet Britto, DJ Nice, Rev. Al Sharpton, Former New York Knicks player and Hall of Fall great Walt Clyde Frazier, ABFF Independent host Omari Hardwick, Essence Magazine Entertainment Editor Cori Murray, filmmaker Samad Davis, Former baseball player Gary Sheffield, singer Wyclef Jean, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer for CNN Worldwide Janet Rolle, Ground Breaking Comedy Host Jonathan Slocumb, ASPiRE General Manager Paul Butler, Cheryl James (“Salt”), Sandra Denton (“Pepa”), publisher of VIVmag Jocelyn Taylor, Lynn Whitfield, Sidra Smith, Laff Mobb Enterprises Bob Sumner, Eric Benet, NAACP CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous, Russell Simmons and Miss Universe Leila Lopes, Taimak, Tika Sumpter, WABC-TV Eyewitness News reporters Sandra Bookman and Kimberly Richardson, and many more.
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