Netflix Unveils Inclusion-Themed Spot During BET Awards

Netflix Sunday night unveiled a new spot showcasing nearly 50 African-American actors and producers associated with content airing on the streaming service, days after it fired a top level public relations executive for using the N-word.

The ad, which debuted during Sunday's BET Awards telecast, features such stars as Ava DuVernay, Alfre Woodard, Laverne Cox, Lena Waithe, Russell Hornsby, Mike Culter, Spike Lee and Caleb McLaughlin, and promotes the streaming service's Strong Black Lead initiative, which highlights content starring and created by African-American talent, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

The spot comes days after the streaming service let go its top communications executive, Johanthan Friedland, after he was caught using the N-word on more than one occasion in the presence of others at the company who later reported the incident. 

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.