WBD Goes Purple
On December 25, WB Pictures' "The Color Purple"
debuted in theaters as the largest Christmas Day opening since 2009! This bold new take on the beloved classic invites audiences to experience the inspiring portrayal of the bonds of sisterhood and the triumph of the human spirit. The film features an ensemble cast of acclaimed talent showcasing soul-stirring performances led by Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., and Halle Bailey, was directed by Blitz Bazawule, and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones. WBD celebrated this cultural touchstone throughout Q4 and much of 2023, including:
- Participating in over 75 conferences, events, and festivals, including the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, the American Black Film Festival, Woman Evolve 23
, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference (participated in 6 separate events surrounding the Conference, including the Foundation's Phoenix Awards Dinner), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc's National Convention, National Urban League Conference, NAACP National Convention, Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival, AdColor, Black Excellence Brunch, and AfroTech.
- Launching WB's most robust advanced buyout and group sales campaign ever, engaging hundreds of groups to preview and become ambassadors for the movie.
- Hosting an Oprah Town Hall Call on December 20, serving as a culmination of the leader, organization, and community engagement that was the backbone of the film campaign with over 71,000 supporters joining!
- Engaging younger Black audiences with various HBCU activations including: participation in HBCU Homecomings and in the Reel HBCU Film Festival, providing a dedicated screening program across 10 HBCU campuses, and creating an HBCU Performance Showcase with 15 HBCU university bands, dance teams and gospel choirs. HBCU Supercut on Watch the Yard; HBCU Supercut and Gospel choir
video #1 and
video #2 on The Shade Room. An additional HBCU Homecoming layer included thematic coronation ceremonies, where kings and queens were gifted a trip to the premiere. See here for social posts from this experience.
- Hosting premiere screenings in Los Angeles, London, New York City, and Washington, D.C. We also partnered with Starbucks to host a special screening and panel discussion for The Loveland Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to destigmatize mental health counseling and provide access to therapists for Black women and girls. The panel was moderated by CNN LA correspondent Stephanie Elam and featured film director Blitz Bazawule, lead actress Fantasia Barrino, composer Kris Bowers, and choreographer Fatima Robinson.
- Holding employee screenings and celebrations across our global offices in partnership with our BOLD (Black Outstanding Leaders Delivering) Business Resource Group.
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