NEW YORK (April 19, 2023) – Hero Media, a 100% Black owned and certified media and technology company, and Urban Edge Network LLC (UEN), a Black-owned media company and premier advertising network with owned publishers that focus on distributing content from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other black targeted audiences are announcing a partnership to create an even larger network focused on helping brands directly engage and invest in Black and diverse owned publishers at scale. The partnership will operate as a division of the Hero Media Network.  With Black owned media receiving less than 1% of the $300 billion a year ad industry, the two Black-owned media companies believe that by the creation of this network, they can help close the gap by providing more opportunities for brands to connect with diverse owned media beyond their own inventory.

“This partnership with Urban Edge Network LLC and Hero Media Network shows that there is strength in numbers and that diverse owned publishers can come together under a common goal, which is to help each other grow and thrive.  When we created Hero Media, it wasn’t just to drive opportunity to our own media products, we wanted to help open the door for dozens of diverse owned publishers that were struggling to get visibility for their platforms.” – Joe Anthony, Founder, Hero Media.

Hero Media Network currently represents several Black and diverse owned publishers. In addition to selling Hero Media’s and Urban Edge Network LLC first party media products, the network also represents Ebony, Uptown Magazine,The Shadow League, Black Girls Rock, BeLatina, Discovered TV, Official Latino Film Festival, Level Man and several other diverse owned media outlets.  Hero Media Network is also actively recruiting more Black and diverse owned publishers to join its ranks as it looks to become a holistic solution for brands seeking a more consolidated investment strategy.

“Hero Media Network, is a direct reaction to what we are hearing from the market.  Brands and agencies want more efficient ways to achieve scale and reach when engaging diverse owned publishers.  We believe our partnership with Hero Media in the creation of this even broader network, is a major step forward in addressing those needs.”- Hardy Pelt, Co-founder of Urban Edge Network.