Media, Esports Companies Weigh In on Protests, Express Support for Black Lives Matter

Brands spanning a variety of industries have weighed in on the protests and civil unrest happening across the globe this week by expressing solidarity with the African American community in the fight against police brutality and racism. Media companies and program networks in particular have stepped up to show support, according to an article in Cablefax.

BET issued a statement opposing legal racism and oppression and called for donations to organizations that support black Americans. And parent company ViacomCBS went dark on Monday at 5pm for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time that a police officer had pinned George Floyd to the ground with his knee on May 25 in Minneapolis. The blackout served as a tribute to Floyd and a remembrance of other victims of racism. Other media companies pledged donations toward social justice efforts, including YouTube and Netflix, which each donated $1 million. The Walt Disney Co. is donating $5 million and Google will commit $12 million to groups working to address racial inequalities, according to Cynopsis.

Meanwhile, the esports and gaming industry has shown support for Black Lives Matter, NAACP and other organizations, reports Cynopsis Esports. Electronic Arts is donating $1 million and matching employee donations; Call of Duty creator Infinity Ward will be dedicating more resources toward monitoring racist content; Riot Games will focus on supporting nationwide criminal justice reform and black-owned businesses; and more.

Brands also took to social media to express support and some, including Nike, created specific ads that addressed the civil unrest. PRNEWS looks at brands’ responses, from Sony’s message that products can be replaced—but lives can’t be—to a statement put out by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that conspicuously leaves out any mention of Colin Kaepernick, a former quarterback who protested police brutality in 2016. For more brand responses to the protests and tips on how to tackle such issues with sensitivity, read on in PRNEWS.