• by Erik Sass , March 4, 2008

Screenvision is launching a new, dedicated multi-platform program targeting African-American moviegoers called the African-American Cinema Network, with 320 theaters and 2,200 screens, offering 86 million admissions a year. The new service, including on-screen and in-lobby promotions, is launching with Nationwide Insurance as its inaugural advertiser.

The on-screen component includes 30-second spots and cinema slides, while the lobby program includes box-office handouts and lobby standees, the same kind of assets used in Screenvision's dedicated networks for Hispanics and college students.

It includes theaters in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston, concentrated in areas with large African-American populations and therefore audiences.

The Nationwide program ran throughout February and will run again during May and October. The campaign was coordinated by Matlock Advertising and Public Relations.

Advertising clients for Screenvision's Hispanic and College networks have included Honda, ABC Entertainment, U.S. Cellular, Volkswagen and Lifetime Television.