McDonald’s is playing a role in helping to establish the Black Information Network (BIN), the first and only 24/7 national and local all-news audio service dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news coverage with a Black voice and perspective.
As the exclusive quick-service restaurant partner, McDonald’s and its franchisees’ support are helping iHeartMedia, through BIN, further its mission to provide an information source and access to the Black perspective in order to help foster communication, accountability and a deeper understanding of the community.
Meeting the needs of Black listeners
BIN was created to meet the needs of Black listeners looking for news focused on the Black community. The content on BIN will be 100 percent news driven by the headlines and important stories of the day. Daily segments will focus on top stories, traffic and weather, national and local headlines, ‘feature’ and money news. By leveraging the resources, assets and financial support of iHeartMedia, BIN will be able to reach 93 percent of Black Americans.
“McDonald’s and our franchisees are proud to be a founding partner of the Black Information Network as another step in our journey to support our customers and communities,” said Joe Erlinger, president, McDonald’s USA. “We are honored to contribute to the mission of BIN and help amplify information and diverse perspectives to establish new opportunities for meaningful dialogue in communities across the country.”
Sustained support for the Black community
Through McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden movement, this is the company’s most recent action to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to uplifting the Black community through empowerment, education and entrepreneurship.
The McDonald's also launched a $500,000 Black & Positively Golden Scholarship Fund to help students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities return to school this fall amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
McDonald’s has also made contributions to support the important work of the NAACP and National Urban League to eradicate racism and social injustice.
The company also gave away most of its previously-purchased BET Awards ad space to amplify Black voices by providing a national stage for 13 members of the Black community to share messages of education, activism, art, entertainment, and more. During the 20th anniversary BET Awards broadcast, McDonald’s also announced a donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help inspire the next generation of dreamers.
“Having access to quality and authentic information is especially important during these times,” said Vicki Chancellor, Atlanta-based McDonald’s owner/operator and chair of the McDonald’s national franchisee brand committee. “Our support of the ground-breaking Black Information Network will provide the communities we live in and serve additional resources and content that will be helpful in creating stronger connections among all people.”
Launching across the United States
BIN launches in a number of markets including Atlanta, Augusta, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, GA, Dallas, Detroit, Greenville, Macon, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Riverside, San Francisco and Seattle.
BIN is serving up news to iHeartMedia’s 91 Hip Hop, R&B and Gospel stations across the country. It is also distributed nationally through the iHeartRadio app and accessible via mobile, smart speakers, smart TVs and other connected platforms, and on dedicated and wholly owned all-news local broadcast AM/FM radio stations.
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