Clear Channel supports Black-owned businesses with Compass

Clear Channel has announced the winners of its Compass awards, an annual initiative designed to empower and support independent Black-owned businesses through out-of-home (OOH) advertising.

While 64% of Black and Minority Ethnic entrepreneurs agree that advertising is crucial to growing their business, 22% say they face significant difficulty  in acquiring and paying for advertising space, compared to 10% of white entrepreneurs. Clear Channel Compass has been created by Clear Channel UK in collaboration with discovery platform for Black British brands, Jamii, to support Black-owned businesses. 

Since its inception in 2021,  Clear Channel Compass has successfully grown its reach and this year over 350 applications submitted to the scheme. The initiative, which is now in its second year, offers free outdoor advertising space to businesses.

“The ongoing success of Clear Channel Compass speaks to how impactful and necessary support for Black-owned businesses truly is. Not only did we receive an overwhelming number of applications this year, but we also saw an amazing variety of businesses take advantage of the initiative. While it was difficult to narrow the selection down to just 10 winners, we’re looking forward to seeing their campaigns shining brightly on the high street,” explained Courtney Ismain, E-Commerce Manager at Jamii.

The 10 chosen businesses will win campaigns which will run over the next 12 months. The ten winners include Aaron Wallace, Capital Waste, Elliot Footwear, Impression Beverage/Jamaica Rum Vibes, Little OMO, Pat & Pinky’s, Raise Snacks, Treasure Tress, Slinger Staff, and Sheer Chemistry. 

Campaigns of the selected businesses will run across Clear Channel UK’s Adshel Live screens, part of the biggest digital Out of Home network in the UK. The campaigns will start launching next month. 

Research conducted by Clear Channel UK, in cooperation with Channel 4, The Good Side and Blacklight, shows an ongoing need for initiatives like Clear Channel Compass. The research shone a light on the difficulties Black entrepreneurs face when establishing and growing their businesses. By providing free advertising inventory the Clear Channel Compass initiative serves an important reminder that leading with purpose and practical solutions can help the industry to truly embrace equity.