Penella manages AMC Networks’ SVOD businesses, a role only increasing in importance with the growth of streaming. Under his leadership, the services have seen increased distribution both stateside and internationally, landing on Apple TV and surpassing two million subscribers in 2019. Penella believes the industry should be striving to increase diversity across all levels, including in the pool of writers, producers, directors and actors hired. “Is there enough diversity in the people making those decisions, and at all levels, do BIPOC professionals in our industry have the same career advancement opportunities as white professionals?” he asks.
The conversation about racial injustice in 2020 has been… a wake-up call and an opportunity for real progress in all areas of our society.
In what ways can companies best show a sincere commitment to diversity and inclusion? By working to express and deliver on a commitment to racial diversity at the executive level and across our employee base to ensure meaningful change, as well as by striving to increase diversity in the pool of writers, producers, directors and actors we hire.
What are some of the tough conversations this industry needs to have? Across the industry, we should be discussing how we can increase diversity in content to better reflect our world by examining who greenlights the stories we tell. Is there enough diversity in the people making those decisions, and at all levels, do BIPOC professionals in our industry have the same career advancement opportunities as white professionals?
