In a session on creating the next generation of streaming content, Latasha Gillespie, the Global Head of DEIA for Amazon Studios, Prime Video, MGM, and Freevee, led a one-on-one conversation with Keke Palmer.
The actor, musician, podcast host, and producer, who recently appeared on The View before jetting off to the French Riviera, shared her thoughts on longevity, personal branding, and why entertainers like herself are uniquely qualified to create programming that audiences love.
The most interesting part of the Cannes Lions session on The Terrace occurred when the conversation moved from talk to action.
“Not only do we obviously want to give entertainment, but we really want to democratize the industry. And also let people, especially young people, know that there are other jobs. And people of color,” Palmer explains to Gillespie. “That you don’t have to just be the person in front of the camera. We need more people behind the camera. These are good jobs a lot of kids don’t have the resources to understand, so we try to lift the veil. And give them opportunities they would not otherwise have.”
Gillespie, Amazon’s DEIA Global Head, ecstatically responds with an offer to partner with her. “We can create spaces and opportunities to change these kids’ lives,” Gillespie tells Palmer.
This partnership represents a promise Palmer made last fall to spotlight a new generation of creators and unlock doors for more people.
Palmer is on the move
Palmer’s new digital media network, KeyTV, surpassed more than 762,000 subscribers, just three months after its launch in October 2022, as first reported by Brand&Culture in January.
The network, at the time, introduced a new programming slate, including a fresh and original advice series, “Dear Keke.” In this series, Palmer provides an unfiltered space for her and her fans to talk and hear from her directly, whether they need “help, a fun word, or advice about everything from relationships to money, their careers, and even just caring for themselves,” as she put it.
She also received the inaugural Best Comedy Limited Series Award from The Signal Podcast Awards, alongside co-star Pete Davidson in their original podcast series “Hit Job,” executive produced by Jordan Peele.
