BET To Sponsor Consumer Behavior Study

BET has signed on to sponsor a 2013 African-American consumer branding study, the network recently announced.

The syndicated LEAP African-American Content Alignment Study, conducted by NewMediaMetrics, will quantify the emotional attachment of more than 3,000 African Americans aged 13-64 to more than 350 consumer brands and 400 media properties across 14 Platforms -- including TV, internet, print, mobile, social and out-of-home, according to the company.

"As the leading media and entertainment brand for consumers of black culture globally, we recognize the importance of connecting with and understanding our audience," said Matthew Barnhill, executive vice president of Corporate Market Research at BET Networks in a statement. "This new partnership with NewMediaMetrics deepens our strength of insights into our audience and the African-American community as a whole. We look forward to working together so that BET Networks can better serve our viewers, partners and other stakeholders."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.