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Pitch Black: History of Black Advertising Revealed
2 Sep
Summary
- A new book chronicles Black advertising's impact on American business.
- It highlights Black creatives as pivotal architects of modern pop culture.
- The book serves as the first archive of historical Black advertising work.
On September 7, 2026, "Pitch Black: The best Black ads of the past 50+ years," a new book by Mark Robinson, will be released. It delves into a significant, previously unrecorded chapter of American business history. The book posits that Black creatives, not the "Mad Men" figures, were instrumental in shaping modern American pop culture.
This comprehensive coffee table book showcases advertising created by Black individuals for Black audiences. It illustrates how these messages became powerful tools during the Civil Rights movement, fundamentally altering global perceptions of Black America. Robinson emphasizes the journey of African Americans to becoming cultural and commercial leaders.
"Pitch Black" features a curated selection of the finest Black advertising images from the last five decades. These were chosen by a panel of top Black advertising leaders. The book also includes analysis of the ads' historical context and societal impact.
Mark Robinson brings extensive experience, having spent 45 years in advertising. His previous award-winning book, "Black On Madison Avenue," explored the profession's lack of diversity. "Pitch Black" has already garnered four national awards before its official release, including the Literary Titan and Booky Awards.
