COMCAST Launches Xfinity On Demand Short Film, Commercial, and Print Ad Celebrating Black History Month

We are excited to announce an amazing campaign with our client, Comcast Xfinity, to celebrate and kickoff Black History Month. The GROUNDBREAKERS: HEROES BEHIND THE MASK campaign features a short film, print ad and commercial and radio spot, featuring creatives behind some of America's beloved superheroes and animated series. Xfinity will use the power of the X1 platform to spotlight the pioneering talent behind some of America's most beloved superhero stories and designs while chronicling the deep-rooted history and representation of the Black community.

Comics, sci-fi and animation have long been popular genres within the African American community despite representation being few and far between. The campaign, "Groundbreakers: Heroes Behind the Mask" will feature exclusive VOD packages with Phillip Boutte, Jr. costume illustrator and concept artist for such films as "A Wrinkle in Time," "Justice League," and "Black Panther"; Cheo Hodari Coker creator of the popular "Luke Cage" series on Netflix and Dr. Sheena Howard award-winning author of "Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation." Academy Award nominee and powerhouse costume designer Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther) is featured in the print campaign. While the Xfinity short film features Alitha E. Martinez, comic book illustrator; Reginald Hudlin, film writer, director and producer; Floyd Norman, Disney animator; and actor and voice over talent, Phil LaMarr. In the short film, viewers will hear Cheo Hodari Coker, creator and showrunner for Marvel's 'Luke Cage" on Netflix, discuss how his lead character challenges the conventional superhero archetype. Learn what influenced the costume design for the highly anticipated characters of 'Black Panther' from the costume concept artist who illustrated it, Phillip Boutte Jr.; Dr. Sheena Howard explores the connection between afro-futurism and the civil rights movement and also hear from Ciara Renee, the CW's "Hawkgirl," about playing a female superhero on television. The talented cast of this Xfinity original short will inspire viewers with their personal insights encouraging the next generation of African American creatives.

"Groundbreakers: Heroes Behind the Mask" is available to ALL consumers online at xfinity.com/discovermore. Xfinity customers can also watch the short film on Xfinity on demand in the Black Film & TV destination or on their mobile devices via the Xfinity Stream app. Simply say 'Black Film & TV' into your X1 voice remote to access the original short and the full curated collection of TV, Movie and web content. #XfinityBHM