Radio/Music News Tues-Thurs-Fri

Nielsen Foundation Grant To Fund Media Sales Curriculum At Atlanta University Center

The NIELSEN FOUNDATION has awarded a $75,000 one-year grant to fund the development of the first two-year collegiate curriculum in media sales, operations, and marketing at ATLANTA UNIVERSITY CENTER (AUC).

The MEDIA SALES DEPARTMENT (MSD) curriculum will be based on the MEDIA SALES INSTITUTE (MSI), a long-running 10-day program designed to prepare college graduates for careers in media sales, operations, and marketing. The MSI program operates in partnership with NABOB.

Beginning in FALL 2026, juniors and seniors at CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY (CAU), MOREHOUSE COLLEGE, and SPELMAN COLLEGE will have the opportunity to complete a four-year degree with a specialization in media sales.

CAU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Dean SILVANUS UDOKA, said, “I am proud and excited to be a part of this initiative and partner with the MSI FOUNDATION, along with the media industry, to offer the first collegiate concentration in media sales, operations, and marketing in the country!”

MSI FOUNDATION Co-Founder JEFFREY P. MYERS added, “Our strategy is the best long-term plan to recruit diverse, pre-screened, and highly qualified entry-level employees into the media industry. We are proud of an amazing MEDIA SALES INSTITUTE (MSI) alumni network that consists of more than 1,000 graduates being employed in media sales departments across the industry.”

NIELSEN FOUNDATION Grantmaking Pres/Exec. Dir. ANDREA BERTELS said, “Visibility, knowledge, and access to a variety of career paths in the media industry can open so many opportunities for students. The NIELSEN FOUNDATION is honored to support the development of the MEDIA SALES DEPARTMENT curriculum to empower future media sales, operations, and marketing professionals.”