Forbes and UnityFirst.com partner to distribute
diversity-focused business news

Selden Blommer and Janine Fondon

(New York)Forbes magazine has partnered with UnityFirst.com to distribute the diversity-focused special advertising sections produced by Forbes Custom Solutions as well as to share other diversity and business news generated by UnityFirst.com.  The Forbes special sections and other business news about diversity will be shared throughout the UnityFirst.com network, including its quarterly e-magazine and weekly Business World Index. Beginning December 1, 2008, select articles will be posted on ForbesDiversity.com.

   "We are looking forward to sharing the important stories of diversity and business leadership that are critical to success, today and tomorrow,” says Janine Fondon, President and CEO of UnityFirst.com.  "An emphasis on the importance of workplace diversity and other global best practices will help shape the future of business leadership in this changing economy and world marketplace."

     "Cultural competence is the key to global growth," notes Selden Blommer, Executive Director, Forbes Custom Solutions, who invites corporations and other organizations to participate in the special advertising sections.  "By covering the key issues and sharing success stories and best practices, we offer important, authentic dialogue about diversity and the future of global business success."

    The Forbes Diversity Special Sections raise awareness about inclusion issues, business challenges and market solutions.  These special sections have focused on the importance of strategic alliances for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), board diversity, women’s initiatives, corporate diversity strategies including recruitment and retention, leadership development and other best practices.  The special section, “Victories in Capitalism,” featured in the November 17, 2008 Largest Private Companies issue profiles successful MBEs and describes what it takes for them to thrive.   “African American Corporate Legacy,” featured in the December 8, 2008 Investment Guide issue showcases African American trailblazers and honors the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on its upcoming Centennial. 

     UnityFirst.com welcomes companies and individuals to share information and interests related to diversity and business leadership and to participate in these special advertising sections as well as in other features generated for ForbesDiversity.com. To participate in upcoming 2009 Forbes diversity sections, contact Gloria Lerner at (212) 831-7068 or email gilerner@verizon.net. To share diversity-focused news or participate in any of UnityFirst.com advertorial reports, contact Janine Fondon at (413) 734-6444 or email jfondon@unityfirst.com.

About Forbes Media/Forbes Custom Solutions

Forbes Media encompasses Forbes magazine and other media properties, including Forbes.com, the company’s Internet business, which reaches in excess of 20 million people monthly and is the #1 business site on the Web. The company publishes Forbes, the nation’s leading business magazine and Forbes Asia, which together reach a worldwide audience of five million readers. The company also publishes ForbesLife, ForbesLife Executive Woman and ForbesLife MountainTime magazines, in addition to eight local-language licensee editions that are published in China, Israel, Japan, Korea, Poland, Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.Forbes Custom Solutions is uniquely qualified to provide custom content targeted to business executives, investors and affluent consumers.

About UnityFirst.com

UnityFirst.com is a multicultural media and communications company that distributes diversity-related news, information, resources and events to diverse influentials, cross- cultural consumers, corporations, executives, ethnic media sources and industry associations across the U.S. and beyond.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Janine Fondon
Email: jfondon@unityfirst.com
Phone (413) 734-6444