First off, let me just say that if you're not watching HBO's Lovecraft Country, you're truly missing out on something special.
The show takes one of the most problematic authors in horror literature—the fantastically imaginative but infuriatingly racist H.P. Lovecraft—and rebuilds his mythos through a fascinating new lens.
Created by Black screenwriter and producer Misha Green, the series takes Lovecraft's themes of paranoia, conspiracy and the dread of being an unwelcome "outsider" and draws a direct parallel to the experience of life as a Black American, especially during the Jim Crow era.
The show's message was also reflected in its influencer marketing.
As you can see in this article from my colleague Ian Zelaya, HBO and agency Translation sent 300 influencers a promotional kit that included products made by Black-owned businesses.
There were also field guide entries with information about each company, a reference to one of the main characters' guidebook for Black travelers in the era of segregation.
It's a great continuation of the kind of real-world, historical integration we saw with HBO's promotion of the Depression-era drama Perry Mason.
Are you watching Lovecraft Country? If so, drop me a line at the email below or at @Griner on Twitter and let me know what you think so far!
David Griner
Creative and Innovation Editor, Adweek
david.griner@adweek.com
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