Three years ago, Keke Palmer had a conversation with Maya Thompson at Special US that stuck. Palmer had launched KeyTV Network. Thompson was building Special Academy, the agency’s response to systemic barriers facing Black and Brown communities in creative industries.
Now they’re putting their shared vision into practice. KeyTV Network and Special US—the Los Angeles-based independent agency that launched in 2020 with Uber Eats as a founding client—have officially launched KeyTV Days at Special Academy. It’s a six-week immersion program designed to turn access from aspiration into action.
What Started as Recognition, Became Collaboration
“Keke generously came out as a guest speaker at Special Academy in our first year and it was towards the end of KeyTV’s first year,” says Thompson, culture and community director at Special US. “After that we knew we were aligned in every way possible”.
That alignment wasn’t accidental. Both organizations emerged from the same fundamental understanding: talent exists everywhere, but pathways don’t. Palmer’s concept for KeyTV Network stemmed from her personal experiences within the industry and her desire to introduce new talent to Hollywood and provide opportunities to people of color who have faced hardships entering the entertainment industry.
Special Academy launched in 2023 with similar intent. The program focuses on creativity, access, and education by connecting youth with industry leaders, offering hands-on experiences in advertising and branding through partnerships with ArtworxLA and industry figures.
How the Program Works
KeyTV Days brings together what both organizations do best. During the six-week program at Special’s Los Angeles office, young creatives develop industry skills through mentorship and creative sessions, including production and cinematic storytelling, guided by “Keymakers”—KeyTV’s community of visionary creators.
Participants get direct access to Special US’s network of advertising executives and industry professionals. They work on real projects, creating professional 30-60 second brand videos and key visuals. The program culminates in a showcase where students present their completed work with amplification from both Special US’s and KeyTV’s networks.
The Keymakers leading the program include Frank Wimberly, Jordan “Ace” Watson, Crystal Alejandro, Moses Alexander, Aramis Duran and Lawrence Murray—creators who understand both the craft and the barriers firsthand.
Beyond Typical DEI Programming
This partnership represents something different from standard diversity initiatives. It’s not about representation metrics or corporate social responsibility boxes. It’s about building actual infrastructure for career development.
“From the very beginning, KeyTV was built to shift the narrative around access—because we know talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t,” Palmer explains in the announcement. “We believe in building real pathways for underrepresented storytellers to grow, lead, and shine—and that’s exactly what KeyTV Days is all about.”
Special US, which describes itself as “a global independent creative group for the world’s most ambitious brands” with offices across multiple continents, puts partnership first with an emphasis on “doors not floors”. That philosophy extends naturally to this community work.
What Makes This Partnership Work
The connection between a multimedia entertainment company and an independent agency might seem unusual, but it reflects how the creative economy functions. Palmer, who launched KeyTV Network in 2021, has built a platform that gained 762,000 subscribers within the first three months and now reaches over a million people across platforms.
Special US, led by Kelsey Hodgkin and founded on the success of campaigns like Uber Eats’ viral Star Wars-Star Trek crossover, represents the kind of nimble, global-thinking independent shop that can move quickly on initiatives like this.
Both organizations understand that real change happens when established players use their networks to create new networks. The program doesn’t just teach skills—it provides visibility, connections, and career opportunities across media, entertainment, and advertising.
The Bigger Picture
This announcement comes as the advertising industry continues grappling with diversity and inclusion challenges that go beyond surface-level fixes. The collaboration between KeyTV Network and Special US suggests a different approach: building sustainable systems rather than one-off programs.
“If advertising wants to stay at the forefront of creativity, we need to critically examine the structures we uphold,” Thompson notes. “A system is nothing without its parts, and we are undoubtedly a piece of it.”
The partnership also reflects broader shifts in how creative professionals think about career development. Traditional paths through agencies, production companies, and entertainment companies are being supplemented by programs that recognize creativity as a transferable skill set across industries.
Learn more
KeyTV Network
Special US
Keke Palmer LinkedIn
Special US LinkedIn
Contact: info@keytvnetwork.com
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