Working in the media industry involves building connections and embracing creative risks. Jordan “JB” Benston, drawing from her experience in production management and logistics, decided to leverage her network to launch her own media company, The Oracle Media. This company is a powerful production house owned by a Black woman.
Benston’s career in the media space started at Viacom (now known as Paramount), among other media companies, doing behind-the-scenes work to help the creativity on screen come to life. After a few conversations with some of the 3rd party companies she hired, she learned another way of doing her job with less stress. “It’s a smart business plan these contractors have because they make more money and have fewer responsibilities while seemingly doing the same thing I do,” Benston said.
In 2019, Benston founded Oracle Media, a Los Angeles-based company known for creating custom content across various platforms, including digital, linear, streaming, and editorial. The Oracle Media has partnered with major brands like TNT, McDonald’s, State Farm, Disney/Andscape, iOne Digital, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The company has also collaborated with prominent talents like Queen Latifah, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, Marsai Martin, and, more recently, Viola Davis and Victoria Monét. Additionally, Oracle co-executive produced the documentary “Hip-Hop and The White House” for Disney-ESPN’s Andscape.
“It’s been a blessing, to say the least, and I am glad I bet on myself because the digital footprint I get to leave with my work is my legacy,” Benston said. Bentson and The Oracle Media recently announced their creative direction behind the latest #BETImmersed digital covers for BET, featuring Hollywood icon Viola Davis and chart-topping artist Victoria Monét, along with special Father’s Day covers with Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx and comedic legend Marlon Wayans.
“Working with Viola, Victoria, Jamie, and Marlon presented a fresh kind of creative energy,” says Jordan “JB” Benston, CEO & Creative Director of The Oracle Media. “Our mission for #BETImmersed is simple: authentic depth, visual boldness, and cultural resonance. We poured that same intentionality into every shoot.”
The digital covers also feature interviews talking about love, fatherhood, and manhood. “It’s been fun to work with all the talent I have, especially while doing the covers because everybody was so nice and accommodating.” Benston has done several covers with Bet dating back to March.
Being a woman, especially a Black woman, we sometimes get doubted, but nobody does it better than a Black woman! We have the ability to multitask like no other, and these covers show why the Black image is important in a multitude of spaces.” Benston said about the message her covers portray. “The media has done a number on the Black community with stereotypes and false misconceptions, but time and time again we dispel and denounce those negative messages every time we show up and handle business.”
