Today, Sundial Media & Technology Group formally announced the establishment of a Chief Product & Platform Officer role and the appointment of Cedric J. Rogers to lead this function. A former Apple executive and the Co-Founder and CEO of Culture Genesis, one of the largest Black-owned digital media networks, Rogers brings rare depth at the intersection of consumer technology, creator ecosystems, and multicultural media. He will drive product strategy, platform innovation, audience intelligence, monetization, and the continued evolution of Sundial’s SMART platform across its portfolio of brands – including ESSENCE, Refinery29, Beautycon, AFROPUNK, and the CreateHer Network.
The appointment reflects Sundial’s belief that the next chapter of media is not built on traffic alone. “Media brands can’t survive on traffic alone anymore,” Rogers said. “They need community, IP, experience, and utility.” It is a thesis Rogers has been building toward for months – actively in market meeting with brands, creators, agencies, and platform partners, and laying the groundwork for a creator ecosystem strategy already beginning to take shape across Sundial’s brands and experiences.
Rogers is the Co-Founder and CEO of Culture Genesis, one of the largest Black-owned digital media networks, and previously held leadership roles at Apple spanning the iPod, iPhone, and iPad eras. At Sundial, he is applying that rare combination of platform-scale technology experience and creator economy expertise to build the next generation of products and experiences for the culture.
“Cedric is one of the rare leaders who deeply understands both culture and technology,” said Kirk McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of Sundial Media & Technology Group. “He has consistently demonstrated the ability to build platforms that empower creators, unlock monetization opportunities, and create meaningful value for communities that have historically been underserved by the media and technology industries. As Sundial continues to evolve into a modern media and technology company, Cedric’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of our platform strategy, audience intelligence capabilities, and creator ecosystem.”
Creator Strategy Already in Motion
Central to Rogers’ mandate is the CreateHer Network, launched by Sundial to address inequities in the women’s creator economy and build scalable monetization opportunities for women creators. What began as a platform initiative has grown into a broader creator ecosystem strategy that Rogers is now extending across Sundial’s entire portfolio.
Early evidence of that strategy in action: Sundial introduced a dedicated creator category at Black Women in Hollywood, with breakout creator Kinigra Deon recognized as an honoree – a signal of the company’s commitment to elevating creator talent alongside traditional media figures. Rogers is also leading plans for a Creator & Podcast Festival at the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture (July 3-5, New Orleans), bringing the creator economy to one of the most iconic cultural gatherings in the world, as well as a Creator Ambassador Program designed to deepen creator integration across Sundial’s properties through content, commerce, and community.
Looking ahead, Rogers is also developing new creator-led initiatives that will extend across Beautycon and additional Sundial brands – with further announcements forthcoming in the months ahead.
“The creator economy is not a side strategy at Sundial – it is central to how we serve audiences, partners, and the culture,” said Rogers. “The CreateHer Network was never intended to be a standalone campaign. It is the foundation of a scalable platform that connects storytelling, commerce, live experience, and monetization across every brand we operate. I’ve spent the past several months building that infrastructure alongside our teams, and I’m energized by what’s ahead.”
About Sundial Media & Technology Group
Sundial Media & Technology Group (SMTG) is a human connections platform redefining the future of media. With more than 100 years of storytelling expertise and audience insight, SMTG is transforming the traditional media model into a technology-enabled ecosystem designed to foster belonging, drive influence, and scale economic opportunity. Its portfolio includes some of the most iconic purpose-driven brands and experiences in culture today, including ESSENCE (Girls United, ESSENCE Studios, ESSENCE Festival of Culture®), Refinery29, AFROPUNK, Beautycon™, the Global Black Economic Forum, and the Academy for Advancing Excellence. Through strategic storytelling, data-powered platforms, and products built for cultural impact, SMTG is where connection becomes currency.
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