Black Media Mogul Allen Alleges Advertising Bias in Suing McDonald’s for $10 Billion
McDonald’s Corp. was sued on Thursday for at least $10 billion by two companies owned by media entrepreneur Byron Allen, who accused the fast-food chain of racial discrimination for not advertising enough with Black-owned media outlets.
The complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court said McDonald’s violated federal and state civil rights laws through its “racial animus and racial stereotyping” in allocating ad dollars.
According to the complaint, Chicago-based McDonald’s has refused to advertise with Allen’s Entertainment Studios Networks, which owns several lifestyle channels, or his Weather Group, which owns The Weather Channel.