January 29, 2024
Celebrating 7 Business Moves Oprah Winfrey Made In Her Career
In honor of Oprah Winfrey's 70th birthday, BE would like to display seven business moves that brilliantly display her business acumen.
The incomparable journalist-turned-business mogul Oprah Winfrey says she’s celebrating her 70th birthday with a run on the beach. While many can admire Winfrey’s health journey, BLACK ENTERPRISE continues to recognize her for making savvy business moves and building a media conglomerate from scratch.
The multi-Emmy-winner was listed No. 22 on BE‘s web series Great Moments in Black Business for making a groundbreaking deal that launched her entertainment empire and BE 100’s mainstay Harpo Inc. She would then go on to become the first Black female billionaire in North America. In honor of Winfrey’s birthday, we would like to display seven business moves that brilliantly display her business acumen.
1. HARPO STUDIOS’ LAUNCH & DOWNSIZING
In 1988, Winfrey acquired the rights to The Oprah Winfrey Show, which gained her complete creative and financial control of her program. As she structured her groundbreaking deal, she launched Harpo Studios in Chicago. In 2015, Harpo Studios closed its doors and transitioned to OWN headquarters in Los Angeles. She built the studio company in 1990.
2. RISE OF THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK
When Oprah Winfrey launched her namesake network, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), in 2011, the network struggled to find its footing. From programming changes and staff layoffs to moving headquarters, Winfrey stepped up as CEO and revamped the network’s programming lineup. OWN continued to grow its audience and programming with smart advertising, effective revenue generation, and strong branding.
3. CASHING OUT
On two occasions, Winfrey sold some of her ownership of the OWN cable network. In 2017, Discovery bought 25% of OWN for $70 million and then another 20.5% in 2020 in exchange for 1.34 million shares of Discovery stock, worth about $36.5 million.
4. MILLION DOLLAR SPEAKER
As a highly sought-after speaker, Winfrey’s fees are estimated to start at a whopping $1.5 million. From her famous 2018 Golden Globes speech and her commencement speech to Tennessee State University’s Class of 2023, Winfrey is revered for her empowerment and effective communication skills.
5. BRAND COLLABORATIONS & DEALS
Since 2015, Winfrey has been a WW director, per Barron’s, and The New York Post reports that she’s under contract to be a spokesperson for the brand through 2025. She reportedly made a whopping $75 million from WW (formerly Weight Watchers) in a single day. Throughout her career, Winfrey has been connected with many other brands, such as Kraft Heinz, to launch Mealtime Stores, a line of refrigerated ready-to-eat food products. She also released “O, That’s Good,” a line of refrigerated soups and side dishes with a portion of the profits designated to fighting hunger.
6. MILLION DOLLAR INTERVIEWER
According to The Wall Street Journal, Winfrey earned between $7 million and $9 million for her famous sit-down interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. CBS reportedly paid Winfrey based on advertising revenue expected, with the network charging $325,000 per 30 seconds of commercial time—which is about twice the normal rate.
7. A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT
During an interview, Winfrey reportedly revealed that she earned $35,000 to star as Sofia in the 1985 film The Color Purple. Decades later, in 2024, Winfrey is celebrating a full-circle moment as the producer of the latest musical adaptation of Broadway’s The Color Purple into a movie.
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