Entertainment Meets Empowerment: “Papás Por Conveniencia” Launches in the united states
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Where Stories and Science Meet: My Reflections From Mexico City
In July, I was in Mexico City for a key press event about an 80-episode TV show, Papás Por Conveniencia (“Family of Convenience”). Journalists had traveled from all corners of Mexico, some from national outlets, others from regional stations and digital platforms, to write stories and take pictures about this recent telenovela produced by Rosy Ocampo for TelevisaUnivision in partnership with Population Media Center (PMC).
At the front of the room, the stage featured actors from Papás Por Conveniencia; producer, Rosy Ocampo; UNFPA Country Representative for Mexico and Country Director for Cuba and Dominican Republic, Alanna Armitage; and PMC Vice President of International Programs, Natalia Cereser.
I’ve spent years working in entertainment-education in countries around the world, but moments like this are deeply meaningful and memorable.
The spotlight of the press event was on the show, of course, which ranked number one on primetime in Mexico, beating its competition by more than 1.5 million viewers, and made Univision the #1 Spanish-language network in the key 8 pm timeslot in the U.S., but the room was also focused on the bigger questions behind the show such as, ‘how can a prime-time telenovela open the door to conversations that matter on taboo and hard-to-talk-about topics including violence, sexually transmitted infections, and more?’
Several of the actors spoke about how the storyline had touched their lives, and how the research results moved and inspired them. Journalists heard how the more often mothers and teens watched the show, the greater the change – impacting attitudes, intentions, and key behaviors for preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. They heard about a mom who learned birth control methods she never knew existed and a teenage girl who said she learned to trust more, to distance herself from particular friends, to open up to her mom, and to talk more deeply about these issues.
Our stories reflect what families are talking about at the dinner table, what teens are texting their friends about, and what parents are quietly worrying over at night.
– Amy Henderson Riley, PMC Director of Research, Evaluation, and Impact
As the Director of Research, Evaluation, and Impact for Population Media Center, I oversee the global research portfolio for all our work. My days are spent in research and strategy, connecting the dots between projects, and considering new research approaches to respond to changes in technology, audience habits, and a rapidly changing world. All our projects utilize formative research to build storylines based on lived experiences and existing data, monitoring to confirm projects are being implemented as planned, and evaluation to determine if projects meet their goals and objectives.
Moments like listening to the cast and panel at this event demonstrate why we do what we do at PMC.
This project has all the right ingredients: generous, mission-aligned funders and stakeholders who confirm accurate content; a strong research partner (El Instituto); and service partners who connect viewers to services and answer questions in real time (including Boston Institute, CONAPO, Mexfam, UNFPA, UNICEF, and Power To Decide). The result is magic, and demonstrates the power of our PMC approach.
Our stories reflect what families are talking about at the dinner table, what teens are texting their friends about, and what parents are quietly worrying over at night. With our partners, PMC brings entertainment, research, data, and services together. This work can spark dialogue and shift perspectives in ways no lecture or PSA ever could.
Journalists dove into questions beyond plot twists or premiere dates for the new season of the show, Papás por Siempre, which airs in both Mexico and the United States this fall and is in production now. Many journalists chose to ask questions about how the show developed its themes, what research informed the writing, and how the cast prepared to take on such personal topics.
Entertainment-education has a long history in Mexico that goes back decades and the work Rosy Ocampo, TelevisaUnivision, and PMC are doing builds on that storied history for a new generation, with innovation and new creative approaches that challenge the literature and respond to contemporary audience wants and needs. Papás Por Conveniencia and Papás Por Siempre are the latest chapter in TelevisaUnivision’s rich history. The shows are funny, relatable, emotional, and they deal with real-life topics at the same time.
Leaving the event, I felt both proud and hopeful. Proud of the team that brought Papás Por Conveniencia to life, from the writers and actors to the communications and production crew, and my PMC colleagues who worked diligently for this project. And hopeful that we’re continuing to tell stories that reflect the complexity of modern life, especially when it comes to parenting, gender, and relationships, at a time when these topics are heavy and the future uncertain.
As I watched the press weaving the pieces of this story, I could feel how much our work really does matter and really makes a difference. Amidst shifting landscapes and constant political changes, our mission stays true. We are grateful to all of our partners and donors who make this work possible. The world needs more partnerships, more inspiration, and more storytelling with purpose.
