"black enterprise" magazine found that cosby was one of only a very few african americans who could command among the highest fees paid for advertising spokespeople. the 1981 feature also highlighted how rare it was for african americans to be hired for a complete campaign, as opposed to a single advertisement, despite an overall increase in opportunities. cosby's agents told the magazine he had earned at least $3 million in current advertising contractsabout one-fifth of his incomethe rest of which he earned from live performances.