BET Reorganizes Marketing Department

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Two former AOL employees will head up BET's marketing department as part of an executive reorganization at the African-American targeted network.BET will also name Viacom communications executive Jeanine Liburd senior vice president of communications and public affairs, according to executives close to the network.

Former AOL Black Voices VP and general manager Janet Rolle was named executive VP and chief marketing officer for BET. Rolle will oversee all aspects of network and brand marketing for BET.

Alvin Bowles, former publisher for AOL Black Voices, will fill the newly created position of senior VP of strategic marketing for BET. Bowles will lead the network’s cross-platform marketing and sales opportunities.

Viacom veteran Liburd will oversee all communications and public affairs efforts for the 85 million-subscriber network.

BET said Monday that Rolle will join the network April 16, while Liburd and Bowles will begin working at the company April 9.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.