BET Networks has appointed BET executive Essie Chambers and MTV Tr3 general manager Depelsha McGruder to executive positions at BET's Centric network.
Chambers, currently senior vice president of programming for BET, will assume the senior vice president of original programming for Centric, overseeing all aspects of original programming and charged with creating an original programming strategy, according to network officials.
McGruder, who most recently served as acting general manager of the bilingual, bicultural U.S. Latino youth-targeted MTV Tr3, will be in charge of the operating plan that supports the network's strategic and financial goals.
Both Chambers and McGruder will report to Paxton Baker, executive vice president and general manager for Centric. McGruder is also a dual report to Scott Mills, president and COO for BET Networks.
Centric, which replaced the BET J brand last month, targets its entertainment and music programming to a 25-54 African-American viewer demographic.
"Centric is such an important initiative for our company, so we're thrilled that Essie and Depelsha, two of the most brilliant minds in the industry, will be leading the network, as we establish Centric as the go-to entertainment destination that reflects the lifestyle and sophistication of today's African-American and multi-cultural adult," said Mills in a statement.
