Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios Appoints Amy DuBois Barnett Digital EVP

 Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios, Inc. has named Amy DuBois Barnett as its executive vice president of digital.

Barnett, who will be based in Los Angeles, will oversee digital operations for the company. In addition, Barnett will serve as the chief content officer of Allen’s African-American targeted digital media platform, theGrio, said the company.

Barnett most recently was recruited by ESPN to lead the development and launch of a new digital brand focusing on multimedia content for a multicultural audience, according to ES. Prior to ESPN, Barnett was the Editor-in-Chief of Ebony

“Our motion picture, cable, broadcast television, and digital platform divisions are expanding at a rapid pace, and the addition of Amy DuBois Barnett shows our commitment to investing and exploring additional opportunities for acquisitions, content production, and building our assets worldwide," said Entertainment Studios Founder, Chairman, and CEO Byron Allen. “Amy is the perfect executive for our global media company. We are thrilled to have her join our team, and to lead the expansion of theGrio.”

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.