BET Taps Free To Head Network Marketing Efforts

BET Networks Tuesday named industry veteran Vicky Free as its company's executive vice president of marketing.
Free, who most recently led strategic marketing efforts at Turner Broadcasting Systems, will be responsible for the marketing strategy and execution for BET, BET.com, BET mobile and Centric.

Free will report to Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks and will be based in New York.

Free effectively replaces Janet Rolle, who left in March to to take over as CNN Worldwide's executive vice president and chief marketing officer.
"We are thrilled to have Vicky join BET Networks given her strong experience in the cable industry and keen understanding in creating thoughtful brands and engaging the consumer it serves," said Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks in a statement. "As we continue in our company's evolution, we couldn't be more thrilled to have someone as talented as Vicky lead our marketing team and elevate our multi-platform and digital marketing strategies."
Free was most recently at Turner Broadcasting System where she led the newly created 360 consumer marketing department designed to build effective consumer engagement campaigns for both Cartoon Network and Adult Swim entertainment properties. In this role she was responsible for building consumer-centric, integrated, strategic and metric-driven marketing campaigns for priority series and events, said the network.

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.