Media executive Pearlena Igbokwe has been appointed Chairman of Universal Studio Group in the U.S. The fast rising executive makes history as the first woman of color to head a major American television studio.
Universal Studio Group is a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information for global audience comprises of Universal Television, UCP and NBCUniversal International Studios.
Announcing the news Wednesday, the firm said Igbokwe will helm affairs of all aspects of creative affairs and production for NBCUniversal’s three powerhouse studios: Universal Television, Universal Content Productions, and NBCUniversal International Studios and report directly to Jeff Shell, CEO, NBCUniversal.
Ms. Igbokwe will now take responsibility of NBCUniversal’s various content production arms: NBC broadcast network, cable channels such as USA and Bravo and the new streaming service Peacock.
Ms.Igbokwe comes highly experiencedan impressive resume: she boasts of 20 years experience at Showtime where she was involved in developing a variety of hit series including “Dexter” and “Nurse Jackie” before her transition to NBCUniversal.
Most recently, Ms Igbokwe was president of Universal Television leaving her mark as well. Some of the programmes under her purview include the critically acclaimed comedies “Russian Doll,” “The Good Place,” “Superstore,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” and “Little America,” popular dramas “Good Girls” and “New Amsterdam,” and Dick Wolf’s new “FBI” and “FBI: Most Wanted,” among many others, Premium Times reports.
In addition, she served as Executive Vice President, Drama Programming, for NBC Entertainment, where she developed the top-rated new broadcast dramas.
The Igbo born was birthed in Lagos Nigeria but moved to the United States at the age of six. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and an MBA from Columbia University.
Igbokwe has been featured in numerous industry trade magazines for her leadership, including The Hollywood Reporter (Women in Entertainment Power 100, Top 35 Under 35), Variety (Power of Women), Ebony (Top 50 Showbiz Players) and Essence, among others.
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