BET Programming Executive Maureen Guthman Dies

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 21:21:19 +0000

BET senior VP of content strategy Maureen Guthman passed away from uterine sarcoma on November 30. She was 60 years old, according to Legacy.com.

The Hunter College graduate and longtime Viacom executive had served as BET’s senior VP of content strategy since 2015. Guthman also held programming positions at VH1 and TV One.

In an internal staff memo, BET Media Group President Scott Mills said of Guthman: "I've not worked with a warmer, more thoughtful, caring, considerate and sensitive person than Maureen. In the company's most challenging times, she worked her scheduling magic not only to keep us afloat but keep us winning. She took pride in leading with compassion, and her amazing team reflects her remarkable impact. She rooted for BET and our people like no other."

Scott also reflected on Guthman's work ethic, saying that with her leading the charge, "BET secured several groundbreaking acquisitions that spoke to the authenticity of our culture. In her longstanding career in the television industry, Maureen brokered more than 250 deals with one sole mission: to give women and Black Americans an opportunity to see themselves in ways that television has long ignored." ■

BAFTA Scholarship Winners Named

MCN Staff — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts named 21 students in financial need who will receive scholarships to study in the U.K. or U.S. through BAFTA scholarship programs. The BAFTA Scholars will also be mentored by BAFTA members, award winners and nominees, and be given free access to BAFTA events.

BAFTA Los Angeles will provide financial support and mentorship to U.K. students studying in the U.S. This year's recipients are Iesh Thapar studying at Columbia University, Catherine Taylor at American Film Institute, Andrew Duncan Visser at Columbia University, Samuel Icklow at University of California Los Angeles and William Stefan Smith from Tisch School of the Arts, who receives the Nigel Lythgoe Television Scholarship for a second year.

BAFTA New York, which supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing media studies at institutions located within the New York City area, will award seven scholarships with the support of New York based businesses. This year’s winners are: Lin Que Ayoung studying at Hunter College (A+E Networks); Camille Brown pursuing a graduate degree at Brooklyn College (BBC America); Lucien Follini-Press studying a graduate degree at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (HBO); Stephen Lorusso for a graduate degree at Brooklyn College (DreamWorks Animation); Melissa Rodriguez pursuing a graduate degree at Brooklyn College (Walkers Shortbread); John Sowulski pursuing a graduate degree at Brooklyn College (DLT Entertainment) and Tina Zarbaliev studying at Hunter College (BAFTA New York in honour of Don & Eleanor Taffner).

Linda Kahn, co-chair of BAFTA New York Outreach Committee, said in a release: "It is thrilling to see the growth in the BAFTA New York scholarship program. Significantly, this is our third year and we have more scholarships, sponsors and universities than ever before. Sponsored by A+E Networks, BBC America, DLT Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation, HBO and Walkers Shortbread, the BAFTA New York scholarships focus on media studies in TV and film. The scholarships, which are based on merit and need, include graduate students from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and Brooklyn College as well as undergraduates from Hunter College. We are excited to extend the program to these outstanding students and to provide them with mentoring opportunities."

A full list of the scholarship recipients, including course details, is available at this link.

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BET Programming Executive Maureen Guthman Dies

BAFTA Scholarship Winners Named