America’s Universal Studio Group has appointed Pearlena Igbokwe, a Nigerian-born media executive, as its chairman.
In a statement on its website, the entertainment company said Igbokwe will lead the company’s growing global television studio businesses and will report directly to the company’s CEO, Jeff Shell.
With the new appointment; she has cemented her place as the first woman of African descent to head a major American television studio.
The appointment further stretches her impressive stints in the media sector where she boasts of over 20 years’ experience serving in various capabilities including as president of Universal Television and Executive Vice President, Drama Programming, for NBC Entertainment.
Igbokwe also worked at Showtime and contributed to the success of popular series including Nurse Jackie and Dexter.
Universal Studio Group is a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading mass media and entertainment conglomerate.
Igbokwe has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and an MBA from Columbia University.
She currently serves as the Vice President of the Hollywood Radio and TV Society (HRTS) board. She is also a member of the Television Academy Executive Committee.
