UMC’s Traci Otey Blunt Named to NFL SVP Communications Post

Urban Movie Channel president Traci Otey Blunt has been named senior vice president of corporate communications for the National Football League, the company said Friday.

Blunt, who served as the president of BET founder Robert Johnson's African-American targeted OTT subscription streaming service since 2017, will now lead communications strategies across key areas within the NFL, including current affairs, business operations, NFL Media, government affairs, health and safety and social responsibility, according to the league.

Prior to joining Johnson's RLJ Entertainment and UMC in 2008, Blunt worked in various communications and public affairs positions, including at two global PR agencies as well as on mayoral, gubernatorial, and presidential campaigns.

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“We are excited to have Traci join the communications team and welcome her to the NFL family,” said Jocelyn Moore, executive vice president of communications and public affairs, to whom Blunt will report. “Traci has a wide range of experience across various business sectors that will be a tremendous asset to the League, and we look forward to the leadership and energy that she will bring to the NFL.” 

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.