Scott M. Mills

President and Chief Executive Officer, BET Media Group

Scott M. Mills is the President and Chief Executive Officer of BET Media Group, the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture.

Mills is credited with architecting the transformation of BET from a traditional cable business into the thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international that BET is today. These platforms include:

  • BET Linear, the #1 cable network for Black audiences;
  • BET +, the #1 premium subscription streaming service for black audiences;
  • BET Studios, an innovative studio venture providing equity ownership to Black content creators;
  • BET Digital, BET’s interactive arm;
  • BET Her, the first network designed exclusively for Black women;
  • BET International, which operates
  • BET around the globe;
  • BET LIVE, BET’s events and experience branch; and
  • VH1, a leader in multi-cultural programming and the second-largest U.S. cable network for Black audiences

Mills is responsible for bringing A-list content creators into the fold, setting new precedents for BET and, by extension, Paramount as the largest commissioner of Black premium content through groundbreaking partnerships with Tyler Perry, Kenya Barris, Lee Daniels, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, and many others.

Philanthropy has always been central to BET’s mission over its 40+ year legacy, and Mills’ demonstrated commitment to social impact has inspired company- and industry-wide change. One such example is Content for Change, a multi-pronged initiative launched by Mills that seeks to harness the power of content to counteract racism, bias, stereotypes, and all forms of hate, that was recently adopted and applied across the entire Paramount organization.

Whether investing in Black communities, discovering and fostering Black creatives, or rallying Black leaders across business, media, and entertainment to raise nearly $20M in COVID-19 relief to support Black communities hardest hit by the virus, under Mills’ leadership BET remains steadfast in its commitment to support the Black community.

Previously, Mills was tapped by Viacom leadership to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer responsible for Human Resources, Media Technology Services, Real Estate, Programming Acquisitions, Facilities, and Security.

Before joining the Viacom executive team in 2012, Mills held a variety of positions at BET, including President and Chief Operating Officer for BET Networks. In this capacity, Mills led BET’s business functions, including sales, finance, legal and business affairs, human resources, digital, research, strategic planning, business development, and administration.

Prior to his appointment to Chief Operating Officer, Mills was Chief Financial Officer and President of Digital Media for BET Networks. As CFO, Mills was responsible for the company’s finance functions, including accounting, reporting, financial planning, tax, treasury, and controls, as well as corporate research, strategic planning, and business development. As President of Digital Media, Mills launched BET Mobile and BET’s digital video distribution operations. Before becoming CFO, Mills was Executive Vice President and COO of BET Interactive, overseeing the launch of BET.com and leading the property to become a leading online destination for the Black community.

After working in investment banking at Lehman Brothers and serving as Deputy Treasurer of the City of Philadelphia, Mills joined BET as Senior Vice President of Business Development in 1997. A native of New York, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Mills currently serves as the Lead Director of Principal Financial Group Inc. and numerous not-for-profit boards, such as The Wharton School and Lincoln Center Theater. Throughout his career, Mills has been recognized for his inspiring leadership and humanitarianism through numerous awards and accolades, including the National Action Network’s Cultural Impact Award; The New York Urban League’s Frederick Douglass Award; Riverside Hawks Honoree; Excellence in Leadership Award presented by INROADS, and more.

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