‘I’m absolutely thrilled to join a best-in-class team.’

Audible has a new head of Audible Studios.

Zola Mashariki has snagged the role at the audio book company. Audible recently announced the former BET/Viacom executive will lead the company’s original content, per The Wrap.

“Audible is an industry leader and the go-to home for extraordinary creators and gifted auteurs,” said Mashariki in a statement. “I’m absolutely thrilled to join a best-in-class team to lead content creation, evolve our strategy, amplify original voices – both emerging and established – and deliver imaginative, immersive, and high-quality audio narratives to audiences everywhere.”

Mashariki is a gradate from Harvard Law School. She spent 15 years working at Fox Searchlight Pictures as a SVP of production and oversaw films such as 12 Years a Slave and The Secret Life of Bees.

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“Audible is in the business of fearlessly creating unparalleled audio experiences that showcase the best in storytelling. With Zola, a profoundly gifted executive, we are poised to conquer this important moment in audio–a pivotal time when creativity and originality are at a premium and we deepen our commitment to re-imagine what audio experiences can mean for audiences,” said Head of US Content, Rachel Ghiazza, EVP, in a statement.

Zola Mashariki
Image:Linkedin

One of her most recent positions was chief content officer for One Community (formerly Good Films) where she oversaw the film Just Mercy starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. In 2015, she became the head of original programming at BET/Viacom. She is also responsible for developing and executive producing BET’s highest-rated series in 10 years, The New Edition Story.

“Zola’s track record of creating award-winning, breakout hits, her exquisite taste, production expertise, and deep understanding of the intersection of audience appetite and quality content is beyond impressive,” said Ghiazza.  “Her incomparable talent and industry relationships and leadership chops will be pivotal as we continue to break boundaries and accelerate the audio revolution.”

BET is making historic strides as it adds B. Scott to its talent roster to produce and host the official after-show for Lena Waithe’s Twenties, theGrio reported.

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The hit drama series on BET features queer Black narratives and on the after show, Scott will discuss key themes from each episode with a lineup of guests. 

“I am proud to make history as the first trans non-binary person to host and executive produce a show at BET. I am in a place of forgiveness and I am honored to help turn the page on the past and be a part of the network’s move toward a more inclusive future for everyone. Thank you Scott Mills, Lena Waithe and Rishi Rajani for making this historic moment happen,” said B. Scott on their Instagram.

The Twenties after-show will begin production in the coming months and air new episodes of the series’ second season. 

“At BET, we aim to be a home for all Black people, and we have a duty to ensure everyone is able to see themselves fully reflected in quality content,” said BET President Scott Mills. “The success of ‘Twenties’ is part of our evolution of inclusivity on all of our platforms and productions, and we are always seeking to do more. In that spirit, we’re excited to continue our partnership with Lena Waithe and work with B. Scott to continue creating spaces for diverse voices to be seen, heard, and celebrated. We look forward to doing more and are thrilled for B. Scott’s captivating voice to be back home at BET.”

Additional reporting by Jessica Floyd

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