Kenetta Bailey

Senior Vice President, Marketing
WE tv and Wedding Central
New York City

Chicago native Kenetta Bailey was set on becoming a television reporter when she enrolled in Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism in the late ’80s. Fast-forward to 2010, and Bailey’s feet are firmly planted in the television industry — only they are behind the scenes, not in front of the camera.

As senior vice president of marketing for WE tv and Wedding Central, Bailey oversees consumer, affiliate, trade and ad sales marketing and is a key architect of network messaging and branding for WE tv. She also leads the WE Empowers Women public affairs initiative. Prior to joining WE tv, Bailey served as the group marketing director at NBC Universal’s Telemundo Network. Hers is a simple mantra: Love what you do and do want you love. She is not afraid “to make a change to make something work” for her.

Bailey began her career in public relations, but after three years she decided that marketing was a better fit for her. She earned a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University and soon began a career in marketing, holding various positions at Kraft Foods Inc., PepsiCo Inc., RCA Records and Sony BMG. “I love marketing because every day presents a new challenge,” she says.

She also tapped into her penchant for entrepreneurship and opened two health clubs in New Jersey.
Bailey is fascinated by the many changes she has seen in American culture in the past five years. “An interest and a quest for always learning and keeping up with these changes keep me motivated,” she says.

In addition to her M.B.A., Bailey holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. Away from work, community engagements and keeping up with social changes, nothing is more enjoyable and relaxing for her than spending time with family and friends, whether vacationing, entertaining at home or checking out the latest New York City restaurants, she insists.