Those of you keeping up with the news regarding the business side of the entertainment industry may already be acquainted with Rashida Jones. The MSNBC network president, who shares no relation to the Parks and Recreation actress of the same name, announced this week that she’ll be stepping down from her role ahead of the previously announced Comcast spinoff. One of Jones’ closest allies at the network, Rebecca Kutler, is expected to serve as interim president in the coming months, as the network restructures to a publicly traded entity. Kutler previously served under Jones as the Senior Vice President of Content Strategy, meaning the staffing adjustment should be a fairly smooth transition.
Even if you’re not especially plugged into the industry, you may have become familiar with Rashida Jones over the years, as she previously made headlines for her excellent leadership at MSNBC. Having served as the network’s senior vice president during the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jones made history in 2021 by becoming the first Black woman to head up a major news network. Now, industry professionals are surely wondering what opportunities Jones will pursue after her time at MSNBC comes to a close. To get a full scope of Jones’ future prospects, let’s briefly run through her career and history as a successful executive, and see what we can learn about the revolutionary businesswoman.
Rashida Jones’ Early Life and Career Beginnings
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Long before Rashida Jones was steering a major news network through some of the most polarizing and tumultuous periods in modern history, she was born to a humble Pennsylvania family. In her youth, Jones’ family relocated to the Richmond, Virginia area, where she attended Henrico High School, and developed a passion for news media while assuming the role of editor at the student newspaper. After graduating, Jones took her talents to Hampton University, where she majored in broadcast journalism, and later took home a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Arts. Jones made connections with prominent media outlets while working toward her degree program, and eve landed a job as a morning show producer during her senior year.
After graduating, Rashida Jones quickly scaled the corporate ladder to become director of live programming at The Weather Channel, before taking on several high-profile production jobs in South Carolina and eventually New York City. By 2014, she took on her first role with MSNBC as managing editor and senior vice president of specials for NBC News. According to those who have worked with Jones during this time, her proficiency within the industry was obvious, making her a clear choice for promotions at every turn. Before long, Jones developed a number of ratings-boosting shifts, including the choice to broaden NBC’s town-hall format to a wider audience, and offer extensive coverage of the growing COVID-19 pandemic. She also led the network through some of its most challenging periods, including those which saw NBC reporting on the aftermath of George Floyd’s untimely slaying, as well as the ensuing protests his death sparked.
Career Highlights at MSNBC
Rashida Jones took the reins as network president at MSNBC on Feb. 1, 2021, shortly after Joe Biden assumed office. As many industry insiders have noted, her arrival and departure from the role are likely not a coincidence, since the politics of Washington D.C. have a massive ripple effect on large media outlets. Given that MSNBC is largely considered to be the most liberal major media conglomerate, a number of insiders have recently questioned how Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration will impact the company, resulting in a shake up of the staff. Regardless, Jones’ accolades during her tenure as president speak for themselves, and showcase her commitment to journalism at large, beyond the scope of political bipartisanship.
In 2022, Jones established a scholarship fund for students seeking a career in journalism, offering to fund full tuition for Hampton University journalists. That same year, she took home the very first Media Leadership Award from the Montclair State University School of Communication and Media, thanks to her hard work and trailblazing efforts as the first Black woman to ever reach her position. In 2023, she took home an Achievement of Excellence Award from her alma mater, and served as the headlining speaker at the school’s 20th anniversary gala. Jones has since earned an honorary doctorate degree from the University of the District of Columbia, thanks to her commitment to shattering the glass ceiling within the industry, and supporting those who came after her.
As stated, Jones has announced her intention to depart from MSNBC this year, after serving a full four-year presidential term. While her resignation from the top position has already taken effect, the inspirational executive is poised to remain with the network in an advisory role until Rebecca Kutler and company have successfully navigated the split with Comcast. Since tendering her resignation, numerous MSNBC executives and staffers have publicly given Jones her flowers, with kind comments flooding in from the likes of Rachel Maddow, Kutler, and incoming CEO Mark Lazarus. Per a report in CNN, Lazarus specifically praised Jones for having “expertly navigated MSNBC through a years-long, unrelenting and unprecedented news cycle, all while driving the network to record viewership and making investments in nonlinear businesses.”
What’s Next for Rashida Jones?
At this point in time, there’s no way of knowing what Rashida Jones plans to do next. When discussing the terms of her resignation, she specifically highlighted a desire to explore new opportunities, while expressing extreme confidence in the future of MSNBC’s programming. For the next few months, she’ll continue assisting her team in navigating the new media landscape, though we can surmise that she’ll likely be flooded with high-paying offers from other networks in the meantime.
