GEMA TALKS with Rich Battista

Monetizing in the New Digital Media EconomyOn September 14, 2022, the Georgetown Entertainment & Media Alliance (GEMA) held a virtual alumni panel event focused on strategies and trends for monetizing in today's digital media economy. The discussion explored perspectives from Georgetown alumni at blue chip companies representing various areas of digital media including FAST and AVOD streaming services, the creator marketplace, NFTs and the Metaverse. The panelists:Stephen Dypiangco (F '01), CEO, Metaverse MarcomJeff Shultz (L '97), Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Business Development Officer, Streaming at Paramount GlobalTiffany Stevenson (MBA '01), Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer at PatreonModerated by Matt McMahon (F '96, MBA '04), Former Senior Vice President, Business & Content Development, Seriously Digital Entertainment

GEMA assembled senior Hoya leaders for a virtual panel event on June 16, 2021 entitled "Listening to the Future: The Evolution of Digital Audio and Podcasting" - the panelists were:Conal Byrne (C '96), CEO, iHeartMedia Digital Audio GroupLiz Gateley (Parent '24), Senior Advisor, Original Podcasts & Video, SpotifyPhoebe Lett (C '13), Podcast Producer, The New York TimesKai Ryssdal (MA '93, Parent '20), Host/Senior Editor, Marketplace (American Public Media)Moderated by Tom De Napoli (C '01), Chief Strategy Officer, APM Studios, American Public Media GroupOpening Remarks by Grace Kane (C '11), Director, Business Development, Podcast at Simplecast (A SiriusXM/Pandora Company)Thank you to the Georgetown University Alumni Association for their collaboration on this event.

In this installment of GEMA TALKS, we speak with top Hollywood attorney Gordon Bobb (C '93) of Del Shaw Moonves, who represents top talent in the entertainment industry including actors, directors, writers and producers. Gordon speaks to us about how he developed his practice over a 20+ year period and some of the keys to his success and important attributes necessary to being an effective attorney and partner to his clients. He also discusses the importance for him of representing diverse voices in Hollywood. Gordon also discusses his upbringing in Brooklyn and his time at Georgetown, and his key influences including the film "Do The Right Thing" which ignited a "pilot light inside of me" and working as the manager of the basketball team under famed Coach John Thompson. He also dispenses advice to those looking to build their careers in the entertainment and media law profession.

Four distinguished alumni representing a cross section of entertainment and media fields and roles assembled for our 20th annual alumni career panel for Georgetown students  - this event usually takes place on the Georgetown campus, but was held virtually this year again due to the pandemic. The panelists discuss each of their specific positions and what their roles entail, discuss how they broke into and advanced in the industry and offer valuable advice to those interested in doing the same. Our panelists:Erick Flores (L ’09), Vice President, Partnerships & Business Development, NBCUniversal Advertising SalesEliza Wheeler (C ’18), TV Literary Agent, The Gersh AgencyLauren Williams (C ’08), Senior Editor, The AtlanticClaudine Wilson (L ’08), Vice President and Senior Counsel, HBO Max Original Program MarketingModerated by Mitch Peyser (MBA ’93), Vice President and Executive Producer, Time Life.Produced in conjunction with the GU Cawley Career Center and GU Alumni Career Services.

In this installment of GEMA TALKS, we are joined by Ned Segal (C ‘96), Chief Financial Officer of Twitter. Ned has had a distinguished career in the tech industry, both as a CFO and through his long career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs. In our talk, Ned discusses how he made the transition from majoring in liberal arts at Georgetown to a career in finance. He shares his philosophy on leadership and what he looks for in a person when hiring for a role, including his approach to interviewing.  Ned also offers his thoughts on what the primary role is of the CFO and finance function inside a corporation. We also discuss Twitter (eg, is it a media or tech company?), its recent product innovations, his key accomplishments there and what the future challenges and opportunities are in a fiercely competitive market.Ned also offers his advice on how to best advance one’s career in finance. Finally, he shares the reasons why he is grateful to have attended Georgetown.

GEMA RIFFS is a new virtual series that goes behind the scenes of today's music industry featuring exclusive discussions with prominent Georgetown alumni musicians and producers. In this inaugural episode, we are joined by Johnny Zambetti (B '09), acclaimed musician and founder, producer and songwriter of the band The Palms. Johnny discusses how he first found a love of music, his involvement in music at Georgetown, how he launched his career and the success he has had as a professional music artist - guitarist, songwriter and touring musician.

GEMA TALKS welcomes Patrick Steel (MBA '00), Former CEO of Politico as our latest guest. Patrick joined Politico as CEO in 2017 having never worked in media previously. In 4 1/2 years, he oversaw the significant growth of the company, turning it into one of the most valuable news media brands, and led the highly successful sale of the company in late 2017. Patrick discusses the key steps he took to transform and build the company and what it was like joining the company as an outsider to media. He also shares his principles of leadership.Overall, Patrick has enjoyed a fascinating and unique career in that he has had successful and long-term experiences in three totally separate fields: government, corporate finance and media.  We discuss what he believes have been the secrets of his success and versatility throughout his career.He also shares his thoughts on the value of his Georgetown MBA and provides valuable career advice, particularly around the importance of risk-taking.

In this installment of GEMA TALKS, we are joined by Charlie Andrews (C '04), Executive Vice President, Development, Programming and Event Series at Fox Entertainment (update: Charlie is now at Disney Branded Television).  Charlie has had an accomplished 15+ year career as a TV network and studio executive, developing and overseeing programming primarily at Fox, NBC and also at Netflix.  In this episode, we discuss Charlie's lifelong passion for television - and how he broke into the business right after Georgetown, starting out in the NBC Page program, and then his career path from there. Charlie offers details on what the role entails of a creative executive at a TV network and TV studio - and the differences between the two.  We also discuss the state of TV programming today, particularly the intense competition for broadcasters with the streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, etc. and the pros and cons to each for a creator. He also shares which of his new shows this season he is most excited about and if he could pick any show on another network to air on Fox, what would it be.  Finally, Charlie offers excellent advice to those wanting to break into the creative side of television.

On April 21, 2022, GEMA held a virtual panel event entitled "Hoyas Investing in a New Age of Global Media & Entertainment" with alumni panelists:Rick Heitzmann (B '94), FirstMark CapitalLaura Held (B '04), Shamrock Capital AdvisorsTed Oberwager (C '06), KKRShamin Walsh (F '07), BAM VenturesModerated by: Mary Ann Halford (C '80), Altman Solon

In this latest installment of GEMA TALKS, we visit with Jen Neal (B '95), Executive Vice President, Entertainment Live Events, Specials & E! News, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. Jen has had a prolific career in entertainment and media, largely in the world of marketing and more recently also in the area of live events. In our conversation, we discuss her upbringing and experiences at Georgetown where she was a member of the Varsity Basketball team (which went to the Sweet 16 her sophomore  year), including serving as Captain her senior year. Jen shares her career journey with us, including her last 10+ years at NBCUniversal expanding E! and her dynamic new role overseeing entertainment live events and specials for the whole company. We also discuss some of the key trends in the business and how they are impacting and influencing her job. Finally, she shares career advice.