Listen Now

In this episode of GEMA TALKS, we're joined by Lindsay Amstutz (L '06), Chief Media Officer and Head of Integrated Sales & Marketing at OneTeam Partners. In our conversation, Lindsay describes her background that led her into the sports industry after graduating from Georgetown Law. She speaks of her varied and rich experience across the sports ecosystem across marketing, media and television, content, sales, and operations through her roles at the NBA, Fox Sports and OneTeam. She also discusses her experiences as a leader and what principles she employs in her leadership style. She also raises some of the key trends in the sports industry including the emergence of NIL deals and the growth of the "power of the player" and the direct relationships players now have with fans via social media and other channels. Finally, she shares her advice for those looking to break into or grow their careers in the sports industry.

In this episode of GEMA TALKS, we speak with accomplished, veteran consumer marketer Brett O'Brien (C '95). Brett is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Frito Lay North America, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. Brent has served in various roles and across various brands at PepsiCo for over 20 years, including a number of years overseeing the Gatorade brand. In our discussion, he speaks to his experience at Georgetown University and how he broke into the sports marketing world right out of college. He explains Gatorade's unique "point of sweat" sports marketing philosophy and how Gatorade came to partner with the NBA on the G League. Brent also discusses his goals at Frito Lay and explains its "fan experience" marketing philosophy and also reviews some of the key trends in the consumer marketing world. Finally, he shares his advice on breaking into the world of marketing, including the importance of building your own "Batman Tool Belt."

In this episode of GEMA RIFFS, we are joined by acclaimed singer/songwriter and recording artist Greta Gaines (C'89). In addition to music, Greta has had a varied career which has also included work as an activist for cannabis legalization, a television host, and extreme sports competitor. Greta discusses her background including how her upbringing in New Hampshire formed her interest in music, how she broke into the industry, her process of writing and recording as well as her experiences as a competitive snowboarder during the early years of the sport. She also shares stories of performing at the famed Lilith Fair and other concert events.  Greta also shares valuable takeaways from her years at Georgetown, her advice for those breaking into music and gave us a sneak peek into her next music release.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

In this episode of GEMA TALKS with Rich Battista, we are joined by Marci Wiseman. Marci discusses the unique production model for Blumhouse TV, a leading independent TV production company; she also discusses what it has been like navigating through the COVID crisis including innovative new ways of producing remotely and what the future may look like for TV production. She also shares her fascinating career journey from initially pursuing a career in international affairs to graduating law school to holding senior roles in Hollywood including at AMC Networks and working on such landmark shows as American Idol, and Walking Dead. She also shares valuable career advice, especially for those considering a career in entertainment who may want to pursue a law school degree.

In this installment of GEMA TALKS with Rich Battista, we are joined by Diana Williams, Producer of Content and Franchise Strategy at Madison Wells Media, a leading independent film & TV production company. Diana has had a prolific career as a producer and executive across a number of areas including scripted film, scripted and unscripted television, documentary film, VR, animation and comic books. She shares her interesting and diverse career from initially wanting to be a Wall Street entertainment industry analyst after Georgetown, to being accepted in the prestigious DGA Trainee program, from producing independent film to developing content and franchise strategy at Lucas Film and its Star Wars franchise. She also discusses trends in franchise strategy and development, shares her thoughts on Hollywood's need to expand its diverse voices and images on and behind the screen and offers valuable career advice to those breaking into the industry.

In this episode of GEMA TALKS with Rich Battista, the renowned entertainment executive Tony Thomopoulos (F '59) joins us to talk about his acclaimed and storied career as a senior executive in Hollywood over six decades including as President of ABC Entertainment, President of ABC Broadcast Group, Chairman of United Artist Pictures, President of Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television, among others.  Tony is now Chairman of Flourish BMS, a line of organic food products. Tony tells us terrific stories starting from his humble roots in The Bronx, applying to and attending Georgetown, and breaking into and working within the entertainment industry. He also discusses the genesis of several celebrated TV series and films he was associated with throughout his career including the great ABC TV series and mini-series of the 1970's and 80's like Taxi and Roots, the film Rainman and the TV series ER. He also compares and contrasts what the business was like several decades ago vs today and the profound changes that have occurred over that time. And he concludes with some valuable career and work advice for those in the industry or looking to break into it.

In this episode of GEMA TALKS, Mary Ann Halford (C '80) interviews Derick Stace-Naughton, SVP, Strategy & Business Operations of Quixote Studios, a leading studio and equipment rental company in the entertainment industry. Derick discusses the state of film and TV production today during COVID and how Quixote has navigated with its clients through the pandemic. He also shares his thoughts on growth trends in the industry and the robust technology innovation happening in the world of production, particularly virtual production. He also discusses what it was like being hired for his role during a pandemic.

GEMA TALKS with Rich Battista is joined by Molly Solomon on this episode. As the head of NBC's entire Olympics production and as the head of all of Golf Channel's production, Molly has been deep into the challenges of navigating through the COVID-19 crisis and she shares here what that experience has been like and what the future holds.  She also talks about her career from graduating from SFS to her 30-year career at NBC and also imparts valuable advice to those looking to break into the sports industry.

In this installment of GEMA TALKS, we are joined by Dasha Smith (B '95), Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer of the NFL. In our talk, Dasha describes what her role at the NFL entails, including the areas of technology/innovation and social responsibility/DEI. She also shares what the key factors were in executing on a successful 2020 season during COVID. Dasha also recounts her career journey including her roles at some of the most iconic media companies in history including Time Inc (and the challenges the company faced amidst the digital revolution) and Sony Music and now the NFL. She shares how she transitioned from an attorney to the areas of human resources and administration and also shares the one piece of career advice she would give her younger self, while also sharing  insightful carer advice to those breaking in and advancing their careers in media and entertainment.