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Amanda, Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios : Advize Career Interview
A Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios details a dynamic career journey, beginning with a political science degree and proactive networking leading to roles at Disney Channel Junior and culminating in a high-profile position.
The interview reveals the fast-paced, demanding, yet rewarding nature of the job, requiring strong communication, organizational skills, and adaptability to thrive in the ever-evolving entertainment industry.
A strategic approach to networking and a willingness to "think on their feet" are highlighted as essential, along with leveraging internships, temp agencies, and LinkedIn to gain entry-level experience and advance.
The discussion also explores the excitement of working on high-profile film campaigns, collaborating with diverse teams, and the fulfillment of seeing projects succeed from start to finish.
The challenges and rewards of navigating unpredictable schedules and the importance of building strong relationships are emphasized, providing valuable insights into a successful career in film publicity.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Amanda Hahn
Publicity Lead
Amazon MGM Studios
University of California Santa Barbara
N/A
Humanities, Political Science, American Studies
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Communication and Marketing
Greek Life Member
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Career Path Of A Publicity Lead At Amazon MGM Studios
Amanda's career trajectory, beginning with a political science degree and a proactive approach to networking ("I would drive to and from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to take in-person meetings"), showcased a strategic progression from a low-level data entry role at Disney Channel Junior to a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios. This involved leveraging each opportunity to gain experience on high-profile campaigns ("Moana," "Inside Out," "Being the Ricardos"), demonstrating adaptability to evolving industry landscapes ("from your old school corporate studio like Disney and now moving over into a streaming and theatrical world with Amazon").
Main Responsibilities of a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios
As Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios, Amanda's main responsibilities include developing and executing "comprehensive publicity strategies" for film releases, encompassing domestic and international press tours, media relations, and premier event organization. This involves close collaboration with filmmakers and internal stakeholders to ensure aligned messaging and successful audience reach, ultimately aiming for strong streaming or theatrical performance.
A Day in the Life of a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios
A Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios experiences a "dynamic and fast-paced" workday, immediately checking emails and overnight media coverage before attending numerous meetings with internal teams and talent. The rest of the day involves constant communication— "sending a million emails," coordinating interviews, pitching stories, and potentially traveling for events— emphasizing the 24/7 nature of the role and the need for constant availability.
Most Important Skills For A Publicity Lead At Amazon MGM Studios
Amanda, a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios, emphasizes strong communication and exceptional organizational skills as crucial for success, noting the need to manage multiple projects simultaneously. The ability to "get ahead of an issue" through creative, strategic, and critical thinking, combined with calm composure under pressure and strong media relations, are also key to navigating the fast-paced entertainment industry.
Favorite Parts of Being a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios
Amanda, a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios, finds the most rewarding aspects of her role to be "seeing a project fully through," the collaborative nature of working with diverse teams on various campaigns, from "mainstream" to foreign language films, and the immensely satisfying feeling of a successful project, marked by positive reviews and audience engagement. The high-stress environment is balanced by the unique access and travel opportunities, allowing for growth and exciting experiences within the film industry.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios
Amanda's biggest challenge as Amazon MGM Studios' Publicity Lead is the "unpredictable nature of publicity," requiring constant adaptation to unexpected changes like last-minute talent schedule shifts or breaking news impacting planned appearances. This necessitates "thinking on [one's] feet" and proactive problem-solving to mitigate the inherent volatility of the role.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Entertainment Industry as a Publicity Lead
Amanda, a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios, finds the entertainment industry "awe inspiring," enjoying access to incredible stories and working with passionate creatives to bring them to life. This career path has allowed for diverse experiences, ranging from Disney and Pixar projects to smaller Amazon films, building a varied and impressive resume.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Film Industry, According To A Publicity Lead At Amazon MGM Studios
Amanda, a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios, emphasizes a "strong work ethic" and "thick skin" as crucial for success, highlighting the demanding nature of the industry and the need for creative problem-solving skills to manage complex logistics. A passion for film and "a young, new fresh take" are also key assets, enabling contributions to creative meetings and seeing ideas come to life.
What A Publicity Lead At Amazon MGM Studios Wishes They Knew Before Entering The Entertainment Industry
Amanda, a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios, emphasizes the crucial, yet often overlooked, importance of "networking and making relationships" with both internal executives and press, advising that "following up with people, never taking no for an answer," and maintaining flexibility under pressure are essential for success in the industry. This experience highlights the evolution of their role from a smaller team with limited time for relationship building to a more established position where networking is now a key part of securing high-profile media coverage.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Publicity Leads
Amanda, a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios, highlights publicity assistant or secretary roles and coordinator positions as key entry-level jobs, noting that "it's hard to get up from an assistant to a coordinator." The interviewee stresses the importance of internships and temp agencies as pathways into the field, sharing that temp agencies were "how I got in as a contractor and then made my way into my career."
Significant Career Lesson From a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios
Amanda, a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios, cites adaptability as a crucial career lesson, emphasizing the need to "pivot quickly and find creative solutions" in the fast-paced entertainment industry. The importance of staying ahead of trends, particularly the shift toward "heavily digital, online social media campaigns," is also highlighted as essential for continued success.
College Experiences That Helped a Publicity Lead at Amazon MGM Studios Succeed
Unlike many peers, Amanda's path to success at Amazon MGM Studios involved leveraging LinkedIn to connect with alumni, "scouring LinkedIn 24/7" and building relationships by emphasizing shared connections. This proactive networking strategy, rather than traditional internships, proved highly effective in launching Amanda's career.
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