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Tyler, Media Analyst at Variety Intelligence Platform: Advize Career Interview
A film production degree unexpectedly launched a career in media analysis, starting with a high school journalism class and culminating in a data-driven role at Variety Intelligence Platform.
The path involved internships at The Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly, covering everything from "elevated horror" to streaming's impact during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Daily work blends data analysis with compelling writing, producing short and long-form analyses of the streaming landscape. Strong writing, time management, and a willingness to learn new skills are crucial.
The most rewarding aspects include the writing process itself—shaping "the first draft of history"—and the immersive nature of working in a personally engaging field.
While navigating the cyclical nature of the industry and rapidly mastering new concepts are key challenges, tenacity, passion, and proactively volunteering for assignments are highlighted as crucial to success.
Entry-level opportunities are limited but any experience building a portfolio is valuable.
The interview concludes with advice emphasizing strong relationships with professors, dedicated academic work, and a proactive approach to assignments as key ingredients for a successful career.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Tyler Aquilina
Media Analyst
Variety Intelligence Platform
Loyola Marymount University
None
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Data and Analytics
Honors Student
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Career Path Of A Media Analyst At Variety Intelligence Platform
Tyler's career path, beginning with a film production degree, unexpectedly led to journalism after a high school journalism class and a film-focused journalism minor. Their internships at The Hollywood Reporter, where they covered "the rise of 'elevated horror'," and Entertainment Weekly, culminating in a role analyzing the film industry's response to streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately prepared Tyler for their current position as a data-driven media analyst at Variety Intelligence Platform, focusing on streaming trends.
Main Responsibilities Of A Media Analyst At Variety Intelligence Platform
Tyler's main responsibilities as a Media Analyst at Variety Intelligence Platform center on producing "short form and long form projects" analyzing the subscription video streaming landscape, including deep dives into trends like bundled services, supported by data and analysis. This role blends data analysis with traditional journalism, occasionally including interviews and podcast appearances, showcasing a dynamic skillset in the media industry.
A Day In The Life Of A Media Analyst At Variety Intelligence Platform
A media analyst's day-to-day work at Variety Intelligence Platform involves either crafting "short form" articles by analyzing data from various sources and building arguments supported by this data, similar to "an argumentative essay," or focusing on longer reports requiring collaboration with the design team and multiple revisions. This role's core involves "reaching out to data partners," formulating analysis, and drawing conclusions to produce insightful media analysis.
Most Important Skills For A Media Analyst At Variety Intelligence Platform
Tyler, a Media Analyst at Variety Intelligence Platform, emphasizes that strong writing and communication skills are paramount, stating "it is a lot easier to pick up those skills than to become a really good writer". Beyond this, the ability to manage time effectively, meet deadlines, and quickly learn new subjects—like Tyler's acquisition of data analytics skills—are crucial for success in a fast-paced media analysis role.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Media Analyst At Variety Intelligence Platform
Tyler, a Media Analyst, most enjoys "the writing" aspect of their role, finding satisfaction in the entire process of article creation and the inherent responsibility of shaping "the first draft of history." This opportunity to frame current events for future understanding is something Tyler values greatly.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Media Analyst at Variety
Tyler's biggest challenge as a Media Analyst is the need to quickly master new concepts and jargon within the business field, describing it as needing to "make yourself an expert on something that you may have never even heard of before in a day or two". Their advice to aspiring professionals emphasizes the value of readily available resources such as Google to overcome this hurdle.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Entertainment Industry as a Media Analyst
Tyler, a Media Analyst, finds the most rewarding aspect of the entertainment journalism industry to be "being immersed in something that really interests me personally," citing the importance of historical context in understanding current trends like streaming's impact. The ability to "draw on knowledge that I already have and also to gain new knowledge in a field that I find really compelling" is a key source of professional satisfaction for Tyler, who acknowledges the industry's challenges while remaining enthusiastic about its study.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Media Industry, According To A Media Analyst At Variety Intelligence Platform
To thrive in the media industry, tenacity and perseverance are crucial, as the job requires "going after people" for information and navigating potential layoffs; passion for the subject matter is also key, as genuine engagement shines through in the work and helps maintain enthusiasm despite repetitive tasks.
What a Media Analyst at Variety Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Media Industry
Tyler, a Media Analyst, wishes they had better understood the "cyclical nature" of the industry before starting, specifically noting the significant impact of awards season on workload. This repetitive nature, while not a major issue, is something Tyler feels newcomers should be prepared for to avoid potential feelings of monotony from the recurring seasonal demands of the job.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Media Analysts
Limited entry-level media analyst roles exist, primarily internships and editorial assistant positions, the latter's responsibilities varying widely; however, any entry-level role allowing "a few bylines under your belt" is valuable for building a portfolio and professional profile.
Significant Career Lesson From a Media Analyst at Variety Intelligence Platform
Tyler's significant career lesson is to "be willing to volunteer for any assignment," even seemingly menial tasks, as this proactive approach unexpectedly yielded opportunities like covering Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine's court testimony and researching the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences library, ultimately boosting their portfolio and career trajectory. This willingness to embrace diverse assignments propelled their advancement through internships at Entertainment Weekly and the Hollywood Reporter.
College Experiences That Helped a Media Analyst at Variety Intelligence Platform Succeed
Tyler's success stemmed from cultivating strong relationships with professors and writers, "forming relationships and connections" which led to internship opportunities; dedication to academic work, exemplified by a challenging documentary project, also honed crucial skills like meeting deadlines and prioritizing tasks, proving invaluable in a fast-paced career.
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