ComArtSci’s Media Sandbox took students from Advertising, Journalism, Media and Information and Communication on a Field Experience Trip to Los Angeles this May. The group of 21, led by Karl Gude and Payal Ravani, visited major media companies hosted by Spartan alumni. “This was our inaugural Sandbox student trip to visit media companies in Los Angeles,” said Gude. “The role of Sandbox in our college is to mix students up from different majors and with different interests and get them collaborating on projects and activities. This trip did just that.” The goal of the L.A. study away was to introduce students to the variety of careers in the entertainment industry and Southern California job market, as well as give them the chance to network with professionals. According to Gude, this will be a yearly trip, and he hopes to extend it to new cities over time.
Monday, May 8 | Princess Cruises and AEG
Spartan alumnus Brian O'Connor (center back), VP for Public Relations for Princess Cruises with Sandbox students. O’Connor and others from PC’s integrated communications team spoke with the students about international PR, brand marketing, content strategy, special events and more.
Spartan Vanessa Shay, Vice President, AEG Global Partnerships, far right, shows Sandbox students around the Staples Center. Shay and her colleagues talked about what it takes to run the world’s largest entertainment company — including corporate sales, a TV network, talent acquisition, broadcast/multimedia production, special events, employee engagement and diversity initiatives and more.
Tuesday, May 9 | Country Music Television and FOX Sports/Studios
Visiting with Spartan Matt Trierweiler (left), Senior Director of Development at Viacom's Country Music Television (CMT). Reality exec, Jayson Dinsmore, also popped in to talk with the students. They both shared their experiences of working their way up in development and management of the TV industry.
(Left to right at the end of the table) Spartans Lauren Ford, Senior Director, Digital Marketing at FOX Sports, Steve Van Wormer, Senior Producer at Fox Sports, Jeff Antlocer, Vice President for On-air Promotion for Fox Sports and Stacey Batzer, Senior Creative Director at Fox Broadcasting Company visit with the students.
Wednesday, May 10 | Univision, Fullscreen Studios and Deutsch
The marvelous Haz Montana (far left), Vice President of Content at Univision Radio and a Spartan, hosted our group at Univision. He and his team talked with students about what it means to be the leading multimedia company serving Hispanic America, with a mission to inform, empower and entertain the community.
Spartans Matt Gatson (standing rear, with beard) and Korey Kuhl and Tyler Oakley (seated left and right) host Sandbox students at Fullscreen Studios. Kuhl and Oakley shared their thoughts on how to stay relevant and genuine in a time when how we consume entertainment is rapidly changing.
Students with Mike Sheldon, Chairman & CEO of Deutsch North America. Sheldon shared his story, offered tried and true advice, and had the students take an oath: swearing that they have what it takes to get a job after college.
Thursday, May 11 | Los Angeles Times and NFL Network
Students meet with Len DeGroot, director of data visualization, at the Los Angeles Times and sat in on a morning news meeting with the editorial staff to see journalism in action.
Spartan Richard Isakow, producer, hosted students for a studio tour, Q&A with executives and a live TV broadcast at the NFL Network. Friday, May 12 | Freelance and mOcean
Sandbox students visit with Spartan Nic Angell, a freelance film editor and post production supervisor. He conversed with students about life in Los Angeles and life as a freelancer in the entertainment industry.
Sandbox students get comfortable with Spartan Craig Murray, founder of mOcean on their visit to Los Angeles. Murray and his team of MSU alumni talked with students about their creative process and how the worlds of production and marketing are intertwined in the entertainment industry.
By Kaitlin Dudlets