IEMSC Annual Report 2020

Institute for

ENTERTAINMENT, MEDIA, SPORTS, AND CULTURE

2020–2021 ANNUAL REPORT

MISSION STATEMENT The Pepperdine University Institute for Entertainment, Media, Sports, and Culture (IEMSC) is committed to being the preeminent values-centered, faith-based institute cultivating talent and developing leaders for the global creative economy.

WHAT WE DO The IEMSC facilitates the education and development of a new generation of professionals who will play impactful leadership roles in entertainment, media, and sports (EMS). We help create pathways for students to become ethical, business-savvy, and creatively minded executives, entrepreneurs, and attorneys and connect students across schools for interdisciplinary learning and realworld development opportunities.

SEAVER COLLEGE

GRAZIADIO BUSINESS SCHOOL

IEMSC CARUSO SCHOOL OF LAW

The institute complements academic programs across Pepperdine through its: Support for Advanced Curricula • Offer specialized seminars on new industry developments and practices • Present in-depth classes on industry-specific concerns in law, business, media, and the arts

Industry Outreach • Cultivate close relationships with the entertainment, media and sports community • Deliver real-world learning and work experiences to students • Foster a growing network of Pepperdine talent and sharing in members’ success

Thought Leadership • Drive research on and innovative approaches to contemporary industry issues • Advise multiple student-led EMS organizations and clubs at Pepperdine

3

MORE THAN

with an EMS focus supporting community members across Pepperdine University

500,000

Students And Alumni Reached via Pepperdine-affiliated newspaper, radio, and online media platforms

735+

students, alumni, faculty, staff, working professionals, and guests

Registered for institute events

4

230

MORE THAN

5

Active Student Clubs

2,500+

Followers engaged with the IEMSC and entertainment-, mediaand sports-related groups via social media, email, and PeppConnect

OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS Events and Activities • Held 10 virtual events featuring speakers from across industry disciplines and sectors • Connected 9 students with remote mentorship and internship opportunities • Sent 15 student fellows as volunteers and participants to the 2020 Sundance Film Festival

Industry Partnerships • Partnered with Women in Film on research related to pursuit of funding for women-owned screen industry companies • Joined forces with SAG-AFTRA to provide student creatives pathways for leveraging their professional potential • Presented a COVID-19 Economic Outlook at the 2020 Hollywood Innovation and Transformation Summit (HITS) • Collaborated with active board of industry leaders who provide invaluable support to the institute

Research • Published third edition of The MEDIA Report: Media & Entertainment Data In America 2015 to 2020, on the entertainment, media, and sports economy • Completed comprehensive study on industry talent needs • Collaborated with Graziadio board on curriculum and program development in entertainment, media, and sports

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INSTITUTE EVENTS

(organized or sponsored)

Participants in IEMSC events hear firsthand how industry executives are responding to changes in the marketplace in real time, participate in hands-on workshops, and make lasting connections.

Hosted five-part webinar series, “Navigating an Uncertain Future in Entertainment, Media, and Sports,” featuring industry experts in the fields of sports law, music, events, news, digital media, and more* Held “Understanding and Defending Against Disinformation Techniques” workshop leading into the presidential election Organized an innovative four-part multidisciplinary workshop series, “Storytelling for Entertainment, Business, and Law” * Select sessions available online The IEMSC leadership team would like to give a special thank you to the John C. Hench Foundation, whose generous support makes these events possible.

“I was teaching a series of storytelling workshops for the undergraduate, business, and law schools, and I noticed one of the attendees had signed up for all four courses. She reached out after the second course using one of the techniques we taught in the workshop, and even though I wasn’t accepting externs at the time, I agreed to take her on as a mentee. She showed diligence, moxie, and just the right attitude to be open to a meaningful mentorship.”

Christiane Kinney (JD ’98) Instructor, “Storytelling for Entertainment, Business, and Law” President, Kinney Law P.C. “I greatly enjoyed the IEMSC storytelling workshops and I quickly developed a good rapport with instructor and L.A. entertainment attorney Christiane Kinney.

I’m humbled and honored to share that we are continuing our mentor/mentee relationship outside of the classroom and would encourage every student to reach out to do the same with their professors in the future. You never know unless you ask. I know that the relationships I’ve developed with my professors will surely enhance my life and professional experiences.”

Jennifer Slovitt de Striegel Current Student, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution

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MENTERNSHIPS Menternships allow Pepperdine students to meet with and receive career mentorship and advice from industry executives, building relationships toward internships and jobs.

“IEMSC and the connections I made through it have helped me gain experiences and relationships within my dream industry.”

Mackenna Radunz (’20) Current Student, Graziadio Business School

“It’s important to me to pass on my knowledge and support students, and to help them get to where they want to go in their careers and in life. The Pepperdine IEMSC menternship program allows me to do just that. Kudos to Pepperdine, Nelson Granados, and his team for allowing myself, and the rest of the IEMSC board, to participate in this important part of the education process.”

Evan Lamberg President, Universal Music Publishing Group, North America “Evan Lamberg’s willingness to give up his time to talk with students meant a lot to me personally. He dedicated a whole hour to speaking one-on-one with me after the group session, giving me advice about my life and career path.

Specifically, Lamberg suggested I keep looking for job opportunities even when others were giving up and that diligence and persistence would eventually pay off. Thanks to him, I continued to apply for postings during the pandemic and was able to secure an internship with the Sundance Institute, all thanks to Lamberg’s kind words and sound advice.”

Jemuel Gascon (JD ’21)

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ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS Pepperdine’s wide variety of entertainment, media, and sports organizations and clubs provide students with the opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals and build a network across schools while gaining valuable exposure to the industry and making professional connections.

Sports and Entertainment Law Society “I got involved with the Sports and Entertainment Law Society (SELS) because I wanted to help students learn about the entertainment industry and provide opportunities for them to meet industry professionals and each other. I’ve loved serving as president and working with Professor Weston and the rest of the board to plan events and activities.”

Kendall Deranek (JD ’21) Former President, SELS

Pepperdine Entertainment, Media, and Sports Society “I joined the Pepperdine Entertainment, Media, and Sports Society (PEMSS) to enhance my MBA studies and connect with like-minded people who value creativity, are passionate about entertainment, and serious about breaking into the industry. Working with Professor Granados and the group has delivered all of that and more.”

Amanda Callahan (MBA ’21) Former Copresident, PEMSS

“Being on the board of the Pepperdine Entertainment, Media, and Sports Society (PEMSS) has offered me access that no other network or club could provide. I’m glad I made the decision to be an officer and work with Professor Granados and the many industry insiders with whom I’ve created long-lasting relationships.”

Colton Reisfelt (MBA ’21) Former Copresident, PEMSS

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Sports Business Association “I joined the Sports Business Association (SBA) to aid my fellow sport administration students in learning from and networking with industry professionals. My main goal was to illustrate to members the many career opportunities available to them after graduation, and I am very grateful for Professor Jessop’s help and guidance this year.”

Sydney Orr (’21) Former President, SBA

Ciné Club “With the support of Professor Carr, I started the Ciné Club to cultivate a creative community centered around a passion for filmmaking.

The club has not only provided students opportunities to join in fellowship but has also offered industry-exclusive access to once-ina-lifetime events such as participation at the Sundance Film Festival.”

Bryan Munguia (’20) Former President, Ciné Club

Pepperdine Graphic Media/NewsWaves “The importance of truth telling in connection with the Borderline shooting and the Woolsey fire inspired me to join the Graphic my sophomore year, and I am forever grateful for the home I have found in the newsroom and the family I have found in my fellow student journalists. I have loved growing personally and professionally with the mentorship of our amazing advisers and Professor de los Santos.”

Makena Huey (’21) Former Executive Editor, Pepperdine Graphic Media

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EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS We would like to give a special thank you to our executive board members for their generous financial support and professional commitment to the IEMSC.

Carolyn Blackwood (JD ’95) Chief Operating Officer Warner Bros. Pictures Group

Endyia Kinney-Sterns (’98)

Mark Burnett

Robert Kyncl (MBA ’97) Chief Business Officer, YouTube

Chairman and Executive Producer MGM Worldwide Television

Brad Cummings (’88)

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Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Wayfarer Studios

Michael Lacorazza (’88)

Producer, The Shack

Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Wells Fargo

Roma Downey

Evan Lamberg

Actress and Producer Network Television Series and Films

President, Universal Music Publishing Group North America

Eric Iverson (’94) Chief Technology Officer Global Media and Entertainment Vertical, Amazon Web Services

Takuji Masuda (’93, MFA ’17)

Victor Kaufman (MA ’15) Vice Chair, IAC Founding CEO, Tri-Star Pictures

Rob Moore (’84) CEO, Phoenix1 eSports LLC Former Vice Chairman, Paramount Pictures

Jacki Kelley (’88)

Doug Warner

CEO, Americas dentsu

President, Warner Artist Management

Rachel Kimbrough (JD ’02) Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, STX Entertainment

Christa Zofcin Workman (’97, MBA ’00, JD ’01) Co-President and Chief Operating Officer River Road Entertainment

Filmmaker and Publisher, BUNKER77 Head Coach, Pepperdine Surf Team 2001 Japanese Professional Surfing Champion

WHO WE ARE Nelson Granados

Executive Director Professor of Information Systems and Technology Management Faculty Advisor, Entertainment, Media, and Sports Society

nelson.granados@pepperdine.edu 949.223.2541 Joi Carr (MA ’02)

Academic Director for Film Studies, Seaver College Professor of English and Film Studies Blanch E. Seaver Professor of Humanities and Teacher Education Director, Film Program Faculty Advisor, Ciné Club

joi.carr@pepperdine.edu 310.506.7610 Theresa de los Santos (’01, MA ’08) Academic Director for Journalism, Seaver College Associate Professor of Communication Faculty Advisor, Pepperdine Graphic/NewsWaves theresa.m.delossantos@pepperdine.edu 310.506.4342 Alicia Jessop

Academic Director for Sport Administration, Seaver College Associate Professor Faculty Advisor, Sports Business Administration

alicia.jessop@pepperdine.edu 310.506.7795 John Mooney

Academic Director, Graziadio Business School Associate Professor of Information Systems and Technology Management Academic Director‚ Doctor of Business Administration Program

john.mooney@pepperdine.edu 949.223.2538 Maureen Weston

Academic Director, Caruso School of Law Professor of Law Faculty Advisor, Sports and Entertainment Law Society

maureen.weston@pepperdine.edu 310.506.6313 Amy Zwagerman (MBA ’18) Program Manager

amy.zwagerman@pepperdine.edu

Contact IEMSC iemsc@pepperdine.edu 310.506.7777 Connect with us on social media

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pepperdine.edu/entertainment-media-sports-culture