GEMA TALKS with Rich Battista

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 Economy
On 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 Marcom
Jeff Shultz (L '97), Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Business Development Officer, Streaming at Paramount Global
Tiffany Stevenson (MBA '01), Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer at Patreon

Moderated 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 Group
Liz Gateley (Parent '24), Senior Advisor, Original Podcasts & Video, Spotify
Phoebe Lett (C '13), Podcast Producer, The New York Times
Kai 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 Group
Opening 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 Sales

Eliza Wheeler (C ’18), TV Literary Agent, The Gersh Agency

Lauren Williams (C ’08), Senior Editor, The Atlantic

Claudine Wilson (L ’08), Vice President and Senior Counsel, HBO Max Original Program Marketing

Moderated 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.

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.

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.

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 Capital
Laura Held (B '04), Shamrock Capital Advisors
Ted Oberwager (C '06), KKR
Shamin Walsh (F '07), BAM Ventures
Moderated by: Mary Ann Halford (C '80), Altman Solon