Reel Works Career Day: Paramount Global Inspires Future Media Leaders
What are some tips for being true to yourself at work? How did you manage to promote an Emmy-nominated series and what can you teach aspiring media innovators? Did you ever get to meet the voice actor of SpongeBob SquarePants, Tom Kenny? These were some of the questions that students asked at the second annual Reel Works Career Day hosted by Paramount Global.
On July 12th, sixteen talented Career Lab students visited Paramount’s headquarters for a day of learning and growth. Paramount has a long-standing partnership with Reel Works, an organization that supports underprivileged NYC youth to express their stories through filmmaking and prepare them for careers in media and beyond. Career Lab is a part of Reel Works’ MediaMKRS workforce program, which aims to diversify the talent pool in the entertainment industry.
Career Lab students explore different careers, build personal networks and learn skills to succeed professionally through paid internships. Kim Gallagher, the VP of Marketing Operations at SHOWTIME, was a key contributor to the success of Career Day. She thinks this program is a “great opportunity for Paramount to work with Reel Works in exposing high school students to various career paths within the entertainment industry.
I was honored to work with the Social Responsibility team, the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME team and the Nickelodeon team to put together a great day of presentations and activities. And it gives us a chance to meet future talent and collaborators!” The marketing team of SHOWTIME’s Yellowjackets started the day by showcasing their Season 2 campaign that generated a lot of buzz. Emma Page, a student and a fan of the show, said “hearing the thought process and intentionality behind the marketing decisions was eye-opening and captivating.”
The team shared their creative and elaborate promotional strategies - such as wrapping NYC train cars and collaborating with Alanis Morrisette - and also gave advice to students who want to market their own films this summer. Nickelodeon also joined Reel Works for an honest session about entering the media industry. Students appreciated the opportunity to learn about each panelist’s daily life, favorite projects and artistic inspiration.
Production Coordinator Matther Frazier from Nickelodeon advised students to be themselves and embrace their weirdness. “Embracing my inner weirdo got me to where I’m at in my career, especially in animation. I appreciate that one day they will get to do what I do, and I hope it’s in part because they allowed themselves to be weirdos.”
After a lively lunch break, students divided into groups for a storyboarding workshop led by Rita Papadogiannis from Paramount Social Responsibility. With the help of volunteers from the SHOWTIME Production team, each group came up with a new advertisement for Paramount’s brands, often incorporating social and environmental justice themes. Groups presented their storyboards, each with their own unique humor, action and warmth. Reel Works ended their visit with an exclusive tour of the CBS Mornings and MTV’s Fresh Out Live studio. Student Olivia Hansen said that “visiting Paramount was the most surreal experience,” full of “fun and fascinating stories.”
Fellow participant Kyle Webster agreed, saying he will remember Career Day “when running an entertainment conglomerate of my own” one day. Ultimately, Paramount Global is proud to support the next generation of storytellers through unparalleled access to leaders in entertainment and media. We know these students’ creativity and curiosity will carry them far in their careers.
On July 12th, sixteen talented Career Lab students visited Paramount’s headquarters for a day of learning and growth. Paramount has a long-standing partnership with Reel Works, an organization that supports underprivileged NYC youth to express their stories through filmmaking and prepare them for careers in media and beyond. Career Lab is a part of Reel Works’ MediaMKRS workforce program, which aims to diversify the talent pool in the entertainment industry.
Career Lab students explore different careers, build personal networks and learn skills to succeed professionally through paid internships. Kim Gallagher, the VP of Marketing Operations at SHOWTIME, was a key contributor to the success of Career Day. She thinks this program is a “great opportunity for Paramount to work with Reel Works in exposing high school students to various career paths within the entertainment industry.
I was honored to work with the Social Responsibility team, the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME team and the Nickelodeon team to put together a great day of presentations and activities. And it gives us a chance to meet future talent and collaborators!” The marketing team of SHOWTIME’s Yellowjackets started the day by showcasing their Season 2 campaign that generated a lot of buzz. Emma Page, a student and a fan of the show, said “hearing the thought process and intentionality behind the marketing decisions was eye-opening and captivating.”
The team shared their creative and elaborate promotional strategies - such as wrapping NYC train cars and collaborating with Alanis Morrisette - and also gave advice to students who want to market their own films this summer. Nickelodeon also joined Reel Works for an honest session about entering the media industry. Students appreciated the opportunity to learn about each panelist’s daily life, favorite projects and artistic inspiration.
Production Coordinator Matther Frazier from Nickelodeon advised students to be themselves and embrace their weirdness. “Embracing my inner weirdo got me to where I’m at in my career, especially in animation. I appreciate that one day they will get to do what I do, and I hope it’s in part because they allowed themselves to be weirdos.”
After a lively lunch break, students divided into groups for a storyboarding workshop led by Rita Papadogiannis from Paramount Social Responsibility. With the help of volunteers from the SHOWTIME Production team, each group came up with a new advertisement for Paramount’s brands, often incorporating social and environmental justice themes. Groups presented their storyboards, each with their own unique humor, action and warmth. Reel Works ended their visit with an exclusive tour of the CBS Mornings and MTV’s Fresh Out Live studio. Student Olivia Hansen said that “visiting Paramount was the most surreal experience,” full of “fun and fascinating stories.”
Fellow participant Kyle Webster agreed, saying he will remember Career Day “when running an entertainment conglomerate of my own” one day. Ultimately, Paramount Global is proud to support the next generation of storytellers through unparalleled access to leaders in entertainment and media. We know these students’ creativity and curiosity will carry them far in their careers.
Companies