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While many students are focused on finding a traditional Wall Street job after graduation, it’s worth noting that there are actually many management jobs in the entertainment industry for those who have recently finished their Master of Business Administration degree.
The entertainment industry is always in search of top talent for management roles that oversee everything from studio finances to the unions that represent today’s most talented writers, directors, actors, and producers. Graduates considering this unique career path should fully review the many options that await them as they put their administration skills to use in media or entertainment.
Entertainment and Intellectual Property Management
One of the biggest areas of growth within the entertainment industry can be found in the management and protection of intellectual property and entertainment resources. The era of internet piracy and international bootlegs has forced American multinational entertainment companies to focus on how to best promote and protect their content. MBA grads typically offer a wealth of experience in this area. Many graduate-level business courses focus extensively on business law and the protection of trademarks, patents, and intellectual property. Alongside some of the best entertainment industry lawyers in the world, successful applicants will stay on top of new IP developments, create new systems to identify and prevent infringement, and help the industry maintain its profitability.
Marketing and Talent Management Services
Another popular career path for MBA grads in the entertainment industry involves working within marketing or talent management departments, which helps studios land the best talent for their upcoming films and other productions. In this role, MBA grads would be responsible for overseeing entire marketing and talent departments, focusing on new strategies, and taking advantage of new technologies to help the firm grow its brand and attract talent. Marketing strategies may include everything from social media outreach to television commercials and movie theater ad placements, as well as networking at industry events and award shows to communicate each production company’s advantages to top talent.
Business Development at Smaller Companies
Hollywood is full of new production companies and studios founded by entrepreneurs or seasoned actors. These companies are designed and developed by actors with an entertainment background, but they still require quite a bit of business acumen to stay afloat. In a business development role, entertainment industry MBA grads would help the business create a recognizable brand, draw top talent, and stay fiscally sound, while strengthening its portfolio of top talent and major production successes. Graduates with an entrepreneurial streak will find this particular role to be among the most challenging and rewarding anywhere in the broader entertainment industry.
Consulting Work at Major Firms and Studios
Finally, many graduates might simply adapt the typical MBA consulting role to the entertainment industry in unique ways. Production studios, unions, and other entertainment industry companies often require a full review and redevelopment of their business procedures and processes. That’s where consultants come in. Using business intelligence and analysis skills learned in MBA programs, graduates in a consulting role can help entertainment companies become more fiscally sound, more efficiently managed, and more productive on behalf of their clients so that they can achieve long-term objectives in the industry.
Many Great Opportunities for MBA Grads
An MBA degree is a powerful way to find a management position across all industries. The entertainment industry is no exception to this rule, with ample opportunities for high-achieving graduates with an eye on the future of film, music, and television. For this reason, management jobs in the entertainment industry are limited only based on what candidates like to do, where they enjoy doing it, and how they intend to contribute their value to this growing sector of the economy.
Additional Resource: Top 20 Most Innovative MBA Programs
