Mark Allenbach (MSB ’03) Director, Interactive Media And Games, Frank Magid Associates, Inc. spoke about his work researching the video game industry and how he transitioned from his Georgetown undergraduate experiences to working in New York as an analyst. Mark practices mostly qualitative research and consulting in the console and PC gaming space and has worked with the top gaming publishers. Gaming is a growing and hiring industry, which made his perspectives on the business invaluable for many. James M. Assey (L’97) Executive Vice President, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, discussed his experiences as a senior lobbyist on behalf of the Cable and Telecom industry. He explained how previous positions, such as Counsel for a U.S. Senate Committee on Communications and Media Issues led to his passion for media and culminated in his current role as a leading advocate of the Cable and Telecom Industry in Washington.

Similarly, Edgar Burch, Assistant Director of Government Relations, NCAA, and an alumnus of the University of Michigan, described what it’s like working as a legal counsel on behalf of collegiate athletics and some of the dynamic issues facing college sports and his organization. Michael Cascone (C’96) Chief Operating Officer, HowStuffWorks.com, provided insight on the emergence of online media and the process behind the integration of HowStuffWorks.com with Discovery Communications following a $250 million acquisition. Rounding out the panel was Stephanie Green (Graduate studies) Columnist, “Green & Glover” at The Washington Times, who provided a witty and fascinating inside look at the work of a gossip columnist and explored some of the woes facing the print industry today.

Because my interests lie in film and television, I struck up a conversation with the moderator, Ami Vitori (MSB ’95), Founder, Vitori Trend, in which we discussed emerging trends affecting the traditional media distribution channels. Ami has served as Vice President of two production companies, running overhead deals at Universal Studios and 20th Century Fox. She also founded a nonprofit organization The Writer’s Arc, which focused on discovering and nurturing aspiring writers.

For an MBA student at Georgetown such as myself, where the program focuses on traditional industries such as consulting and banking, GEMA events are the best way to hear the anecdotes and insights of professionals working in entertainment and media—industries where Georgetown alumni are increasingly filling leadership roles. I’m looking forward to the next event!

-James Kopelman, MBA Candidate, Class of 2011