The last thing I expected to see at my first conference was barbeque ribs and an ice cream sundae station. I was expecting uptight people in business casual wear, the type of scene that you’d expect out of Suits . While there was plenty of business casual, the people I met were all so friendly that I felt like it was the first day of college. The good vibes continued for the next couple of days, as I expanded my knowledge of the media and entertainment industry through numerous panels, discussions, mentoring sessions, and stretch breaks, soaking in information like a sponge.  Sylvester "Sly" Phifer, VP, Performance Marketing, Disney Advertising While they were all amazing, my favorite speaker was Sylvester “Sly” Phifer, VP of Performance Marketing at Disney Advertising. As someone unfamiliar with how advertising works, I wasn’t sure how much I would get out of his session. However, he explained his job clearly and concisely, citing specific real-world examples like QR code advertising to connect his job to my personal experiences. What intrigued me about his story was the fact that he had just finished his MBA a few weeks before the conference, something that I never thought I would hear. It inspired me that a professional with so much industry experience and such a high position at a major company still felt so strongly about getting his MBA and building on his existing knowledge.  If I had to choose a favorite panel, it would have to be “BEYOND THE HYPE: AI, Media, and the New Creative Frontier .” Coming into the conference, I was unsure how AI would be woven into conversations and presentations. I knew that it would be a dominant topic, as it seems like everybody's favorite buzzword nowadays, but I was interested to see how the speakers framed it. The main idea that I took away from the panel was that AI’s growth and development should progress slowly and cautiously. While it seems scary, I think it was a timely reminder of the massive implications AI has on our everyday lives. As a college student, AI is now everywhere in my life. Its prevalence at school has almost made me numb to its drawbacks, but hearing cautionary tales from industry professionals caused me to rethink my perspective. The legal implications of AI image and video generators relating to copyright laws and IP issues were something that I had never really considered, but the day after the conference, I saw a headline about how Disney was suing an AI firm for generating original images of popular fictional characters like Darth Vader and Elsa. Immediately, I thought back to the panel and realized that I had seen AI-generated images of copyrighted characters before without even thinking twice about the legal ramifications. All in all, the panelists and speakers at the conference helped me reshape my perspective on certain topics while also introducing me to new ideas and connections that I probably would have never thought of. From industry-related topics like streaming services to more career-related topics like job applications and networking, there was a healthy mix of everything. That balance made the conference much more engaging than sitting in an auditorium for three hours sounds, but trust me, it was well worth it.

What do the marketing campaigns for the Kids' Choice Awards and The Walking Dead have in common? While the two may seem vastly different, Deborah Diamond has led campaigns for both. In March, Diamond shared her experiences in the entertainment industry in a FUTURE NOW Leadership Talk hosted by FUTURE NOW Founder & CEO, Peggy Kim.  Diamond’s road to AMC Networks’ Killing Eve began in college when she joined her college’s marketing group, where she had the opportunity to work with advertising and marketing agencies. Drawn to the creative aspects of marketing, Diamond enjoyed delving into people’s psychologies to market to them effectively and understood the power of well-executed content to drive consumer behavior. It was this exposure and experience that solidified in Diamond that “this is where I need to be.” Diamond got her foot in the door in an unusual way. She was at the airport heading off for spring break in her senior year of college when she noticed a woman wearing Nickelodeon branding. Intrigued, she introduced herself and struck up a conversation.  “I tried to alleviate fear, and I tried to be a connector and talk to people, and thought I had nothing to lose… [I] just wanted to capitalize on the moment,” Diamond explained. “There is a reason we brand things. There is a reason that it was that moment in time, and I will say for the years that I've been working since college, that career is about luck and timing.”  Impressed, the woman encouraged her to apply for an internship and gave Diamond her contact information.  Diamond followed up and landed an internship at Nickelodeon.  But how has Diamond continued to find success in the industry? She credits three skills: ambition, boldness, and the ability to both build and maintain relationships. Diamond has also been very goal-oriented. By age twenty-five, her goal was to be a manager, by thirty, a director, and by thirty-five, a vice president. Diamond achieved every goal she set out through demonstrated passion and dedication.  She explained, “In those efforts, it looked like me giving everything that I could to an organization, and with happiness. I did it because I wanted to. At the end of a project, at the end of the day, it was always ‘Can I help with something else? Can I be a part of this?’ I would work sometimes in other departments, just to help on a production shoot, just to be there.”  Diamond was not one to rest on her laurels. “At the end of the day, I was taking the job with me. I was taking it seriously. I was studying and focused as if it were a master's, and I needed to pass, and by being an extra set of hands to somebody who might have been overwhelmed or overworked, or showing up in that way with a good spirit and a great attitude.”  She stayed engaged not only at her company but also in the zeitgeist at large. By being aware of what competing companies were doing, she could best see what strategies would be beneficial to Nickelodeon.  “What I contributed wasn't just the workload that I was bringing. It was some of these outside information pieces that could help and create a little bit more information to bring to the table so that I could be engaging in a conversation to move the network…whatever initiative we have forward in a different way,” Diamond said. This mentality was how she was able to transition from interning at Nickelodeon to working there as a full-time employee. Diamond credits her relationships and networking as part of her professional success: “I will say that carries true through today: [connect] to somebody. Sending a résumé in cold to an organization does not have a high yield of getting that opportunity. Always try to connect to somebody.” Diamond has made many meaningful connections in her career, including mentors from her initial internship at Nickelodeon and well into her career working in marketing. “I created relationships with people in the late nineties that today I still have,” Diamond said. “I continue to keep conversations going, and I don't lose touch. So networking. Staying in touch with people is extremely important, and don't just call people when you need a favor. It shows up that way.” Diamond also gives back as a mentor to others. “I always want to lean in and help because my career wasn't written for me, and I had to prove myself and jump in and show what I could do, and no one’s opened the door. I've pushed it open and kicked it open.”  When networking, she advises identifying specific details of who you are and your interests (e.g. “I am a graduating senior interested in…”), and presenting yourself well and professionally.  “There are times when you need to be bold and capitalize on who’s in the room and how you can introduce yourself. ”  Diamond gave listeners a glimpse into the creative process behind marketing. “[The] creative process happens anywhere, any place… sometimes the best ideas don't come from the people who are in the room… It's important to be in communication with the people you work with and break down the silos and sometimes just communicate what you're working on. You can get amazing sets of ideas from people. I am fortunate that I have a phenomenal team that I get to work with. They're very creative and pumped and energized.” Early on in Diamond’s career, marketing consisted of billboards, commercials, and so on. Today, more and more people are skipping through commercials, causing a shift in marketing strategy to digital and live events. Diamond cites the Barbie  movie’s shade of pink as an example of modern marketing, as well as the show Severance ’s new season campaign that featured the actors in cubicles in Grand Central Station one day.  As the scheme of entertainment is changing, marketing is innovating new and different ways to connect with audiences. “We are now coming to your space in your place, or you can come and visit us. It's larger-than-life activities and events. Promotion is really taking off, and people are allocating budgets, and that strength in that way to evoke that emotional and visceral connection.” Regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in marketing, Diamond said, “We’re still in the nascent stage,” but acknowledged that “I think that AI is… something we have to be careful of, because all the information is not correct.” While it is a useful tool in getting information and supplementing the creative process, Diamond warns, “We gotta pay attention. This is a space we need to learn a lot about.” For aspiring marketers, Diamond recommends researching as much as possible when it comes to an area of interest. When you see something you like, research who was involved and the tactics used to complete the project. She also suggests taking part in networking opportunities such as connecting through LinkedIn, speaking to panelists after a conference, and joining professional communities (she recommends WISE, Women in Sports Entertainment). She encourages finding fun ways to connect and talk with people through these communities.  Diamond advises to keep up to date with recent technologies, know what demographics are drawn to what platforms, know your audience, and how to effectively connect with them. She also notes the power of social media platforms for marketers to communicate directly with their audiences.  Diamond shared some final words of advice that one's career, like water, has no fixed shape—one has to shape it. Your first job is just the beginning, a key that opens a door. And, you can choose where you want to go from there.  Through it all, she exhorts, “Be you. Be bold.”

As I prepared for the 2025 FUTURE NOW Media & Entertainment Conference, I worried about how to approach networking, given that I had never been to a conference before. Attending a major professional conference for the first time can be anxiety-inducing. Luckily, my fears were addressed in the first meeting of the conference.  The conference began with a pre-conference networking skills session at Roku. At this session, Amanda Lutton, one of the speakers and the outreach coordinator for new employees at the company, repeatedly emphasized the importance of human connection. She encouraged me and my fellow attendees to focus on connecting on a human level instead of stressing about connecting on a business level. The leaders of the Roku session gave attendees several examples of conversation starters to begin this human level of connection, such as, “I noticed you reading that book, how are you finding it?” While this may not seem revolutionary, I found it very helpful to be reminded of the importance of demonstrating personal interest when forming new relationships with people within the media and entertainment industry.  Amanda’s advice applied to every part of the conference. I recognized its importance the most on the last day of the conference when I was on a media tour at The View. During this tour, I connected with an attendee while waiting for the tour to begin. We discussed our interests in the industry, where we were from, our opinions on our schools, and even the types of television we watched on ABC. What I didn’t notice at the moment was that this effortless, stress-free conversation was built upon the basis of human connection. For the first time in the conference, I didn’t need to use a pre-prepared conversation starter because I was simply interested in connecting on a genuine human level. As we continued to chat while waiting in line, we discovered that we had intersecting career interests. This led to a discussion about how our individual perspectives could help inform our understanding of our interests. I was able to gain important insights into the media industry while also building a friendship that I hope will last beyond the FUTURE NOW conference.  My new friend and I used our networking skills and the advice we received from Amanda when talking to another member of the studio audience. We discussed our previous exposure to The View and what brought us to the audience today. We learned that the person worked in collegiate sports personal relations. This was a part of the media industry that my new friend and I were previously discussing. By forming a human connection, we were able to network outside of the conference attendees and learn more about the industry.   As I reflect on my time at the FUTURE NOW 2025 conference, I realized that I already had the skills to network , like active listening and relationship-building. That shift a lleviated my anxiety and allowed me to build relationships that can extend to an industry context in the future. Now, I am excited for the next opportunity to build more human connections.

At first, I didn’t say much. I was way out of my depth. Sitting at the table, surrounded by professionals with decades of experience and peers who seemed more confident, I felt like the youngest person there—because I was. But as I listened, I realized I didn’t necessarily have to speak to learn. The FUTURE NOW 2025 Conference allocated dedicated time for speed mentoring sessions, where mentors rotated between tables for 25-minute conversations. Mentors shared about a moment of doubt, a bold decision, or a job they thought would be temporary that turned into a career. I heard from someone who started in software and ended up in sales, another who entered the workforce during the 2008 financial crisis, and one who left law to work in business development. Their stories made this clear: none of their careers followed a perfect plan. They were shaped by risks, restarts, and trusting their gut. Still, each had eventually found their way.  Josh Johnson, writer, stand-up comedian, and Correspondent on "The Daily Show" That message was echoed in the keynote conversation with The Daily Show’s Josh Johnson. The writer and stand-up comedian spoke about redefining success, not as a title or paycheck, but as the impact you make, the values you carry, and the personal goals you set.  The same idea came up in nearly every conversation I had. Mentors and speakers alike encouraged us to look past job titles and focus on what really matters: the people, the stories, and the work that brings it all together. As cheesy as it sounds, it reminded me why I’m drawn to this industry in the first place. Of course, there were moments when I felt like I was playing catch-up. I heard job titles and thought, “ I have no idea what that means.”  But the mentors were so welcoming that I just asked them about it. Every answer opened up something new.  On the first day of the conference, Makeda Mays-Green from Paramount+ described her role as the SVP of Digital and Cultural Insights at Nickelodeon  in a way that made me think, That’s a real job? I want to learn everything about it.  I walked away from those conversations realizing there were so many roles I’d never imagined—but that somehow combined all of my interests in research, data analysis, and psychology. What I appreciated most was how honest the mentors were. They didn’t sugarcoat the hard parts or pretend they had it all figured out. Instead, they spoke candidly about the risks, failures, and lessons that shaped them, along with the relationships they built along the way. It wasn’t about being perfect; it was about being curious, showing up, and staying true to yourself. I left feeling more grounded and less alone in my uncertainty. The biggest shift for me was moving from intimidation to curiosity—from feeling like I didn’t belong to realizing that no one has it all figured out, and that’s okay. The mentors weren’t there to impress us.  They were there to guide us, reassure us, and remind us that we’re allowed to keep growing. Walking into the speed mentoring session, I felt anxious and intimidated by the caliber of the people in the room. Walking out, I just felt inspired. Not because I had a clear path, but because I understood it’s okay not to. And if everyone else is figuring it out as they go, maybe I can, too.

I was jittery as I walked through Times Square on Tuesday afternoon, and it wasn’t just because of the Midtown chaos. I felt like an impostor in my mother’s dress pants and my uncomfortable shoes. People in ironed khaki pants and starched button-downs sidestepped me as they purposefully wove through the tourists and Elmo-clad scammers. Before the FUTURE NOW Media and Entertainment Conference, I had no previous experience with conferences and little experience with professional networking in general. The idea of career preparation was thoroughly intimidating, especially since I wasn’t sure which field I wanted to pursue. I didn’t know what to expect as I walked into the Roku office for a conference-sponsored tour. I was greeted by a room of about one hundred people around my age. Some people were making polite small talk, but most were nervously fidgeting with their belongings and artfully avoiding eye contact. I was relieved to see that I wasn’t the only person who felt unsure. However, it was hard for the uneasy energy to persist once Amanda Lutton and Jerry Guerrero from Roku started the Pre-Conference Workshop: Mastering the Art of Professional Networking. Their easygoing, supportive energy was contagious. Jerry and Amanda emphasized that networking is not transactional, but about building trusting, genuine connections. It helped having the Roku workshop right before the reception at Paramount, because I felt more loosened up, and the networking tips were at the top of my mind. After the workshop, people were more outgoing and willing to talk to one another. At one point in the workshop, Jerry mentioned that if you are friendly and respectful, most people will want to talk to you. I reminded myself of that and went up to people to start conversations, even though it felt unnatural and scary at first. The more people I talked to, the more comfortable I became showing my personality and being genuine. The authenticity of my mentors and my peers helped me realize that I didn’t need to “play a part” to be accepted in professional settings, and that I was not being tested during these conversations. To my surprise, when I admitted to not knowing something, my perspective and legitimacy were not immediately disregarded. I learned that it’s okay not to know everything and that curiosity and passion count for a lot. When speaking with professionals during the Speed Mentoring sessions, I was startled that they were willing and even eager to discuss their setbacks with us. It was inspiring to hear how they overcame these hardships and reassuring to know that they achieved success despite an imperfect path. I also appreciated how open everyone was to the idea of career exploration and following one’s passion. Hearing about all of the unique positions available in the media industry that people were passionate about opened my perspective to possibilities I wasn’t even aware of. I tend to feel anxious when I think about career preparation and exploration, but the mentors inspired me to greet the process with excitement instead. Media Tour at NBCU On Thursday, I was assigned to be the Group Leader for my NBCUniversal Media Tour. I was charged with organizing FUTURE NOW participants and communicating with the NBCU staff. My experience over the previous two days taught me that I didn't have to pretend to know exactly what I am doing to be respected as a group leader. Not only did embracing authenticity deepen my ability to make connections with others, but it also allowed me to have a better time as well. It was incredibly uplifting and reassuring to see my uncertainties validated by my peers’ experience, as well as from the kindness and patience displayed by mentors. As I walked through Midtown toward the NBC building in Rockefeller Center, my shoes were still uncomfortable, and I hadn’t entirely shed my career anxiety, but I was more comfortable matching the purposeful strides of my khaki-loving peers.

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Most people entering the job market hope for job stability. However, for creative executive Dee Turman , taking risks has been a cornerstone of her career, even if it has meant foregoing stability. Turman, a self-described “content girl through and through,” shared in a recent Leadership Talk with FUTURE NOW Founder and CEO Peggy Kim. As the Head of Inclusive Programming at Audible, she describes herself as “the strategic creative tissue between the creative development and marketing teams,” helping to “connect the right content with the right audiences at the right time.”  She focuses often on minorities and other underserved groups across all genres—podcasts, nonfiction, romance, and more—and collaborates with high-profile figures like Usher, the Obamas, and Ronan Farrow to ensure Audible reaches and resonates with the broadest possible audience. Before entering the world of audiobooks and podcasts, Turman cut her teeth on shows like The Ellen Show and at places like ESPN, where she produced Sportscenter. “The first ten years of my career, my only job was to get a show on and off air on time.” As a producer, she was responsible for everything from ferrying guests to and from the dressing room to making sure the control room pushed the right button to run a commercial break.  While other teams were doing the marketing and creative strategy, Turman watched and learned. “I cared about whether my clips were getting posted on social [media] after I did my show,” she admitted.  Turman saw the rising tide of digital media and jumped ship from ESPN to Spring Hill, LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s entertainment company, where she worked on their YouTube show, The Shop.   “I hadn’t really formally worked in branded content,” Turman said, “but I had worked at ESPN, and I had worked with high-level talent like Stephen A. Smith and Jemele Hill.” She immersed herself in branded entertainment and learned “how content can make money for a company.”  She discovered an aptitude for understanding and navigating the numbers…potential profits for views and budget considerations. ”My brain was able to do that even though I definitely considered myself more of a creative,” she said. “I knew budgets because I had worked in production for a while.”  From there, Turman pivoted again to Hello Sunshine, Reese Witherspoon’s production company, where she built a branded content strategy. “I got exposure to whether or not we were meeting what we promised, and I was able to dictate that and manage expectations around that sort of thing.”  This experience prepared her for her next role at Amazon Music in the marketing department, which required both creative and writing talent as well as skill with data analytics. “I noticed really quickly I had no problem finding the data, writing the doc, and then going and getting buy-in” from executives. Noticed for her data-first approach, Turman was promoted to her current role as Head of Inclusive Programming at Audible, one of Amazon’s subsidiaries. Turman is passionate about her work and role at Audible. “We know that multicultural customers are revenue-generating customers, and that multicultural customers are the reason why the audio industry is what it is today, or really the entertainment industry.” By serving those multicultural customers, Turman is significantly boosting Audible’s profits and cultural reach.  Turman’s goal is to create “ways of connecting content in a super authentic way with audiences.....That helps our industry reputation,” she said.  “I was never afraid to pivot and learn a new skill based on either an interest or a superpower, [a skill] that I noticed I might have if I just sharpened it,” Turman explained of her varied career. “Early on, when I could afford to do so from a money standpoint, I wasn't afraid to take breaks and…also build my own identity as a creative and as a storyteller, and make and take breaks so that my identity wasn't just tied to where I worked or what job was available.”  Gen Z workers have often been called job hoppers, but Turman was doing it before it trended on TikTok. Her ability to pivot enabled her to make connections across multiple companies and in different facets of the industry. As she put it, her multitude of jobs “meant I was a Swiss Army knife.”  While this benefited her early in her career, as she’s transitioned to more executive-level jobs, Turman has had to adapt once more, this time to be a leader and manager of people. “If I want to be the kind of executive that I want to be, [that] means… being okay, not doing everything, knowing how to manage people and delegate to people and [trusting] other people to do the things that I also know how to do.”  Of course, that doesn’t mean Turman is holding back—far from it. She advised the audience, “Be ready…when you’re expressing that you want to change….When somebody says, ‘Well, what do you want to do?’…Be able to answer that…I think that has also set me apart”. Turman left listeners with one final piece of advice that has served her well throughout her career. “It's definitely connecting your skill sets for the next thing, and so… don't be too traditional and too much in a box.”

On April 10 and every day, encourage a young writer.

Every year on April 27th, National Tell A Story Day is celebrated to encourage people to share stories. Storytelling has been an essential part of human history, used to pass down traditions, entertain, educate, and inspire. This special day highlights the power of stories and their ability to connect people across generations and cultures.  It doesn’t take an expert to write a compelling story. My storytelling journey started around age 10, when I was far from a master writer. I began journaling, chronicling my day-to-day activities. This allowed me to have a creative outlet to think outside the box and write anything I could imagine—and, as a 10-year-old, I could imagine quite a lot.  Inspired by the Roxy Hunter series, I wrote about being a spy. After watching The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl , I wrote as if my daydreams could become reality. From there, my writing kept improving, and in high school, I took two electives—creative writing and dystopian literature—which set the trajectory of my career. After these classes, I knew I wanted to write and share stories for a living…stories through poems about love, fiction stories that I wish were my life, and even nonfiction, sharing what was true to my life.  Why National Tell A Story Day Matters Preserving Culture and History Storytelling is one of the oldest ways of preserving history and cultural heritage. Myths, folktales, and personal narratives help keep traditions alive and give future generations a glimpse into the past. Having reminders of the past is vital to correcting mistakes, spreading knowledge, and preserving memories.  Strengthening Connections Whether it’s a bedtime story for a child, a personal anecdote shared among friends, or a family history lesson passed down through generations, storytelling brings people together. It fosters empathy and understanding by allowing people to see the world from different perspectives. The beauty of life is that we all come from different backgrounds and places, but stories connect us. Born and raised in New Orleans, I was told about the “swamp monster,” a folk story derived from “Näkki” in Finnish folklore. How amazing to be connected to a culture from across the globe through storytelling.  Enhancing Creativity and Imagination Telling and listening to stories sparks creativity and encourages imaginative thinking. For children, storytelling nurtures cognitive development, while for adults, it can be an engaging way to think critically and problem-solve. It’s been said that “therapists need therapists.” Similarly, I like to say, “readers need readers” and “authors need authors.” Sharing our own stories inspires others to tell theirs. One author's memoir can encourage another to write their own. Further Developing Communication Skills Sharing a story requires clear expression and organization of thoughts. Practicing storytelling improves language skills, public speaking, and even emotional intelligence. This can serve as a way to motivate others. Growing up, I was always told if I wanted to get ahead in the grade level I was currently in, I needed to read. If I wanted to educate myself and learn new words, I had to read. If I wanted to provide insight, knowledge, and change to the world, I had to write. Today, sharing our stories is easier than ever With the rise of content creation and distribution tools and digital media platforms (social media, podcasts, videos, blogs, and interactive websites), storytellers of all ages are unlimited in their ability to tell stories and reach new audiences. Stories drive change, and National Tell A Story Day reminds us of the magic and power of storytelling. Whether through spoken word, written text, or even digital media, stories help us connect, learn, and grow. This April 27th, take a moment to share a story and appreciate the impact of storytelling in our lives. It’s more than entertainment: stories are fundamental to how we shape our understanding of life and how we shape the world around us. It’s easier now than ever to create your own story through digital media, films, podcasts, or audiobooks—there is always an outlet ready to share your story.

Last month, over 1,000 members of the children’s entertainment industry gathered in San Diego for Kidscreen, an annual conference overlooking the waterfront. Delegates mingled with colleagues, industry leaders hosted insightful panels, and creatives pitched their ideas to anyone willing to listen. I was fortunate to attend my second Kidscreen in a row, where I deepened existing relationships, forged new connections, and expanded my industry knowledge. My journey to this point started with the FUTURE NOW Media and Entertainment Conference. I was a rising senior at Emory University in 2020, and it was the first conference I ever attended (unless comic conventions count). FUTURE NOW provided a safe and supportive space to exercise and hone my elevator pitch, develop networking skills, and gain confidence in public speaking. What once felt intimidating—introductions, first impressions, and professional conversations—became growth opportunities, allowing me to approach industry events like Kidscreen with confidence. Back in college, I knew I wanted to work in media and entertainment, envisioning a future at companies like NBCUniversal, HBO, or A24. I had no idea an entire industry focused solely on children’s media existed. Names like HappyKids and Kidoodle weren’t on my radar. But thanks to FUTURE NOW, I found my way into the world of children’s entertainment—first at Cartoon Network, then at Moonbug Entertainment—where I manage distribution and content partnerships. The Marriott Marquis where Kidscreen was held was packed to the gills, and no matter what part of the industry you were in—production, distribution, ad sales, brand partnerships—there was always a panel to attend or a colleague to chat with. Nominated for Best Animated Series across three age group categories at 2025 Kidscreen Awards The conference kicked off with a Super Bowl party on Sunday night before getting down to business Monday morning with a slew of panels, ranging from how to achieve success on Roblox to a discussion on how SVOD (subscription video on demand, such as Netflix) partners have cut back on spending, and speed pitching sessions. Days three and four featured speakers from Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Disney Branded Television, to name a few, and even a panel on Skibidi Toilet (yes, you read that right). While the panels offered valuable insights into the state of the industry and tips for success, I spent most of my time meeting directly with clients. As part of Moonbug’s distribution team, it’s vital to maintain friendly relationships with our partners, and Kidscreen is the perfect place to ensure those bonds stay strong. I helped plan dinners and grabbed more coffees than I can count, but each trip to Starbucks paved the way for future success—and whenever my nerves flared up, I just reminded myself that everyone at Kidscreen wanted the same thing: to make good content and ensure it gets seen. Once I remembered that common ground, it was less nerve-wracking to pitch our upcoming shows and discuss what kind of deal they deserved.  Conferences like Kidscreen reinforce the common adage that the entertainment industry is built on networking, and that’s why organizations like FUTURE NOW are so important. Being a part of FUTURE NOW introduces you to both your future peers and possible mentors, and opens the door to an industry that might otherwise seem impossible to break into.  You may even find a way into a role you had never considered before like I did.

Beyoncé wins Best Country Album The 2025 Grammy Awards broke records and highlighted innovative women across all categories. In honor of Women’s History Month, here are some of the impressive women who brought home the trophies:  2025 Grammy Winners:  Beyoncé:  As the most Grammy-nominated artist of all time, Beyoncé became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album with her 2024 chart-topping, history-making release Cowboy Carter . She went on to win Best Country Duo for “II Most Wanted,” featuring Miley Cyrus, and finally won Album of the Year after being nominated  for Album of the Year six times. Chappell Roan - Best New Artist Chappell Roan: Chappell Roan received six nominations and won the award for Best New Artist. Her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,  was praised by critics, stayed at the number two spot on the Billboard 200 Albums chart for two weeks, and continued to chart for 21 weeks after. Roan took the opportunity to advocate for new and upcoming artists to make a more livable wage and ensure they are given healthcare insurance by their labels.  Doechii - Best Rap Album Doechii: The first-time Grammy nominee and winner became the third woman to ever win Best Rap Album! With the rap category being a male-dominated scene, Doechii was the only woman nominated with her mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal . Doechii’s acceptance speech touched upon the importance of representation in the media as she said, “Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you that tell you that you can’t be here. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are and I am a testimony.” Sabrina Carpenter - Best Pop Vocal Album; Best Pop Solo Performance Sabrina Carpenter: Sabrina   Carpenter was another first-time Grammy nominee and winner! She took home the award for Best Pop Vocal Album for Short n Sweet , which captivated the music scene with hits like “Please, Please, Please,” which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number one. “Taste” and “Espresso” followed behind, having charted at two and three. The album spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 200 Albums chart. These women were not the only ones honored, with additional awards going to Shakira, SZA, and Tems.  All of the winners challenge stereotypes and help to break down barriers. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s continue to encourage female artists to dominate in their fields and succeed in their passions.

Abby Greensfelder From the tearful bridal fittings of Say Yes to the Dress  to the high-stakes drama of The Real Housewives of DC , Abby Greensfelder has been one of the driving forces of reality TV. But after years of producing unscripted series, she has traded high-volume entertainment for high-impact storytelling.  Now, through Every Woman Studios, she’s flipping the script—championing female creators, amplifying untold stories, and proving that documentaries can do more than entertain; they can inspire real change. In a recent Leadership Talk with FUTURE NOW Founder & CEO, Margaret “Peggy” Kim, Greensfelder reflected on her journey, the evolution of the media landscape, and how she’s leveraging storytelling as a catalyst for social impact. Greensfelder’s journey began in the early days of cable television at Discovery Channel, a time when documentary programming was a staple. “Reality TV didn’t exist in the way we know it now,” she recalled. Early in her career, her work focused on developing one-off documentaries and series—until the rise of reality television changed everything. As cable networks scrambled for high-volume, low-cost content, unscripted reality TV became the new gold rush. Sensing an opportunity, Greensfelder co-founded Half Yard Productions  in 2006, a company that would go on to produce some of the era’s biggest hits, from Say Yes to the Dress  to The Last Alaskans  and the Real Housewives  franchise. “We were making 300 to 400 hours of TV per year,” she explained. “To put that into perspective, when I was running programming and development at Discovery, we would premiere 500 to 600 hours of content annually. So for a single production company to produce that volume shows just how much demand there was.” The shift was seismic. Practically overnight, the industry needed production companies that could churn out high-volume content efficiently. Greensfelder found herself moving from a buyer and commissioner of shows to a producer at the forefront of the reality TV boom, navigating an industry that was growing at breakneck speed. Eventually, she sold Half Yard Productions . Greensfelder remained as CEO but eventually decided to pursue a more purpose-driven path.  "I’ve been in this business for so long—first as an executive at Discovery for well over a decade, then leading my own production company for almost a decade and a half. I thought, you know, I’d love to do something that’s a little more impact-driven at this stage in my life." So, she founded Every Woman Studios to amplify female creators and produce documentary content centered on women’s stories.  "I’m very passionate about supporting women in the business, particularly on the production side of things. So I decided that’s really where I wanted to spend the next part of my career—supporting women creators." Every Woman Studios operates on multiple fronts. It develops, creates, and produces impact-driven content, often collaborating with female storytellers through programs like its accelerator initiative with Realscreen. The company also partners with Banijay to expand its reach, helping women pitch, develop, and bring their ideas to life in an industry where breaking in remains a challenge. Greenfelder's decision to start Every Woman Studios was also inspired by the changing landscape of the unscripted industry. With the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, one-off documentaries found a new home.  "There really was no vehicle for one-off docs to be on cable because we were all looking for volume in series,” she explained. “But in streaming, some of these standalone films could find an audience. That’s part of why I oriented this company [Every Woman Studios] to be more in the premium documentary side of the business, which was less about cost and more about quality."  She likens her career transition to moving “from Walmart to a boutique craft shop,” embracing a shift from high-volume production to curating high-quality work. "I left the high-volume, low-cost business because I could see it was becoming more about volume and cost-cutting rather than creative risk-taking and quality," she said. "I moved into the 'shiny gem' business because it aligns with the passion work that I want to do. I’m interested in making more quality, artisanal, crafted content. And there still is a market for that." During the conversation, Greensfelder was asked what makes a documentary “shiny” enough to sell, who defines shiny, and how is that determined—data, audience, market trends?  She explained that the definition of “shiny” has changed significantly in recent years due to the fluctuating state of the entertainment industry. When she first founded Every Woman Studios, streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Max, and Peacock were in a fierce race to dominate the market, aggressively investing in new content. This meant that projects with high-profile IP (intellectual property) tied to celebrities or major cultural moments had strong selling power. Greensfelder’s documentary LFG  (Let’s F**king Go), which chronicled the U.S. women’s soccer team’s fight for equal pay, was an attractive prospect for buyers due to its access to key figures like Megan Rapinoe, who had risen to international prominence during the 2019 World Cup.  “It was like riding a rocket ship—seeing her become famous and navigating the lawsuit [against U.S. Soccer for unequal pay],” Greensfelder recalled. HBO Max, eager for premium content, bought the film as one of its first major documentary acquisitions. “We were able to sell it off the back of the growing, streaming market,” she concluded.  But fast forward to 2025, and the industry looks very different. With streaming platforms now prioritizing profitability over expansion, their spending habits have shifted. “Everybody threw so much money into the market, and they overspent,” Greensfelder explained. “Now they’re trying to do more high-volume, low-cost content—the same way cable networks used to operate.”  Today, only projects with built-in audiences, big-name celebrities, or highly sensational topics are sellable. “Think Beckham  on Netflix,” she noted. “It’s a fantastic film, but it sold because it’s Beckham. Everyone’s going to watch that.” Filmmakers working on niche subjects must now get creative with financing and distribution. Greensfelder's upcoming documentary, The Pink Pill , which explores the search for a female Viagra, is a case in point. Instead of pitching it to streamers, she secured brand funding and used Canadian tax incentives to reduce production costs.  For those passionate about social impact documentaries, Greensfelder encouraged an entrepreneurial mindset. “If you have a project that doesn’t fit the current mold, think outside the box. Find alternative funding, leverage partnerships, and be strategic about distribution.”  When asked how she got her start in the industry and for advice for recent graduates, she replied, "I got an internship." She began as a writer-researcher intern at Discovery Channel, a position that allowed her to gain hands-on experience and make industry connections. She was hired for a full-time role, and after some time she left to work for a production company in London.  Some considered her leaving a good network job a risky move, but it was a growth opportunity.  She maintained her contacts at the network while in London when a former colleague invited her to help establish Discovery’s development department. It was an opportunity to build something from scratch.  Greensfelder had to take a pay cut and accept a lower title, but she negotiated to attend every development meeting and pitch. It was a short-term sacrifice for long-term gain as she quickly rose through the ranks.  Greensfelder credited her mentors and the supportive environment at Discovery for her success, explaining that working with great leaders and being part of a culture that fosters learning can be far more valuable than immediate financial rewards. When asked about balancing creativity and business acumen, Greensfelder stressed that while mastering a craft is important, it’s not enough on its own. The ability to sell ideas and push them forward is equally critical. “You have to be a hustler in this business,” she explained. Even if someone possesses a rare creative voice, without the skills to promote their work, their projects may never reach the big screen. Not everyone excels at both creativity and business strategy, but Greensfelder pointed out that forming partnerships can bridge the gap. She spoke about her successful collaboration with her co-founder at Half Yard Productions, where she handled business operations while her partner focused on creative aspects. As the conversation turned to the ever-evolving entertainment landscape with digital platforms offering both challenges and opportunities, Greensfelder observed that today’s industry allows for both mass distribution and niche content aimed at passionate audiences.  She encouraged aspiring professionals to stay adaptable and leverage various platforms to distribute content. The key is recognizing where audiences are and how to deliver compelling stories in formats that resonate with them.  “This industry is always evolving. When I started, reality TV was just becoming a thing. Now, we’re seeing a shift toward self-distributed content on TikTok and YouTube. There are always opportunities—you just have to be willing to pivot.”  As content creation becomes more accessible, the opportunities for filmmakers are growing—but so are the challenges. The industry, truly "unscripted" in its unpredictability, demands that filmmakers think on their feet and embrace change.