By Kayon Ferguson Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing, celebrating the significant achievements and impact of the Latino and Hispanic communities on the nation’s culture and history. It started strong with the announcement that Colombian singer Karol G will be headlining Coachella in 2026 as the first female Hispanic artist to do so. Ever since winning the Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2018, she has shown no signs of slowing down. Meanwhile, the global music phenomenon Bad Bunny has been consistently using his platform to champion his homeland of Puerto Rico. His historic residency held only in Puerto Rico during its traditionally low tourism month of July had a direct economic impact on the island.  By choosing to center his performances at home rather than in Las Vegas, he highlighted the island's culture, fostering a great sense of pride and dedication among his people. His recent SNL debut and upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show have cemented him as a global superstar, and his commitment to supporting his homeland underscores the deep connection many Hispanic celebrities maintain with their roots.  This was on full display at the Global Citizen Festival last month, where attendees were introduced to Hispanic culture as Colombian singers Camilo and Shakira performed. The atmosphere was electric during Shakira’s set as she performed her hits: She Wolf , Hips Don't Lie , Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) , and Whenever, Wherever . Shakira's performance at the festival, coupled with her recent Grammy win for Best Pop Vocal Album for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran , speaks to her ongoing impact and influence. Beyond her music, she has been dedicated for decades to advocating for global education through her Pies Descalzos Foundation, embodying the spirit of giving back and using her fame for global good. The impact of artists like Bad Bunny, Karol G, Shakira, and figures like Sofia Vergara extends far beyond entertainment. Their success serves as an inspiration for young Latinos, showing them that their culture, language, and heritage are something they should take great pride in. They are not just making great art; they are fundamentally reshaping the global cultural landscape and celebrating the vast spectrum and vibrancy of the Hispanic experience.

Look! Up in the sky! Is it a bird? Or a plane? Nope, it’s society’s fleeting appreciation for feel-good superhero movies. I know everyone wants to be thought-provoking and mysterious, but sometimes, feeling hopeful and giddy is exactly what the world needs. Millions of people walked out of the theater feeling that way after seeing Superman (2025). James Gunn, the current head of DC Studios, kicks off his DC cinematic universe by building the world of Superman.  Gunn has been very open about his mission to shine the spotlight on the lesser-known comic book characters while still incorporating the household names we all know and love, and so for the first time in almost a decade, our beloved boy in blue is back once again, fighting for truth, justice, and a better tomorrow. Superman stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman/Kal-El, Rachel Brosnahan as investigative journalist Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, and Nicholas Hoult as bald billionaire hater Lex Luthor. These four characters are the foundation of everything Superman, and Gunn does an incredible job of letting each of them shine.  My favorite aspect of this film is the fact that we don’t get another drawn-out character backstory for the Kryptonian; we all know he’s the last son of Krypton, and that his parents sent him to Earth for survival. But there is an interesting twist this time around. Kal-El’s treasured video message from his birth parents is not what it seemed to be. Lex Luthor got his hands on this video message and revealed that the Kryptonians may have had more nefarious reasons for sending Kal-El to Earth. Now, Superman has to deal with an existential crisis on top of trying to stop a war, exposing Lex Luthor’s true colors, and finding his alien dog named Krypto. My absolute favorite scene in the movie is the semi-professional, impromptu interview Lois has with Supes during their three-months-of-dating celebration. Gunn expressed the creative gamble he was taking with this scene by saying,   “The biggest risk I took was putting a 12-minute talking scene in a superhero movie…there’s just no doubt… It's fantastic.”  I agree.  Corenswet and Brosnahan capture the dynamic of Clark and Lois impeccably. All Clark wants to do is help people and save lives; he doesn’t care about getting permission. Superman does not sit idly by while people are suffering, and while Lois agrees that saving lives is important, her inner journalist can’t help but feel suspicious over Superman’s motives. Does he get a power kick out of beating up evildoers? Why does he get so defensive when anyone, including his girlfriend, criticizes him? How can he be so oblivious to the fact that he isn’t truly acting on his own when interfering with international affairs?  All these questions and more are touched upon during this scene, and I loved every minute of it. It captures the core of Superman’s values that kindness is the greatest superpower one can have. Lois and the audience have this conversation in the back of their minds for the rest of the movie. It forces you to see things from Superman’s perspective and ultimately ask yourself that burning question: What would Superman do? One of the most beautiful things about Superman is that, despite being the strongest man on Earth, he still needs help. Lois and Jimmy are more than Clark’s co-workers; they’re his (and Superman’s) friends, and they handle the groundwork. Jimmy pursues his leads to obtain evidence proving Lex is involved in the impending war across the ocean, while Lois partners up with Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) to tackle the laundry list of crises happening all at once. This is where Gunn fulfills his mission of introducing characters that many people haven’t heard of before, and I am very appreciative of finally getting to see a new set of characters make their cinematic debut in such an awesome way.  Mr. Terrific is an intellectual genius who specializes in creating advanced technology. Guy is a clumsy Green Lantern who likes to do things his way, and Hawkgirl is a war general from the planet Thanagar, who swings first and asks questions later. The clash of personalities, playful banter, and shared superhero pride created an incredible dynamic between Supes and this trio known as the “Justice Gang” (this is why Guy Gardner is not allowed to name things). My only complaint is that I would’ve liked to see their development firsthand a bit more, but the movie is called Superman  and not Superman & Friends , so I’ll take what I can get.  Speaking of taking what I can get, Superman  isn’t the only comic book movie we’re getting this summer. Fantastic Four: The First Steps premiered on July 25th, and everyone is gearing up for the age-old debate: Who did it better, DC or Marvel? For the better part of a decade, Marvel has been putting out one box office hit after another, creating a cult of movie-goers whose sole purpose is to support the MCU. Mastermind Kevin Feige and his team specialize in making movies that you can enjoy without having to read any comic books. This has brought together nerds and normies alike to follow along on the epic cinematic journey, and Avengers: Endgame  broke the box office and became the highest-grossing comic book movie ever  with its nearly $2.8 billion global earnings.  You could say that DC has been struggling to keep up, trying and failing time and time again to show the world that there is more to them than a depressed billionaire in a bat suit and an alien farm boy in a cape. I’d like to believe that the current DCU launching with our very own symbol of hope at its forefront isn’t a coincidence and that this shared hope will carry into next year for Supergirl’s cinematic debut. Superman  set the stage for his cousin’s film during its opening weekend by bringing home a total of $217 million, which is a win considering its predecessors. Do I think a DC movie is going to break any box office records? Not at all, but I’m excited to see characters I grew up with on the big screen again, and that’s more important to me than societal approval. I often wonder what comes to mind when people think about Superman. Do they consider the box office earnings as well-earned, or could it have been better? I asked one of my friends for his opinion after seeing the movie, and he was leaning towards the latter. He prefaced by saying, “It was a great movie but…,” and I readied myself for a debate. Apparently, he was dissatisfied with the “weak” portrayal of Superman’s powers since Clark, and I quote, “is basically a God.” I know you can’t see me, but I’m staring blankly into the camera right now.  Anyways, I spent the next 30 minutes trying to explain to him that the point clearly went over his head. That he’s right, Superman is essentially a god amongst men, but does he act like it? Do you think Zeus, the Greek god of Lightning, would get a job as a journalist? Take time out of his day to help an old woman cross the street or save a cat stuck in a tree? Absolutely not, because like many gods, he believed he was too good for those things. That mentality is what separates Superman from other godlike beings. It’s why Lex Luthor dedicates his life to destroying Superman—because he feels inadequate and he can’t comprehend that someone with God-like powers would spend his time helping humanity. Superman holds a mirror up to people by being kind… and how dare an alien be more human than humans themselves? For almost a century, Superman has been a symbol of hope. An emblem for people to stand up for what’s right, even if that means you stand alone. To prove that even someone from an alien planet who grew up on a small farm in Kansas can be a part of humanity and can help change it for the better. By the end of Superman’s aforementioned existential crisis, he realizes that he doesn’t have to be what his birth parents sent him to be. He can do what feels right to him and guide humanity into a peaceful, more accepting era through kindness, not brute force.  I don’t think it’s far-fetched to say that James Gunn and everyone behind this recent Superman project portrayed the best Man of Steel we’ve seen in a long time. And while Gotham’s Dark Knight will always be number one in my heart, the overgrown Boy Scout in Metropolis earned his place in there, too.

José Morales, Vice President & Executive Producer, Original Content, ESPN Earlier this year, FUTURE NOW welcomed Jose Morales, Vice President and Executive Producer of Original Content at ESPN, to the (virtual) stage for a Leadership Talk to discuss his career with FUTURE NOW Founder and CEO, Peggy Kim.  Morales, who grew up in Connecticut, joked that ESPN “was in my backyard.” Being a big sports fan and living so close to the company, Morales’s eventual employment at ESPN seemed destined, though his interest was more in sports than cameras. “I was not doing movies as a kid, none of that. I was just a sports kid.”   However, in college, he shifted his focus to communications and journalism, taking television production classes at the University of Connecticut. It was only a matter of time before he figured, “Why not just try to get my foot in the door at ESPN and figure it out from there?”  After graduating, he leveraged his alumni network to secure his first job as a production assistant, thanks to his impressive performance on the sports trivia questions during the interview. “I applied to that production assistant program, and a lot of it was a kind of… a sports quiz that you had to take to… get your foot in the door, and that was it. And then it ultimately led down this crazy path of storytelling.” His time there was, initially, short-lived, as he decided to follow his future wife to San Diego for her PhD program. But he eventually returned to ESPN as an associate producer to work on what he calls "glorified infomercials” to pitch ESPN’s sports packages to DirecTV. At that time, ESPN’s biggest shows were College GameDay and NFL Countdown. “If you had any interest in being a storyteller, you would try to get on those shows,” Morales said. “Those shows would have what I would call these ‘short features’ within them, right? …You would try to do these short two- to three-minute stories around these prominent athletes in either college football or the NFL.” Morales eventually made his way over to College GameDay, where he found himself leading a feature on Bobby Bowden, the Florida State University football coach at the time. After his grandson passed away in a tragic car accident, the FSU team rallied around Bowden.  “We told the story beautifully,” Morales shared proudly. “Bobby's daughter, the mom of the boy who died, wrote me a handwritten note in a card and sent it to ESPN [via] snail mail, which nobody does anymore, but [she] sent me a beautiful handwritten card just saying, ‘Thank you for sharing my son's story. I had tears in my eyes watching it, and just thank you for what you do.’” It was then that Morales realized what he wanted to dedicate his life to. “That was the moment for me.” Now, with his recent promotion, Morales oversees almost eight hundred pieces of content per year, which not only get distributed on ESPN’s traditional linear channels, but also on YouTube, social media, and ESPN linear streaming. “Part of my job is to think [about] how do we chart a path forward in terms of storytelling.” With the media landscape changing so rapidly, Morales admits, “So what… that looks like a year from now is actually probably going to be different than it currently exists today. Most people come to ESPN for live sporting events, right? They haven't come in droves to watch original content just yet, and that's what I do. So part of our thinking… and what we need to be focused on here is, how do we get the ESPN viewer to come looking for original content on streaming?” In addition to developing a content strategy and producing the content, Morales must lead his team, which consists of fifty to sixty people at any given time.  “It took me a while to feel comfortable,” he admitted. “All of a sudden, I was leading a bunch of producers and directors who [I] actually came into the business with, right? So they were my peers one day, and then all of a sudden, I'm [the boss]. That can be a little uncomfortable… I'm… [now] your manager. I'm not your friend.”  This is one of the most challenging aspects of leadership, but leading with empathy has been Morales's greatest strength.  As Morales has risen through the ranks, his role has also changed, which has meant fewer opportunities to be in the field and “going out and doing the work myself.”  He has had to learn to adjust to satisfying his creative chops differently. “I get to make suggestions on content and say, ‘This works,’ or ‘This doesn’t work.’…Finding that fine line of not saying, ‘This is how I would do it, and you should do it this way,’ because a lot of the role is very creative…and we don’t want to take away the creativity from the producer unless it’s just flatly wrong.” With such an impressive résumé, how does Morales view success? Of course, “it’s nice to have a lot of people watch the content.” But above all, he wants to be a great storyteller.  Morales worked on  a story about an indigenous women’s softball team in Mexico, who faced racism, sexism, and countless other obstacles, but insisted on playing in traditional dress, and “before you know it, they were traveling around Mexico to play in these stadiums that women… weren’t allowed to play in.” While it might not be a ratings hit today, “that's a really important story to tell, right? So, to me, that's successful, whether it wins an award or not…. It's about the human experience. It's about great characters. So that's success to me.” Morales closed with advice for future leaders, encouraging them to stay true to who they are, keep moving forward, and keep building their network. “I think that's so critical. And this is part of what this [FUTURE NOW] is, right? Finding connections in the industry.”  Making connections is easier than ever—and sending that message, showing up for that networking event, volunteering…could open doors you never imagined…like they did for Morales.

If you’ve just attended the FUTURE NOW Media and Entertainment Conference for the first time, you should consider going again! My first year at FUTURE NOW was something I will never forget. It opened my eyes to an entirely new world. I learned about a variety of jobs I had never heard of and career paths I could take. I met kind and experienced people in the industry, offering their time and expertise, and connected with wonderful peers that I am still in contact with today.  However, attending the conference was only the beginning of my involvement with FUTURE NOW: I attended workshops throughout the year and was selected for FUTURE NOW’s mentorship program. After the conference, you are eligible for the mentorship program. I applied and was accepted, and I had the privilege of spending 9 months being mentored by a top leader in the industry. As I became more involved in the FUTURE NOW community, I was compelled to come back for a second time.  Students from Temple University at the 2025 FUTURE NOW Conference. Click to play video. I clearly remember the anxiety and uncertainty I felt before and during my first FUTURE NOW Conference. I didn’t know what to expect. I was worried if I was wearing the right clothes and questioned if I would be able to connect with the professionals. This year was different.  I arrived with clarity, confidence, and clear goals. I had done intentional research, reflected on where I’d grown, and felt a deep sense of belonging the moment I stepped back into those rooms. It was impactful to witness my growth. Because of everything I had learned over the past year through my deeper involvement with FUTURE NOW, the panels and speakers held new meaning. The confidence I had gained made me enter each room knowing I had something to contribute and that I deserved to be heard. Last year, I built strong and meaningful connections with other students and attendees. This time, I had the confidence to connect with speakers and professionals as well. As I think back to how unsure I felt last year, I can see how far I’ve come, and I’m very proud of that.  Attending the conference for a second time as a rising senior was especially beneficial to me. I asked more thoughtful and precise questions and could share clearer career goals that helped build stronger connections. It was particularly special to see familiar faces and see the growth my peers had made as well. Having the opportunity to reconnect with people from last year deepened my sense of community and purpose.  I am grateful for all the ways in which FUTURE NOW has contributed to my professional and personal growth. If you’re debating whether to attend for a second time, I say do it! You’ll be surprised by how much more you’ll get out of it a second time around.

"FUTURE NOW is more than just a conference. For me, it has truly been a foundational moment in my journey  thus far, and I'm excited to see what the future holds." - L. Snow, University of Wisconsin-Madison "Having access  to viable information sessions on the media and entertainment industry and getting to connect  with current professionals and rising leaders from all over the country is a blessing — an opportunity I am honored to have been afforded." - T. Starks, Pace University" I highly recommend this conference to anyone interested in the Media and Entertainment industries. It was great to experience the broader media industry and gain new perspectives . I cannot wait to see how attending this conference helps me grow." - M. Veras, Temple University "Looking back, this conference was not just an amazing opportunity to network with employers and learn about job paths—it was genuinely a cool experience to grow and connect with people like me: my industry peers . It was i nspiring to hear their stories and build connections beyond a classroom or a Zoom call." - A. Wenger, Seton Hall University "The conference was an amazing experience that delivered on every front – from g aining valuable insights into the evolving media landscape to connecting with talented industry professionals  and meeting other students in my field from around the country,  who I'm excited to call new friends ." - R. Solomon, Northeastern University "This three-day conference consisted of networking, keynote speakers, and mentoring sessions. All of this left me feeling both inspired and excited for my future work within this industry, and I am grateful for the entire experience." - K. Berardino, Fairfield University "This year truly resonated , not just through connecting with amazing professionals , but also by forming deeper bonds with inspiring students . Those connections made the experience even more special." - D. Cooper, Rutgers University" It was an inspiring experience  filled with i nsightful conversations , meaningful connections , and valuable lessons  at the intersection of business, media, and technology. I especially appreciated hearing from professionals as they shared practical advice and personal stories  to help guide the next generation of industry leaders." C. Gerardi, Fairfield University "The FutureNow community’s dedication to the intersection between data-driven cultural insight and powerful storytelling invigorated me ." - T. Gitlin, Union College "Getting to speak with professionals from these companies gave me  invaluable insight  into different corners of the industry and left me feeling more focused  about where I see myself in this space." - L. Greaves, Brown University "I’m truly grateful for this experience. It brought me one step closer to the career I’ve envisioned, and I’m walking away feeling inspired, enriched, and excited for what’s ahead." D. Kaminski, Stockton University "The chance to learn from and engage with driven, successful, and passionate individuals is at the heart of this program—and it’s something I’ll carry with me as I continue to pursue a career in media. From honest advice  about breaking into the industry to seeing the behind-the-scenes of major media organizations, every moment was impactful ." - E. Ko, Williams College "I left [the conference] inspired , with new knowledge  and a clearer understanding of what I want to do post-graduation." - C. Lvov, Pepperdine University" This event has cemented that this is the right career path for me. It has also dramatically boosted my confidence  in my abilities. I believe that I was able to truly connect with people whom I had never met before, and quickly build relationships  with them that I will maintain for the rest of my life...I am still in awe at how intelligent, articulate, professional, passionate, caring, and genuine every single person that I met was." - B. Mari Davis, Temple University "I am beyond grateful to have met so many passionate professionals through powerful panels to meaningful one-on-one conversations . Every moment spent connecting with such ambitious and driven leaders reminded me why this industry matters ." - A. Mueller, University of Wisconsin-Madison "From hearing real stories and insights  about the industry to asking questions  and building connections  with professionals from some of the biggest names in entertainment, it was both eye-opening and encouraging . I walked away feeling inspired and reminded of the importance of staying curious, being open to new ideas, and taking chances  — because you never know where it might lead in your career." - E. Nuñez, University of Maryland This event has cemented that this is the right career path for me. It has also dramatically boosted my confidence in my abilities. I was a bit unsure about how I would feel at Future Now since I didn’t know anyone attending beforehand...I met more people than I could have predicted ...I was able to truly connect with people whom I had never met before, and quickly build relationships with them that I will maintain for the rest of my life. I am still in awe at how intelligent, articulate, professional, passionate, caring, and genuine every single person that I met was. And that is really a testament to Margaret Kim and anyone else involved with selecting who will attend...The Future… is NOW! - B. Davis - Temple University "The volunteers taught me something the most valuable, which is that giving  just an ounce of your time, just a minute, goes a long way in building a community  that nourishes the environment for a network to grow, such as this one. Thank you, thank you, thank you." C. Ruiz, Temple University "Throughout the conference, I listened to powerful conversations about how the media landscape is changing, the future of content, and what it takes to grow in this field. I also got to meet amazing students and mentors from across the country who reminded me why I care so deeply about this industry." - Z. Shantique, Temple University “As a young New Zealander building a life in the media realm, being in the room with this many generous, passionate leaders  was beyond inspiring” - J. Taylor Gray, Temple University “I’m endlessly inspired by the volunteers, alumni, and team at FUTURE NOW—their dedication to mentoring the next generation is why I remain so committed to supporting nonprofits and people-first organizations in this space.” - H. Kirk, Ringling College of Art and Design “I recently had the incredible opportunity  to attend the FUTURE NOW Media Foundation, Inc .  conference for the third year in a row. People often ask why I come back time and time again, and it's because each year FUTURE NOW delivers richer experiences, deeper insights, and stronger connections .” - C. de la Masa, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"FUTURE NOW is more than just a conference. For me, it has truly been a foundational moment in my journey  thus far, and I'm excited to see what the future holds." - L. Snow, University of Wisconsin-Madison "Having access  to viable information sessions on the media and entertainment industry and getting to connect  with current professionals and rising leaders from all over the country is a blessing — an opportunity I am honored to have been afforded." - T. Starks, Pace University "I highly recommend this conference to anyone interested in the Media and Entertainment industries. It was great to experience the broader media industry and gain new perspectives . I cannot wait to see how attending this conference helps me grow." - M. Veras, Temple University "Looking back, this conference was not just an amazing opportunity to network with employers and learn about job paths—it was genuinely a cool experience to grow and connect with people like me: my industry peers . It was i nspiring to hear their stories and build connections beyond a classroom or a Zoom call." - A. Wenger, Seton Hall University "The conference was an amazing experience that delivered on every front – from g aining valuable insights into the evolving media landscape to connecting with talented industry professionals  and meeting other students in my field from around the country , who I'm excited to call new friends ." - R. Solomon, Northeastern University "This three-day conference consisted of networking, keynote speakers, and mentoring sessions. All of this left me feeling both inspired and excited for my future work within this industry, and I am grateful for the entire experience." - K. Berardino, Fairfield University "This year truly resonated , not just through connecting with amazing professionals , but also by forming deeper bonds with inspiring students . Those connections made the experience even more special." - D. Cooper, Rutgers University "It was an inspiring experience  filled with i nsightful conversations , meaningful connections , and valuable lessons  at the intersection of business, media, and technology. I especially appreciated hearing from professionals as they shared practical advice and personal stories  to help guide the next generation of industry leaders." C. Gerardi, Fairfield University "The FutureNow community’s dedication to the intersection between data-driven cultural insight and powerful storytelling invigorated me ." - T. Gitlin, Union College "Getting to speak with professionals from these companies gave me  invaluable insight  into different corners of the industry and left me feeling more focused  about where I see myself in this space." - L. Greaves, Brown University "I’m truly grateful for this experience. It brought me one step closer to the career I’ve envisioned, and I’m walking away feeling inspired, enriched, and excited for what’s ahead." D. Kaminski, Stockton University "The chance to learn from and engage with driven, successful, and passionate individuals is at the heart of this program—and it’s something I’ll carry with me as I continue to pursue a career in media. From honest advice  about breaking into the industry to seeing the behind-the-scenes of major media organizations, every moment was impactful ." - E. Ko, Williams College "I left [the conference] inspired , with new knowledge  and a clearer understanding of what I want to do post-graduation." - C. Lvov, Pepperdine University "This event has cemented that this is the right career path for me. It has also dramatically boosted my confidence  in my abilities. I believe that I was able to truly connect with people whom I had never met before, and quickly build relationships  with them that I will maintain for the rest of my life...I am still in awe at how intelligent, articulate, professional, passionate, caring, and genuine every single person that I met was." - B. Mari Davis, Temple University "I am beyond grateful to have met so many passionate professionals through powerful panels to meaningful one-on-one conversations . Every moment spent connecting with such ambitious and driven leaders reminded me why this industry matters ." - A. Mueller, University of Wisconsin-Madison "From hearing real stories and insights  about the industry to asking questions  and building connections  with professionals from some of the biggest names in entertainment, it was both eye-opening and encouraging . I walked away feeling inspired and reminded of the importance of staying curious, being open to new ideas, and taking chances  — because you never know where it might lead in your career." - E. Nuñez, University of Maryland "The volunteers taught me something the most valuable, which is that giving  just an ounce of your time, just a minute, goes a long way in building a community  that nourishes the environment for a network to grow, such as this one. Thank you, thank you, thank you." C. Ruiz, Temple University "Throughout the conference, I listened to powerful conversations about how the media landscape is changing, the future of content, and what it takes to grow in this field. I also got to meet amazing students and mentors from across the country who reminded me why I care so deeply about this industry." - Z. Shantique, Temple University “As a young New Zealander building a life in the media realm, being in the room with this many generous, passionate leaders  was beyond inspiring” - J. Taylor Gray, Temple University “I’m endlessly inspired by the volunteers, alumni, and team at FUTURE NOW—their dedication to mentoring the next generation is why I remain so committed to supporting nonprofits and people-first organizations in this space.” - H. Kirk, Ringling College of Art and Design “I recently had the incredible opportunity  to attend the FUTURE NOW Media Foundation, Inc.  conference for the third year in a row. People often ask why I come back time and time again, and it's because each year FUTURE NOW delivers richer experiences, deeper insights, and stronger connections .” - C. de la Masa, University of Wisconsin-Madison

In seemingly no time, one year has passed between my first and second year attending FUTURE NOW’s annual Media and Entertainment Conference in NYC. I left my first conference in 2024 feeling both inspired and empowered, prompting me to want to share this experience with others. I began volunteering for FUTURE NOW as a Campus Ambassador, where I spent the past year sharing FUTURE NOW with students at my alma mater, Agnes Scott College. This involved communicating with a plethora of professors, student organizations, and individual students. I was so excited about FUTURE NOW that I also reached  out to colleges in my hometown of Chicago.  The experience of representing FUTURE NOW made me incredibly excited for what was to come, and this year’s conference managed to exceed my already high expectations.  Panel - SHOW ME THE MONEY: Navigating Platforms, Audiences & Algorithms I made incredible connections with many entertainment professionals through the speed mentoring sessions and various panels featured in the conference and had an amazing time meeting other attendees. I also had the opportunity to attend three media tours at Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, and Hearst. All of the tours were incredibly insightful and inspiring, and as FUTURE NOW’s name suggests, painted the picture of what my soon-to-be future could look like.  Media Tour - DotDash Meredith The conference consisted of three days of nonstop education, where I gained incredible insights and established relationships with students and professionals alike. Some of my happiest memories from the conference are from just talking with my fellow students. I could finally meet in person my peers whom I had recruited to attend the conference, and I made friends with people with shared and differing career interests and passions.  This year’s conference epitomized connection. I shared many laughs, firm handshakes, LinkedIn QR codes, and memories with the other attendees—memories that will last a lifetime.  New connections, new friends Similar to last year, this year’s welcoming reception for the conference was hosted at the Paramount headquarters in Times Square. Here, I felt that same feeling I had when I walked through those doors a year ago: inspiration. Walking the hallways decorated with iconic scenes from Paramount films and television shows was awe-inspiring. I was surrounded by pieces of media that shaped not just my upbringing but culture at large. I turned to the person next to me and said, “This is so affirming. This is where I’m meant to be.” I knew then that my dreams were not a long shot, my goals were not intangible or out of reach, but they are attainable and within my grasp.

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.