Why did you choose the Media Ventures program?
I knew that I wanted the program that offered the most to me in a year and a half, especially since I decided to quit my job and pursue a full time Master’s degree. When comparing BU’s Media Ventures program to other programs, I saw the advantage in the MV program boiling down to two reasons: the strength and reach of the alumni network and the ability to maximize my time in two cities within a year. The networking opportunity in both Los Angeles and Boston gives students an advantage to pitch and constantly iterate on the thesis project and ultimately leads to a greater chance of securing full time employment post-graduation.
For you, what is the unique selling proposition of the program?
For me, it was absolutely the ability to learn and network in two cities in one year. Boston and Los Angeles are the perfect places to embed yourself in the growing network of startup companies in a number of diverse areas.
How did you land this job?
I was lucky enough to be working at a Graduate internship position in a shared workspace, with a number of budding start-up ideas. I met the Founder of Pluto TV and it seemed like the perfect fit joining Pluto TV as it was just getting started in 2013.
How did the program help you?
The program helped me understand how to start a business around an idea, and how to take that idea and build it to a MVP and beyond. It helped me understand the product cycle and other business components necessary to launch a startup.
Can you describe your current role and what makes it exciting?
I am currently a Product Manager and founding team member of Pluto TV, an entertainment platform that organizes the web’s infinite hours of clips into handmade TV channels for the Internet. Founded in 2013, the Los Angeles based company recently closed a $13M Series A round, backed by U.S. Venture Partners (USVP), United Talent Agency, Sky (formerly BSkyB), Chicago Ventures, Great Oaks Venture Capital, Luminary Capital, Terry Semel’s Windsor Media, Pritzker Group and prominent angel investors. At Pluto TV, I provide functional leadership and guidance to internal/ external teams and stakeholders to ensure consistent team delivery and a stable consumer experience across connected TV platforms and mobile devices.
What was your thesis project?
An educational app recommendation platform on mobile and tablets (iOS and Android) for the common core national curriculum.