This summer, Mercer University senior Jaime Stokes gained invaluable experience while interning with Warner Bros. Discovery and being mentored by media industry professionals in New York City.
The media studies and political science double-major in the University Honors program was among 36 college students selected for the International Radio and Television Society Foundation Summer (IRTS) Fellowship Program.
Stokes said former Journalism Assistant Professor Tanya Ott-Fulmore, who once participated in the fellowship program, encouraged her to apply for the summer program, and participating in the foundation’s Multicultural Career Workshop in November solidified her decision.
During the nine-week, all-expense-paid internship, fellows are matched with a leading New York City media company that meets their professional interests.
“I know that I really want to be in the media industry post-grad, and Warner Bros. Discovery has always been such a powerhouse, especially in the world of legacy media. And I knew I wanted to be in New York in the summer,” Stokes said.
With the streaming marketing department, Stokes developed promotional campaigns for content on the HBO Max app. She created in-app events that highlighted actor Pedro Pascal and his movie Materialists, as well as the new Superman film.
“I’ve been able to see my projects in real-time. I’ve been able to open my phone and see it in the app store and track the data and metrics,” she said.
Stokes spent the second half of her fellowship with the wholesale distribution team, working with distribution partners like Verizon and DirecTV and researching ways to amplify services and content. She created and presented a project providing recommendations for how Warner Bros. partner companies can modernize their social media platforms and increase engagement and brand recognition.
Stokes was paired with a young professional who works in public relations at communications firm Edelman and met with her four times during the summer. Stokes is interested in this career field and received tips and advice from her mentor.
In addition, the fellows toured many different companies, heard industry leaders speak, attended dinners and banquets, and were featured on the TODAY Show and LIVE with Kelly and Mark. Stokes also had some time to explore the city on her own and see several Broadway productions, including The Great Gatsby.
“To me, being an IRTS fellow was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had,” she said. “While I feel I did grow personally and professionally, I feel like the biggest takeaways were the lifetime connections and friendships. I feel that I’ve developed a really strong network to lean back on post-grad.”
