As vice president of marketing at MTV International, Tanya Leedekerken leads global campaigns and ensures that local marketing strategies are on brand and effective. It’s not surprising that she is continuously looking for ways to broaden her understanding of the entertainment industry — a commitment that motivated her to enroll in The Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports program at Harvard Business School. Leedekerken shares some highlights of her experience in the program.
The program far exceeded my expectations. It gave me a much deeper insight into the forces that are changing the business side of entertainment, media, and sports. The exceptional level of the program was based on real-world expertise, and it fundamentally changed my view of the industry. We were kept on our toes for the entire duration of the program. The addition of international participants from different parts of the industry resulted in a Harvard-created recipe for learning, sharing experiences, and expanding networks. I returned to my day-to-day life tremendously inspired.
The living group environment, including the study groups and shared meals, created an environment that was conducive to getting to know the other participants. There was a wide range of businesses, countries, and areas of expertise represented in the group. As a result, learning from each other proved to be one of the greatest benefits of the program.
It was invaluable to learn from the talent that was represented in the class. Whether they were in sports, performance arts, or media, it was so great to hear from the horse's mouth about their experiences and what they valued in their relationships with brands. Moving forward, I will be more mindful about working with the right talent for our projects, and creating a process and environment in which they can deliver their best work.
Attending this program will be an unforgettable experience that will offer you the opportunity to sharpen your knowledge, introduce you to new ways of thinking, expose you to better ways of teaching, and bring you together with a group of incredible and talented people. Get ready to be inspired!