SENIOR/EXECUTIVE – This spotlight series features T. Howard Foundation (THF) alumni working in Senior or Executive roles.
Steven Mosley (THF ’07)
Vice President Creative Marketing, Walt Disney Television
Please describe your role.
As VP of creative marketing at ABC, I’m responsible for on-air marketing promotions of scripted comedy, drama and unscripted series. I manage a team of producers and editors to create a plethora of content to market our shows. This can range from 2:00 trailers to :30 shoot spots. Our goals are to increase brand awareness and increase ratings.
What do you enjoy most about your company?
Disney as an organization intentionally connects cast members (employees) from across the different segments to foster close collaboration and learning from different business units. Despite being a part of a large organization, I’m able to meet and learn from executives at Hulu, Freeform, and The Parks to push bigger company initiatives.
In what way did this type of work interest you and how did you get started?
I have always been a big fan of film and television. In college, as a sophomore, I sought out internships in the entertainment industry and landed my first TV gig in the on-air promos department at TV One. I’ve been in love with marketing ever since. The great thing about my career is the ability to be involved in all aspects of production. The creative marketing position is multifaceted and touches on many aspects of production from writing scripts, editing, graphic design and music/sound design. I also love how varied and short term the projects are. Once I’m done with a game show, I’m able to move on to a drama which is a nice change of pace.
How has your affiliation with the T. Howard Foundation influenced your career?
The T. Howard Foundation Orientation has had a lasting impact on my career. I learned so much in those three days about how to present myself in a corporate setting and the importance of planning out my goals in advance. After my internship, I stayed involved as a volunteer in the main office as a mentor. My involvement with the T. Howard Foundation led to my first post-grad job at VH1 through a recommendation. I’m forever grateful to the T. Howard Foundation and its impact of creating diversity in the entertainment industry.
What personal attributes have been essential to your career success?
Always be curious. Ask questions, learn about your co-workers, have an understanding of other job responsibilities and keep up with industry trends. Be a nice person and pass on what you know to the next generation.
If you were entering this career today, how would you prepare to facilitate entry?
The industry is small and all about relationships. If you are looking for a job, send out a bunch of emails and LinkedIn DMS to people in entry-level positions asking for informational interviews. Chances are you will be sending out to a void, but maybe a nice person will respond and give you some great advice. If you are in the creative world, don’t wait to have a job to practice your art. If I’m looking for candidates, I’m interested in people who are already making film content on their own and building their own brand. Marketing yourself is so difficult, so if you can create a brand for yourself, working on an established brand is a cake walk.
In one sentence please describe what work/life balance means to you.
Work life balance means creating healthy boundaries for you and your team that prioritize each other’s mental and physical health.
How do you re-charge at work?
I love creating events for the team to celebrate each other and all of our hard work. We recently had our first Always Be Creative Awards (ABC Awards), where we voted for the best creative of the past year. It was our own low rent Oscars with hosts, skits, and handmade trophies. Although its more work to organize the event, I find it invigorating and inspiring to share creativity, highlight each other and collaborate with the awards committee.