Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Garcia.
Hi Melissa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was introduced to the entertainment industry when I was 14 years old by working closely to “Far East Movement”. I was part of FM’s street team and managed their fan Myspace & Facebook accounts. I also coordinated for Far East Movement to perform at my senior high school prom in 2010.
I attended California State University, Northridge 2010-2015. I received my B.A. in Communication Studies. In college, I accepted my first internship at Power106 Los Angeles Radio (2012-2013) and in various internships.
After college, my first full-time position was at iHeartMedia in the sales department I continued my growth in the industry in Estrella Media, Entercom and other media agencies.
Finally landed on a contract role in the sales department for Channel 4 & Telemundo at NBC Los Angeles (2019-2020). As my contract ended, I picked up a role in a marketing agency as a Project Manager. I continued to work there until a year later (2021), I landed on a remote position (Digital Affiliate Producer) with the Olympics at NBC Sports. The Olympic role was only for east coast residents, primarily in Stanford Connecticut, because that’s where they are based.
The crazy part I did where know one knew about: I worked both jobs (being a Project Manager at the Marketing Agency and at NBC Sports for the Olympics) simultaneously. I wanted to challenge myself with both jobs because it was fully remote and I felt I can get the job done correctly. I kept this up for a year only because offices were opening up again to work in the facility.
I had the honor of working with NBC Sports’ digital team for both the 2020 Tokyo and 2022 Winter Beijing Olympic games as well as the Super Bowl 2022 during the midst of the pandemic. My one-year-long contract with NBC Sports included operating the digital side for NBC Sports apps and tackling the 3-week course of the Olympic games. As my former manager in Stamford, Connecticut mentioned to me, only 1,500 people worked onsite during both games and most lived in the East Coast. However, due to the pandemic and working remotely from home, I was one of the few who joined the team from Los Angeles. I quickly fell in love with the concept of the Olympic games and what it means to represent Team USA, especially during the global pandemic.
After Beijing 2022 Olympics, I got promoted to be a Campaign Manager at NBC Universal Peacock.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was never a smooth road. I landed all my job roles on my own without knowing anyone in the company.
I believe it’s real tough in media as it is, but to be a person of color and a woman takes a lot of strength or “tough skin” to pull through.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a Campaign Manager at NBC Universal Peacock, I work on the digital advertisement on the network’s apps or websites, such as CNBC, Bravo, Peacock, etc.
Any ad banners on our NBC websites or the :15 or :30 second commercials on the apps, I manage their launch dates and set it live as I work closely with our clients.
What are you most known for?
I’m known for being working in the Olympics because of how rare it is to work the games as a Los Angeles native. Ultimately, working the Olympics is live changing and that’s what I’m most proud of.
What’s coming up next?
I’ll be working the next one Paris 2024 as well as future games.
What sets you apart from everyone?
I believe what sets me apart from others is the ability to be versatile & learn different job roles.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I would love to create an organization soon where I teach what it takes to work in entertainment as well as create a space for networking of all levels of professions.
I have a one season Podcast called “Switch Lanes” as I talk about my journey. Available on iTunes, Spotify, Pandora & iHeartRadio.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
-iPhone photos – headshot by NBC Universal LLC
