For Our 40 Under 40 Honorees, Some Words From the Wise
July 27, 2024
Welcome to our annual 40 Under 40 issue, which one studio president recently told me is “the single most important thing you do.”
We’re proud of our annual spotlight on the rising stars in the world of digital entertainment, part of a broader initiative here at Media Play News to bring attention to the people, and faces, behind the various components of our industry, from content to technology. As I have said before, we consider it our mission to monitor not just where this business is heading, but who’s driving it.
For the third year, I reached out to some of the entertainment industry’s top executives and asked them what they’d like to say to our 40 Under 40, Class of 2024 honorees. A hearty congratulations? Career advice? Thoughts on getting ahead, and on what makes a good leader? Rules to live by? We got a little of everything, and I urge all of our 40 Under 40 honorees — and each and every one of our readers, for that matter — to take these words of wisdom to heart.
Eddie Cunningham, president of Studio Distribution Services (SDS), says, “Congratulations to this year’s ‘40 Under 40’! Try to treat everyone the way you would want to be treated yourself. Do what you say you are going to do. Return those calls, particularly the challenging ones. The second-best answer in the world is ‘no’ — provided it’s a quick ‘no.’ Surround yourself with positive people, rather than detractors. Take the business seriously — but never don’t take yourself too seriously! Make your life a BS-free zone; if you can get to the truth, you can manage anything! Always remember, we get paid for our hobby. Few people can say that!”
Yolanda Macias, chief content officer with Cineverse, encourages the 40 Under 40 to “be kind to yourself and celebrate the wins. Congratulations on this important recognition. You are in the storytelling business — hone this skill, as it will serve you well with external selling, internal advocacy, and leadership. Complement your storytelling with data to inform your strategy and decisions. Most importantly, be kind to others.”
Danny Fisher, CEO of FilmRise, urges our 40 Under 40 to “treat everyone with respect, even if you don’t agree with them on something — or anything. On the one hand, I have always felt it was important to understand the ‘prevailing wisdom’ and what everyone else was doing. On the other hand, FilmRise built its success largely by going against the prevailing wisdom. Don’t be afraid to follow your own instincts, even if it is the opposite of what everyone else is doing. I have always found that my greatest motivation was proving people wrong.”
Akin Ceylan, COO of home entertainment and global content delivery at Lionsgate, says our young leaders and rising stars should “challenge yourself — push yourself out of your comfort zone and ask yourself the hard questions about where are you bringing value to your organization, and how are you evolving as a leader that is impactful and has meaningful outcome. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Are you promoting collaboration, building the next generation of leaders, driving ambition for the organization while showing grace and humility yourself? All of business and all of life is about relationships, and it is only through this self-reflection and acknowledgement — uncomfortable as it may be — that we grow.”
And from Alanna Powers, SVP of worldwide marketing at Paramount: “Congratulations on being recognized for this year’s ‘40 under 40’! This achievement reflects your exceptional hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit. As you continue to grow professionally, remember to stay true to your values, continue to build strong relationships, and always keep learning. Above all else, though, pay it forward. Continue to inspire and make a positive impact by mentoring younger professionals to support the next generation of leaders. Sharing your knowledge and experience not only benefits others but also reinforces your own leadership skills.”