Grady InternViews: Amanda Whylie

This is part of a series where we ask Grady College students to describe their internship experience.  

Amanda Whylie is a fourth-year entertainment & media studies student working at Omnicom Media Group (OMG23) as a Media Planning Intern for Searchlight Pictures. Read on as she provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and its associated responsibilities.

OMG23 is a boutique advertising agency under the Omnicom Group. It’s set apart from other agencies because our only client is Disney. OMG23 is focused on advertising campaigns for entertainment, and their clients include brands under the Walt Disney Company such as FX, Disney Branded Entertainment, ABC and more. This summer, I’m a media planning intern for Searchlight Pictures. My team and I work closely with Searchlight’s Media and Marketing Strategy team to ensure that their upcoming movies are successfully marketed to the right audiences using the right platforms.

What opportunities did you have during your internship?

During the course of my internship, I have had the opportunity to work on the advertising campaigns for Searchlight Pictures newest movies such as Kinds of Kindness, The Supremes At Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, A Real Pain, and other amazing titles.

What skills and knowledge have you gained from your internship?

Working at an Omnicom agency has enabled me to get certifications in media planning, research, and Meta. OMG23 is also special in that it is extremely collaborative – even as an intern, I’ve gotten to sit in on meetings with upper level executives and middle management. This has opened my mind to more strategic, solution-oriented methods of thought while strengthening my communication skills.

What is one work you are proud of creating in this role?

I’m very proud of the work I have been able to contribute in our campaign for The Supremes At Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, particularly because it’s a movie that speaks to black sisterhood and friendship..

What challenges have you overcome in this role?

Before entering this role, I had no idea how much I did not know. On top of that, every team and every agency does things in their own special way. My biggest challenge was learning office jargon, and building a detailed understanding of how each team intersects with each other in our agency.

How did you balance your internship with everyday life?

I balance my internship with my everyday life by making strict boundaries for myself. I do not open emails before I get into the office unless it’s from our client, and I do not continue working after clocking out. I am also on the GradyLA program, so making sure I have the free time between work and classes is essential to self-care. In my spare time, I love to cook, read, and go to the movies. 

How has the Grady curriculum you’ve taken prepared you for this internship?

While attending UGA, I have had the privilege of taking Principles of Advertising with Professor Evans and Law of Mass Communication with Professor Peters. These classes have taught me  about the history and process of advertising, the laws that govern both entertainment and advertising, and how to use critical thinking and conversational skills to use this information to your advantage and navigate both the advertising and media realms. These courses, when combined with teachings from Media Industries with Professor Bernabo allowed me to better understand how advertising affects the success of films and television shows.

Who is one Grady Professor who has inspired you? 

It is so hard to pick just one! Multiple Grady professors have contributed to my success, but if I had to pick, the professor that has inspired me most is Professor Biddle. He has been teaching at Grady for a long time while also juggling a professional career in video editing. He always makes time for his students while continuously innovating in his field. 

What advice would you give to someone looking to apply to similar internships?

Start looking for internships as early as possible, and network as much as you can. When you get the opportunity to talk with alumni, ask them to recommend people in their network that you can talk to as well! In tandem with that, it is vital to do your research on both the companies you are applying to, and the people with whom you network. And never forget to tailor your resumé to each job application. If and when you get to the interview stage, always come with questions both about the company and about your interviewer.

How has this internship influenced your future career?

This internship has encouraged me to consider what working in film and television advertising, more specifically media planning, will look like in my post-graduate career. I graduate in May 2025, and this internship has informed what type of work life I crave – a challenging, fast-paced environment with multiple learning opportunities and space to grow.

How did you find out about this internship?

I found out about this internship through UGA professors! I could not be more grateful for their help in my internship search.

Editor: Shannon Lorusso; sel67411@uga.edu