InternViews: Julianna Thomas

InternViews is a series where we ask Grady College students to describe their internship experience.

Julianna Thomas is an entertainment and media studies major pursuing a certificate in new media. Through the summer continuing into the fall, she continues to work at Tuner Classic Movies (TCM) at Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Provide a brief overview of your role and its associated responsibilities.

As an entertainment marketing intern at TCM, I’m involved in everything from creative communications to promotional tracking. In my role, I create marketing briefs for upcoming campaigns and library releases, pitch brand partnerships, write email copy for our 200,000-plus subscribers, review social content and continue to grow my classic film IQ. With 24/7 linear programming for more than 30 years, there is always a new, exciting challenge to take on at TCM.

What opportunities did you have during your internship?

Interning at the “Hollywood of the South” has its perks. This summer, I spent several weeks in WBD studios, witnessed the creation of TCM’s iconic movie intros, toured the CNN newsrooms and even served as a stand-in for a national reality TV photoshoot. On the team side, I attended my first creative review meetings and witnessed how key art and promotional assets are refined. Plus, the WBD intern program connected me with diverse professionals who I could network with and gain a better understanding of the expansive WBD portfolio.

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

So far, I am most proud of the social brief I created for Alicia Malone’s “Film Fashion Icons” TCM library release. It was the first project I’ve taken from concept to execution, and I’ll admit I was nervous at the beginning. But once I studied TCM’s brand tone and leveraged my research skills, I created a Q&A social pitch the team loved. In fact, they used my questions in the final social post filmed in the famous TCM studio (cue the goosebumps).

How has the Grady curriculum prepared you for this internship?

My Grady (EMST) coursework prepared me for both the technical tasks and strategic thinking required in my role. I remember enhancing briefs with on-set details from Prof. Biddle’s production course, applying insights about language connotations from Dr. Bernabo’s representations class, and drafting campaign KPIs from the Talking Dog Agency — each experience laid a strong foundation to build upon. Together, these industry-relevant academics and hands-on experiences left me feeling confident from day one.

Did you receive any mentorship or guidance? How did it impact your experience?

Since my freshman year, the Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) has been a guiding light in my internship search process. Founded by media titan and inclusivity champion Emma L. Bowen, the EBF has given me access to opportunities I never would have imagined. While I had to earn my placements through interviews, the resources, guidance and camaraderie from the EBF have placed me in the position I am in today as a three-time WBD intern. It’s not every day you can find a program that so fiercely advocates for diversifying voices in the media, so since I’ve found the EBF, I haven’t let go.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you gained from your experience?

“Fake it till you make it” is more than a catchy idiom — it’s a life hack. I learned so much simply by saying yes to every project my manager sent my way. If I had let fear or lack of experience hold me back, I would have missed career-changing opportunities this summer. Software and filing systems can be taught on the job, but an unwavering desire to learn and the courage to get involved cannot be replicated. So go for it, and you might just discover your new passion.

How has this internship influenced your future career?

Interning at TCM has solidified my passion for entertainment marketing and campaign strategy. Exploring email marketing, enterprise partnerships and brand collaborations has only amplified my interest in the thoughtful, audience-minded planning that goes into every message. I often say this internship pulled back the curtain on how entertainment campaigns come to life, and I love what I see. From here, I am eager to expand my expertise across the industry — from blockbuster releases to linear channels.

To learn more about the Emma Bowen Foundation and apply to their program, click here.

Editor: Anyi Morfaw, abm40431@uga.edu