InternViews: Sarah Beth Warnken

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

Sarah Beth Warnken, a public relations student, works for Big Machine Label Group as a music publicity intern in Nashville, Tennessee. Read more about her internship below.

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

As the music publicity intern for Big Machine Label Group this summer, I supported the communications department across the company’s four country and rock label imprints. My role included compiling press coverage for their artists, updating media reports, pulling notable press quotes and researching media outlets. I also assisted in writing boilerplates for press releases and messaging for new song releases.

What opportunities did you have during your internship?

I had the opportunity to work in-person in Big Machine Label Group’s main office on Music Row in Nashville. It was wonderful to contribute to the storytelling process of high-profile country artists and to network with professionals in both the entertainment and media industries. My role at Big Machine gave me a broader understanding of in-house public relations in the music business and key insight into the process of artist campaigns and media relations. Learning from passionate, professional publicists at Big Machine was critical for my passion to work in public relations in the music industry. I also had the opportunity to work artist meet and greets, collaborate with other interns across different departments, attend company meetings and shadow publicists during artist interviews with journalists. I discovered incredible new musicians through working at Big Machine, while also having the opportunity to help organize press coverage for artists.

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

On a few occasions, I was tasked with the role of assisting with song messaging for several Big Machine artists. This process consists of listening to a new artist single and writing a descriptive copy of the track, which is then sent company-wide to other departments and to media outlets to provide a consistent message for the song. I felt proud seeing some of the wording I wrote for an artist’s new release in an article from a media outlet. Seeing the writing I contributed actually being used to describe the new song was very rewarding and confirmed my passion for a communications-based role in the music industry.

How has the Grady curriculum prepared you for this internship?

It was great to apply the writing skills I’ve learned in Grady classes to my work this summer with real-life clients in an industry I’m passionate about. Through Grady coursework, professors and professional organizations like PRSSA and Women in Media, I felt over-equipped with knowledge to succeed in this role and in a fast-paced environment. The writing and editing skills I built in Public Relations Communications and Reporting I from professors Tom Cullen and Lori Johnston translated directly into crafting clear media content. I learned through Grady’s faculty the importance of asking questions, remaining present and engaged and reaching out to professionals for career advice. I wouldn’t have been able to thrive in this role if it weren’t for Grady College providing me with such incredible support and a strong community of likeminded, aspiring PR professionals.

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

I received valuable guidance and mentorship from the three publicists I worked alongside at Big Machine. The publicists explained to me their individual journeys to their jobs, important perspectives to grasp in the PR and music industries and provided meaningful guidance to improve my skills in public relations. These include paying attention to details, pitching to media with purpose and intention, taking insightful notes when I learn something new and how to properly deal with crises and damage control. I also learned that making connections and fostering relationships are extremely key to landing positions in the professional world. Overall, the publicity team created an environment where I felt safe to learn and empowered to contribute.

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

The most valuable advice I received from my experience is to have passion and intention in your work. I learned that even the smallest assignments can make a difference when they’re done thoughtfully, and enthusiasm and care don’t go unnoticed in a fast-paced industry. Having passion behind your work not only helps you stand out but also makes the day-to-day feel more meaningful. Intention ensures that everything you contribute serves a purpose, whether that’s helping a coworker or simply making the publicity team’s day run more smoothly. I also learned that asking questions is so important to learning and building trust with peers. Every professional I met this summer emphasized the importance of staying curious, being flexible and never being afraid to ask something.

How has this internship influenced your future career?

My experience at Big Machine in the publicity department has confirmed my passion and desire to work in communications and music. I’ve always had a strong connection to music, and the opportunity to contribute to the storytelling process of artists at Big Machine has been so beneficial. This summer gave me a more clear view of how much strategy, storytelling and collaboration go into helping artists connect with their audiences. Working at Big Machine has made me realize that publicity is not just about landing media coverage, but more about shaping narratives and building up to memorable moments for clients. I’m leaving this experience feeling inspired to pursue a career where I can help bring those stories to life.

Editor: Lily Alarcon, lia52467@uga.edu