Sales Representative

MTV, Business Development

After graduating from Brown University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, I moved to Chicago to take the only job that logically matched my expertise -- advertising. My first year at Leo Burnett USA was spent planning and buying media for two blue chip clients, 7UP and Coca-Cola. The next two years were spent working on the McDonald’s business. My job responsibilities included everything from creating and implementing sales promotions, writing marketing plans, negotiating talent deals and sports sponsorships, managing creative development, obtaining legal and safety clearances, coordinating media placements and babysitting Dennis Rodman.

With all the fun I was having, medical school became an afterthought and in 1997, I moved to New York to pursue a career in acting and the business side of television. The first six months were spent at BET in the now-defunct magazine division, before an opportunity presented itself at a small syndicated television firm, The Heritage Networks (formerly African Heritage Network).  I eventually became Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.  My responsibilities included, sales forecasting & development, program acquisitions, managing a seven person sales team, negotiating sponsorship deals and creating marketing plans. I now work in the ad sales – new business development group at MTV.