Prior to working in The CW office, my only exposure to a corporate environment was the time I spent as a toddler at my father’s law firm. When my mother was busy with meetings or my two older siblings, I would happily climb in my father’s car and take my seat beside his briefcase. I loved going to work. From my perspective, going to work meant coloring, napping, and playing with the secretaries.
Now that I’m a full-time employee rather than occasional office visitor, that perspective has been slightly altered. Unfortunately, there is no coloring or naps in the average CW workday. However, there are tons of fun office events courtesy of my office neighbors in the Events and Special Projects department.
This week, Emilia and her team have arranged an office bowling party. That’s right, The CW is taking it to the alley – the bowling alley that is – and competition is getting fierce.
But before I put on my bowling shoes, I’ve got some business to take care of back at the office. My supervisor Rick has arranged meetings with people in all facets of the marketing department to help me understand the various aspects of the field.
Disclaimer for my parents: your tuition dollars are totally worth it. That being said – I feel like I’ve learned more about marketing in the last week than I have in the past four semesters of college classes. I swear I really did attend those morning lectures (at least the majority of them) it’s just that seeing concepts in practice is entirely different from reading about them in a textbook.
Going on set for THE VAMPIRE DIARIES shoot last week was great. I got to experience the excitement of a photo shoot and learn firsthand about the production of a major national campaign. The next lesson in my CW Marketing crash-course was with Stacey.
Stacey works on on-air formatting and promo planning. She’s in charge of allotting commercial breaks during CW programs and coordinating on-air promos. So, for example, Stacey ensures that a GOSSIP GIRL “lower third” doesn’t pop up onscreen and cover Dean Winchester’s face during an intense SUPERNATURAL scene.
Stacey explained that a key factor in promo planning leading up to the fall launch is the annual Upfront. The Upfront is a glamorous meeting hosted by The CW in May, attended by the press and major advertisers. The stars of The CW shows, returning and new, all gather to walk the green carpet.
Inside the event, the president of the network announces the fall lineup. Most exciting of all, the casts of the new fall series introduce extended previews of their shows.
The name of the event derives from its main purpose, to allow marketers to buy commercial airtime “up front” – before the television season begins.
After watching footage of LMFAO performing at this year’s Upfront, I’ve deduced that it’s also an excuse to throw a huge party. LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” kicked off the 2011 Upfront, followed by previews of THE SECRET CIRCLE, RINGER, HART OF DIXIE, and H8R.
Imagine attending a bash with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Rachel Bilson, Mario Lopez, and Tyra Banks. It must be some kind of fire hazard to have that many attractive people in one building. On top of the first-rate guest list, everyone’s favorite vampire-doppelganger love-triangle served as co-hosts for the event. If only my internship had started a month earlier…
Word around the office is that Emilia has purchased a massive trophy for tomorrow’s best bowler. Who will win bragging rights and the championship prize? Stay tuned and wish me luck! Who knows? Maybe The CW Summer Intern will be the one to take home the gold.
- Eva Gurfein