Plot Twist: Exploring Your Next Career Chapter
For mid-senior professionals in entertainment and media today, figuring out your next move can be daunting. Whether you're debating going freelance, searching for your next client, or pursuing a role you hadn't previously imagined, you’re not alone, and we've designed this gathering to support you.
Join a group of peers currently navigating a crossroads or thinking ahead, guided by folks sharing their stories across a range of pivots: those who made a change intentionally, out of necessity, or by surprise.
No matter where you are in your journey, their perspectives can offer hope in a time of uncertainty and help you envision what your next chapter could look like.
To kick off the day, Career Coach and Writer Jenny Yerrick Martin will lead a workshop designed to help you identify and articulate your professional values and strengths, along with practical strategies for speaking about them with confidence. This foundation will help you stay grounded and clearly communicate your throughline as you explore new opportunities.
From there, you'll hear from peers who have made the leap from full-time roles to becoming solopreneurs, and others who pivoted from legacy media into roles within the creator economy. These voices will represent range of circumstances: from folks who pivoted intentionally, by necessity, or accidentally.
Bios
Jenny Yerrick Martin (she/her) is a career coach, resume writer, and interview coach specializing in entertainment, media, and communications professionals. She previously worked as a studio operations executive at New Regency Productions on the 20th Century Fox Lot and at ITV America. Jenny launched her career consulting and writing practice in 2009 and has since helped hundreds of professionals land jobs, earn promotions, pivot fields, and clarify their career direction. She has served as an adjunct professor with Boston University’s Los Angeles program and has presented at SAG-AFTRA, Full Sail University, and Columbia College Chicago’s LA program. She is also the author of Breaking Into the Biz, a guide to launching and navigating a Hollywood career.
Randi Matthews (she/her) is the CEO and founder of Multi-Hyphen Media (MHM) - a leading boutique digital and social media marketing agency. Motivated to step beyond the confines of traditional agency walls, Randi’s unique approach has paved the way for underrepresented executives and talent across media and marketing. With an extensive background in sports and entertainment marketing, Randi is an expert in social media, the Creator Economy, and leveraging the value of storytelling, collaboration, and connection. Prior to founding Multi-Hyphen Media, Randi created and led tailored marketing campaigns for some of the most recognized influencers and celebrities in the world for companies such as IMG, Studio 71, and United Entertainment Group (Edelman). Matthews expanded her work behind the camera with Deliver Us, her feature documentary debut, which examines the Black maternal health crisis through the leadership, advocacy, and community-centered care of Black midwives. Her approach to filmmaking reflects a multi-faceted lens where strategy, culture, and purpose intersect. Outside of MHM, Randi mentored young professionals through Women of Color Unite's #Startwith8 program and Big Brothers Big Sisters x The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program to empower the next generation of entertainment industry creatives and executives.
Bryant Jefferson (he/him) is a talent manager at Odd Projects, representing creators across comedy, animation, and food — including Ted Nivison, FlashGitz, and Old Time Hawkey. He previously founded Touchpoint Talent.
Saeyoung Cho (she/her) is a dynamic, culture-driven marketing leader with 15 years of experience leading award-winning social media campaigns. She is currently a Strategic Advisor for Unilever's Influencer Marketing division, where she drives creator commerce strategy across Personal Care. Saeyoung also leads Moonshot Projects, a consultancy dedicated to innovation in the creator economy. Saeyoung is passionate about crafting full-funnel influencer strategies at the intersection of culture, community, and diverse storytelling, partnering with top global brands including Taco Bell, Nike, Disney, Honda, HBO, and Jack in the Box. Prior to launching Moonshot, Saeyoung held pivotal roles across the marketing ecosystem—from major media agencies to boutique shops, from brand-side to tech startups. As the Director of Influencer Marketing at Horizon Media and Chief Strategy Officer at Captiv8, she developed industry-first tools and led business development initiatives that drove measurable impact and growth. She is known for inspiring high-performance teams through a leadership style that values curiosity, bold action, and a relentless drive for excellence.
Mark Annotto (he/him) is an ambie-nominated Sound Designer and award-winning Audio/Video Editor with more than twenty years of entertainment/media industry management experience, pivoting from traditional content providers such as MTV, Comedy Central, USA Network and SyFy to his current role in the digital/creator space at Studio71. Mark has extensive knowledge of all digital entertainment sectors - both U.S. and International - across podcasts, digital media, television, film, production, and post-production.
Gabriela Gironas (they/them) is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and a leading force in creator strategy, culture-driven marketing, and advocacy. As Senior Director at THE·TEAM, they have led campaigns for brands like Taco Bell, Samsung, Google Play, and more. Gironas also founded Cool Shit, Cool People, a creative agency uplifting emerging talent. Their career spans roles at YouTube, Reddit, Fender, and record labels like Human Re-Sources, plus leadership in organizations like Keychange U.S. and Women In Music. A mentor and global speaker, they’ve helped shape fan-first rollouts for artists from BTS to Moses Sumney, all while pushing for equity across the music, tech and creator economy industries.
Panel discussions will be moderated by Work Friends Founder & Creator Partnerships Advisor, Meredith Jacobson. Meredith has spent the past decade facilitating partnerships between brands, agencies, and creators. As an independent consultant, she has supported over 30 brand teams, including Google, Hormel Foods, and SpotOn GPS Dog Fence. Since 2020, she has been overseeing all partnerships and business opportunities for the Internet’s Dad, @DadAdviceFromBo, including his recent national TikTok commercial campaign. Meredith started Work Friends out of her passion for connecting peers and creating moments for remote professionals, especially solopreneurs, to spend time IRL with peers.