Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMTV ad man reveals inner workings of marketing
By Alex Shebar
Posted: 2/8/05, 12:51 AM EST Section: Pulp
While many Syracuse University students sat down to watch MTV last night, a handful of others were shown the workings behind it.
Al-Sharik Barksdale, a sales coordinator for MTV and MTV2, spoke at the S.I. Newhouse School for Public Communications about the specifics of his field, and how different programs made for the popular station are created, advertised and eventually turn a profit.
"He seemed very informative. It was nice to hear a young person talk more about the professional side of MTV," said Elizabeth Katz, a senior advertising major.
Barksdale spoke about MTV and MTV2 as businesses, and how a specific show makes money, going through the complex process of what it takes for a show to make money after it has been produced. He also spoke of plans for upcoming programming like a new show called "Trippin'" staring Cameron Diaz, in which she travels around the world with her friends seeing new and exotic places.
The ad and sales department plays a critical role in changes happening to MTV2, Barksdale said, especially with the re-launch the station went through on Feb. 5 to bring it back to its original musical roots. Barksdale brought an example of a video which MTV made about the revamped channel to show to the audience, which was a key example of an item someone in the ad and sales department would bring to different corporations in hopes of endorsing their products.
"It's great for students to hear real life accomplishments for what happens after," Barksdale said. "It's sometimes hard to get the idea from professors because they are too far removed. I'm giving them a real hand account of their future."
The lecture ended with a long question and answer period in which students were able to ask anything they wanted about working at MTV and Barksdale's career. He then stuck around to give out business cards and offer tours around MTV studios.
"I liked that he answered every question about salary and mobility," said Evie Hickey, an undeclared sophomore. "Every bit of information helps for the future."
Al-Sharik Barksdale, a sales coordinator for MTV and MTV2, spoke at the S.I. Newhouse School for Public Communications about the specifics of his field, and how different programs made for the popular station are created, advertised and eventually turn a profit.
"He seemed very informative. It was nice to hear a young person talk more about the professional side of MTV," said Elizabeth Katz, a senior advertising major.
Barksdale spoke about MTV and MTV2 as businesses, and how a specific show makes money, going through the complex process of what it takes for a show to make money after it has been produced. He also spoke of plans for upcoming programming like a new show called "Trippin'" staring Cameron Diaz, in which she travels around the world with her friends seeing new and exotic places.
The ad and sales department plays a critical role in changes happening to MTV2, Barksdale said, especially with the re-launch the station went through on Feb. 5 to bring it back to its original musical roots. Barksdale brought an example of a video which MTV made about the revamped channel to show to the audience, which was a key example of an item someone in the ad and sales department would bring to different corporations in hopes of endorsing their products.
"It's great for students to hear real life accomplishments for what happens after," Barksdale said. "It's sometimes hard to get the idea from professors because they are too far removed. I'm giving them a real hand account of their future."
The lecture ended with a long question and answer period in which students were able to ask anything they wanted about working at MTV and Barksdale's career. He then stuck around to give out business cards and offer tours around MTV studios.
"I liked that he answered every question about salary and mobility," said Evie Hickey, an undeclared sophomore. "Every bit of information helps for the future."
