You could hear a pin drop. No noise. No movement. Twenty graduate students stand in the HBO “war room” with the cable giant’s vice president of planning and scheduling, Andrew Goldman, listening and watching intently. For students in NYIT’s media management program, it is a defining moment in their education.

The program was launched in 2003 by two persistent professors determined to capitalize on the Manhattan campus’ location in the media capital of the world. Three years later, it is almost at capacity and is expanding to several campuses internationally, say its founders, Professor Michael Banks, chair of the Manhattan campus communication arts department, and Assistant Professor Vincent M. Ditingo.

“Time Warner is right there,” says Banks, pointing out his window to the parent company of HBO, AOL, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Entertainment. “Manhattan is the heart of the media industry. There are thousands of jobs in our neighborhood.”

New York media production has skyrocketed since Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996. And for every broadcasting job, there are dozens of positions behind the scenes – from production coordinator to account executive to programming manager. “These careers are just as exciting and creatively challenging as the on-air positions,” says Banks.

NYIT students learn this first hand from the real-world experiences of their professors, working professionals who hold high-powered positions at elite media corporations.
Take Goldman. This HBO vice president teaches a course in premium network programming. With 20 years experience at the cable company, he is an active participant in the media revolution.

His students delve into what it takes to launch a new show, analyze pilots for the upcoming season and even visit the HBO war room for a special class. Goldman supplements his own experiences with a vast network of professional peers he brings in as guest speakers.

The classroom experience reenergizes Goldman. “It’s thrilling,” he says. “I see my job through fresh eyes now.”

Banks is amazed at the commitment of Goldman and other media executives. He recounts how Adjunct Professor Gene Cunningham, vice president of research, Fox Station Sales, and advisory board chair for the School of Arts, Sciences and Communication, taught his evening class, Television, Research and Sales, before pulling an all-nighter at work. “Our teachers take this seriously, getting to know students and customizing lessons for them,” says Banks.

Each year, the Manhattan campus communication arts department hosts a media management seminar led by a panel of media executives. Panelists describe their jobs, the state of the industry and take questions from students. “It’s getting so big we began calling it a summit,” says Ditingo.

Many professors and guest speakers are contacts of Ditingo, who is a former senior editor of the weekly publication, Broadcasting and Cable, and former reporter for Billboard magazine, as well as author of the book, The Remaking of Radio.

Students at Manhattan’s elite colleges are already jumping onboard. Ten students transferred into the program last year from New York University and Columbia University. 

Internationally, the media management specialization is also growing, with degrees offered in Canada and soon in China and the Middle East. “The impact of new media is just starting,” Ditingo says. “Jobs are being created everywhere, and we are ready to help today’s students fit tomorrow’s jobs.”