Online MBA Spotlight: Entertainment, Media and Technology

In 2017, the median starting salary for business school graduates reached $110,000. Today, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) reports that “the median annual base starting salary U.S. companies will offer new MBA hires in 2019 is the highest on record (US$115,000)—notably higher than the median offered to direct-from-industry hires (US$75,000) and more than double the median offered to new bachelor’s degree hires (US$55,000).” Add a specialization and salaries are even higher.

Take technology management, for example. Professionals in this field averaged $142,530 in 2018, with the top 10% averaging more than $180,000. “Globally,” reports the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), “most companies (52%) say that they are increasing base starting salaries for MBA hires this year compared with last year.”

“Sixteen percent of companies say they plan to increase salaries above the rate of inflation, while 36% will increase salaries at the rate of inflation.”

The Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media (ADESM) Industry

Part of the major group Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media (ADESM), entertainment and media is an emerging MBA specialty area that is expected to grow as the industry continues to grow. The ADESM creative workforce is currently more than 1.9 million strong, with a projected 6% employment growth rate over the next decade. High salaries ranging from $73,690 to $104,740 or more annually. Employers of entertainment and media professionals prefer to hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher, with an advanced degree preferred for management positions.

So what does all of this mean for today’s MBA students specializing entertainment, media and technology? Competitive salaries, growth, and the opportunity to be among the first to enter the field.

The Entertainment, Media and Technology Specialization

Students that choose the Entertainment, Media and Technology (EMT) specialization will focus on both the content and business aspects of the industry by taking courses that cover marketing, finance, management, accounting, legal, and economic issues facing entertainment and media firms. Industries covered include cable, film, home video, music, publishing, sports, and television. Sample courses may include: 

• Being Digital: Search, Social Media and Crowdsourcing
• Business Development
• Business of Independent Film
• Business of Music and Film
• Business of Sports Marketing
• Business Strategy for the Digital Economy
• Craft and Commerce of Cinema:
• Film Production
• Market Research
• Marketing
• News & Entertainment Media
• Operations in Entertainment: Las Vegas
• Strategic Planning
• Strategy & Finance in EMT Companies
• Talent Management
• Television Management
• The Cannes Film Festival

Students in EMT programs will have the opportunity to explore new industry concepts and analyze leading companies such as Disney, NBC Universal, Sony, Time Warner, and Viacom.

Which Schools Offer an Online MBA in Entertainment, Media and Technology? 

The MBA in EMT is a developing degree path that is also called Media and Technology, Entertainment and Media Management, Media Management, and Media, Entertainment and Sports, to name a few. While program names may differ slightly, all have heavy technology, media and entertainment coursework. The following schools offer online programs:

• College of Business and Management at Lynn University, MBA in Media Management
• Darden School of Business at University of Virginia, MBA in Media, Entertainment and Sports
• Forbes School of Business and Technology at Ashford University, MBA with a Media Management Specialization
• School of Business, Media and Technology at New Mexico Highlands University, MBA, choose from dozens of certificates, electives, and specializations to focus the degree

If you are interested in a specific business school that does not offer every component of this degree, consider taking additional electives to fill any gaps. Most business programs allow students to choose a number of free electives, so inquire within. Another option is to choose multiple specializations. Many business programs allow this option as well.  

Considering an Online MBA? Use our interactive map to find information on schools and colleges offering Online MBA programs in your state and across the U.S.

Sources 

"Computer and Information Systems Managers." U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 14 Sept. 2016. 

"Compare Information Systems MBA Programs." StartClass. Graphiq, 2016. Web. 14 Sept. 2016. 

"Computer and Information Technology Occupations." U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 14 Sept. 2016. 

"Entertainment, Media and Technology (EMT)." NYU Stern. Entertainment, Media and Technology (EMT), n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 

GMAC Research. “MBA Graduates Continue to Command a Salary Premium in the Hiring Market.” GMAC Advisor: The Official Blog of the Graduate Management Admission Council. Graduate Management Admission Council, 02 Aug. 2018. Web. 25 Jun. 2019.

Hazenbush, Matt. "Starting Salaries for MBA Talent at US Companies Hit New High." GMAC Advisor: The Official Blog of the Graduate Management Admission Council. Graduate Management Admission Council, 28 May 2019. Web. 25 Jun. 2019.

"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2015, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations (Major Group)." U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 30 Mar. 2016. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. 

"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2015, Computer and Information Systems Managers." U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Dec. 2015. Web. 14 Sept. 2016. 

Occupational Outlook Handbook. St. Paul: JIST Publishing, 2015. Print. 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Library Edition, Bulletin 2800. Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC. 

Zillman, Claire. "Congrats, MBA Grads! You’re Getting a $45,000 Raise." Fortune. Time, Inc., 19 May 2015. Web. 02 Aug. 2016.