M.B.A. 2015 Grad, Gatesman+ Dave Assistant Media Buyer Discusses Why She Chose Point Park Thursday, October 8, 2015
Meet Kendra Reith
Job title: Assistant Media Buyer
Employer: Gatesman+Dave Inc.
Degrees earned: M.B.A. with a concentration in sports, arts and entertainment management, Point Park University, 2015, and B.S. in communications with a minor in journalism, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2009
Scholarships from Point Park: Graduate Merit Scholarship
Hometown: Galeton, Pa.
High school: Galeton High School
Now living in: Pittsburgh, Pa. (North Hills)
Hobbies/interests: I'm a HUGE Pittsburgh Penguins fan. I also love to go to all sorts of concerts!
LinkedIn: Kendra Reith
Why did you decide to pursue an M.B.A. degree?
I felt that I was stuck in terms of employment, so I wanted to get an M.B.A. in order to increase my chances of advancing in my career. Obtaining an M.B.A. allows me the opportunity to work in many different disciplines.
What factors made you choose Point Park for grad school?
Location and the times that classes were offered were convenient with my working schedule. I was intrigued by the sports, arts and entertainment management concentration in the M.B.A. program, too. Also, knowing that I could do a part-time schedule and be finished in five semesters was a huge plus!
Tell us about the work you do for Gatesman+Dave.
As the assistant to the associate media director at Gatesman+Dave, I handle all of the broadcast buying (TV and radio) for our clients, which include UPMC, UPMC Health Plan and Shop 'n Save. We purchase advertising in many markets: Pittsburgh, Altoona, Johnstown, Erie, Harrisburg and many smaller ones all across western Pennsylvania.
After my supervisor puts the campaigns together, it is my job to submit the orders to the stations and to make sure they run as requested. I am also responsible for handling make-goods (replacements in the event our schedule cannot run as we had placed it) as well as securing added value for our clients. I am currently being trained in media buying and have been purchasing small radio campaigns and will soon learn to purchase television as well.
What were some of your favorite M.B.A. classes and why?
I really enjoyed all of the concentration classes because most of my professors had work experience in various fields. It was nice to see that what we were learning applied to real work-life scenarios. Marketing was obviously one of my favorite classes because it is what I do for my job every day.
What are your career goals?
My career goals are to grow and gain as much experience as possible within the agency world of media buying.
Final thoughts?
I'm very happy that I chose to attend Point Park. I made some new friends and learned a lot along the way. All of the professors I had were great instructors and understood the value of our time as working adults. I gained a valuable education that allows me to use what I have learned in real work settings.
My supervisor and Gatesman+Dave's associate media director, Amy Gustafson, also earned her M.B.A. from Point Park in 1992. I did not know this when I was hired for the job, but I thought it was a neat coincidence.
Photo by Victoria A. Mikula, junior mass communication major