Business & Finance | February 19th, 2020
FAMU Students Win The Opening Act Innovation Challenge Sponsored by Spotify
By: Lauryn McDaniels
Digital streaming platform Spotify visited Florida A&M University this past fall for “The Opening Act Roadshow.” Spotify stopped by to present different workshops and panels on the media, tech, and music industry.
According to HR Blog, “taking the Opening Act experience ‘on-the-road’ allowed [Spotify] to reach more students and develop a direct hiring model from outreach. We believe this is an important next step.”
Students were asked to select an area of interest and then were prompted with a question involving a problem the department was currently faced with. Each applicant was required to pitch an innovative strategy that would satisfy the needs of the respective department for a chance to win a summer internship with Spotify.
After selecting 13 finalists, Spotify invited the students to their headquarters in New York City to formally pitch their idea. Out of all the proposals, FAMU students Cameron Scott and Brianna McCarthy were selected for the summer internship.
“My challenge was about discovering ideas Spotify recruitment could use to keep in touch with former interns or strong candidates to use their experiences for recruitment strategies,” Brianna McCarthy said.
Although McCarthy is a Business Administration student, she wanted to explore outside of the standard corporate world.
“I grew an interest for learning the business side of entertainment and media during the summer of 2019. I wanted to dig a little deeper, so when I got the opportunity to pitch my ideas I didn’t hesitate to apply,” she said.
Cameron Scott, a senior Public Relations student, will be working in the Cultural Partnership department where he will be executing his pitch to highlight the HBCU homecoming experience.
“There is no experience like a HBCU homecoming. I feel like Beyonce made it popular to other cultures through her Coachella performance,” Scott said.
Scott will be responsible for creating playlists, podcasts, and different bundles that will be available on the streaming platform.
This opportunity is allowing HBCU students a chance to discover the different sides of the entertainment industry. Professor Francine Huff feels this is a wonderful opportunity for these students to be able to interact with top professionals in the industry.
“I think it’s a really great opportunity for the students to be exposed to the entertainment and music industry. Spotify is a very prominent company that will offer students a glimpse of the real inner workings of the entertainment industry. “ Professor Francine Huff said.
Spotify has provided these students with a great chance to explore their creativity and gain job experience in the process. Be on the lookout for the changes that these students will be bringing to Spotify this summer.
