If you’ve ever dreamed of working in entertainment, radio, music marketing, or media, this episode is your backstage pass into how the industry really works. In this Industry Professional Series episode, host Maddie sits down with Hilary Gordon, Director of Marketing, Promotion & Engagement at 88.5 The SoCal Sound, voted America’s Best Public Music Radio Station two years in a row. With over 25 years in radio and experience at companies like Warner Music Group and Cumulus Media, Hilary has built a career connecting artists and audiences through creativity, strategy, and sound. Hilary shares her journey from being a music-obsessed kid calling radio stations, to becoming an on-air talent, programmer, and ultimately a marketing leader shaping the future of public radio. You’ll hear how she navigated unpaid internships, learned every job inside the station, and built a career rooted in passion and community. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to get your first job or internship in entertainment, radio, or music marketing Why being reliable, proactive, and passionate matters more than any formal experience How radio survived the rise of streaming — and what that means for your career in media today What roles exist in radio & entertainment: programming, on-air, marketing, promotions, production, sales & more How to make yourself invaluable at any station or media company The power of community, storytelling, and adaptability in a fast-changing industry How digital media, social platforms, and even AI are reshaping entertainment careers Hilary also shares her full-circle moments — including interviewing her musical heroes — and offers concrete advice for students ready to dive into the world of music, media, or broadcasting. If you're passionate about music, storytelling, radio, or marketing, this episode shows you exactly how to turn that passion into a career. Listen now and take your first step into the entertainment & media industry.
