Associate manager, content and rights management
PBS Distribution, Arlington, Va.
Age: 30
In three words: “Untiring, steadfast, considerate”
What colleagues say: In addition to overseeing PBSd’s renewals across worldwide territories and genres, Mary is exceptional at building relationships and handling complicated negotiations. She works to bring more public media content to audiences via commercial platforms and PBS Passport.
Mary collaborates with PBS to add and renew rights for content to stream on Passport well after a show has been broadcast. She also builds and facilitates relationships internally as a member of PBSd’s Equity & Inclusion Council, working with colleagues to engage and address equity and inclusion in the workplace. As a part of this work, she organizes and moderates staff conversations around themes such as gender inclusivity, accessibility and grief in the workplace.
What Mary says
Decision to work in public media: I joined PBSd from the nonprofit world in Washington, D.C. It was my first exposure to both a media company and the world of public media. As a lifelong public television viewer and supporter, this was a very exciting career pivot.
Key accomplishments: As the lead for commercial rights renewals at PBSd, I’ve expanded public media’s footprint in the digital space, making it more accessible to viewers in today’s rapidly changing streaming landscape. There have been several titles for which I’ve added digital rights and brought in new digital video assets in collaboration with producers. These efforts also have been pivotal in supporting independent producers through commercial distribution of their work.
Inspired by: My teammates across PBSd. While we all have different roles, I come to work every day knowing that my colleagues are equally as dedicated to our mission.
Advice for young public media professionals: Ask your colleagues out to coffee! It is never too early to build a network, especially in public media. Be curious, ask questions and seek out networking opportunities.
Advice for public media leaders: Continue to invest in archival content and new filmmakers alike! Embrace initiatives that preserve and digitize archives to make them accessible to broader audiences. Investing in new filmmakers within the public media system is important to enrich the diversity of perspectives and create impactful stories.