From Hollywood Outsider to Studio Marketing Chief

3 Power Moves That Changed Everything

Picture this: A room full of nervous Hollywood executives, a global superstar, a $100M film budget on the line—and one woman with the strategy to deliver the goods. That was me walking into Columbia Pictures at Sony as the first Black woman to run marketing for a major studio. No pressure, right?

Here’s how I turned that pressure into power:

💫 Power Move #1: Own the Narrative

• Walked in with strategy no one had seen. Not even my boss.

• Presented a blockbuster strategy that turned anxiety into bravado, with the movie star at the head of the table high-fiving my boss. (My boss eventually departed, leavaing the meeting “in my hands.”)

• The Result: The film outperformed projections by 4:1, rebooting the brand, and spawning multiple sequels.

🎮 Power Move #2: Change the Game

• Replaced an uncooperative team with my dream team. Without firing a soul.

  • Lesson: Never settle for mediocrity—especially when it’s standing between you and the win.

• Created a marketing approach still used today.

• Bonus: Cut the marketing budget by 20%.

👑 Power Move #3: Make Success Inevitable

• Worked only with the best people, no matter where they came from.

• Built systems that delivered consistent wins.

• Did what I said I was going to do. Every. Single. Time.

Those moves are the reason I am still the first and only woman of color to run Marketing for three Hollywood studios. Now I’m handing over the playbook so you can claim your spotlight.

What’s the power move that changed your career? Drop a 🦄 in the comments.