CCA Membership Empowerment Series

The Membership Empowerment Series is a program of interactive workshops and panels, led by top level media experts with a focus on helping CCA members advance their careers. At the end of each presentation, members can interact directly with the speakers. Each session is recorded, posted and archived on our website.

Session 13: Harnessing the Power of YouTube

As Creator Liaison, Rene works inside the company to help YouTube better empathize with creators, and in the community to help creators better understand YouTube. As Head of YouTube Editorial, he oversees the team that manages the YouTube Blog, creator collabs, and the @YouTubeInsider and @UpdatesFromYouTube channels.

Rene has been blogging, podcasting, and posting videos to YouTube since 2008. He was previously Editorial Director for a major online tech network, and Director of Product Marketing for a big data analytics company.
 
Speaker:
Rene Ritchie: YouTube’s Creator Liaison and Head of Editorial

Session 12: The Art of Criticism

The CCA’s very own Eric Deggans, NPR TV Critic, Media Analyst, published author, and professor, shares vital information on the fine art of film criticism—the ethics and intrigues of the job, the pros and cons, and vital ways to keep entertainment content fresh, informative, and sought after. He also gives ideas and pointers for entertainment-related side projects and how to acquire them. Many agree that this is one of the most informative and useful sessions the MES has ever produced.
 
Speaker:
Eric Deggans, NPR TV Critic, Media Analyst, published author, and professor

Session 11: How to Write, Publish and Promote Your Own Book

Professional author coach Candace Kearns Read was on hand was on hand to speak about how to make your nonfiction publishing dreams come true, covering how to conceive a concept, organize your thoughts, write, edit and complete your book. She gave invaluable information on the difference between self publishing and approaching major publishers, as well as the virtues of many different publishing services online. In addition, there were tips for marketing your work once it’s complete.
 
Speaker:
Candace Kearns Read, author, writing coach and storyteller, TrueWritingCoach.com

Session 10: Knowing and Growing Your Brand

Our featured guest is Renee Washington, Founder and CEO of Resilience Wins – Executive Coaching & Consulting. Renee empowers executives and media professionals to overcome challenges like imposter syndrome, low self-confidence, communication struggles, and navigating change—drawing from her own lived experiences.

Speaker:
Renee Washington, Founder and CEO of Resilience Wins

Session 9: Master AI Before AI Masters You

International AI expert Sani Abdul-Jabbar tells you everything you need to know about ethically using AI as your personal assistant, helping you ace video and audio production, research, social media outreach, job searches and professional presentation. He explains how AI can be your new best friend, rather than your sworn worst enemy. It literally pays to be an early adapter. And the beauty of it is, it’s relatively quick and easy—you just need to know how to ask the right questions.

Speaker:
Sani Abdul-Jabbar – International AI expert

Session 8: Diversity In Criticism

Giselle Phelps, Founder/CEO of Grand Rising Talent, and Erin E. Evans, HuffPost senior culture editor fill you in on the secrets of knowing how and when to acquire an agent, and how you can freelance for the HuffPost. They also expand on what type of film criticism work is most in demand right now, how to successfully pitch both editors and agents and how to successfully navigate the ever-changing employment environment as a person of color.

Speakers:
Giselle Phelps – Founder/CEO of Grand Rising Talent
Erin E. Evans – HuffPost senior culture editor

Session 7: Make Yourself Irresistible to Employers

Did you know there are three easy changes you can make to your LinkedIn profile that will quickly grab the attention of editors looking for film critics? Career expert Madeline Mann, who has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, on ABC News and multiple other outlets, shares vital LinkedIn techniques that will help put you at the top of potential employers’ search lists, and find yourself receiving invitations to apply for top media positions. It sure beats blindly responding to posts and waiting indefinitely for responses! 

Speaker: 
Madeline Mann – Career Expert

Session 6: Vital SEO Techniques

SEO expert Jason Hennessy, keynote speaker, frequent guest on podcasts and webinars and contributor to publications including The Washington Post, Entrepreneur, Inc., Newsweek, and Rolling Stone, shows critics simple yet mind-blowing techniques to use SEO to increase your content’s traffic, brand awareness and revenue. He fills us in on some surprising tools that can make a huge difference, and others that are not really worth our time. He also answers important questions posed by members, and fills us in on tips and tricks that they can apply immediately, and that will can a huge difference.

Speaker: 
Jason Hennessy – Keynote Speaker, SEO Expert6

Session 5: Mastering Social Media

Washington Post technology/online culture columnist Taylor Lorenz, shares information on the latest social media news/trends, as well as advice on how film/TV critics can better market themselves on social media and monetize their social media platforms. She answers vital questions about which platform is the most important today, how to acquire followers, and which type of content draws the most response.

Speaker:
Washington Post technology/online culture columnist Taylor Lorenz

Session 4: Light Up Your YouTube Channel

YouTube and online video marketing expert and author Derral Eves tells us how to better utilize our YouTube channels by creating better content, generating more traffic and increasing revenue in creative ways that you may not have considered before.

Speaker:
YouTube Expert & Online Marketing Strategist Derral Eves (https://derraleves.com/certified-youtube-consultant/)

Session 3: Take Your Podcast to the Next Level

Podcast expert and coach Sam Laliberte gives extraordinary tips to help you monetize, market and attract listeners to your podcast, presenting specific tips and tricks to get yourself heard. She is followed by William Morris Endeavor Podcast Agent Carly Frankel, who gives straight forward and riveting information about the most popular podcasts today, why they work, and what you can do to engage listeners and increase demand for your own podcast. A member Q&A follows.
 
Speakers include:
Sam Laliberte, Speaker/host/podcast expert: https://www.launchapodcastonabudget.com/ S[email protected]
Carly Frankel, William Morris Endeavor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlycfrankel/

Session 2: Hey You! Want a Better Gig? The Sequel

Experts from top media outlets give members a realistic look at what it takes to get a job as a film critic, full-time or freelance, in this rapidly changing media environment. They discuss what to pitch and how to pitch effectively. After the panel discussion, members ask relevant questions. 

Panelists includes:
Hoai-Tran Bui, Inverse entertainment editor
Geoffrey Roth, Former News Director, KSWB San Diego, KSTU Salt Lake City, WJZY Charlotte
Andrew Pulver, Guardian Film Editor

Session 1: Hey You! Want a Better Gig?

Managerial supervisors from top entertainment media outlets speak about film/TV criticism and what they’re looking for in film/TV critics at their respective outlets. After the panel discussion, members ask relevant questions.

Panelists include:
Eric Kohn, IndieWire vice president of editorial strategy/executive editor
Nekesa Mumbi Moody, The Hollywood Reporter editorial director
Tammy Phillips, Nexstar Media Group vice president of talent acquisition