GEMA TALKS with Rich Battista

GEMA TALKS is a podcast series from the Georgetown Entertainment and Media Alliance (GEMA), an alumni networking organization under the Georgetown University Alumni Association. Hosted by GEMA Founder/Chairman and veteran media executive Rich Battista (B '86), each episode welcomes a prominent Georgetown University alumnus working in the entertainment and media industry to discuss their career journey, their role in the industry, how the business has evolved and where it’s headed, how being a Hoya propelled them to their place within it and their advice for those looking to break into or rise up in the industry. Producers: Rich Battista and Alex Ghaffari Music theme: Teddy Zambetti Logo: Ross Patrick

All Episodes

GEMA TALKS with Rich Battista

Tony Thomopoulos

August 01, 2021 • Rich Battista • Season 1 • Episode 27

In this episode of GEMA TALKS with Rich Battista, the renowned entertainment executive Tony Thomopoulos (F '59) joins us to talk about his acclaimed and storied career as a senior executive in Hollywood over six decades including as President of ABC Entertainment, President of ABC Broadcast Group, Chairman of United Artist Pictures, President of Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television, among others. Tony is now Chairman of Flourish BMS, a line of organic food products. Tony tells us terrific stories starting from his humble roots in The Bronx, applying to and attending Georgetown, and breaking into and working within the entertainment industry. He also discusses the genesis of several celebrated TV series and films he was associated with throughout his career including the great ABC TV series and mini-series of the 1970's and 80's like Taxi and Roots, the film Rainman and the TV series ER. He also compares and contrasts what the business was like several decades ago vs today and the profound changes that have occurred over that time. And he concludes with some valuable career and work advice for those in the industry or looking to break into it.