MBAM

MBAM(edia) is an online news publication run by full-time MBA students at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business & Management. Here you will find videos, articles and a community of forward-thinking, future business leaders.

Adam Neuman has been working towards his long-term goal of being the head of a television studio since he graduated from the University of Southern California in 2002 with a degree in Cinema/Television Critical Studies. In order to maximize his potential for success as a top industry executive, he found it essential to be knowledgeable about every aspect of the industry. Following graduation, he assisted three talent agents, which taught him the fundamentals of the television business and most importantly, the value of networking. The contacts made while working at the agency landed him his next job as an assistant to an executive producer of the show, 24. He was exposed to the everyday operations of a television production, which is essential knowledge for a studio executive. After 24, he went onto Sony Pictures Television. At Sony, he became a coordinator in the Current Programming department and learned how a studio manages the creative aspects of a television show through budgetary guidelines. With all this creative experience under his belt, he wanted to learn about the business side of the industry to become a more effective executive. This is what brought Adam to the Graziadio program to obtain his MBA

Amber George is a second year MBA student at the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University, concentrating in marketing. Amber received her B.A. in Organization Communication with a minor in Speech Communication from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. Prior to enrolling at Pepperdine, she was employed in the banking and investments industries, primarily working on written correspondence teams in both Ohio and California for four years. Currently, she is a staff writer for CSQ Magazine, LA Uptowns’ definitive guide to luxury lifestyle and business.

Bryan Zirkel is a Southern California native, born and raised in San Diego. After graduating from UC San Diego in 2002 with a degree in computing and the arts and a double minor in computer science and psychology, Bryan went on to work in information technology doing systems administration, networking, and consultancy for the next five years. After a year in San Francisco working for Advent Software’s Investment Management Group, he realized how much he missed the sunshine and was overjoyed to attend Pepperdine’s Full-time, 20-month program here in Malibu. Bryan is concentrating in finance and plans to work in private wealth management upon graduation. Bryan is currently the vice president of the Malibu Graduate Business Society, the Graziadio School’s student government, and sits on the board of Fonkoze USA, a not-for-profit microfinance institution that serves women in Haiti. Bryan lives in Marina del Rey with his fiancé, Emily, and loves to travel, ride his beach cruiser down to Venice and Santa Monica, and is a die-hard Chargers fan.

Frankie Warren was born and raised in beautiful San Diego, CA. Frankie is a 20-month MBA concentrating in finance who lived on campus for his first year. At Pepperdine, Frankie serves the student body as the chairman of the Emerging Leaders and president of Net Impact, a student club focused on sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Frankie received his bachelor of arts in economics in 2007 from Boston College with a minor in “Faith, Peace and Justice,” where he researched economic growth in developing nations. Prior to Pepperdine, Frankie worked at La Jolla Bank where he spent time in both the accounting and appraisal departments. For fun, Frankie enjoys playing roller hockey and DJ-ing (his neighbors on campus loved him). Frankie is the oldest of four siblings.

JC Garrett is a 20-month MBA student pursuing concentrations in entrepreneurial management and marketing. At Pepperdine, JC serves as the student body president for the Full-time Graduate Business School, is captain of the Pepperdine Case Competition Teams and is actively involved in Pepperdine intramural sports activities. JC is currently spending time launching a new business venture focused on educating and consulting homeowners on how to make environmentally renovations to their homes through do-it-yourself remodeling. Before enrolling at Pepperdine University, he received his B.S. in Mass Communications from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. After finishing his undergraduate studies, he worked for two years in the non-profit management industry in Chicago, Illinois. He enjoys camping, traveling, sports, and volunteering for his college fraternity, Sigma Chi.

Kristen Kitaji was born and raised in Carmel, California receiving her bachelor of arts in history from Occidental College with a minor in sociology. Kristen is a 20-month MBA concentrating in marketing. Prior to Pepperdine, Kristen worked as a project manager for a law firm in Century City. Kristen lives in Santa Monica and enjoys the beach, playing soccer, tennis and hiking. Kristen also loves traveling, trying new restaurants, cooking and a good comedy. Kristen has one older brother, two dogs named Sophie and Wrigley, and is a die-hard Cubs and Bears fan.

Paul Dietzel, born in Ft. Worth, TX, is a life-long entrepreneur who grew up in Louisiana’s capital city, Baton Rouge.  During undergraduate studies at Louisiana State University, Paul competed with the varsity crew (rowing) team.  Paul has worked with multiple non-profits on marketing and branding efforts and in 2003 at the age of 17 founded a new media communication company that now spans multiple industries and markets.  Paul is a joint MBA and Master in Public Policy candidate at Pepperdine University and enjoys practicing extensive extroversion while meeting new people at his new-found home in Los Angeles.