Have you ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes in film, music, and TV? That's exactly what Northeastern's Business of Entertainment (BoE) Club strives to explore. Grossing a hefty $2.8 trillion globally, the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry is the largest industry in the world and will continue growing at an annual rate of 4.3%. The entertainment industry is also a global commodity, driving economic growth and providing millions of jobs worldwide. More than ever, many D'Amore-McKim School of Business students want to learn more about how their education can be leveraged in this industry.
Co-founders Siya Patel, DMSB ‘26, and Haya Shaer, DMSB ‘26, launched the club after noticing a gap in the campus ecosystem. “We realized there was a lack of a club that intersected both business and entertainment,” says Patel.
“Instead of seeing it as a limitation, we saw it as an opportunity to build the club from scratch,” Shaer adds. “As an international student, I've noticed there's so much to explore beyond Hollywood, such as Bollywood and the Arab cinema world. We aim to bring these global perspectives to D'Amore-McKim.”
Since forming, BoE has built momentum through hands-on events and practical learning opportunities. For instance, the club recently hosted an interactive “Rebranding Shrek” workshop, in collaboration with the Northeastern Marketing Association, where students explored the creative strategies behind film marketing. They also held a panel featuring students who landed co-ops and internships in film production, talent management, and music marketing—showing members how their classroom skills can translate into careers in entertainment.
Head of Community Engagement Julia Cabezas, DMSB ‘27, emphasizes how the club's hands-on activities bridge classroom knowledge and real-world application: “While I'm learning branding and advertising strategies in class, I relate it all back to the entertainment industry and think, ‘This could be a great workshop for an artist or a movie.”
By offering educational workshops, networking events, and guest speaker sessions, BoE provides D'Amore-McKim students with the practical tools to stand out in a rapidly growing industry. “I've always been interested in the entertainment industry,” says Director of Marketing Margarita “Rita” Myakova, DMSB '26, “specifically how movies are marketed and really brought to our attention. That's where the psychology aspect comes in.”
The club also strives to create an environment that is student-oriented. “We want to foster a space where students can be exposed to networking opportunities from workshops to enhance their skills and really build connections within the industry,” explains Myakova.
As BoE continues to grow, the club remains driven by its mission to bridge the gap between business education and the entertainment industry. It offers students a platform to explore how the business world fuels the entertainment we love. BoE welcomes all students eager to discover the behind-the-scenes magic that shapes our favorite films, albums, and shows.