By Brad Lemack, staff
November 12, 2024
Elon University Los Angeles students taking an entertainment public relations course had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the news magazine show “Extra.”
Students in Adjunct Instructor Mitch Messinger’s fall semester entertainment public relations class at Elon University Los Angeles had the unique opportunity to visit the Warner Bros. Burbank set of the Emmy Award-winning, nationally syndicated news magazine show “Extra.” The experience afforded them an inside look at how a leading, long-running entertainment news program operates.
Students met with producers Dave Geha and Mark Mottern, as well as host Billy Bush, who all shared their expertise on crafting stories and working with publicists in covering the fast-paced world of celebrity news. The site visit offered a real-world classroom experience for students that deepened their understanding of collaborating with industry partners to successfully achieve elements of a strategic PR campaign.
Messinger’s class has been a truly immersive experience for his students this semester, including the opportunity for “master class” sessions with industry leaders and entertainment PR professionals.
“Taking my students to the ‘Extra’ set, in particular, was invaluable in connecting the dots between classroom academics and the professional landscape,” Messinger said. “Their time talking with the producers I work with on a regular basis, along with Billy Bush, not only demystifies how entertainment news is produced but also showed them a first-hand, behind-the-scenes perspective on how the success of any strategic PR campaign is dependent not on only a great pitch, but in great relationships.”
Messinger is a respected industry leader in celebrity and entertainment public relations. He joined the faculty at Elon University Los Angeles this fall.
For nearly 17 years, Elon University has offered specialized, career-focused and immersive academic programming and internship opportunities for students in domestic National Campus locations. Enrollment for the Elon University Los Angeles summer 2025 program is now open. Visit the Los Angeles National Campus website for information.
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Mitch Messinger
Adjunct Instructor in Entertainment Public Relations
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