Authentic Brands Group (ABG) Internship Program: Cultivating Future Leaders in Brand Development
The landscape of brand management, marketing, and entertainment is dynamic and ever-evolving. To navigate this complex terrain successfully, emerging talent requires hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to innovative strategies. Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global leader in brand development and entertainment, offers a robust internship program designed to immerse students in the multifaceted world of brand building, providing them with invaluable practical skills and a glimpse into the future of the industry. This program, supported by visionary leaders within ABG, serves as a crucial stepping stone for students eager to translate academic knowledge into tangible professional achievements.
Understanding Authentic Brands Group: A Powerhouse of Iconic Brands
Authentic Brands Group (ABG) is not merely a company; it is a unified platform that masterfully integrates mergers and acquisitions, brand strategy, creativity, and digital innovation. This synergistic approach is employed to unlock the immense power of its expansive global portfolio of lifestyle and entertainment brands. As the world's largest sports and entertainment licensing company, ABG excels at connecting strong, recognizable brands with best-in-class partners. This strategic alignment is paramount to optimizing long-term value within the marketplace. The sheer scale of ABG's influence is staggering, with its diverse brands generating over $32 billion in global annual retail sales. This impressive figure is underpinned by an expansive retail footprint that spans more than 150 countries, encompassing over 13,000 freestanding stores and shop-in-shops, and reaching an astonishing 400,000 points of sale worldwide.
ABG's core mission revolves around transforming brands. This is achieved through the delivery of powerful storytelling, compelling content, innovative business models, and immersive experiences. The company is adept at creating and activating original marketing strategies that are meticulously designed to drive the success of its brands across every conceivable consumer touchpoint, platform, and emerging media channel. This forward-thinking approach ensures that ABG brands remain relevant, engaging, and profitable in an increasingly competitive global market. The company's commitment to elevating and building long-term value is evident in its ownership and strategic management of more than 50 consumer brands and properties.
The Authentic Campus Program: An Immersive Learning Experience
The Authentic Campus Program is a meticulously crafted, 10- to 12-week paid internship experience designed to provide students with a comprehensive immersion into ABG's cross-functional departments. This program goes beyond theoretical learning by exposing interns to all facets of driving a business within the brand management sector. The overarching goal is to foster an inclusive environment where interns can not only develop their professional skill sets but also build a strong network of peers, mentors, and friends. By linking academic theory directly to practical application, the program ensures that students gain a deep and nuanced understanding of the industry.
This program is an unparalleled opportunity for students to explore their potential outside the traditional classroom setting. Interns are given the chance to participate in distinct, high-impact projects that directly contribute to the success of ABG's vast and diverse brand portfolio. This hands-on involvement allows them to witness firsthand how strategic thinking translates into real-world outcomes. The program is particularly suited for students pursuing their bachelor's or master's degrees who possess a cumulative GPA greater than 3.0. ABG actively seeks out individuals who are results-oriented, resourceful, and intellectually curious self-starters, recognizing that these qualities are essential for success in their fast-paced organization.
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Why Choose an Internship at Authentic: Resources, Innovation, and Impact
The decision to pursue an internship at Authentic Brands Group is driven by a compelling combination of factors that set it apart from conventional corporate experiences. Interns at ABG gain access to the vast resources and considerable scale of a global industry leader. Simultaneously, they have the unique opportunity to leverage innovative technology and operate within a nimble, agile environment. This blend of stability and dynamism creates a fertile ground for growth and learning. As ABG articulates, "this isn’t your average day job." The company actively encourages a proactive and driven mindset, stating, "If you’re hungry to drive ideas into action and own your career, let’s chat."
The ABG team is characterized by its relentless pursuit of innovation, constantly working to evolve and define the future of its brands. This mission is accomplished with the invaluable assistance of some of the brightest minds in retail, marketing, licensing, legal, and numerous other fields. Together, they are building the critical intersection of digital and experiential marketing, a vital component in achieving ABG's ambitious goals. The overarching ethos at Authentic is to "reimagine, evolve, and transform brands!" This commitment to continuous improvement and forward momentum permeates every level of the organization.
Furthermore, Authentic fosters an inclusive workplace culture where diversity of thought and expertise are not just valued but are recognized as key drivers of competitive advantage. The global teams are comprised of "go-getters" who are encouraged to contribute unique perspectives and consistently push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. This collaborative and diverse environment ensures that a wide range of ideas are considered and that the company remains at the forefront of industry trends.
The Internship Experience: Diverse Roles and Real-World Contributions
Authentic Brands Group offers a variety of internship roles, each designed to provide specific, yet equally valuable, experiences. Two prominent examples are the Operations Summer Intern and the Authentic Studios Summer Intern, both running from June to August.
Operations Summer Internship: Ensuring Seamless Business Functionality
The Operations Summer Intern plays an integral role within the Operations team, providing crucial support for company-wide administrative tasks. This ensures that all business needs are met efficiently and effectively. The ideal candidate for this role is someone who is exceptionally well-organized, a dedicated team player, and possesses the initiative to proactively resolve operational challenges within a demanding, fast-paced environment.
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Interns in this role will gain hands-on experience in a broad spectrum of operational areas. This includes providing support in facility management, nurturing vendor relations, managing the onboarding and offboarding processes for employees, coordinating travel arrangements, and contributing to various other activities and initiatives that underpin the global operations of Authentic. A significant aspect of the role involves providing high-touch support to staff throughout the workday, ensuring that colleagues have access to the necessary resources and a comfortable working environment conducive to peak performance.
Key responsibilities also include preparing the office for company events, client visits, and meetings, both internal and external. The intern will assist the Facilities Manager with tasks related to the smooth operation of the New York City office. Support will be extended to the team in travel management, which encompasses monitoring global travel, conducting spend analysis, and engaging in rate negotiations with travel providers. A vital part of the role is assisting in the onboarding and offboarding process of global employees, ensuring a positive and efficient experience for all involved. Crucially, interns are expected to proactively seek out solutions and identify opportunities for process improvements, offering support on various projects as needed. This role may also involve assisting with Front Desk coverage, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to contribute wherever necessary. The core of the operations internship lies in problem-solving and troubleshooting, with an emphasis on providing creative and effective solutions.
To be considered for the Operations Summer Internship, candidates must be pursuing a bachelor's degree in a business-related field or possess equivalent experience. Proficiency with database systems and/or data entry is essential, as are excellent verbal and written communication skills. The ability to handle sensitive and confidential company and employee data with discretion is paramount. The role demands the capacity to multitask effectively and work efficiently, consistently delivering high-quality, detail-oriented work in a fast-paced setting. This internship is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are able to commit to working up to 20 hours per week, with a requirement to work onsite two days a week in the New York City office. The hourly rate for an undergraduate intern in New York is $18, and for a graduate intern, it is $22.
Authentic Studios Summer Internship: Crafting Content and Cultivating IP
The Authentic Studios Summer Intern, also a June to August program, offers a unique opportunity to delve into the world of premium content production. Authentic Studios is dedicated to producing high-quality original specials, television series, theatrical films, and live stage productions. These productions are based on ABG's extensive intellectual property (IP) portfolio, which includes over 55 major brands, the esteemed estates of icons like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Muhammad Ali, the renowned Sports Illustrated magazine, and strategic partnerships with living legends such as Shaquille O’Neal and David Beckham.
Interns in this role will gain exposure to all aspects of development, pre-production, and production. Reporting directly to the Studios President and working closely with the dedicated Authentic Studios team, interns are encouraged to "roll up their sleeves and learn all facets of our business." This immersive approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the content creation pipeline.
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The learning objectives are multifaceted and engaging. Interns will learn how to research, design, and create compelling pitch decks and treatments that are instrumental in attracting top content creators. They will gain insights into the process of pitching, packaging, and selling projects within the established Authentic model. A significant component of the internship involves a long-term project where interns develop and create their own project to pitch to the Authentic team, fostering entrepreneurial thinking and creative ownership.
Furthermore, interns will have the invaluable experience of attending meetings with top entertainment creators, executives, and producers, providing a direct view into industry negotiations and creative collaborations. They will have the opportunity to read early drafts of scripts for projects in production and compile insightful notes, as well as view early cuts of projects in post-production and provide editorial feedback. A critical skill developed during this internship is becoming an expert in script coverage, a fundamental requirement in the film and television industry. Interns will also learn how to meticulously track a significant number of projects across ABG's four distinct labels, honing their project management abilities.
The prerequisites for the Authentic Studios Summer Internship include a passion for entertainment and sports, and current enrollment in a university program. Interns must be able to commit to working up to 20 hours per week and be available to work onsite in the Beverly Hills office. Detail orientation is crucial, as is a willingness to take initiative and demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as is comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. The ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously is a must. Proficiency in deck design software such as Canva or InDesign, along with a strong command of the Microsoft Suite, are required. The hourly rate for an undergraduate intern in California is $18, and for a graduate intern, it is $22.
The Impact of the Internship Program: Preparing for Professional Success
The final project presentations, held on December 8 and 9, served as a powerful testament to the efficacy of the ABG internship program. Student groups presented their capstone projects to three judges from ABG, receiving valuable and constructive feedback. This culminating event underscored the program's commitment to practical application and professional development. The success of this program is made possible through the generous support of Nick Woodhouse, ABG’s President & Chief Marketing Officer, and Haley Steinberg, Vice President, PR and Corporate Communications. Both Woodhouse and Steinberg are distinguished members of LIM’s Fashion Industry Advisory Board, with Steinberg also being an LIM graduate, bringing a wealth of industry experience and a deep understanding of the institution's needs.
The winning team's proposal exemplified the innovative thinking fostered by the program. Their project envisioned a unique collaboration between Thomasville, an American furniture and home décor company renowned for its functional design, and the avant-garde fashion and furnishings designer Rick Owens. This ambitious partnership aimed to expand the established audiences of both brands, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of market synergy and brand extension.
Reflecting on the experience, one participant, Marino, stated, “I was primed to become a working professional and display my communication, research and development, digital design, and problem-solving skills.” This sentiment highlights the program's success in equipping students with a diverse array of essential professional competencies. She further concluded, "LIM has truly prepared me for the world in a practical way, between all my classes and club activities." This endorsement emphasizes the holistic approach of the internship, where academic learning is seamlessly integrated with extracurricular engagement and real-world application.
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