People from New Jersey have a way of finding each other, even when they're 3,000 miles away from home.
So say four Jersey guys from Monmouth County who are now at the helm of ABC's programming, marketing and public relations operations: Mitch Messinger, 39, of Manalapan; Darren J. Schillace, 36, of Holmdel; Steve Kern, 38, of Marlboro, and Brad Jamison, 36, of Freehold Township.
Sure, they're big-time Los Angeles execs now, but they haven't forgotten where they came from: They scoff at the hair-gel and hook-up-crazy cast of MTV's "Jersey Shore." They aren't above bragging that they share a hometown with The Boss. And they sent each other shocked e-mails when Freehold landmark Jersey Freeze considered closing its doors (incidentally how they discovered Kern and Jamison were childhood friends at the local YMCA).
"We're all in meetings together all the time, and it's so funny that we're all from these neighboring towns," said Schillace, vice president of marketing strategy. "I always think of Monmouth County as this small, little picket-fenced place, but it's a small world. We tend to gravitate toward each other out here."
"We sniff each other out," joked Kern, whose mother, Lois Kern, now lives in Jackson and father, Marc Kern, is in Tinton Falls.
The foursome, whose stints with ABC range from five to nine years, works under the same roof at the network's corporate headquarters on Riverside Drive in Burbank, Calif.; they met through various business meetings and interoffice e-mails. But they say their beginnings in television can be traced back to their early years in Monmouth County.
As the network's publicity director, Messinger's job includes creating buzz for ABC's daytime lineup, soliciting media coverage and arranging actor tours -- a responsibility that requires him to rub elbows with the likes of soap star Anthony Geary, who plays Luke Spencer on "General Hospital," ABC's flagship soap. One of Messinger's most recent projects was promoting "Holidate," a SOAPnet life-swap reality series that premiered this summer.
Where did the TV bug bite him? At Howell High School's Fine and Performing Arts Academy, he says.
"Even when I was in the Drama Club at Manalapan High School, if I wasn't acting in the fall play or the spring musical, I was always in charge of publicity," said Messinger, whose parents, Barry and Lynda Messinger, now live in Little Silver. "And attending the performing arts school really focused me on the idea that I really wanted some type of job in television."
Jamison, vice president of corporate initiatives, oversees Disney/ABC's charitable giving and partnerships with nonprofits. Part of his job is pairing up celebrities from shows such as "Private Practice" and "Grey's Anatomy" to advocate for nonprofits including the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
But about two decades ago, you could find him volunteering at First United Methodist Church in Freehold and then-local cable station Channel 39, says Jamison, whose parents, June Ballew and Larry Jamison, live in Freehold Township.
"Now all of these years later, I get to combine those passions for television and entertainment and giving back," Jamison said. "I think I have one of the best jobs in television. I get to use the power of our brands and the resources we have to really make a difference in the lives of a lot of people."
Schillace, a Penn State graduate, oversees on-air, radio and Internet marketing strategies, such as a password-protected area of abc.com where fans can share clips of their favorite shows with friends. He sounds something like a proud dad as he counts off the networks' successes.
"Watching a little show like "Grey's' come out of nowhere and become one of the top five shows on TV; taking a show like "Lost' that was so different and really spend the time focusing on how to market it . . . having people talk about "Modern Family,' a truly funny original comedy, and quote jokes right back to me -- it's nice when people get attached to our shows and invite us back into their homes every week," Schillace said.
That doesn't mean the network hasn't seen its hard times, says Kern, vice president of program planning and scheduling, who uses market research to help determine when shows should air. The Dickinson College history major shifted gears and worked in television research for Sony Television, Warner Bros., and Fox Sports Net before his current post.
"Before the 2004-05 season, working at ABC was kind of hard; we were not doing so well," Kern said. "That fall, "Desperate Housewives' and "Lost' both premiered and changed our fortunes dramatically. Mid-season (2005), "Grey's' premiered, which was also sort of a game-changer for us. That was a pretty exciting time to be here."
He said network execs are now gearing up for the Jan. 21 premiere of "The Deep End," about young lawyers in Los Angeles, and the final season of "Lost" beginning Feb. 2.
It hasn't hurt having a support system of folks from back East, said Schillace, whose parents now live in Arizona.
"Once you know someone else is from Jersey you definitely have a connection -- there's certain common aspects of growing up there that you share with people -- favorite places to eat, funny stories or whatever the case may be," Schillace said.
Jamison agreed. He said he lives in Los Angeles with his partner of six years but still visits home a few times a year.
"And I still go to Jersey Freeze," he said with a laugh.
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Julia Hays 4:16 pm on December 31, 2009 Permalink |
I hope everyone remembers to drive slowly tonight, since the roads will be icy, and to use a designated driver if you’re attending any NYE celebrations.
Lisa S 2:25 pm on January 5, 2010 Permalink |
Seems as though the driver was a Whirling Dervish. (I can’t help myself.)
Seriously, I do wish Mr. Graziano a full, easy and quick recovery.