Staff Spotlight: Wendy Plaut
Each week, I will be interviewing a different staff member at MTV so that I can share their story with you guys! One question I get a lot is "How can I work for MTV?" and I hope these ongoing interviews will show you the many different positions that go into making MTV work, as well as how some great people here got their start.
Recently, I got the chance to speak with Wendy Plaut, the VP of Studio Relations and Celebrity Talent. She's in charge of booking celebs for a ton of MTV shows, and tells us how (though she gets to meet fabulous stars), it's definitely a lot of hard work. Read the full interview below:
What is your position at MTV?
I’m the VP of Studio Relations and Celebrity Talent. I handle all celebrity bookings for MTV channels, which includes MTV, MTV2, MTVU and MTV.com. I also work with marketing and sales teams around media promotions that involve talent.
I’m the VP of Studio Relations and Celebrity Talent. I handle all celebrity bookings for MTV channels, which includes MTV, MTV2, MTVU and MTV.com. I also work with marketing and sales teams around media promotions that involve talent.
Very cool! So what are your primary responsibilities?
It depends on which show I’m working on. Most of the time, I work directly with the show producers to brainstorm possible celebrity bookings and determine the best fit for their creative ideas. I reach out to those celebrities’ agents, managers, or publicists and pitch them the idea to see if they are interested and available to participate. I also handle all of the logistics (location, schedules, scripts, etc) associated with each celebrity booking.
It depends on which show I’m working on. Most of the time, I work directly with the show producers to brainstorm possible celebrity bookings and determine the best fit for their creative ideas. I reach out to those celebrities’ agents, managers, or publicists and pitch them the idea to see if they are interested and available to participate. I also handle all of the logistics (location, schedules, scripts, etc) associated with each celebrity booking.
Do you pitch them new shows or existing shows? Can you give an example?
It’s usually existing shows. For example, I’m booking The Seven right now, which is our new daily show, and most of those bookings happen because the talent is promoting a movie, book, TV show, fashion line etc. and they are in promotion mode.
It’s usually existing shows. For example, I’m booking The Seven right now, which is our new daily show, and most of those bookings happen because the talent is promoting a movie, book, TV show, fashion line etc. and they are in promotion mode.
What’s a typical day like for you?
It’s not as glamorous as one might think! I come into the office and have probably 100 emails to go through—from producers, movie studios, publicists, etc. There are lots of phone calls and meetings, but the highlight is definitely when I get to go to a movie screening during the day!
It’s not as glamorous as one might think! I come into the office and have probably 100 emails to go through—from producers, movie studios, publicists, etc. There are lots of phone calls and meetings, but the highlight is definitely when I get to go to a movie screening during the day!
Fun! So how did you start at MTV?
I’ve been at MTV since 1997 when I started as an intern! I’ve always loved MTV, it’s where I always wanted to work. I was in News in Specials—now News and Docs—which I totally loved. The minute I came here, I felt like I fit and I loved what I was doing and contributing to. I just loved being a part of something that meant something to me, even in the smallest way, like getting a coffee for a producer! I went to college in New York City so I was able to intern throughout the school year.
I’ve been at MTV since 1997 when I started as an intern! I’ve always loved MTV, it’s where I always wanted to work. I was in News in Specials—now News and Docs—which I totally loved. The minute I came here, I felt like I fit and I loved what I was doing and contributing to. I just loved being a part of something that meant something to me, even in the smallest way, like getting a coffee for a producer! I went to college in New York City so I was able to intern throughout the school year.
So how did you go from intern to staff member?
I started as an assistant to the department head in News and Docs. It came really easy to me and I enjoyed doing it. I knew that was a better path for me than being a production assistant because I knew my end goal wasn’t to be a producer. I decided to take the job as an assistant and see where it would take me!
I started as an assistant to the department head in News and Docs. It came really easy to me and I enjoyed doing it. I knew that was a better path for me than being a production assistant because I knew my end goal wasn’t to be a producer. I decided to take the job as an assistant and see where it would take me!
Sounds like it was a good decision! Where did you go from there?
Well while I was working as an assistant, I asked my boss if I could work on the MTV Movie Awards with the Head of Celebrity Talent at the time. I was so excited when she agreed to let me go to LA for a week. When I came back, I said “This is my calling. This is what I want to do.” My boss gave me the chance to book one of her shows, called “MTV Uncensored.” It was a two hour special, and she said “these are the people we want to book, but you are still my assistant and have to maintain those duties. This is extra work, but I’m giving you a chance.” I worked day and night, writing pitch letters, figuring out ways to get in touch with the right people.
Well while I was working as an assistant, I asked my boss if I could work on the MTV Movie Awards with the Head of Celebrity Talent at the time. I was so excited when she agreed to let me go to LA for a week. When I came back, I said “This is my calling. This is what I want to do.” My boss gave me the chance to book one of her shows, called “MTV Uncensored.” It was a two hour special, and she said “these are the people we want to book, but you are still my assistant and have to maintain those duties. This is extra work, but I’m giving you a chance.” I worked day and night, writing pitch letters, figuring out ways to get in touch with the right people.
Wow! Who did you end up booking?
I booked Jenny McCarthy, Dan Cortese, Janeane Garofalo and Cindy Crawford. I was also able to secure time with Ben Stiller at a movie junket! That’s when she said “Okay, maybe you can do this, and maybe you can do this just for our department.” My boss was really focused on creating a position for me as the Talent Coordinator. After being an assistant for a year and a half, I was promoted to coordinator.
I booked Jenny McCarthy, Dan Cortese, Janeane Garofalo and Cindy Crawford. I was also able to secure time with Ben Stiller at a movie junket! That’s when she said “Okay, maybe you can do this, and maybe you can do this just for our department.” My boss was really focused on creating a position for me as the Talent Coordinator. After being an assistant for a year and a half, I was promoted to coordinator.
What advice would you give to someone who wants your type of position?
My advice is to intern! I credit my internship for where I am right now. I look back at so many kids I went to college with, who didn't intern, and none of them work in this field. It took a lot of time, hard work, and perseverance to get where I am now. I had to prove that I could take on more than what my title might have suggested, and in the beginning it wasn’t easy.
My advice is to intern! I credit my internship for where I am right now. I look back at so many kids I went to college with, who didn't intern, and none of them work in this field. It took a lot of time, hard work, and perseverance to get where I am now. I had to prove that I could take on more than what my title might have suggested, and in the beginning it wasn’t easy.
What’s the best part of your job?
I’m a fan just like anyone else! Of course I get a little star struck when I’m next to Robert Pattinson at the Movie Awards. The best part of this job is to be a fan and get to meet people in a professional setting and have them live up to or exceed your expectations.
I’m a fan just like anyone else! Of course I get a little star struck when I’m next to Robert Pattinson at the Movie Awards. The best part of this job is to be a fan and get to meet people in a professional setting and have them live up to or exceed your expectations.
So true! I’ve noticed that too. What’s you proudest accomplishment?
This year’s MTV Movie Awards! It was great to be in an executive role and have the opportunity to be an integral part of the show’s booking process.
This year’s MTV Movie Awards! It was great to be in an executive role and have the opportunity to be an integral part of the show’s booking process.
You don't have a team to help you?! It’s just you?
I don’t handle the music, but I booked every celebrity involved in the show, including the short films and promos. I had two coordinators who helped me every step of the way. I worked very closely with the executive producers—which was really fun and challenging all at the same time. There is no greater satisfaction than working that hard and having it all pay off.
I don’t handle the music, but I booked every celebrity involved in the show, including the short films and promos. I had two coordinators who helped me every step of the way. I worked very closely with the executive producers—which was really fun and challenging all at the same time. There is no greater satisfaction than working that hard and having it all pay off.
Who were some of the biggest names that showed up?
Sandra Bullock was huge! It was her year, and the timing was perfect. I was almost moved to tears when she confirmed! The MTV Movie Awards was my favorite award show to watch as a kid, so everything truly came full circle for me. It was a beautiful moment.
Sandra Bullock was huge! It was her year, and the timing was perfect. I was almost moved to tears when she confirmed! The MTV Movie Awards was my favorite award show to watch as a kid, so everything truly came full circle for me. It was a beautiful moment.
MTV
xoxo
Carrie
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