I've been working for several years as a controller in a company producing tv channels. I'd like to go more towards production of tv shows or films, of course using my strong basis and experience in finance. I'm interested either in working on a management position in a bigger company, or I'm considering to create my own company.

Should I go for a more general MBA, or something specialized in media production?

The MBA with the Media Management specialization is your best bet, if you're decisive on pursuing an advanced degree. In both of your aforementioned scenarios, you'll be continuously exposed to very broad management and operational development situations, for which the broad-based MBA will "better" prepare you, in comparative terms. This is especially if you're considering starting your own company.

Honestly, the most important factor here is work experience. If you can move yourself into an internship position or find exposure to that functional area in your place of employment, it would be more decisive in your long-term pursuit(s) than the actual degree. Based on my exposure to those I deem to be experts in broadcast TV and related, on the job training and experience are most important. The degree can help tremendously, but in optimal terms it should be accompanied by solid internship experience.

Most MS programs in Media Production are designed under the assumption that the applicant already has functional and some managerial experience, and wants to move into the more specialized area of media. You want to move into the management area of media operations, and someday potentially exercise the option of starting your own firm. Academically, you need a broad-based program that allows you to structure its course value around media management and entrepreneurship. The Fordham Business School's MBA program in Media Management is highly recommended, since the school is strongly positioned in Manhattan's broadcast media industry.

I will have a look at the Fordham MBA you mention.
So you would not advise a general MBA with one of the possible concentrations in Media Management, but a specialized MBA, do I understand you well?

I totally agree with your point about experience and job training conferring the necessary skills in the field of production. Academic degree will give you the general basis, but then the know how through practice is a must. There are almost no degrees preparing for specific jobs in the media industry - besides some exceptions, like my field (finance/controlling)

I'm basically referring to the difference between an MBA program with a Media Management concentration and an "MS" program in Media Management. The former is the more recommended. Also, I've garnered some opinions that I heard from people already working in the field about this exact subject, a while back. And again, the emphasis is on work experience, internships, and the like. Obviously, the MBA infrastructure is "in part" based on the areas of finance and accounting, and therefore will comparatively offer more degree options than the new academic area of media management. But if you want to do an MBA strictly in Media Management, then Fordham gives you the best option.

To be honest, until now I didn't consider the option to do an MS program. I think an MBA makes a lot more sense in my case.

Besides Fordham, can you name any good MBA program with a concentration in Media Management?

Thanks a lot G3XL for guiding me, very helpful!

In New York, besides Fordham, I know that Metropolitan College has an MBA program in Media Management, but be warned: Although it is a standard level program, it is not comparable to that of Fordham University. An exception to the current perception of MS programs (in your particular case) may be the MS program in Media Management at Syracuse's Whitman School of Management, which is pretty good. All this implicitly assumes that you are already in or going to New York, which is the question I should have asked earlier.

Sure, New york would be a good option! Othrewise I'd have pointed out..
I think NY can be very interesting for me in terms of contacts and networking, since there is a high density of companies in the field of media business.
Fordham sounds better, especially because i haven't heard about Metropolitan before. Does not seem to be a very repute school.

One more question about MBA vs. MS: With my background in finance I was always "naturally" inclined to do an MBA at some point in order to boost my career. Can an MS offer me anything comparable, prestige, job chances, higher income, alumni etc?

Your last question is a bit dicey. An MBA on average has far superior brand equity, and therefore better prestige. Job chances are comparatively better with an MBA relative to occupational pursuit(s) in broad markets. What this means is that in certain highly specialized fields, an MS might be comparatively advantageous. For example, in media management you're better off with an MBA, since work experience is top priority by a wide margin. In risk management, you're better off with an MS, for the reason that prospective employers in financial services and actuarial science know that a specialized MS degree gives far more in-depth training in the quantitative fields of risk and finance than the more broad-based MBA. In your situation, the MBA may have the advantage in higher income, while both degrees usually give one equal access to the same alumni network of the given institution. Fordham, I believe has both options.

Hope this helps

Thanks for the helpful explanations G3XL!

HI this is Dan,
You are naming some big schools like Columbia and NYU. However, in media Managment there is a small school in New York City, with a very weird following and great school program.

The Metropolitan College of New York, MBA in Media Managment.
4 reasons this school could be better than the big colleges! (1) Professor Stephen R. Greenwald, created the program. He has run movie production and distribution companies. Some of the films in which he has been associated include: Dune, Conan the Barbarian, Blue Velvet, Crimes of the Heart, Manhunter and Author, Author. He is presently CEO of Odyssey Pictures Corporation and teaches one of the classes.

(2) All students go to a 12 day study abroad trip to Europe. Destinations have included the Cannes Film Festival or London and Paris to learn about world media.

(3) The program is completed in one year, 3 semesters a year!

(4) I graduated from this program, and can tell you, It was the best experience of my life and I got hired for Sony Pictuers the moment I graduated.

check out
www.mcny.edu or
http://www.mcny.edu/business/mediastudyabroad.php?mystudy=media

Hello Dan,
Could you tell me a bit more about recruiting companies of this MBA in media management?
Thanks in advance! Jona

The Metropolitan College of New York MBA program is a waste of time and money. I can't believe they are still accredited. MCNY accreditation cheapens all higher learning facilities with legitimate accreditation. It's a business, not a school. All they care about is letting anybody enter as long as they have money or access to loans. Don't go there, or better yet, go there and tour the "campus" and decide for yourself. It's nothing more than a rip off factory that will take your money and hand you a worthless degree that will not help you get a job. Check out mcnymba(dot)com.

hi all, this is ria from india.. i wanna do an MBA in media mangmnt, but could you please tell me about universities in california offering this course? and what could be the fee structure? Also is it good to get an MBA in media mngmt or an MS degree

hi ria gaurav here
i m also looking for same is there a way we can connect to make communication fast
i m at [email protected]
thks hopin to hear from u
hope u would be agrt help