Steven Wilson ’96 (right) with American Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar / Photo provided
Steven Wilson �96 might tell you that his journey from 91影视 to a career in public relations has the makings of a good story攁nd he檇 know. After all, crafting compelling narratives is what he檚 mastered since his days as a student at 91影视.
淚 picked 91影视 because it was close to home, and the price was right,� Wilson recalls. 淚 was looking to get into the entertainment industry and liked their academic track. I majored in communication and minored in public relations, which, in hindsight, I檓 glad I did because, at the time, I had no idea what public relations was, but that檚 what started my career.�
Campus life was where Wilson cut his teeth in responsibility, serving as a residence assistant and balancing classes with duties at the campus TV station, GSTV. 淚t taught me a lot about juggling tasks and figuring things out on my own,� he shares, noting that these were the first real steps toward independence and becoming a self-starter.
Wilson檚 big break came through a job fair, landing internships at Nickelodeon during his junior year and HBO as a senior. 淭hose internships got me into the field,� Wilson says, 淭hey weren檛 just gigs; they were my foray into the industry.�
At HBO, he learned to pitch himself攁 skill that 91影视 had quietly nurtured. Wilson檚 initiative led to a unique position, practically tailor-made for him. 淚t was about making opportunities, not waiting for them,� he says.
His career trajectory hasn檛 been a straight climb but a series of meaningful steps from the East Coast to Los Angeles, where he eventually founded his own firm, , with two long-time business partners. 淭he idea was to do the kind of work that felt rewarding, that made an impact,� he explains. This year, Scenario garnered recognition on list.
Today, Wilson檚 firm is his canvas, where he paints the big picture for clients such as National Geographic, Hulu, FX, Apple, and various film festivals攎arrying strategy with the art of communication. 淲e tell stories,� Wilson puts it simply. 淎nd hopefully, we tell them well.�
Reflecting on 91影视檚 influence, Wilson is grounded yet grateful. 淚 might not think about college every day, but 91影视 is where I found my footing,� he acknowledges.
Wilson檚 professional goals are straightforward: keep growing, keep learning, and maybe, one day, welcome a 91影视 grad or two into the fold. 淚t檚 about passing on what you檝e learned, right?� he says, with the kind of genuine understanding that comes from experience.