Title:GEMA Externship: Where Are They Now? Lydia McMahon (C’20)

Lydia McMahon (C’20) is a Publicity Manager at Hulu Originals, where she leads campaigns for Emmy-nominated series including Only Murders in the Building, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and Paradise. She specializes in PR and marketing strategy, talent relations, and elevating culturally impactful storytelling.

What was your first “big break” into your industry? Or, what is the most significant experience you have had that has made your success possible?

My big break was a summer internship at Hulu Originals after sophomore year. I was hired in part thanks to my experience as PR Manager of the Georgetown Phantoms, where I had marketed the DC A Cappella Festival. That summer, I worked on the second season of The Handmaid’s Tale and saw firsthand how storytelling could shape culture, solidifying my passion for entertainment and driving me to switch my major from Biology to American Studies. Through this internship, I built relationships that ultimately brought me back to Hulu full-time after graduation.

What was your first job?

In high school and early college, I thought I wanted to be Meredith Grey from Grey’s Anatomy; I majored in biology and interned in oncology and neurology departments at hospitals in California. While my career ultimately pivoted from being in medical dramas to marketing them, those early lessons in STEM (from quantitative skills to bedside manners) still shape how I approach strategy and talent relations today.

What do you do in your job now? What is your favorite part of your current position?

I am a Publicity Manager at Hulu Originals, based out of Disney’s New York office. I lead PR campaigns for tentpole series including Only Murders in the Building, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and Paradise. My favorite part of the job is collaborating with Disney task forces, talent, and creators to uncover the hook that makes a show culturally relevant—and then seeing those ideas translate into millions of viewers.

What was the externship experience like for you? Did it have an influence on your career/help kickstart your career?

The externship was definitely influential and gave me my first window into what careers in entertainment could look like. It provided a playbook for how to network, pitch myself, and think strategically about where I wanted to fit in the industry. I’ll never forget that fateful week in March 2020—it began with office visits, shifted midweek to coffee shops and elbow bumps, and ended with COVID shutdowns and toilet paper stockpiles at bodegas. Through it all, I credit GEMA for keeping the week on track; that shared experience certainly bonded our group of externs, and many of us still stay in touch today.

What part(s) of the Externship did you find most valuable?

The breadth of exposure was invaluable—in a single day, we might meet ad executives, music lawyers, and talent bookers. It showed me there isn’t one “right” way into the industry. That perspective informs my own mentoring through GEMA now: I always encourage students to read industry news and pay attention to larger industry trends. 

What was your experience like attending Georgetown? Were there any particularly formative experiences that were special to you?

One of my most formative experiences was with the Phantoms, where I served as PR Manager, Business Manager, and President. That community gave me leadership experience and unforgettable opportunities—from singing at the White House to walking a bride down the aisle to organizing a week-long tour to California. It taught me how to balance creativity with organization, a skill I use daily in publicity and marketing at Hulu. 

What’s your advice for an undergraduate trying to break into your industry? Is there anything you would tell your younger self now?

Read the trades, listen to industry podcasts, and stay current; being able to point to a campaign or series that you think worked (or didn’t) is a huge differentiator. I’d also tell my college self to take some film studies classes. I wish I knew more of the technical side of the business—even just learning photoshop is helpful! 

Name someone in your career who has been a valuable mentor or role model to you and why?

It’s hard to choose just one—I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by an incredible group of women at Disney, many of whom began their careers as publicists and rose into leadership across the company. Their guidance has pushed me to think bigger, advocate for myself, and see the value of growing within an organization. 

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