Join us as we reconnect with Genevieve McGillicuddy, VP, Enterprises & Strategic Partnerships at Turner Classic Movies (TCM), to discuss her journey and the evolution of TCM's community engagement. We delve into the early days of TCM's online presence, the growth of message boards, and the impact of social media in building a passionate fan base. Genevieve shares insights on how TCM's fans have shaped the brand, the significance of in-person events like film festivals and cruises, and how the network adapted during the pandemic. We also touch on a remarkable story where legendary directors like Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Steven Spielberg intervened to support the TCM team during layoffs.

Links:

• Guest: Genevieve McGillicuddy
• Host: Kevin Micalizzi
• TCM (Turner Classic Movies)
• The Power of Cult Branding, by BJ Bueno
• The Film Foundation
• 92NY

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Click here to view the episode transcript.

Chapters

• (00:00) - Belong - Interview with Genevieve McGillicuddy
• (00:07) - Introduction
• (01:20) - Early Career at Turner
• (01:58) - The Early Days of Community
• (06:36) - Defining Classic Films
• (08:00) - Cult Branding and TCM's Unique Identity
• (10:40) - Expanding TCM's Reach
• (12:53) - Engaging with Fans
• (15:53) - TCM Events and Fan Interactions
• (18:11) - Continuous Feedback and Staff Experiences
• (21:44) - Reflecting on the Cruise Experience
• (22:39) - Challenges of Hosting the Festival
• (24:02) - Impact of the Pandemic
• (24:51) - Transition to Virtual Events
• (27:03) - The HBO Max Collaboration
• (29:34) - Return to In-Person Events
• (33:14) - TCM Layoffs and Community Support
• (40:17) - Future Plans and New Initiatives

Credits

Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.com.