Bridging Entertainment and Leadership
In March 2025, LMU graduate students from the Master of Entertainment Leadership and Management (MELM) program participated in an exclusive academic immersion at SoFi Stadium, made possible through the university’s ongoing partnership with the Los Angeles Rams.
The MELM program, a collaboration between LMU’s School of Film and Television (SFTV) and College of Business Administration (CBA), is strategically designed to provide students with a deep understanding of how productions are created, and the economic and cultural forces that shape the entertainment landscape across film, television, live events, and more. This immersive experience brought that mission to life, offering students direct engagement with professionals at the intersection of sports and entertainment.
The day began in the Rams Owners Suite where students engaged in a series of speaker sessions with top leaders from Hollywood Park, the NFL, Rams Studios, and SoFi Stadium.
Rams Immersion at SoFi Stadium
Adolfo Romero, vice president of event programming at Hollywood Park, and Jen Sandstrom, vice president of programming & book at Hollywood Park, opened the day with insights into event planning and booking strategies that balance global appeal with local community engagement.
Seth Dudowsky, head of music at the NFL, shared behind-the-scenes stories from managing Super Bowl Halftime Shows and celebrity partnerships across the league.
A live control room session featured Josh Mark, vice president of broadcast pperations & production, Misha Padilla, designer & programmer, and Joe Blanco, production manager & motion designer, showcasing the tech and storytelling behind game-day production.
From Rams Studios, Jory Hirsch, senior director of media talent, Rudy Galvan-Rivera, producer, and Brevin Townsell, manager of photography, explored how media, content, and storytelling power a professional sports brand.
Kim Cantor, vice president of partnership management, and Alec Spivack, senior director of partnership strategy, closed the day with a look into brand partnerships and the strategies that drive revenue and business development.
Students also enjoyed a private stadium tour, a photo opportunity with the Lombardi Trophy in the Rams Locker Room, and a working session to reflect on academic connections. The experience brought LMU’s interdisciplinary approach to life—connecting leadership theory to the fast-paced, collaborative world of sports and entertainment.