New York – May Member of the Month, Carryl Pierre-Drews, Vice President, Marketing Fullscreen

Hometown

Reside in New York City but originally from Toronto, Canada.

Former or current job title/company.

Vice President, Marketing Fullscreen

Describe your career journey.

Creative at the core. As a double major in dance and advertising/communications, I was destined to be in the entertainment industry. I started my career marketing the biggest live events in the world at Ticketmaster, worked my way through the music industry, radio, and eventually landed in TV at MTV developing integrated marketing for the VMAs and Movie Awards before moving on to USA Network where I drove the brand marketing partnerships for hit original series including Suits where I had the pleasure of meeting the future princess, Meghan Markle. Now at Fullscreen, I’m at the intersection of digital creators and social media where I’m responsible for developing positioning and creating multi-channel ways to tell the Fullscreen story as a leading authority on the social-first generation enabling brands to deeply understand and connect with their consumers on an emotional level. The fact that I get to help creators live their daydream is so inspirational.

Which three words would you use to describe your personality? 

Driven. Connected. Passionate.

Name a woman who inspires you and why?

Misty Copeland. As a bi-racial woman who also loves ballet, I totally identify with Misty’s struggle to be recognized in her industry, seeing that there wasn’t a lot of representation and wondering if she’d make it. I was so inspired when she made history as the first black prima ballerina at ABT. She persevered in the face of adversity. I like to think I possess the same drive to keep moving forward no matter the circumstances in the hopes of having my own “first” someday.

What are you involved in with She Runs It?

At She Runs It, I’ve worked on our communications architecture and content strategy with my fellow board members and I am a liaison to the Programming committee. I also championed the IDAC partnership inside of Fullscreen making sure that we have a seat at the table in driving the conversation around inclusion forward in an industry that we all know needs to evolve.

Previously, I worked on defining the benefits of membership at various levels – young exec, mid exec and the launch of the Executive Class membership level including creating the “C-suite Meet” – an intimate interview style event where C-level women in of our industry share their story with members.

Why do you think it is important for women in the industry to give back as mentors?

I think there’s a big difference between mentorship and sponsorship. While both are beneficial to success, I would say that sponsorship is what women need the most and what we as women need to do for those women who we see are rising stars to help them reach their potential. I’ve only had one official mentor and that was through She Runs It in 2002 and he (yes it was a man) gave me actionable advice that helped propel my career forward at an extremely pivotal time and for that, I am very grateful. I have been both mentor and sponsor to many women in the industry and find the experience extremely rewarding as I have remained close to many of these women.

What do you enjoy most about being a board member of the organization?

I enjoy the opportunity to be actively involved in the change we are making in our industry. In the past 17 years since I have been a She Runs It member (5 1/2 of which have been on the board) we have accomplished so much and have made incredible strides in elevating the conversation around gender equality. I’m really proud of the work I get to do with this amazing group of female leaders.

What advice would you give to fellow new members in making the most of their membership?

Join this organization and you will not regret it. You will meet your friends, colleagues, future boss or employees. Join a committee where you’ll have so much fun working alongside some of the most talented people in the industry who all have the same mission — paving the way for women to succeed in our industry. If you want to be a part of the solution, She Runs It is the place to be.