Her Story
About christine
Christine Manna serves as Executive Vice President of Home Entertainment at Bleecker Street in New York City. She has worked in film distribution since 1990, beginning after college with independent studios and progressing through roles in pay-per-view sales to hotels, home entertainment divisions, and digital distribution at about six companies. In her current position, Manna oversees the release of all films on home entertainment platforms, including marketing strategies, release dating, pricing, placement, partner management, and deals in AVOD and SVOD. She has a track record of elevating smaller studios by securing major-studio equivalent deals and recognition for their product. Manna credits her success to a persistent drive to never settle, to learn across business areas for a comprehensive view, and to keep pushing herself forward. She advises young women entering the field to push politely by networking on LinkedIn, reaching out to contacts, sending thank-you notes, and always interacting with others, noting that people are often willing to help.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with christine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think it's kind of just never giving up, and never just settling for what I'm currently doing, always wanting to push, and learn more in other areas of the business, and learning other things and being interested in other people's area of the business, so I can really have a full, well-rounded picture of what I'm doing, and what others are doing, and how it fits with what I'm doing, and just that never-ending desire to keep pushing myself.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I have two young professional daughters and I teach them to push, not in an obnoxious way, but get on LinkedIn, reach out to that person, don't be afraid to talk to people, and hit people up that you've known, and just put yourself out there. Send those thank you notes, and send a note congratulating someone. Just keep interacting with people, and pushing, and ask people what they do, and just always be talking to people. Don't be afraid of it because people are surprisingly like to help if they can.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Entertainment's very challenging because it's changing so quickly. You know, consolidation, and changing, and I think there is, I hate to say it, but a lot of ageism in entertainment, and I think that's an issue as well. But it's really changing. You gotta really keep on it. You can't step out even for a second.
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