Media Mogul In The Making: Meet Maureen Aladin

Media mogul in the making, Maureen Aladin. Photo provided by Aladin.

This week’s featured media mogul in the making is founder and executive producer of TWELVE18 Media, Maureen Aladin. TWELVE18 Media is a black-owned and operated production company creating stellar digital and broadcast content starring some of your favorite online influencers. Learn more about Maureen’s journey below.

You are a multi-talented individual dipping and dapping in a bunch of other expressive fields. So, what was it about journalism or media that piqued your interest?

“I have always been naturally drawn to creating content. The right-brained side of me needed an outlet, so I created my production company, TWELVE18 Media, to not only create content for myself but for future clients.” 

How did you get your start in the media field? Did you study communications in college? Internships? Hobby writing?

“I majored in political science in college, and received a masters in computer science, so everything I learned about production and new media, I learned by getting my feet wet and building my portfolio as a producer. I worked on film, television and digital projects. I did not do any internships, but I certainly paid my dues by working for free on various projects. It was taxing on my pockets, however, the experience I gained was priceless. 

As a writer, I am constantly crafting pitch decks, one sheets and corresponding with brands or sponsors. It is almost to a fault, as it becomes challenging to shift and find the time to work on all of my scripted ideas. I did, however, pen my first ebook called Nursing Mama Mantra. It’s a humorous and very real account of my experience nursing my baby as a new mom. The book is also filled with positive affirmations that I intentionally repeated as mantras to my little one while nursing.” 

Tell us how you built up your platform. What’s your mission/goals? Who’s your audience?

“TWELVE18 Media’s goal is to create original and branded content that makes a positive impact on its viewers through edutainment and laughter. We want our projects to evolve into ecosystems (think Disney), and the projects we are hired to produce –  to touch the hearts, minds and emotions of its viewers. 

Our platform is our community.  We have a growing base of people who love our original series like My Life Offline, Hello Fitness with Lita Lewis and Comida Caliente. Based on our current slate of content, our series attracts Black and Latina females.”

So far throughout your career, what has been your proudest personal media moment?

“My proudest personal media moment was sitting down with multiple networks and deciding to release our series My Life Offline online! The series received its first festival win from the Harlem International Film Festival in 2016. We also held a reunion at the YouTube Space NY sponsored by some of your favorite curly girl hair brands. The series was a labor of love that I am very proud of and look forward to resuming in 2021.” 

What advice would you give aspiring mediapreneurs looking to enter the field? 

“Pursue your passion(s) relentlessly. Time is short, so do it in fear. Don’t spend too much time in the lab, make a plan, execute and share your God given gifts with the world! It’s waiting on you!”

Connect with TWELVE18 Media on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the company. To view their latest work head over to their official website http://www.twelve-media.com/!

The Independent Entertainment Media Coalition is a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization dedicated to provided financial, educational, and professional resources for freelance media figures. Help in our efforts! To make a donation, please click HERE!

Media Mogul In The Making: Meet Driune Santana

Media mogul in the making, Driune Santana. Photo provided by Santana.

This week’s featured media mogul in the making is music and culture writer, Driune ‘SantanaTheJournalist’ Santana. Santana’s work has appeared on platforms such as JaGurl TV, True Hollywood Tea, Diamond KUT, and more. Learn more about Driune’s journey below.

You are a multi-talented individual dipping and dapping in a bunch of other expressive fields. So, what was it about journalism or media that piqued your interest?

“Thank you! I grew up being shy, honestly! However, it was something about the media that made me feel like I needed to be apart of it. I felt as if I had a voice and that I was that person who didn’t care about speaking my mind. Even if it gets everyone rowdy up about what I say, it needed to be heard. Storytelling is my niche and I enjoy creating content for readers to visualize things from my eyes.” 

How did you get your start in the media field? Did you study communications in college? Internships? Hobby writing?

“Back in 2015, I switched my major from Fashion Marketing with a minor in Dance to Journalism. Afterward, I landed a writing opportunity with a publication in Mississippi called “Southern Laced”. It was the first website that allowed me to build a writing portfolio and learning the ropes as an entertainment journalist. I conducted live interviews and even started a podcast under the same publication as well. Eventually, all good things sometimes come to an end. I was let go and I started to branch out to other publications with the little experience I had. I started writing for several publications like Plastiq Magazine, Baller Alert, JaGurl Tv, and HipHopWeekly at the time. I also started interning at a local radio station as well.”

Tell us how you built up your platform. What’s your mission/goals? Who’s your audience?

“Well, I really just started to network with a lot of people in my field. I was fairly new and I didn’t know anyone. I build my name around my work and the people I’ve written for in the past. My goal is to one day be a correspondent for several televised award shows and speaking events. My audience is anyone who loves music, entertainment, and culture.” 

So far throughout your career, what has been your proudest personal media moment?

“Honestly, my proudest personal media moment would have to be all of the opportunities that I have been blessed with over the past years. I thank God for blessing me with this talent that I have to share with others. People are coming to me and wanting to work with me. It’s an amazing feeling. People are reaching out to interview me and I feel so overwhelmed by it. Because in the beginning it was me trying to get people’s attention and now it’s the other way around. I’ll never take that for granted and I love sharing my story and my journey with others.” 

What advice would you give aspiring mediapreneurs looking to enter the field? 

“I would say stay humble. Stay true to yourself and do not be afraid of the word “No!” Learn to be patient and build relationships with whoever gives you an opportunity. Build relationships with whoever you meet in your field as well. Because people are watching you, they truly are and you never know who is reading your work. Wanting to reach out and working with you! Apply for several internships and gain experience. Make sure you retain as much information as possible. Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.” 

Connect with Driune Santana on Instagram to keep up with her!

The Independent Entertainment Media Coalition is a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization dedicated to provided financial, educational, and professional resources for freelance media figures. Help in our efforts! To make a donation, please click HERE!

Media Mogul In The Making: Meet Bee Papino

Media mogul in the making, Bee “Jersey Queen” Papino photographed by David Alexander.

This week’s featured media mogul in the making is CEO of Jersey Turnt Up Entertainment and We Are Jersey Magazine, Bee “Jersey Queen” Papino. Learn more about Bee’s journey below.

You are a multi-talented individual dipping and dapping in a bunch of other expressive fields. So, what was it about journalism or media that piqued your interest?

“When I first started Jersey Turn’t Up Entertainment with my business partner Daniel Banks, we had a passion for music. We threw events in Bergen County that were known to be a drama free zone for individuals to have fun while young as there were not many places for us to go. A lot of the attendees were upcoming artists and creatives. My business partner and I didn’t think much of it when people wanted us to play their music or perform at our events. We realized people needed a platform that allowed them to expand their reach and express themselves. As we expanded with our branch We Are Jersey Magazine we expanded from giving these opportunities to all niches of creatives where they could tell their story, as raw as they need.“

How did you get your start in the media field? Did you study communications in college? Internships? Hobby writing?

“I never studied media. I am self-taught in running my business. I felt being an entrepreneur was meant for me based on so many things I did and focused on when younger.”

Tell us how you built up your platform. What’s your mission/goals? Who’s your audience?

“My business partner Daniel Banks and I started with Jersey Turn’t Up Entertainment in 2012. Banks and the two other partners at the time were DJs, meanwhile I was the marketing/graphic designer. We did events all across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and more. We Are Jersey Magazine was started September 2014, meanwhile the Jersey Diamondz models began about March 2015.  Our company has expanded to our print shop Empyre9 as well. Our mission has always been to allow and help people to be themselves in all aspects of our services. We want individuals to grow, while our audience grows with us. Our audience has expanded since first began. Previously we had a college audience, but currently, we have almost all ages. We have all ages featured in the magazine, as well as previously done work with at local hospitals and non-profit organizations.”

So far throughout your career, what has been your proudest personal media moment?

“Our proudest moment thus far has been winning the Best in Entertainment Award by NJ Black Businesses in November 2019.”

What advice would you give aspiring mediapreneurs looking to enter the field? 

“Give it your all, and do what moves you.” 

Connect with Bee Papino on Instagram to keep up with her! Follow Jersey Turnt Up Entertainment on Instagram and We Are Jersey Magazine on Instagram.

The Independent Entertainment Media Coalition is a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization dedicated to provided financial, educational, and professional resources for freelance media figures. Help in our efforts! To make a donation, please click HERE!