It’s Showtime with Moira Curran, ’02

Moira Curran, ’02, earned her B.A. in Communication with a minor in political science from Loyola. She holds a master’s degree in music business from New York University. Curran is the vice president of digital marketing and engagement with Showtime. In her role as vice president, she oversees digital marketing campaigns, partnerships, and the content for the network’s original series, documentaries, and specials. After splitting the distance between Los Angeles and D.C. for many years, Curran now calls New York City home.

Loyola magazine recently spoke with Curran about her work, the exciting challenges of working in the entertainment industry, and how she calls on the values of her Jesuit education in her work and life.

Describe your time at Loyola. Were you involved in any clubs or organizations?

I had a fantastic experience at Loyola, both personally and academically. I was a communication major and a political science minor, and I was active on campus. I sang with the Belles, played club lacrosse, attended and led retreats, and did a stint in Student Government Association my senior year. I also had the incredible opportunity to travel abroad to Bangkok as a junior, which remains a transformative experience in my life and in my view of the world.

Loyola plays a big part in my daily life through the friendships that I made there, particularly with a group of amazing women who have become family. Loyola gave me many great things, but they are the greatest.

Describe your career path. Did you immediately end up with the job you wanted after college?

When I graduated from Loyola, my career aspiration was to become a music publicist, combining my communication degree with a personal passion. I moved to New York, found an entry-level job in music publishing, and attended graduate school at night, pursuing my master’s in Music Business at NYU. Both were great experiences, but it was a time of transition in the music industry, and the near-term growth opportunities were limited.

I finished my M.A. and moved to a boutique public relations firm, but I didn’t feel a strong connection to the work—which was primarily in consumer goods. Entertainment was still calling to me, and when one of my early mentors introduced me to a growing word-of-mouth marketing company (which is what we called social marketing before it was called social marketing) in Washington, D.C., with an entertainment client base, I jumped at the chance. The rest, as they say, is history. I was at that agency for 10 years and eventually came to lead the entertainment team, working with clients across industries, but with a heavy emphasis on TV. From there, I transitioned to VP, Digital Marketing, at CBS Television Distribution… and now I lead Digital Marketing at Showtime.

What does your role as vice president of digital marketing and engagement with Showtime entail?

In my role at Showtime, I oversee digital marketing campaigns and partnerships, social marketing, digital CRM and multi-platform content for the network’s original series, documentaries, and specials.

I’ve been in digital, and in television, for the majority of my career—and one of the most challenging and exciting things about my job is that the digital landscape is incredibly dynamic and constantly changing. My team is always striving to innovate, evolve, and lean into new opportunities and platforms online, with the ultimate goal of building buzz, awareness, and excitement for our programming and fueling engagement among both potential audiences and our existing fans.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I’ve been back in New York for about two years, after splitting a decade between Los Angeles and D.C. I’m soaking up everything the city has to offer. I love going to Broadway shows, eating out across the city, and taking my dog for walks through Brooklyn. I’m also heavily invested in Boston sports, so on most weekends, you can find me aggressively rooting for one of my teams, regardless of the season.

How did Loyola help prepare you for your career?

I don’t think I would point to a single experience, but I really value what I received from my Jesuit education—particularly, the pursuit of truth, the encouragement of critical thinking, and the importance of community. My time at Loyola helped form a lens that I continue to apply in my professional life.

What piece of advice would you share with an upcoming Loyola student?

Identify and nurture mentorships, both at Loyola and beyond. Find a person or people who you respect, who inspires you, or who provides a unique perspective; their guidance and experience will be valuable as you evaluate what’s important to you professionally and how you want to move forward in your career. Invest in that relationship—and when you’re ready, pay it forward by acting as a mentor to others.

I’m excited that I’ll soon be joining the Loyola Connect program so that I can connect with students looking for career advice and opportunities in my field.