Applying creative interests to business and the classroom: the economics of entertainment

Glenn MacDonald started in the entertainment industry at age 4 and has been involved as a business professional and performing musician ever since.

Today, he runs a course on the business of entertainment at WashU Olin Business School—a course that is at the core of a minor that is available to undergraduates.

I’m very passionate about the both the business and creative side of entertainment.  

John MacDonald

MacDonald and two of his students discuss the content of the course and what they’ve gotten from it in this brief video. Students design marketing campaigns for artists, learn how to pitch movies and participate in a variety of other experiential exercises—while learning the nuts and bolts of accounting and contracts in the field.

“It’s nice to be able to do things that are fun and that you’re interested in and that you’re still getting a grade and learning from,” said Rob Hall, AS 2019.