Content strategist and media production leader Juliana J. Bolden is known for guiding the creation of digital products, social media strategy, and creation of TV/film/digital content for such brands as SCE, Wells Fargo, the Emmys, AT&T, the Image Awards, Grey Goose, BlackTree TV, and served on the 2016 Democratic National Convention Committee Specialty Media team.
An accomplished content producer, product developer and marketing operations whiz, Bolden is recognized for for running high quality, yet highly cost-efficient and scalable operations for commercial entities and nonprofit public advocacy organizations. Her passion for sports, fitness, and community wellbeing powers her work with the YMCA, where she serves as a board member for the newly-renovated, historical landmark Hollywood Y.
The Beginning: Power Rangers to Primetime Emmys and Beyond
Bolden began her broadcast television and digital career at ABC Family Channel/Disney, working on such programming as the ubiquitous Power Rangers series. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from San Diego State University, which appointed her to the School of Journalism and Media Studies Advisory Board in 2022. She is also a graduate of the renowned African American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI).
I jumped into the digital arena years ago largely to help our entertainment industry redefine ‘television’ as the programming itself – the content, not just the physical flat screens or ‘TV sets’ that sat in our living rooms.
Now, with the emergence of 5G networks and IoT (internet of things)-driven smart environments unlocking seemingly infinite ways to produce, deliver and consume all kinds of media, shaping what this very near-future of information and entertainment looks like is pretty exciting.
Following her Disney years, the San Francisco Bay Area native played a key role in creating Emmys.com (the Television Academy’s first consumer-facing website) in 2009.
Breaking New Ground: Bolden Changed the Red Carpet Game
Later that year, Bolden pitched and launched the Emmy Publications video/film production division—wowing viewers with rare, candid, behind-the-scenes moments in the Emmy Bash Photo Splash video series with such stars as Jon Cryer of Two and a Half Men; Breaking Bad faves Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul; Ed O’Neill, Sofia Vergara and the entire Modern Family ensemble; the beloved Loretta Devine of Grey’s Anatomy; Jon Stewart; Justin Timberlake and more.
She developed content teams which continued to break new ground, delivering real-time multi-platform red carpet coverage, exclusive behind-the-scenes series and feature packages for award-winning Emmy magazine, and video footage to such broadcast and online outlets as Access Hollywood and E! News.
Working alongside social media, marketing, and corporate sponsorship colleagues, she initiated the Academy’s first branded online content production—How to Make the GREY GOOSE® Emmy—a fun, tune-in driver, which features star costume designer Janie Bryant of Mad Men and inspires fans to bring some Governors Ball style and cuisine home to their own Emmy show viewing parties. Plus, she worked on the digital and editorial teams which made online voting a reality and expanded live-streamed programming, among other transformative initiatives.
“I jumped into the digital arena years ago largely to help our entertainment industry redefine ‘television’ as the programming itself—the content,” Bolden shared, “not just the physical flat screens or ‘TV sets’ that sat in our living rooms.”
“Now, we’re moving beyond 5G networks, enjoying IoT-driven smart environments, AI-powered marketing. We’re unlocking seemingly infinite ways to produce, deliver and consume all kinds of media. Working in these spaces — shaping what the present and future of integrated media looks like is pretty exciting.”
Road Ahead: Smart Storytelling, Even Smarter Media Infrastructure
She mentors and advises students, new graduates, and fellow tech and media professionals regularly on ways to shake off their fears of change and prepare themselves to tell stories and entertain consumers on platforms that do not exist on broad, consumer levels yet.
Lots of people remain nervous about technological evolution’s effect on audience measurement, advertising revenue and such—and understandably so, she observes. As storytellers, however, “it’s still our job to be fearless, yet smart while building value for brands and building great content-driven experiences for fans.”
As for her own personal roadmap? Applying her media and tech expertise across sectors–where every business has media concerns of its own to manage these days— and visualizing “what’s next” for storytelling platforms and media production infrastructures are her key motivators.
Community: Leading Through Service
An advocate for performing arts as well as sports and fitness, Juliana J. Bolden contributes time and expertise to the Hollywood Bureau of the NAACP, where she has been instrumental in the development of its digital footprint and consulted on corporate sponsorship and high-profile marketing activations.
A continuing member of the Television Academy (the Emmy Awards), Bolden was also welcomed into the Caucus of Producers, Writers & Directors in 2019 (alongside honorees Handmaid’s Tale creator Bruce Miller, Grey’s Anatomy star James Pickens, Jr., Bosch executive producer Eric Overmyer, Oscar-nominated producer Jonathan Sanger, Joseph “Rev Run” & Justine Simmons, acclaimed director-producer Paul Miller, and Emmy-winning producer Gary Smith) for her innovations in the way red carpets and awards shows are covered and for elevating the digital entertainment and information game.
In 2020, she scored a huge California state legislative win, serving as a co-leader of California Freelance Writers United (CAFWU), the key political advocacy organization which helped to author and pass State Assembly Bill 2257. This pivotal bill changed and removed an array of freelance writer, musician and other small business restrictions (which were wiping out opportunities as a result of the 2019 passage of AB 5), while protecting union staff positions.
She has mentored aspiring broadcast journalists for the Associated Press Television-Radio Association (APTRA) Academy, served as an Advisor for Silicon Beach @USC, and is a featured guest panelist and moderator at industry events.
In 2023, she hosted a special fireside chat with California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber for SCE Networkers and the Edison International PAC (EIPAC) and continues to help the UCLA Anderson Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports deliver top-tier tech and sports business conferences.
