Donna Thomas, executive vice president, Vubiquity talks to TVBEurope about how nurturing an early entrepreneurial streak paved the way for her career
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: March 26, 2025 Updated: March 27, 2025
Donna Thomas, executive vice president, Vubiquity talks to TVBEurope about how nurturing an early entrepreneurial streak paved the way for her career
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
Talk us through an average day in your role No day is the same in my role, which is one of the reasons that I love what I do! Much of my time is spent in the field with our studio partners. It could be lunch discussing upcoming production schedules or locked in a conference room whiteboarding solutions to meet challenging upcoming launch dates.
Vubiquity is a team environment, so much of my time is spent cross-functionally with my operation and product development counterparts. We are in lockstep when it comes to meeting our objectives of providing world-class service to our customers, and we work together on the company's product roadmap and strategic direction.
Donna Thomas, executive vice president, Vubiquity I also feel allocating time to my team's development is essential. In this post-Covid world, finding mentorship or even a senior in the office to look to for advice is much more challenging. I've given this much thought lately and have committed to stewardship in my role. I had great role models and nonofficial mentors who helped me grow in my career, and I see that this new hybrid office/home environment is lacking. So, I try to allocate part of my day/week to be available to my team or anyone in my company looking for a sounding board.
How did you get started in the media industry? I was still in college and got a 20-hour-per-week temporary position at Discovery Networks in the satellite office in Atlanta, GA. Three weeks into that job, they told me they were closing the office and moving back to Maryland.
When I'm asked about this time in my life now, I say this is one of the most defining moments of my life. I just knew that I had to go with them to Maryland to have the life I wanted. So I asked my boss of three weeks, Kim Martin, to move me too. She laughed and said, You don't work here; you are a temporary employee. I don't remember exactly what I said, but I told her that I wanted to work for her, that I would never let her down, and that she would not regret it. A part of me thinks she saw some of herself in me. We were both beauty queens from South Georgia.
She fought for me to be hired as her administrative assistant. They paid to relocate me to Maryland, and within six years, I was senior vice president of affiliate sales and marketing.
What training did you have before entering the industry? The only training I had before getting that temporary position at Discovery Networks was a Word Perfect and Lotus 123 class. I know, hilarious right?
Why do you enjoy working in the industry? I love everything about our industry. It marries two of my great loves: TV/Movies and sales.
I made my first sale when I was 5 years old. My mother and I were at a gas station, and I asked her for $1 for some candy. She told me no. When I got home, I sat down at my desk and wrote a poem. I then put on my best Sunday dress and my patent leather Mary Janes, and walked down to Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson's house. They were an older couple that lived in my neighbourhood. I knocked on the door, and Mrs. Feguson answered. I said, Hi Mrs. Ferguson, I've written a poem for you and Mr. Ferguson. She said, How lovely. Bill, come to the door. Donna has written us a poem. When he got to the door, she said, Go ahead and read it, to which I responded, That will be one dollar.
TV and movies have been my escape since I was little. I didn't know it was my dream to work in the industry, but I'm lucky to do what I love. I'm also a writer and comedian, so it's a gift to serve my clients by day and fuel my creative interests in my free time.
What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a role similar to yours? The advice I would give is twofold. First, if you can get your foot in the door in your desired role, you should work harder than anyone else. Always raise your hand for new projects, volunteer to work on that team, and, to quote my father, leave the campground better than you found it. Those are table stakes.
Second, find a company that values the gifts that YOU bring to the table. Discovery was a company that valued hard work, scrappy fighters and an entrepreneurial spirit. That was me. Had they valued Wharton/Harvard MBA recruits (for example) then I wouldn't have been a fit and wouldn't have been able to thrive like I did. I think it's critical to find the right company fit, especially in your early years. It can make the difference in having just a job vs. finding the role of a lifetime.
Bonus: Give back. The Thomas Angel Foundation, which I founded in 2001, was initially dedicated to empowering young women from my hometown of Warner Robins, GA, through education. In 2012, the Foundation partnered with the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. Our mission focuses on providing scholarships to talented and deserving young women pursuing careers in the entertainment industry. As a woman working in media and entertainment, I wanted to create a programme that not only offers financial support but also fosters opportunities for women pursuing their passions in our field. I'm proud to say that in the last 20+ years we've given away hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to women pursuing careers in the media industry.
The foundation's mission has always been to support women in the performing arts and foster a sense of community. During my car
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
01/10/2026
RT is proud to continue its commitment to supporting and celebrating the arts across Ireland this October, highlighting a vibrant programme of theatre, music, ...
30/09/2026
Add an envelope generator to any plug-in
Sync Audio's latest creation is a handy utility plug-in that can be used to combine and modulate other effects ...
30/09/2026
All-analogue tape-style drive joins Series A
Strymon's reputation was built on their digital knowhow, so many were surprised (and intrigued) when they a...
30/09/2026
Two new expansion packs released
Sonuscore have just introduced two new expansion packs for The Pulse, its production engine instrument for modern cinematic...
30/09/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
30/09/2026
New Solution Expands Harmonic's Network Intelligence Portfolio and Brings Comcast-Developed Fiber Monitoring Technology to Broadband Operators, Providing Re...
30/09/2026
How to Shop Well Now starts Monday at 9.35pm
on RT One and RT Player
On the...
29/09/2026
Two new plug-ins launch alongside updated bundles
Zynaptiq have just announced the launch of two new plug-ins, alongside new and improved versions of two of...
29/09/2026
All-in-one bus processor revealed
Wes Audio's ng product range has come a long way since it was first introduced, and now includes a tasty selection of ...
29/09/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
29/09/2026
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN, OR AT ANY ADDRESS IN, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ITS TERRITO...
29/09/2026
We tend to think we live in a digital world, with hopes and fears around artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, data centres and the next big technolo...
29/09/2026
Today, in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Apple relea...
29/09/2026
Final Cut Camera, the professional filming app for iPhone, receives a major upda...
29/09/2026
RT lyric fm is proud to announce the annual Choirs for Christmas competition callout. Warm up those vocal chords and join us on RT lyric fm for a celebration ...
28/09/2026
EQ plug-in can now be played via MIDI
Scaler Music have recently released a new and improved version of their patented musical EQ plug-in, kitting it out wi...
28/09/2026
New synth developed in collaboration with philterSoup
Boutique effects pedal and Eurorack manufacturer Animal Factory Amps have announced that the new compa...
28/09/2026
Rohde & Schwarz adds an integrated multi-channel pulse analysis option to its FS...
28/09/2026
Monday 28 September 2026
Sky launches Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps for millions of homes
Sky has launched a new Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps product, rolling out from today, gi...
28/09/2026
Arvato Systems Highlights It's Role for Automotive Manufacturers and Suppliers
TISAX
Arvato Systems has successfully completed the TISAX Level 3 assess...
28/09/2026
Crimecall, presented by Carla O'Brien, returns tonight for a brand new series at 9.35pm on RT One and RT Player.
In tonight's episode, alongside appe...
28/09/2026
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS AT THE HEART OF NEW IRISH WRITING
LIVE FROM POETRY IRELAND, DUBLIN AND ON RT RADIO 1 FROM 7PM
DETAILS: www.rte.ie/writing | FOLLOW: #r...
27/09/2026
New compact pedal packs in 120 effects
The latest multi-effects pedal from Boss is a compact unit that promises to give any pedalboard a massive boost in s...
26/09/2026
Launched alongside three new expansion packs
In celebration of their 30th anniversary, Native Instruments have released a major update for their Maschine 3 ...
25/09/2026
Algorithm update & new DVA vibrato-detection engine
A new flagship version of Antares' iconic pitch-correction software has arrived, and along with a co...
25/09/2026
New flagship unit to arrive in early 2027
Two notes Audio Engineering have revealed that a new and improved version of their hugely popular reactive load bo...
25/09/2026
AI-free mixing tool gets an upgrade
Launched in October 2025, Tim Exiles Finalist is an algorithmic mixing tool that's been designed for those who don&#...
25/09/2026
Rohde & Schwarz Mobile Test Summit 2026 puts the spotlight on 6G - registrations...
25/09/2026
In our latest blog, Tim Pearson reflects on IBC 2026 and considers the main learnings against an industry that saw AI finally coming out of the labs and into pr...
25/09/2026
Friday 25 September 2026
How to watch an unmissable weekend of women's football on Sky Sports and NOW
Sky Sports and NOW will broadcast seven live games f...
25/09/2026
Friday 25 September 2026
YAGA trailer released, coming exclusively to Sky and N...
25/09/2026
Watch this space: a new strategic direction for UK media. Arqiva has submitted its response to the Governments Green Paper on the future of television distribut...
25/09/2026
Want to be part of this year's Late Late Toy Show?
Final call for applications in search for this year's stars
The most wonderful night of the year is...
24/09/2026
The next generation of multitrack recording for live sound
The latest version of Waves' dedicated live multitrack recording software delivers an array ...
24/09/2026
An idea machine for musicians
Described as an idea machine for musicians , the latest addition to Polyend's growing collection of guitar pedals combin...
24/09/2026
Alignment tool gains multitrack layout
Synchro Arts have just launched the latest version of their renowned time-alignment plug-in, and it's said to be ...
24/09/2026
Synth gains DAW Control & Ctrl-e integration
Expressive E have just released a major firmware update that brings some interesting new features to the Osmose...
24/09/2026
Rohde & Schwarz expands its system amplifier portfolio with the R&S SAM200 for a...
24/09/2026
September 24, 2026
The Hitachi Startup Challenge FY26 invites innovative startu...
24/09/2026
Download Now!
To receive a short case study showcasing NHK Technologies, Inc. (NT) s audio setup, please enter the following details:
--
First Name* Fir...
24/09/2026
LUXEMBOURG, September 24, 2026 - SES, a space solutions company, has commenced construction of a new satellite manufacturing facility in Kockelscheuer, Luxembou...
24/09/2026
Thursday 24 September 2026
Sky Mobile named Best MVNO at the Mobile Industry Aw...
24/09/2026
London, 24th September 2026: UKTV has commissioned an eighth series of Canal Boat Diaries (8x60') for U (u.co.uk) and U&YESTERDAY, with waterways explorer R...
24/09/2026
Reinaldo Marcus Green, director of six-time Academy Award-nominated King Richard...
24/09/2026
From the buzz of your phone when a message arrives to surgeons being able to feel' the patients they are examining from hundreds of kilometres away, these ...
24/09/2026
As Q4 approaches, retailers enter the most critical sales window of the year the golden quarter.
Stretching from October through December, this period encomp...
Donna Thomas, executive vice president, Vubiquity talks to TVBEurope about how nurturing an early entrepreneurial streak paved the way for her career
