SMU-TV’s Ali Williams sat down with alum Lewis Henderson, CEO of Entertainment at The Marketing Arm, to get an inside look at how he was able to get to where he is today.

According to Henderson, the entertainment industry is tough for those who are just starting out. “The pay isn’t that great. The hours are horrendous,” he said.

After Henderson graduated from SMU, he moved out to Los Angeles and started working at the William Morris Agency in their mail room – which is a historic starting point at the firm. Although he started out at a low level, he worked his way up.

Henderson spent about 20 years at the agency, creating its first digital division and eventually becoming a Senior Vice President before transitioning to his current post at The Marketing Arm.

“It’s a long road,” Henderson said. “But once you get there the payoff is great.”

He said that since the industry is so competitive, everyone starts out at the same – low – level.

“You’re in the mail room. You’re an assistant. You’re a production assistant,” he said. “But then you go from answering phones for someone else to sitting in a room with famous directors,” and they are looking to you for advice.

His advice for college students looking to do what he does?

“You gotta give it five years,” he said.

And he’s living proof that if you stick with it, you’ll be able to go far.

Mustangs in the Media is an interview series with successful alumni in entertainment and media. New segments of the series air each Friday on SMU-TV’s Daily Update.