SPOTLIGHT: Julianna D’Urzo

Seasoned Media Professional

Written by Michelle Jordan

Julianna D’Urzo is a seasoned media professional with experience spanning broadcast, digital, and commercial content. From launching network shows at CNN and NewsNation to producing campaigns for global brands including Pepsi, Sephora, and the NHL, her work reflects a dynamic career across multiple facets of the media industry. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Julianna is now based in New York City.

As a member of New York Women in Communications (NYWICI), Julianna values mentorship, professional community, and continuous learning as she navigates the fast-paced and ever-evolving media landscape.

Could you share a bit about your professional background and what motivated you to join New York Women in Communications?

Julianna started her career in the entertainment and media industry with Variety magazine. Early on, she completed several internships to better understand her interests and career focus. Originally from Toronto, Canada, she earned her bachelor’s degree in media production and worked in television. She was first drawn to the media industry after excelling in a digital media class in high school, which led her to pursue an undergraduate degree in Media Production and internships with national television networks and magazines across both the Canadian and U.S. markets.

While working with Variety, Julianna was involved in film festivals, including one in France, which strengthened her desire to work in the U.S. market. She later earned a master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University, where she also taught while continuing her work with Variety and participating in another film festival in Toronto.

At that point, Julianna realized she needed to decide whether to build her career in Los Angeles or New York, and her heart was in New York. She finished graduate school during COVID-19, when the world was shutting down, and the job market was extremely tough. Julianna moved back to Toronto and began working in commercial production, creating global campaigns for brands like Pepsi, Sephora, and the NHL.

Julianna later joined CNN+ as part of a small launch team and was the only international candidate. She worked with a small team for eight months to help build the platform. Julianna had just three weeks to accept the offer, find an apartment, and move to the United States (all while borders were closed). She relocated to New York, sublet an apartment, and remained optimistic, having managed everything remotely from Toronto. Two weeks after the launch, CNN+ was acquired by Discovery, and she was laid off. What followed was a pivotal moment: she pivoted professionally, pursued her next opportunity, and navigated the complexities of immigration.

That experience highlighted just how challenging and unpredictable the communications industry can be. Early in her career, Julianna did not fully understand how non-linear the field truly is. Unlike industries with more traditional, structured paths where professionals hold specific roles for set periods of time, the communications industry does not offer a clear roadmap. Instead, it requires continuously seeking opportunities, building momentum, and staying proactive.

She connected with New York Women in Communications (NYWICI) through her colleague, Beth Feldman, who sits on the NYWICI board and is now the current president. NYWICI immediately stood out as an organization where she could connect with women at different stages of their careers, whether more experienced or just starting out, for mentorship, learning, and community.

Now in her seventh year in the industry, organizations like NYWICI are especially valuable to her because they foster connection, mentorship, and continued growth alongside others navigating a constantly changing industry. Being visible and engaged in these communities, she believes, truly makes a difference.

Are you currently focused on a specific area of work, or do you see yourself continuing to explore as your career evolves?

Julianna is dedicated to staying in the industry and seeks a role that offers stability. She currently works at a growing network but remains realistic about the industry’s constant changes. She has colleagues at organizations in the industry, where uncertainty from acquisitions and restructuring continues, making stability a regular priority. As she advances in her career, she has learned that you never really know if your path will remain stable. Because of that, she believes that having more control over your own development puts you in a better position. This includes constantly expanding your skill sets, whether by becoming more familiar with AI technologies to boost departmental efficiency, staying ahead of industry trends, or participating in professional organizations and industry groups. Currently, Julianna works on the rollout of AI development in her department at NewsNation. She recently served as a panelist for Syracuse University, where she educated faculty on how the media industry is evolving alongside emerging technologies. Staying current with industry trends and educating others about them are what she believes set strong candidates apart in today’s rapidly changing media landscape.

Being involved in clubs and organizations keeps opportunities visible and helps with long-term positioning. Early in her career, she did not fully understand the importance of this. When she first started at CNN as an associate producer, she attended networking events and industry gatherings but was not always strategic about following up.

Looking back, she wishes she had been more intentional, bringing a notepad and remembering details about the people she met. Many of those individuals were later laid off and moved on to other organizations, meaning someone she once met casually at a party could later be working at

another company. She has learned that those connections can resurface in unexpected and meaningful ways.

Since you’ve had many different experiences, what lessons have you learned—and what advice would you give to others following a similar path?

Her advice is straightforward: say yes to everything. A professor once told her in graduate school, “Say yes—you can’t afford to say no at this point,” because she was starting out. Years later, when she met him again, she shared how impactful that advice had been.

Early in a career, she explains, you are juggling many things without a clear sense of where your path will lead you to do whatever opportunities come your way. When she reminded her professor of his advice years later, he asked if she was still following it. She is.

Even after years in her career, opportunities still arise. Over time, she has gained a reputation as someone willing to help and step up. When it’s time to advocate for herself, she can highlight everything she has accomplished in her core responsibilities, as well as the extra work she has taken on and managed successfully. She believes adopting a “say yes” mentality early in your career pushes you beyond what you initially imagine your role or goals will be.

Is there a project, achievement, or passion you’re especially proud of right now?

One experience that stands out most for Julianna is serving as a judge for the 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy® Awards. She notes that the opportunity itself was deeply meaningful.

Not long ago, she was a student navigating her way into the New York market. Participating as a judge in one of the industry’s top awards, evaluating performers and productions, was a powerful experience. That experience gave her a new perspective on the industry and allowed her to position herself differently within it. It remains one of her proudest moments and a reminder of how far she has come.