Andrea Sturniolo, Esq. ’12 Brings Stevens-Quality Problem Solving to the Entertainment Business

Andrea Sturniolo, Esq. ’12 was still in high school in Ohio when she began thinking about a career in the entertainment industry. “My parents fostered a love of the entertainment world,” she says. “I thought it would be great to be a talent manager or agent and wanted to understand contracts, so I planned on studying law.”

Sturniolo was also a competitive swimmer. “Coaches from all over the U.S. were asking me to consider their schools,” she says. “I received one from Stevens, but I didn’t consider it too seriously at first. I wanted to be a lawyer, and I wasn’t interested in patent law specifically.”

Sturniolo’s father, a computer scientist, her uncle, a teacher, and her mother, a national account manager for a performing arts center, encouraged her to reconsider and arranged a visit to Castle Point. “The moment I saw the campus, I knew,” she recalls. “I was sold.”

As a Pre-Law/History major, Sturniolo pursued a varied curriculum that expanded her horizons. “I took as many math and science classes as possible,” she says. “I loved history too, and I liked that the humanities courses approached their topics from the lens of math and science. For example, I took a literature class that was centered on science fiction works. Another class traced history from the creation of fire forward. It was very interesting.”

In addition to her studies and swimming, Sturniolo volunteered as an orientation leader and served on the Entertainment Committee. “My memories from being part of the swim team hold a special place in my heart, however,” she says.

“That, and all the friends I made here,” Sturniolo continues, adding that she met her husband at Stevens. “Stevens attracts people who share a particular work ethic and set of values. My husband and I, as well as our daughters, are still in touch with most of our circle of friends from Stevens and get together for group trips with all the children whenever we can.”

Sturniolo was one of the first Stevens students to complete the university’s Accelerated Law Program, enabling her to earn her undergraduate degree and law education in just six years. Her J.D., with a concentration in Intellectual Property Law and Entertainment Law, is from Seton Hall University School of Law.

Following internships at Casha & Casha, LLC and the Administration for Children’s Services, Sturniolo interned at Sony Music Entertainment. “At Sony, I fell in love with the in-house counsel life,” she says. “I liked the corporate environment, and I liked the idea of working with many types of artists and people.”

She stayed with Sony for nearly five years, rising to the role of Manager of Contract Administration before joining AMC Networks as Director of Legal & Business Affairs for BBC America. She was soon promoted to Associate Counsel for BBC America and ALLBLK, and in 2023 was named Counsel for AMC Networks.

Sturniolo likes the problem-solving aspects of her work. “Every contract is different,” she explains. “It takes creativity to bring two parties to an agreement that treats everyone fairly.”

“My Stevens education makes me somewhat unique in this field,” she adds. “I have a particular understanding of the math and science behind the industry that is helpful when negotiating complex television, music and merchandising agreements that involve royalties, licensing and distribution rights, and packaging fees.”

There are a few special perks when you work for an entertainment giant. “I am a member of the Television Academy,” she says. “I get invited to screenings and vote on the shows eligible for Emmy nomination.”

When her schedule allows, Sturniolo attends events at Stevens as well. “Recently I participated in a panel talk for Pre-Law students,” she says. “Programs like that show students what’s possible – you never know what or who might point you in a new direction.”