Gabriela Tarantino is a Production Coordinator at NBCUniversal with more than 12 years of experience in the entertainment industry. While she is frequently asked whether she’s related to Quentin Tarantino, the connection ends with the last name, though she shares the same passion for storytelling. Throughout her career, she has worked across content production, marketing operations, creative development, and regional campaigns for audiences across Latin America and Brazil. She is passionate about creating meaningful audience experiences through collaboration, creativity, and great content.
How many years have you been a judge?
1-3
What are your responsibilities in your current role and what do you love most about your job?
In my current role as a Production Coordinator at NBCUniversal, I manage and coordinate marketing and production initiatives across Latin America and Brazil, working closely with internal teams, creative partners, and affiliates. My responsibilities include content localization, asset delivery, campaign coordination, quality control, and ensuring projects are executed efficiently from planning through final delivery. What I love most about my job is the opportunity to combine creativity and organization while collaborating with talented teams across different markets.
What inspired you to pursue your career path?
I was inspired to pursue a career in media and entertainment by my passion for storytelling and the ability of great content to connect with people. Early in my career, I discovered that I enjoyed both the creative and operational sides of bringing ideas to life, from concept development to final delivery. Over the years, that passion evolved into a career that allows me to collaborate with talented teams and contribute to projects that reach audiences across different markets.
What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?
My first job in the industry was as a freelancer in the On-Air Creative department at E! Entertainment Television. Before that, I had the opportunity to complete my university internship with the same team, which gave me an early glimpse into the exciting world of television and media. One of the biggest lessons I learned was how to step outside the academic environment and adapt to the fast-paced realities of the workplace. During that time, I developed essential skills such as teamwork, resilience under pressure, and self-confidence, while also discovering and nurturing a creative side of myself that I hadn’t fully recognized before.
What do you look for to determine excellence in video?
Something that leaves you a message and can quickly hook you.
What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?
One of the projects that excites me most right now is supporting the launch and promotion of new series and entertainment content across Latin America and Brazil. Every campaign presents unique challenges, from adapting content for different markets to coordinating with multiple teams and partners across the region. I’m also passionate about exploring new ways to connect creativity, technology, and audience engagement in an ever-evolving media landscape. Being part of projects that bring stories to millions of viewers is both inspiring and rewarding.
Tell us about a moment of recognition that had an effect on you – whether personal or official? What does recognition mean to you and why is it important in our industry?
One of the most meaningful forms of recognition I have received has come from leaders and colleagues who trusted me with greater responsibilities throughout my career. Their confidence helped me grow professionally and reminded me that hard work, dedication, and collaboration do not go unnoticed. To me, recognition is about valuing both the results and the people behind them. In an industry driven by creativity and teamwork, recognizing contributions helps inspire excellence and encourages us to continue pushing boundaries.
Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?
I enjoy keeping up with trends on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and I make a point of following industry awards every year. Beyond major entertainment awards such as the Oscars and Golden Globes, I also pay close attention to awards that recognize marketing campaigns, television, and creative excellence. Seeing what agencies, networks, brands, and creators are producing helps me understand emerging trends, audience preferences, and new storytelling approaches. It’s a great source of inspiration and allows me to bring fresh ideas and perspectives into my work.
In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?
One of the biggest changes in our industry is the increasing influence of digital platforms and social media on the way content is discovered, consumed, and discussed. Trends now move at an incredible pace, making adaptability more important than ever for creative professionals and brands. My advice is to stay informed, embrace change, and pay attention to audience behavior without losing sight of the fundamentals of great storytelling. Technology may change how we deliver content, but creativity and authenticity are what continue to make it meaningful.
What excites you about judging for the Telly Awards?
What excites me most about judging for the Telly Awards is the opportunity to discover innovative work from talented creators, agencies, brands, and media professionals from around the world. I enjoy seeing how storytelling, creativity, and technology continue to evolve across different platforms and formats. It’s an inspiring opportunity to celebrate creative excellence while contributing to the recognition of outstanding work in our industry.
