Jay Tucker is a marketer, educator and technology leader with more than 20 years of experience in the technology, academic and entertainment sectors. At UCLA’s Center for Management of Enterprise in Media, Entertainment and Sports (MEMES), Tucker is responsible for the center’s vision, thought leadership, educational offerings and major events, including the annual PULSE conference and the MEMES Media, Entertainment and Sports Summer Institute. In his role, he has built partnerships with Hollywood studios, sports franchises, virtual- and augmented reality content creators, and new ventures focused on technology innovation within the entertainment sector. In 2018, Jay launched a partnered initiative with Howard University that provides internships, tuition, and housing support to Howard students that enroll in UCLA’s summer courses focused on the business of entertainment and sports. Jay also drove the launch of a new online course that covers the sports business with an emphasis on providing athletes with a better understanding of the economic opportunities available to them.
Previously, Tucker handled marketing and programs at the Institute for Communication Technology Management (CTM) at USC’s Marshall School of Business. He founded Silicon Beach @USC, a two-day event featuring a venture competition and a conference focused on innovation, investment and new ventures related to technology and digital content. He also partnered with executives at OgilvyRED to relaunch their Verge Summit, and with Variety magazine to launch the first-ever big data conference in partnership with PwC. Tucker also managed the Advanced Management Program, CTM’s executive education course focused on leadership for the digital age.
A seasoned technology leader, he has taught courses on technology management, technology convergence, digital media and media literacy to professionals at corporations and nonprofit organizations. He also serves as an advisor to the Hollywood Post as well as a number of non-profit organizations. Tucker speaks at academic and industry events, covering digital technologies and media, technology startups and other topics.
Tucker holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, an M.A. in instructional and learning technologies from Columbia University, and a dual bachelor’s degree from Stanford University in political science and African and Afro-American studies. He resides in Santa Monica, California.
