{"id":44705,"date":"2025-07-10T20:40:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T01:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/?post_type=bu-article&#038;p=44705"},"modified":"2025-12-10T17:34:05","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T22:34:05","slug":"from-com-to-career-qa-with-ben-oppenheimer-ms-media-ventures","status":"publish","type":"bu-article","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/articles\/from-com-to-career-qa-with-ben-oppenheimer-ms-media-ventures\/","title":{"rendered":"From COM to Career: Q&#038;A With Ben Oppenheimer, MS Media Ventures"},"content":{"rendered":"\t<div class=\"wp-block-editorial-leadin test-block-editorial-leadin is-style-default has-media has-media-focus-center-middle\">\n\t\t<div class=\"container-lockup\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-leadin-media\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1250\" height=\"625\" src=\"\/com\/files\/2025\/12\/COM_COMtalk_QandA_25-2_MS-MV_Oppenheimer.png\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/12\/COM_COMtalk_QandA_25-2_MS-MV_Oppenheimer.png 1250w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/12\/COM_COMtalk_QandA_25-2_MS-MV_Oppenheimer-636x318.png 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/12\/COM_COMtalk_QandA_25-2_MS-MV_Oppenheimer-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/files\/2025\/12\/COM_COMtalk_QandA_25-2_MS-MV_Oppenheimer-768x384.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1250px) 100vw, 1250px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container-words-outer\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container-words-inner\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-prepress-tag\">From COM to Career<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"head\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFrom COM to Career: Q&amp;A With Ben Oppenheimer, MS Media Ventures\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar test-prepress-layout-metabar\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-categories\">\n\t\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/category\/alumni\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlumni\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-date\">July 10, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-credits\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul data-credit-type=\"By\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/authors\/com-staff\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCOM Staff\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-share js-bu-prepress-share-tools\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-twitter\"><span>Twitter<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-facebook\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-action\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div style=\"display:none;\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-share-tools\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-share-tools-inner js-prepress-component-share-tools\">\n\t\t<h4>Share<\/h4>\n\t\t<p class=\"wp-prepress-component-share-tools-article-title\">From COM to Career: Q&#038;A With Ben Oppenheimer, MS Media Ventures<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-share-tools-article-link\">\n\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" value=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/articles\/from-com-to-career-qa-with-ben-oppenheimer-ms-media-ventures\/\" readonly>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<label>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Copy URL:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"js-prepress-component-share-tools\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>Copy<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/label>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n<p>Ben Oppenheimer launched his own company, Oddball Sports, after earning his master\u2019s degree in media ventures from Boston University\u2019s College of Communication. His company\u2019s flagship game, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.monsterleague.app\/\">Monster League<\/a> \u2013 a kind of mashup of fantasy football and Pok\u00e9mon \u2013 launched in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oppenheimer spoke with COM as part of a series of interviews with recent graduates from Boston University\u2019s College of Communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a test-block-editorial-q-and-a\"><div class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-title\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-title-heading\">Q<span>&amp;<\/span>A<\/h2><h4 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-title-subheading\">With Ben Oppenheimer<\/h4><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">COM:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Could you tell me about Monster League?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">Ben Oppenheimer:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\">In Monster League, athletes are powered by different elemental types. Instead of drafting players, you battle and capture them. If you defeat them in a lineup battle, you can add them to your team. It&#8217;s a fun game sitting at the intersection of fantasy sports\u00a0 and RPG\u00a0 video games. It\u2019s for people who like sports but also enjoy dorking out over games like Magic: The Gathering and Pok\u00e9mon. If you get the elements and elite trainers references, you\u2019re probably going to enjoy Monster League. If not, that\u2019s okay too.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">COM:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>How did you decide to pursue an advanced degree in this field \u2013 and why media ventures?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">Ben Oppenheimer:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\">I was actually studying for an MBA when I discovered the Media Ventures program at COM. My background was in media and production. I\u2019d worked as a set PA for film and did freelance video animation and design. I had some digital skills and wanted a program that connected those interests toward the business side. The media ventures program fit that perfectly.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">COM:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>What attracted you to Boston University?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">Ben Oppenheimer:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\">I had a fondness for Boston. I\u2019d done a summer program at Berklee (College of Music)&nbsp; and some art school stuff at MassArt. Boston is a great college town: walkable, full of students, energetic. I liked the setting.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">COM:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>What was the most memorable part of your time at COM?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">Ben Oppenheimer:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\">I was 26 or 27 when I joined COM, several years after undergrad. What stood out was the opportunity to present and pitch ideas in a low-risk classroom environment. Pitching business ideas or even films and animations to classmates and other universities, it was a lot of fun. I loved getting up and speaking, trying out ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">COM:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>What specific skills did you gain that helped you professionally?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">Ben Oppenheimer:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\">Media Ventures really taught me market research and product validation. It didn\u2019t teach product building directly\u2014that\u2019s something you have to do on your own or learn elsewhere\u2014but it helped me learn how to talk about products for business. Instead of getting lost in technical details, the program trained me to explain why people need a product, how it can make money, and how to build it in simple terms that business folks understand.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">COM:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Were there professors or instructors who had a big impact on you?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">Ben Oppenheimer:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/profile\/jodi-luber\/\">Jodi Luber<\/a> was crucial. She recommended me, believed in me from the start, and was like a second or third mother. Entrepreneurial confidence is a commodity, and she was always a source of unwavering support. I\u2019d also give a shout-out to Peter Marton, a BU guest lecturer. He balanced being to the point with politeness, and was great at managing young, inexperienced entrepreneurial minds.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">COM:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Did you have a moment when you felt you chose the right path?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">Ben Oppenheimer:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\">I\u2019m quite indecisive, but my attitude was that once you pick a path, give it your all. Media Ventures felt like the perfect fit for me, but ultimately, it\u2019s how you make the program work for you.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">COM:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>How about your cohort during your time studying media ventures?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">Ben Oppenheimer:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\">Cohorts are a luck of the draw. I was on the older end at 27; the youngest was 21. The program is team-oriented. We had a diverse group which brought international perspectives.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">COM:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>Was the idea for Monster League developed during the program?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">Ben Oppenheimer:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\">No, I started it after. In 2019, the year I entered BU, I pitched a sports betting idea but quickly realized the market is heavily regulated and monopolized\u2014too much money and regulation for a startup. I pursued it for three years overlapping with media ventures studies but couldn\u2019t get it off the ground. Then, using my industry network, I pivoted to product and game design for casinos and others, which gave me the connections to build Monster League.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-question\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">COM:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\"><strong>What is your top career advice for students considering media ventures?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-answer\"><span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-name\">Ben Oppenheimer:<\/span> <span class=\"wp-block-editorial-q-and-a-content\">Two things: One, seeing is believing. Always add visuals to whatever you do. A great visual makes you that much more successful when pitching ideas. Two, email. Keep emails short, direct, and to the point. No one wants a long life story in the first outreach. Say something like, \u201cHi, I\u2019m an ex-student interested in an internship. Can we set up a call?\u201d Save those stories for interviews.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ben Oppenheimer launched his own company, Oddball Sports, after earning his master\u2019s degree in media ventures from Boston University\u2019s College&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25373,"featured_media":44706,"template":"","meta":{"bu_prepress_billboard":"","_bu_prepress_primary_term":"","_bu_prepress_primary_term_manual":""},"categories":[962],"tags":[1804],"bu-publication":[1472],"discipline-type":[],"bu_edition":[],"media_type":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/44705"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/bu-article"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25373"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/44705\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44715,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/44705\/revisions\/44715"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44706"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44705"},{"taxonomy":"bu-publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-publication?post=44705"},{"taxonomy":"discipline-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/discipline-type?post=44705"},{"taxonomy":"bu_edition","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu_edition?post=44705"},{"taxonomy":"media_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media_type?post=44705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}