While some students are taking in the newest “Harry Potter” movie this summer, Manship senior Harkeet “Kittu" Pannu is in California promoting it. Pannu earned a competitive internship for the Time Warner College Associates Program in Burbank, Calif. for a nine-week internship hosted by Warner Bros.

“The internship has been an adventure so far, where I've learned a lot about the entertainment industry,” said Pannu. Everyone at Warner Bros. is very approachable and extremely kind. Some of the projects I have recently worked on include the ‘Batman Live!’ show in the UK, the Six Flags Green Lantern First Flight coaster, the ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2’ premiere in New York and many other amazing events. This has been a wonderful opportunity.”  

Pannu is working in the Consumer Products Department alongside Barry Ziehl, Warner Bros. consumer products senior vice president of worldwide public relations and marketing. In addition to the Harry Potter franchise, he is promoting a variety of other Warner Bros. intellectual and physical properties.

Pannu and the other participants have had the opportunity to attend studio events and screenings, network with colleagues and executives and gain valuable work experience in the entertainment industry.

Pannu attended the Public Relations Student Society of America 2010 National Conference after discovering an interest in public relations through his work on the PRSSA CW Campaign competition. At the conference, the CW Network awarded the LSU Team first place in the national competition.

While at the conference, Pannu met Paul McGuire, Warner Bros. senior vice president of worldwide corporate communications. McGuire encouraged Pannu to apply for the Time Warner College Associates Program.

“I knew the Time Warner program would expose me to the entertainment industry in ways I could have only dreamed,” said Pannu.

The full-time program lasts nine weeks, from June 10 to Aug. 12.