Our Meet the Team series spotlights members of the Smart Pop family through a Q&A designed to reveal the depths of our nerdy, pop culture–loving souls. Today, we’re joined by marketing assistant Jenny Rosen.

What do you do at Smart Pop?

I work in the very exciting marketing department as a Marketing Assistant, and provide social media and blog support here at Smart Pop. The best part of my job is coming up with engaging copy for various marketing initiatives ranging from book releases to press announcements. I also do a fair amount of research to compile potential media contacts for our authors, to ensure that their books make it into the hands of as many readers as possible. I also read, analyze, distribute, and track sales numbers of our books on a regular basis to see how they’re performing in the market!

What are your fandoms?

I’m a massive video game fan, so all things Zelda, Final Fantasy, Uncharted, and basically anything from the 90’s early 2000’s Square Enix RPG sphere. I’m additionally obsessed with Mario Kart, Mario Party, etc., so if you’re down to organize a tournament, I’ll happily join the fun!  I also adore K-Dramas but there is not enough room here to accurately describe the expanse of fandoms I belong to.

What show/movie/book that was seen as a critical or popular disappointment will you always champion?

Friday Night Lights. This show was superbly acted and written despite its small audience. Peter Berg did an incredible job with casting, building an excellent writing team, and choosing the composers for this series. Even with a writers strike in the middle of season two, this show still managed to maintain a stellar storyline and series of character arcs. I highly recommend this series if you enjoy shows that grab you by the heartstrings. You don’t have to be a football fan to fall in love with Friday Night Lights. “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.”

What is your current binge?

Most recently, Friday Night Lights. Season 4 of Stranger Things is up next.

What was your favorite childhood toy?

This red, yellow, and blue tape recorder my mom got for me. It was essentially a little radio that you could record songs into, aka early Garageband. I loved singing and composing music back then (and I still do) so it was a joy to be able to record songs as a kid!

You’ve just been exposed to an origin story-amount of radioactivity, chemicals, and/or animal bites. What’s your superpower?

Talking to animals would be pretty great as long as there was an “off button,” otherwise overhearing things like birds and squirrels would be out of control. Either way, I think that there would be so many interesting conversations to be had across species. I’d probably talk to everything—except snakes. No, thank you.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

The French Rivera—specifically Nice, Antibes, and Cannes. Absolutely one of the most stunning places in the world. I’m trying to make it a habit to return there every couple years. I fell in love with Côte d’Azur in 2019 and have been excited about going back ever since.

What is your favorite comfort food?

Peanut butter everything—especially Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels. Send them to me always.

What is your most memorable celebrity experience?

I used to have a massive crush on Chad Michael Murray way back during the One Tree Hill days. I live in Los Angeles and it was an unusually rainy day in my old neighborhood, Studio City, which like the name details is the home of CBS Studios. I lived across the street from CBS so seeing actors in the area was not unusual.

I was hankering for a chai latte that morning so my roommate and I ran down the street to Starbucks without thinking to grab an umbrella. Unfortunately, between my house and the Starbucks, the light drizzle turned into a downpour. We sprinted to the Starbucks entrance and right as we walk up to the door, this tall extremely handsome man opens the door for us and offers his umbrella to cover us from the rain. When I looked up to say think you, bam…Chad Michael Murray…and yes, he is just as beautiful in person. So literally aside from romantic music being absent from the moment, this was the best celebrity encounter I’ve ever had hands down.

What is your favorite way to share fandom with others?

Movie binge parties. I love inviting a small group of my closest friends over and introducing them to new films/series and vice versa. Life’s too short not to share your favorite movies!

Thanks for joining us, Jenny! If you enjoyed getting to know her, you can connect with her on Instagram!