Zach Johnson’s phone rings. It’s the source of a story he’s working on to promote an upcoming movie.
“He’s someone who’s been famous the entire time I’ve been alive,” Johnson says. “I know him as Indiana Jones, Han Solo, all these incredible characters. And so, when he calls you up from his house to chat with you on the phone, you’re just like, ‘I can’t believe I’m talking to Harrison Ford.’”
This Hollywood star is one of many Johnson has had the opportunity to interview as senior communications specialist at The Walt Disney Company. From managing the company’s corporate blog to serving as editor and writer for the official Disney fan club, Johnson is constantly in the know about the latest in entertainment.
“Yesterday I started doing a [press] junket for ‘The Wonder Years’ in the morning,” says Johnson, referencing ABC’s reboot of the hit sitcom. “And then by the end of the day, I was coding our companywide newsletter and making sure we included information about International Yoga Day. So, you just never know what you’re going to get.”
From his time at Iowa State’s Greenlee School of Journalism, Johnson knew he wanted to work in the entertainment industry. He credits advisor and professor Deb Gibson (’81 family environment family services, home economics journalism), a life member of the ISU Alumni Association, for encouraging him to pursue his passion. “She understood that I wanted to go into the entertainment journalism space, and she took that seriously, which some people might have scoffed at.”
That boost of confidence helped Johnson land an internship, and soon after his first job at US Weekly magazine and later E! News in New York City. “I was in the office all day long, from 9 to 5, and then I’d have to go cover an event from 6 until 11 and file the story that night.” Johnson recalls. “And I thrived on that.”
While interviews and phone calls with celebrities about upcoming movies take up most of his day, Johnson also finds time to give back in his personal life. Since 2020, he’s volunteered with The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ+ young people. Twice a month Johnson answers calls for The Trevor Project’s 24/7 hotline.
“It’s really about asking questions to get a person to open up to themselves and maybe come to a realization,” Johnson says. “Journalism trains you that you need to be impartial. Sometimes they call because they know they need help, but they don’t know what to say, or they’re shy or they’re nervous. And it’s really just about making them feel comfortable and safe and that maybe if you just kind of want to sit here in silence for a little bit, that’s okay.”
Whether it’s the comfort given by enjoying the wonderful world of Disney creative magic or the comfort of a friendly ear to listen, the reason Johnson gives it his all is simple …
“I like helping people,” he says.