Shannen Gillespie
MULTIMEDIA SALES LEADER
Downers Grove
Summary
Results-driven senior sales executive with deep expertise in strategic media sales, negotiation, and team leadership. Proven success exceeding revenue targets by building impactful partnerships, leading high-level client and agency relationships, and delivering innovative, long-term solutions. A strategic connector who aligns Disney’s media brands, sales, and internal teams to accelerate growth and drive measurable business impact.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Senior Manager, Sales
The Walt Disney Company
10.2024 - Current
- Lead day-to-day sales strategy, execution, and client partnerships for Procter & Gamble (Dentsu) and Target (WPP), overseeing $280M+ in annual revenue.
- Drive $70M in Client Direct Upfronts, shaping investment strategy and unlocking cross-platform opportunities.
- Build trust across 27 P&G brands, aligning internal and external stakeholders to ensure flawless execution.
- Pitch customized media and sponsorship solutions aligned to brand KPIs, driving incremental revenue for Target and P&G.
- Translate insights and category trends into sales narratives that support company priorities and deliver travel-sector growth.
- Manage and mentor Associate Account Executives (AAEs), fostering performance, development, and collaboration.
- Brand Sales Team
Senior Manager, Sales
The Walt Disney Company
12.2021 - 10.2024
- Directed strategy and execution across a $175M portfolio, delivering proactive marketing solutions to drive client business outcomes.
- Led investment strategy, negotiation, and activation for Expedia ($80M), Vivid Seats ($32M), and SeatGeek ($3M).
- Secured and managed complex, multi-year partnerships (e.g., Vrbo Peach/Fiesta Bowls, Vivid Seats x ESPN, SeatGeek x Pat McAfee).
- Played a key role in annual Upfronts, aligning internal teams (e.g., CreativeWorks, Ad Ops, Research) to deliver integrated solutions.
- Strengthened agency and client relationships, driving year-over-year investment growth and program expansion.
- Mentored AAEs, fostering a high-performance culture focused on strategic thinking, execution, and growth.
- Championed innovation by incorporating addressable media, data-driven solutions, and emerging tech into client strategies.
- Key clients: Expedia Group, Vivid Seats, Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, Live Nation, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines.
- Category Sales
- Travel & Leisure Team
Multimedia Account Executive
The Walt Disney Company
10.2019 - 12.2021
- Managed a $60M+ portfolio, delivering integrated campaigns across addressable, streaming, sports, and tentpoles.
- Leveraged Disney’s portfolio to meet client goals and drive data-led, premium media initiatives.
- Provided consultative, insight-driven recommendations to senior brand partners.
- Led go-to-market strategies with vertical partners to streamline execution and boost impact.
- Championed emerging tech and addressable media to unlock performance-driven solutions.
- Developed custom, high-performing programs for brands like Expedia, Walmart, and Hotels.com, securing repeat investment.
- Retail and Travel Team
Digital Account Executive
ESPN
09.2012 - 10.2019
- Served as a digital lead, delivering strong client service across streaming, display, video, dynamic creative, and data solutions at ESPN.
- Managed a $25M digital book spanning Chicago Starcom, Spark, and Texas-based client/agency partners.
- Led complex digital deals featuring social executions, audience targeting, data, and custom video sponsorships.
- Ranked in top 5% companywide with “Leading the Way” honors in 2019; consistently exceeded sales goals.
Magazine Account Executive
ESPN the Magazine
07.2008 - 09.2012
- Managed a $10M+ print list and developed custom print/event sponsorship packages aligned to client objectives.
- Collaborated on 360 partnerships across TV, digital, print, and event sponsorships for key ESPN properties.
- Consistently met or exceeded ESPN The Magazine sales goals year over year.
- Delivered creative, effective solutions for partners including Samsung Player X.
Media Supervisor
Starcom Worldwide
05.2007 - 07.2008
- Responsible for the strategy, negotiation, investment and execution of national and local print efforts for the entire portfolio of Miller Coors brands.
- Worked on hybrid team that managed and negotiated the sports investment across the NFL, NASCAR and NBA across TV and digital properties.
- Creative Solutions: Peroni Fashion Week with Vogue, Miller High Life Games
Media Supervisor
OMD
06.2004 - 05.2007
- Designed and planned media strategy for the Tropicana Pure Premium brand.
- Crafted and presented media strategies and tactical plan recommendations to the Tropicana Client leadership.
- Creative and Effective Solutions: Wake Up with Tropicana
Media Planner
MPG Arnold
09.2000 - 06.2004
- Strategic media planning across key industries and clients including Monster.com, Royal Caribbean, Ocean Spray, Citizens Bank and Southern Comfort.
- Crafted media strategies and tactical plan recommendations across outdoor, television, radio, print and digital media.
- Led competitive analysis on a quarterly basis.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Advertising
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan 05.1995 - 01.1999
Skills
Cross-functional teamwork
Effective leadership
Building trust with clients
Delivering measurable outcomes
Innovative thinking
Effective communication
Driving sales performance
Effective negotiation abilities
Strategic problem-solving
Awards
IAB 2017 SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR - CENTRAL REGION, January 29th, 2017 / Hollywood FL
CAREER PARTNERSHIPS
7-Eleven | Academy Sports | Airbnb | American Airlines | Ballpark | Beats by Dre | Best Western | Boeing | Booking.com | Brown Foreman | Callaway | Chick-Fil-A | Citizens Bank | Choice Hotels | Dairy Queen | Dave & Busters | Dell | Discover Card | Expedia | Frito Lay | Great Wolf Lodge | Hilton Hotels.com | Hyatt | IHG | Jet Blue | Live Nation | Lyft | Marriott | MGM | Miller Coors | Motorola | Monster.com | Match.com | NAPA Auto Parts | Orange Theory | Oceanspray | Pizza Hut | Procter & Gamble | PGA Tour | Planet Fitness | Peloton | Quicken Loans | Resorts World Las Vegas | Royal Caribbean | Samsung | Seat Geek | Southern Comfort | Tropicana | Southwest Airlines | Starbucks | Stub Hub | Taco Bell | Target | Ticketmaster | Travelocity.com | Trip Advisor | Uber | United Airlines | Vivid Seats | Walmart | Wheels Up | Wyndham Resorts
Timeline
Senior Manager, Sales
The Walt Disney Company
10.2024 - Current
Senior Manager, Sales
The Walt Disney Company
12.2021 - 10.2024
Multimedia Account Executive
The Walt Disney Company
10.2019 - 12.2021
Digital Account Executive
ESPN
09.2012 - 10.2019
Magazine Account Executive
ESPN the Magazine
07.2008 - 09.2012
Media Supervisor
Starcom Worldwide
05.2007 - 07.2008
Media Supervisor
OMD
06.2004 - 05.2007
Media Planner
MPG Arnold
09.2000 - 06.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Advertising
Michigan State University
05.1995 - 01.1999
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