Senior communication executive, Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Shawn Smith has more than 15 years of experience in the communications industry having worked for global brands including The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Entertainment. Recognized as a top leader in PR, Shawn continues to lead multi-million dollar campaigns for international franchises and properties. Currently she serves as a senior communication executive with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, leading PR campaigns for products inspired by DC Entertainment franchises including Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman; and Warner Bros. Animation.
Previously, Shawn was the director of public relations and brand partnerships with MGA Entertainment, managing corporate communications and PR campaigns for hit brands including L.O.L Surprise!, Num Noms, and Little Tikes. Under her leadership, L.O.L. Surprise! became a media sensation and was touted as the hottes toy of 2017.
Shawn was the first senior manager of communications, diversity and inclusion, for The Walt Disney Company, responsible for championing Disney’s commitment to diversity through a variety of communications channels to engage employees and the global community. In her role as a senior manager of communications with Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI), she developed and executed strategic communications campaigns for DCPI’s $52+ billion licensing business while leading the public relations campaigns for global brands, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, as well as Disney films and media networks.
Shawn led a multi-year PR campaign to position Minnie Mouse as a global style icon, and expand the franchise’s presence around the world. In 2010, Shawn led the PR campaign to launch Disney Store’s innovative store design and the opening of the first Disney Store in New York’s Times Square which featured Disney CEO Bob Iger and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg as keynote speakers. She also managed key TV and film franchise product launches.
Shawn began her career as a journalist before transitioning into public relations and she spent more than six years working at premier PR agencies. In her first PR role, Shawn worked under legendary publicist Pat Tobin at Tobin & Associates. She developed multicultural PR campaigns at Lagrant Communications and was a senior account executive in the film and television division of global public relations agency Rogers & Cowan. During her agency tenure, Shawn represented a broad array of clients including Southern California Edison, Wells Fargo Bank, Texas Instruments, and Toyota Motor Sales.
In 2011 Shawn was named one of PR Week’s “40 under 40 Ones to Watch,” and in 2013 she led the re-launch of the Black Public Relations Society Los Angeles chapter (BPRS-LA), and continues to serve as co-president. In addition, Shawn is president-elect of the Public Relations Society of America Los Angeles Chapter.
A native of Southern California, Shawn earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).