Shannon Moffitt Howard - Sr. Manager, Sales Development, SXM Media
Shannon is the Senior Manager of Sales Development at SXM Media, a brand new media company (as of last week!) that houses Pandora, SoundCloud, Stitcher + SiriusXM under one roof. At SXM, she’s responsible for pitching large custom programs like artist partnerships and events for big budget advertisers. Out of the office, she can most likely be found hangin’ with her pup, enjoying a comedy show, or planning her next adventure abroad.
The Basics:
Hometown: Glen Ellyn, IL
Current city: Chicago, IL
Alma mater: Illinois Wesleyan University
Degree: B.A., International Business and Hispanic Studies
Very first job: Does neighborhood babysitter count? Otherwise front desk at a dry cleaner
Hustle: Sr. Manager, Sales Development, SXM Media (Pandora + SoundCloud + Stitcher + SiriusXM)
The Interests:
Babe you admire and why?
That I know IRL? My mother and sisters, they are whip smart and also incredibly kind. It’s easy to admire them since they’re generally such amazing humans! Babe that I’d like to meet would be Michelle Obama. I admire her empathy and relatability. She has a true grasp on her priorities, and she sticks to them!
Favorite comedian at the moment?
Ali Wong is incredible, and Marcia Belsky’s 100 Tampons (5:17) has me ROLLING.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
“Happily Ever Now.” I’ve always wanted to grow up to be a princess, but always hated that their stories end when they find a man.
An artist you’d like to grab a drink with?
Tina Fey & Amy Poehler. They’ve created so much power-female content!
The Hustle:
Tell us about your hustle, providing a summary of your roles and the work you do daily.
As Sr. Manager of Sales Development at SXM Media (Pandora + SoundCloud + Stitcher + SiriusXM)—a brand new company as of 5/10—I pitch our big budget advertisers large custom programs like artist partnerships and events. I like to say that I have the fun job on the sales team. I turn data into insights, prove why that matters to an advertiser and why they should give us their money, then showcase how we can deliver on it. It’s that classic blend of art and science, which keeps me on my toes because industry trends are always shifting!
How have your past professional and academic experiences and lessons prepared you for the work you do today? How have they not prepared you?
I’ve found that the more formative lessons aren’t necessarily the book smarts, but more about understanding and engaging the people around you. One of the best things that I’ve learned in the working world is to be solution-oriented. Things will go wrong, that’s inevitable. Instead of dwelling on the problem, reframe it as an opportunity and find a solution. How we react (and treat the people around us) in moments like this is what proves our true character.
How has being a woman impacted your professional experiences? What can we collectively do to support and empower women in your industry today?
I’m #blessed to work alongside a lot of strong, smart women! Advocating for women in both big and small ways will help propel us all upwards. Whether it’s ensuring someone isn’t cut off in a meeting or elevating their work for higher level visibility, we have to speak up for each other.
How do you prepare for presentations + pitches? Has public speaking ever been a problem for you?
I prepare by remembering that I’m presenting to regular people like me! I used to get SO nervous, I couldn’t even speak up in meetings! So I signed up for an improv class at Second City and, at the time, it was so terrifying. But I found an amazing community of supportive people and ended up cruising through classes and then performing at theaters all across the city. Now I crave the rush of performance and presenting—it’s something that I very much miss during the pandemic!
How big of a role does traveling play in your career? In your personal life?
Pre-COVID, I’d travel for client presentations, but nothing too extensive. My personal travel bleeds into my work, though! Seeing and appreciating other cultures gives a better understanding of the people outside of our individual bubble. And as a work role, it helps open my eyes to other perspectives and ways for advertisers to create greater impact. I also took about six months off before SXM Media to backpack through Central America. It was one of the best things that I’ve ever done! Immersing myself in a new lifestyle was a reminder of what’s most important, and it’s not necessarily that email in my inbox waiting for a response.
What’s one thing you’re proud to have accomplished in your career thus far?
I’m proud that I can look back and see growth across every year and every position that I’ve held. I’m proud that I’ve looked out for myself, recognized both happiness and unhappiness, and made the necessary changes.
Who are some women in your field that you look to for inspiration?
I always gravitate towards the women at high levels of an organization that have stayed true to themselves. There’s often an expectation that to be successful, you must take on the masculine stereotypes of being aggressive, blunt, loud, etc. But molding ourselves to that just validates the stereotypes. Who’s to say that feminine stereotypes don’t lead to even greater leadership and successes?! (Spoiler alert: they do!)
What does your approach to work/life balance look like? How do you unplug and unwind?
I use our pup as my barometer—if she needs to go out, it’s probably time to take a break or finish for the day! She’s a great reminder to step away for an afternoon walk and then wrap up for the evening. And to promote equitable boundaries with my coworkers, even if I’m still wrapping up for the day, I don’t send anything out after 5PM. Instead, I use Outlook’s handy “Send Later” function to auto-send the next morning. Oh! I also never, ever eat at my desk. And to unplug at the end of the day, I try to pick up whatever I’m reading at the moment. I call it my “introvert time” to reset and recharge for whatever comes next.
Career and/or life advice for other babes?
Find the humor in everything. Sometimes that annoying task is actually hilarious in it’s ridiculousness when you step back and think about it. Be kind to those around you; respect each other's truths. Ask for help and sounding boards when you need it—multiple perspectives can only make us smarter!
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