Shannon Ferguson

Digital Media Executive

Greater Paris Metropolitan Region

About

Seasoned digital media executive and general manager with over 15 years working in traditional and digital media, prefaced by 4 years of investment banking. Passionate internal/external champion with successful track record launching businesses from scratch and achieving positive results. Skilled negotiator for content creation/acquisition, distribution deals and partnerships. Effective team-builder and motivational people-manager, leading by empowerment and clear goals. Able to successfully manage cross-functional resources in multiple geographic locations to deliver to targets. Motivated over-achiever who maintains focus on priorities with impact, thrives on getting things done, and is driven to achieve results/growth. Specialties: Strategy & business planning, Pan-European/International organisations, Partner development & relationship management (content acquisition, distribution), Product launches & Programming, General management with P&L responsibility, Revenue generation, Marketing, PR & Community Management, M&A analysis and integration

Experience

  • Digital Media Executive at self-employed
    2011 - Present · 15 yrs 7 mos

    Conducting search for senior position with digital startup or US/international company looking to initiate/grow/expand their european operations. Also available for short-term freelance projects.

  • COO at Silentale
    Jan 2009 - Dec 2010 · 2 yrs

    Silentale builds a searchable archive of your digital conversations by consolidating your online contacts and messages from all the platforms you use (including webmail, social networks, twitter and more), storing them in the Cloud, and allowing you to browse and search them from anywhere. Responsible for business planning for profitable growth, developing partnerships, reporting/metrics, and implementing day-to-day operations to execute vision successfully. Contributed to overall strategy on positioning and global launch, including competitive benchmarking, email & social marketing, media exposure and incorporating user feedback into product development. Actively involved in the fundraising process targeting local & international investors.

  • Yahoo! (8 yrs 6 mos)
    • Managing Director, Music & Entertainment
      Jun 2007 - Apr 2008 · 11 mos

    • General Manager, Music
      Jun 2003 - May 2007 · 4 yrs

    • Director, Entertainment & Media
      Nov 1999 - May 2003 · 3 yrs 7 mos

      Responsible for driving all Ent. and Media product development across Yahoo! Europe's eight country portals. Launched and drove users & traffic for products including: Finance, News, Sports, Weather, Games, Music, Movies and TV.

  • British Sky Broadcasting (6 yrs 5 mos)
    • Head of PPV
      Nov 1997 - Nov 1999 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      Launched movie & events PPV service to 4.5 million subscribers. General manager of £60 million business, responsible for content acquisition, programming, branding, marketing, customer service and distribution with cable operators.

    • Commercial Director, Programming
      Oct 1996 - Oct 1997 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Reporting to Elisabeth Murdoch, responsible for strategic planning and all commercial aspects of entertainment and movie channels including content acquisition, increased original production, and rights exploitation.

    • Business Development Manager
      Jul 1993 - Sep 1996 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Reporting to CEO, completed special projects for senior management including business planning and launch of new channels, distribution and international expansion opportunities.

  • Arbitrage Analyst at The Blackstone Group
    1989 - 1990 · 1 yr

    Recommended risk arbitrage opportunities for a $100 million portfolio.