Shawn Smith has served in senior communications roles with Warner Bros. and The Walt Disney Company, developing multimillion-dollar campaigns for global brands and franchises. She has also served as the global head of communications with Osmo, one of the world’s leading ed-tech companies. Here, she discusses the current state of DEI in PR, the joy of working with iconic IPs, and why she's stepping out on her own.

Key Takeaways:

- The current state of DEI in the PR world

- What it’s like working with powerful IPs

- What it was like working with PR legend Pat Tobin

- How Shawn helped Minnie Mouse get her star on the Walk of Fame

Episode Timeline:

1:45 What has been happening in the world of DEI, especially in media, over the past few months?

4:10 What's the reason for recent changes in DEI programs?

5:40 What do you see as the biggest DEI challenges in the world of PR and communications?

7:40 Where should we focus to make the biggest improvements in DEI?

9:30 What was it like being a steward for such iconic characters and brands?

11:10 Can it be hard dealing with fans?

12:15 The character "Bible"

15:10 The Minnie Mouse moment

16:30 Minnie's star on the Walk of Fame

17:30 Disney's Lucasfilm purchase

19:10 Shawn's mentor Pat Tobin

22:30 Jill Biden’s vaccination campaign

24:00 What inspired Shawn to start her own company?

This Episode’s Guest:

• Shawn Smith from Shawn Smith Communications

• Follow Shawn on LinkedIn

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