Fuse Green once said…

“you can’t fake fresh.”

Shannon Washington is an
award-winning creative director, creative business leader, brand builder and culturist.

She doesn't just shape the work; she's shaping the culture of creative work, and she's who leaders call when they're figuring out what's next.

Known for turning organizations around, culturally, creatively and commercially, Shannon is currently the Chief Creative Officer at large and Managing Partner of 11 Ounces. Since her arrival, she has built the studio into a creative and consulting powerhouse at the intersection of sports, entertainment and brand storytelling. She advises athletes, leagues, teams and brands, including the WNBA, New York Liberty and PUMA, on creative strategy, content and experiences. "After two decades of folks betting on me to win for them, I bet on myself," she says of her move to the independent agency world.

Previously, as Global Chief Creative Officer at Gotham/McCann Worldgroup, turning a 30+ year beauty boutique into a full-stack creative business for Maybelline New York, essie, Rodan + Fields and more. At Gotham, she opened new categories and revenue streams and delivered the agency's first Webby and Clio Awards. Before that, at R/GA, she rose from New York Creative Leader to U.S. Chief Creative Officer. There, she reshaped the flagship office through the pandemic, reduced attrition and converted over $30M in new business, including Uber, Sephora and TurboTax, which was IPG's second-largest win of 2023.

Fast Company calls her "a go-to creative mind for corporate brands that want to weave no-nonsense, inclusive messaging into their campaigns." The Ad Age jury that named her 2023 Chief Creative Officer of the Year praised work that "puts people at the center" and answers "an emotional need." Her work, from the Ad Council's "The Gentle Giant" to Sephora's "Black Beauty is Beauty," distills complex cultural conversations into campaigns that land. She is a two-time Cannes Lions Jury President, an Adweek Creative 100 honoree and one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business.

Independently, Shannon advises fellow leaders and orgs on creative operations, creative leadership development and serves as a strategic, finance and culture expert for a hosts of brands and small businesses.

Shannon is a Howard University School of Fine Arts graduate, a reluctantly resides in the suburbs of New York City.

Selected Recognition

  • AICP Curator. 2025, 2023

  • ANDY Global Jury. 2024, 2026

  • AdAge Chief Creative Officer of The Year. 2023

  • Cannes Lions Jury President, Sports. 2026

  • Cannes Lions Jury President, Mobile. 2023

  • Cannes Lions Juror, Mobile. 2022

  • Fast Company, Most Creative People. 2022

  • AdWeek 100, 2020

  • ADCOLOR + One Club Creative of The Year, 2018

Notable Features

Awards
From Lions to Pencils, I’ve won them all. Plus an Emmy!
But the best? Having my work become part of a curriculum.