10 Questions With Shannon
We’re so excited to welcome Shannon, our newest Cutliner, to the Crew!
Per Cutline tradition, we sat down with Shannon to get the scoop on her path to PR, the most inspiring place she’s visited, the best advice she’s ever received, and more. Keep reading to get to know our new team member.
What do you love about PR?
From keeping me connected to the world to teaching me the in’s and out’s of effective communication, there is so much that I value about PR. But, the thing I love most is building relationships. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as discovering a reporter, understanding their beat and how it aligns with what your clients do and then building a strong connection that ultimately drives meaningful coverage.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
I like to use my calendar for more than just meetings—it helps me stay on track! For example, I’ll schedule a calendar block to draft content and stay focused for a set period of time. I also have daily, zero-minute invites with links to coverage that I’m monitoring for, so I remember to check for those articles each day.
Creating an effective to-do list and maintaining focus during the few minutes I have between calls and meetings are my other “tricks” for being productive.
What are three words that would describe you at work?
Passionate, collaborative, committed.
Where is the most inspiring place you've visited? What made it special?
Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, Italy. I arrived in Italy after spending several months studying abroad in Ireland, where it’s cozy but also quite rainy and dark. That weather can really reduce energy levels and creativity.
From the moment the Italian sun hit my skin, I felt rejuvenated. More specifically, when I climbed to the top of the steps at Piazzale Michelangelo and looked out over the Florence skyline at sunset, I felt an intense rush of inspiration, happiness, and contentment. Now, when I need to bring my mind to a happy place, I think of that moment.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
Around the time that I graduated college, my sister suggested I be my own best advocate. I hold that advice close to my heart today, more than four years into my career. Not because others won’t support or understand me, but because I know firsthand why I should be proud of what I represent—whether it’s my progress, opinions, or clients.
What’s something you saw recently that made you smile?
Dogs! Whether I’m walking to work, running errands, or sitting in the park, dogs always bring me instant happiness.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
My obsession with reality competition shows has followed me for most of my life. Specifically, the MTV show The Challenge (shoutout to heartthrob CT Tamburello), and more recently, the old seasons of Survivor. I can’t get enough of the arguments, challenges, and deceit from the comfort of my couch.
What’s your theme song and why?
I polled some of my close friends to answer this question because my taste in music ranges significantly (from rap and rock to indie pop and country) and I thought they might have a clearer idea of a theme song for me. Some of my favorite responses included: Kids by MGMT, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper, and Rollercoaster by Bleachers.
While their responses aren’t quite reminiscent of the pump-up music that an MLB player might have as their walk-up song, I think they collectively represent my ongoing need to simply enjoy life.
How do you prefer to end your day?
Ideally, I’ll unwind at the end of the day by turning on a sitcom, sipping on a cup of Sleepytime tea, and scrolling TikTok.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
The ability to learn and retain information instantly. I was always the kind of person who had to study extra hard for tests or reread a sentence five times before I understood what it said. If I had it my way, I would be able to understand everything—from history and languages to politics and pop cultue—instantly.