NYWIFT Blog

By Joyce Hills

Welcome to NYWIFT, Katie Shannon!

Katie Shannon is a producer and casting professional based in Brooklyn, with a storied background in marketing and brand management.

She now works in administration at Weiden+Kennedy while bringing her creativity and organizational skills to various New York-based film and theater productions.

She will be producing a one-woman show with Temi Wilkey at The Brick on October 8th. Her show, Lover Girl, got accepted into the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the SoHo Theatre in London.

Welcome to NYWIFT! Could you give our readers a brief introduction to yourself?

Thank you for having me! My name is Katie Shannon. I was born and raised just outside of Philadelphia and moved to Brooklyn five years ago, where I’ve been ever since. I currently work full-time in administration at Wieden+Kennedy New York while also freelancing as a casting director and producer.

I’ve had the opportunity to work across festivals, theater, and independent projects, supporting casting, pre-production, and on-set coordination for organizations including NBCUniversal, Bushwick Film Festival, SheNYC Arts, Tribeca Film Festival, and GUSH NYC, among others.

Before transitioning into casting and production, I built a strong foundation in marketing and client management, working with brands such as YouTube, Google (under Google Fi), Samsung, Morgan Stanley, and E*Trade. Now, I’m continuing to expand my work across film and television while growing my experience in administration, blending creative instincts with a background in project management, operations, and audience engagement. I’m especially drawn to collaborative environments that value authenticity, strong creative vision, and meaningful storytelling.

What brought you to NYWIFT?

What brought me to NYWIFT is the roster of incredible folks and all of the community networking and speaker events there are. I’m early in my journey within casting and production so I’m eager to continue growing, both by expanding my network and learning from mentors in the creative space.

The affinity groups and networking opportunities that NYWIFT offers feel like a meaningful way to develop both professionally and personally. I’m especially excited to take on more work as a producer and to play an active role in bringing underrepresented stories to the screen.

What’s a career catalyst you can share with us that started your work as a producer and casting professional?

After spending two years in New York working at marketing agencies, I took a step back to reassess what I truly wanted and where my passions lay. I explored roles in retail and the food industry, which gave me the flexibility to invest time in networking and community-building. Through groups like Media Makers, I began reaching out to industry professionals for coffee chats and seeking insight into their career paths and advice on breaking into creative fields. Those conversations were pivotal. After speaking to one mentor consistently from Media Makers, she gave me the advice to explore casting and producing, as my interests naturally aligned with both.

From there, I began volunteering to gain hands-on experience, starting with the Bushwick Film Festival. That initial step quickly built the momentum I needed. I went on to work with SheNYC Arts under Rosie Corr, where I helped cast an off-Broadway production at the Connelly Theater. I also supported an NBCUniversal Unscripted Producers conference, assisting with filmed interviews from leading producers, and later worked behind the scenes with Kweighbaye Kotee on the Tribeca Film Festival Shorts winner New York Day Women.

You have so much amazing experience supporting some of the top festivals! What is your favorite part of working in that space?

Thank you so much! My favorite part was connecting with the creative minds behind such inspiring work. The rooms felt electric! It was filled with joy, fresh ideas, and an incredible depth of talent. Being in that energy was both inspiring and motivating, and it only deepened my desire to be part of projects like these.

Tell us about a favorite and impactful project or moment you experienced as a story shaper!

A project I’m especially proud of was working as a casting assistant on Mere Waters with director Rosie Corr. It marked my first time being part of the full casting process, including in-person auditions, which was incredibly exciting. Seeing such powerful talent up close was exhilarating, and I was fortunate to stay involved throughout supporting rehearsals, running lines, and being part of the journey all the way through its live run at the Connelly Theater.

The production itself is a raw and moving retelling inspired by the life of Gisella Perl, drawing in part from her memoir I Was a Doctor in Auschwitz. I’m deeply grateful to have worked alongside such a dedicated and talented team, including actors Caroline Hertz, Amilia Shaw, Branwyn Ritchie, Doriya Bolton, and Laurel Andersen, as well as the brilliant playwright Jillian Blevins Sampieri.

Your marketing and advertising experience is incredible. What are some skills and insights about the relationships between marketing and storytelling you could share, specifically to artists and industry professionals who want to understand distribution and attention?

Thank you for your kind words! Across my work with clients like YouTube, Google Fi, Samsung, Morgan Stanley, and E*Trade, I’ve learned that the most durable distribution strategy is rooted in a strong, consistent voice and a clear narrative. Brand recognition can ripple over time, and that same principle applies to artists and industry professionals trying to gain traction. Your storytelling is your everything, especially with first impressions in your campaigning or pitches. Memorable messaging that is mixed with a compelling story will help audiences quickly understand what you’re offering but more importantly why it matters and should matter to them.

Whether it’s a campaign or a creative project, you need to communicate an engaging idea in a way that captures attention immediately while still pointing toward a clear objective you want your audience to take away.

Tell us about a dream project you want to work on next!

It would be a dream of mine to help produce and execute commercials & television series, especially one in the spirit of shows like Schitt’s Creek, Beef, The Bear, and Heated Rivalry. I’m drawn to projects that blend sharp, emotionally strong storytelling with meaningful representation, while also creating space for collaboration across every level of production.

Being part of a team that not only tells compelling stories but also empowers the people behind them to shape the narrative would be incredibly fulfilling. In an ideal world, that’s exactly the kind of work I’d love to contribute to next.

Connect with Katie Shannon on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @thekatieshannon.

About Katie Shannon

Katie Shannon is a Brooklyn-based producer and casting professional passionate about storytelling that amplifies authentic voices across film, TV, theater, and unscripted content. Currently, she works full-time in administration at Wieden+Kennedy, where her creativity and organizational skills shine. With experience supporting projects for the Bushwick Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, SheNYC Arts, and NBCUniversal, Katie excels in casting coordination and production logistics. Her media and marketing background includes working with clients like E*Trade, Google Fi, Morgan Stanley, and YouTube. Driven by collaboration and bold creative vision, she is committed to fostering meaningful connections and elevating unique narratives in every project.

(All images courtesy of Katie Shannon)