Communicators spotlight: Marie Sheehy of WME Group
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Marie Sheehy. Photo: Courtesy WME Group
Marie Sheehy has helped steer communications for WME, one of Hollywood's biggest talent agencies, through mergers, acquisitions and a major take-private.
Why it matters: Sheehy's recent promotion after more than two decades with the agency highlights her multifaceted comms skillset, which she describes as "part strategist, part diplomat, part therapist."
- As the new executive vice president and head of corporate communications for the agency, she oversees internal and external communications for WME, IMG Licensing and Pantheon Media Group.
🏃♂️ The path here: She has grown alongside WME as the company expanded into a diversified global operation.
- "On a parallel path, I've experienced the transformation of communications and now my role now is much more multi-dimensional, as the methods for communicating have expanded," Sheehy said.
Zoom in: What's on her to-do list depends on "what's happening, who's asking and what's at stake."
- "It could be managing a significant business transaction, advising a filmmaker client on the rollout of their next film, providing crisis comms support, or amplifying the work we do in our community — no day is ever the same," she said.
🫣 Tough lesson: Know when you're dealing with a communications problem vs. a business problem.
- "No matter how carefully a narrative is shaped, sometimes there's only so much we can do to control an outcome," Sheehy said.
🔎 Trendspotting: AI can make communicators more efficient, but "we cannot lose the art of emotional intelligence," she said.
- "WME has been around since 1898. Relationships are fundamental to our business and the ability to sit across from someone, understand their motivations, and ultimately persuade them, are skills that will never be obsolete."
📱 Morning ritual: "The first thing I do is reach for my phone to identify any fires that need to be put out," she said.
- "For better or worse, this sets the tone for the day."
💡 Best advice: Sometimes the best response is silence.
- "With all of the pressure of forward motion and rapid response times, sometimes doing nothing carefully is the best advice until there is further clarity," Sheehy said.
📚 Currently consuming: Part of the job is keeping up with client projects, including "The Odyssey," "Beef" season two, "Widow's Bay," "Diary of a CEO" and "Theo of Golden."
