Michael Shannon

Michael R Shannon is convinced the best job he ever had was as an editorial page columnist with The Dallas Morning News, because they paid him to read the newspaper. (Previously he had been doing it for free and paying for the privilege.)

Unfortunately, it didn’t last because at the time Shannon was a ‘moderate Democrat’ writing for a conservative paper. Years later he still couldn’t write for the News since he is now a conservative and the paper is liberal.

Shannon founded MANDATE: Message, Media & Public Relations, a political media and public relations firm. First working exclusively for Democrats, then as he saw the error of his ways, changing parties and working with conservatives and Republicans.

He has produced election and award–winning television, radio, direct mail and newspaper advertising in over 70 elections on three continents and a handful of islands.

He is a popular speaker and recognized as an expert on message development and political advertising and communication. Shannon also has extensive crisis communication experience and has conducted public advocacy campaigns and media training. Shannon teaches these and other courses for the National Federation of Republican Women, The University of Tennessee – Chattanooga Command College, The University of Virginia's Sorensen Institute, the American Medical Association PAC, Capitol.Net, The Police/Fire Labor Institute, Bulldog Reporter’s Media Relations Summit and The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs. Shannon is a regular speaker on political commercials, crisis communication and public relations for Campaigns & Elections. He has also addressed the National League of Cities, conducted seminars for Information Management and The University of Arkansas – Little Rock and performed as the keynote speaker for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

His client list includes the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the United National Congress in Trinidad & Tobago — where he helped elect the first female Prime Minister in history — and The Israel Project in Israel. Shannon has worked with Unia Wolnosci in Poland, Prime Minister Lester Bird of Antigua & Barbados, Project Venezuela in Venezuela and Opposition Leader David Thompson of Barbados. He has also done training for the Liberal Party national convention in Canada, with various parties in Croatia and Bosnia for NDI and in Romania for the Partnership for International Education & Training. In the US Shannon has done training for the American Medical Association, the American Heart Assn., the Ohio & Michigan Education Assns., the Texas Medical Association and the League of Women Voters.

Shannon is a multiple first place winner in the American Assn. of Political Consultant's Pollie awards. Shannon won back–to–back first place Silver Microphone Awards for best radio commercial and best radio campaign. He is also a three–time winner of the prestigious Gold statue at the Houston International Film Festival.

He can be reached at Michael-Shannon@comcast.net