Shauna Thompson

Who was a big influence in your career?

Marty Hadfield was the head engineer at Entercom Radio for a long time. We worked together out of a small satellite office for over a year early in my career and our desks were close by. I spent a lot of time just listening to him. He is a super-smart guy but user friendly and because of him I take nothing at face value. He made the science of life totally normal and now I’m always looking deeper and trying to figure out the Why? Why? Why? It’s not like he set out to teach me anything. He probably doesn’t even realize he was such a huge influence. He just made science and numbers easy and it has evolved to me not being afraid to figure out most anything.

I hate not to mention the bosses who really were trying to teach me stuff -  Karen McGhee at Western International Media in Seattle and Sue Stebner at May Company in Portland, Ore. I know how to negotiate and put a schedule together because of Karen. I know how to coordinate a TV shoot and produce radio and TV spots because of Sue. (I should say, I used to know how to do production. I imagine it’s changed since then but I’m sure I could figure it out) 

What was “your finest moment”, the thing you’re most proud of?

All measurable results! In retail it was sales numbers. At Adstrategies, I love hearing attendance was up at a show I worked on. 

What was your most embarrassing moment in this business?

Starting out in radio sales, I wore a dog costume to a pet company sales call. There is a picture out there somewhere. (I didn’t get the business by the way but I did get the respect of my peers. Oh, I guess I didn’t get that either.)

What attracted you to Adstrategies?

Previously I’d either worked in local markets buying only local or for national clients buying same-same no matter the market. Adstrategies is a national organization with clients in dozens of markets yet functions like a local agency in each and every market. As a planner, I love researching the markets and getting to know the individual media reps in each market. Every market has it’s own personality and that’s the challenge and the fun of it. 

What’s your favorite sports team?

Washington State Cougars (class of 1987). 

What’s your favorite TV program?

And your least favorite?

I love nearly all TV, even the commercials. I am not one to flip through the channels between shows to avoid commercials although I may flip if I am trying to watch two shows at once(: I especially like smart, eccentric people like Walter on Fringe, House, Monk and shows with music and choreography like the Sing Off and I love episodes of Glee where they actually sing. It would be easier to list the shows I don’t like which are baseball, wrestling, Real Housewives of anywhere, dating shows and sensational talk shows in which they make people look like the low-class fools that they are. 

What do you do for a good time when you’re not working?

I have two teenagers who are very entertaining. Plus I read a novel about every two weeks, I like to travel when I have cash in my pocket and I write for a local newspaper although that is actually in the “working” category. I enjoy all kinds of music and live theatre and did I mention I love to watch TV?