Mike Shannon advises clients on brand positioning, crisis management, market research, and digital issues. He is also co-leader of the firm's Philanthropy & Causes practice.

Before joining Vianovo, Mike worked at the Boston Consulting Group. He is a veteran of two winning U.S. presidential campaigns, during which he oversaw $250 million in advertising buys using groundbreaking microtargeting strategies. Mike also served on the White House Staff, where he directed polling, coordinated scenario planning sessions, and, in the aftermath of 9/11, wrote presidential messages for memorial services. He began his career in project and acquisition finance.

In 2013, the Cook Political Report named Mike to its inaugural list of "Who's Who in Big Political Data," and his writings on the "politics of brands" have been featured in the Washington Post, L.A. Times, National Journal, and Fortune Magazine.  His international campaign work includes advising candidates in Mexico, the Bahamas, and Madagascar.

Mike holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Vanderbilt University. He is a board member and past chair of Side by Side Kids, an after-school program for at-risk children in East Austin.