Sheereen Russell

Sheereen M. Russell is a seasoned media executive and Executive Vice President, Ad Sales and Inclusive Content Monetization at Warner Bros. Discovery. In her current role, Russell is responsible for driving sales, educating marketers, and developing content and data-based solutions to engage brands and consumers across the Warner Bros. Discovery portfolio of cable, social and digital platforms. She also leads efforts to deliver on WBD’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in front of and behind the camera, while partnering closely with programming and merchandising teams across all platforms to develop diverse and inclusive content and sponsorship opportunities.

Russell has received numerous industry accolades including being honored by Cynopsis Top Women in Media in 2023. In 2022, Russell was selected to Ad Age’s “The List,” a select group of marketing, advertising & media leaders recognized for their work toward addressing underrepresentation and work-life balance in the industry as well as Ad Age’s mission to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in senior leadership. In 2020, Russell was named to the board of the New York Women in Communications as Vice President of Memberships, joined the Ad Age Diversity Council, spearheaded OWN’s partnership with the ANA’s SeeHer initiative to expand positive representation for Black women in media, was a 2020 ANA Multicultural Awards Judge, and was named to the Cablefax 2020 Diversity List. In 2019, Russell was recognized as one of Ad Age’s “Women to Watch” list for her commitment to inclusive brand narratives and representation of Black audiences and accurate portrayals in all content. In 2018, NAMIC identified Ms. Russell as a “Next Generation Leader”. Russell serves on the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), the New York Women in Communications (NY WICI) and Vox Media Board of Directors.

Prior to WBD, Russell had a successful decade long tenure at Viacom, where she rose through the ranks and became VP of Brand Sales at Viacom—building innovative solutions for key advertisers within MTV’s portfolio of live on-air awards shows, experiential tentpoles, premium programming and digital platforms. She was awarded the 2013 Presidential Award at Viacom for her revenue driving performance and team leadership.

Russell made the leap to Viacom from Time Warner/Time Inc. in 2006 after serving as the National Sales and Marketing Director at Sports Illustrated. While at Sports Illustrated, she was instrumental in developing and launching a college sports magazine, Sports Illustrated on Campus. She designed and spearheaded a successful influencer panel to offer national marketers both custom marketing and insights around college millennials.

Russell began her media and entertainment career as a Publicist for Time magazine.

Ms. Russell earned a B. A. in Communications with a Minor in Journalism from Wake Forest University. She currently resides in the New York area with her husband and two sons.