MEDIA SERVICES
Creative Idea Generation
Got an idea you want to bring to life? Let Shannon transform your spark into a fully realized pitch. From initial brainstorming to crafting a winning concept, let Shannon take that acorn and turn it into a stunning program idea.
Strategic Collaboration & Workshops
Maximize the impact of your team meetings and brainstorming sessions. Using the proven AJ Smart/Design Sprint method, Shannon facilitates dynamic collaboration and pitching strategies that deliver results. Take your offsite or strategy meeting to the next level.
Motivational Speaker & Media Expert
With over 20 years of experience as an editor, producer, and network executive, Shannon offers a unique perspective on the evolving television industry. As a plus-sized woman excelling in an image-conscious field, she also shares powerful insights on overcoming societal pressures. Shannon’s speeches inspire creative professionals to break barriers and embrace their full potential.
Producing Long & Short Form Content
From Emmy award-winning projects with James Cameron to fun and engaging shorts with Elmo, Shannon has seen it all. Whether you have a small project or a massive undertaking, Shannon brings the same passion and expertise to ensure success. No idea is too big or small.
Problem Resolution for Projects & Teams
When things go wrong, Shannon steps in to fix it. Whether it’s missing key talent, technical challenges, or inappropriate workplace behavior, Shannon’s experience in navigating complex situations ensures your project stays on track. Overcome hurdles and keep your team moving forward.
Mentorship for Young Creatives
Passionate about nurturing young talent, Shannon provides guidance on career growth, work-life balance, and building a fulfilling creative career. She’s dedicated to helping the next generation of creatives achieve their goals and thrive.
Emotional Support Auntie
Need someone in your corner to lift you up? Shannon’s here with open arms and unwavering support. Whether you’re facing career challenges or personal struggles, she’ll provide the encouragement you need to keep moving forward. To Shannon, everyone is a champion.
SPEAKING & WORKSHOPS
Motivational Speaker • Wildlife Filmmaker • Creative Strategist
Shannon Malone-deBenedictis is an award-winning wildlife filmmaker, media executive, and seasoned cruise ship/festival lecturer with over two decades of experience in storytelling, production, and public speaking. Her work spans major networks, remote wild locations, and international stages. Whether she’s delivering a powerful TEDx-style keynote or leading a lively onboard lecture about whales, sharks, or the challenges of filming in the wild, Shannon’s talks are honest, cinematic, and deeply relatable.
As a plus-sized woman thriving in the image-driven media industry, Shannon brings a fresh, authentic voice to conversations around visibility, confidence, and creative leadership. Her sessions blend humor and depth—from behind-the-scenes tales of documentary chaos to real-world lessons about showing up unapologetically. She’s just as comfortable speaking in an intimate coffee chat as she is filling a theater at sea.
From “The Female Force of Nature” to “How to Film Nature (When Nature Doesn’t Cooperate),” Shannon’s workshops and talks leave audiences feeling seen, empowered, and inspired to tell their own stories—on land or at sea.
Topics include:
Animal Documentaries 101
Ever wonder how those documentaries are produced? All the secrets will be revealed.
From Idea to Pitch
Learn how to take an idea for a film and turn it into an effective pitch.
How to Sell Yourself Like a TV Show
All the elements of a great television show are present in you. Learn how to sell yourself with the same philosophy.
The Sh!t Will Hit the Fan
Twenty+ years of television equals a lot of time when everything went wrong. When you prepare for the worst, you can plan for best.
How to Stay Creative in the Hardest Times
It’s hard to remain fresh. Learn these tools to keep the creative ideas flowing.
The Female Force of Nature
In nature, the strongest leaders often aren’t alpha males—they’re matriarchs. Shannon introduces the brilliant female systems behind whales, elephants, hyenas, and more.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
2012 - 2022
SVP OF PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
Red Rock Films
Primary overseer of development and production Red Rock, a start-up US production company. Grew the company from a basement producer to an award-winning industry go-to both domestically and internationally. Projects included the Primetime Emmy Award-winning series SECRETS OF THE WHALES and the Daytime Emmy-winning series PENGUIN TOWN. Projects ranged from natural history to science to lifestyle and independent documentaries.
2007 - 2012
DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT
National Geographic Channel & Nat Geo Wild
Oversaw 85 (eighty-five) production companies including four (4) talent agencies for the National Geographic Channels. Developed and/or created pitches into workable formats and processed them through the greenlight system. Saw projects from concept and greenlight to BAR and handoff to EP/PM team.
1999 - 2007
EDITOR, PRODUCER
Discovery Channel
Duties included development and conceptualization of project, coordination of various corporate departments for program/special rollout, feedback on scripts and rough cuts and completion of project for premiere date including DISCOVERY ATLAS and PLANET EARTH. Served as team lead over Production Support Staff for the Discovery Channel, supervising ten+ junior staff members.
CREDITS
2013 | Turtleman’s Kentucky | Development Executive
2013 | B2: Stealth At War | Development Executive
2012 | NatGeo Wild’s World’s Weirdest| Development Executive
2012 | Storm Warriors | Development Executive
2011 | George Bush: The 9/11 Interview | Development Executive
2011 | CounterTerror NYC | Development Executive
2011 | Wicked Tuna | Development Executive
2011 | American Colony: Meet the Hutterites | Development Executive
2011 | Hard Time 2 | Development Executive
2011 | Eating with Cannibals | Development Executive
2011 | Indestructibles | Development Executive
2010 | Wild Justice| Development Executive
2010 | Taboo VI| Development Executive
2010 | Swamp Men | Development Executive
2010 | My Life is a Zoo | Development Executive
2009 | Alone in the Wild | Development Executive
2009 | Search for the Amazon Headshrinkers | Development Executive
2009 | Shark Men | Development Executive
2007 | Planet Earth* | Network Series Producer
2007 | Risk Takers 2 | Executive Producer
2007| New Face, New Hope | Executive Producer
2006 | Discovery ATLAS* | Series Producer / Project Manager
2006 | Crimes that Shook the World | Series Executive Producer / Writer
2006| The Killer Within Film Trailer, Toronto Film Festival | Producer
2005 | With All Deliberate Speed* Feature Film | Associate Producer
2005 | Dirty Jobs (Pilot)* | Associate Producer
2005 | Little People, Big World (Pilot) | Associate Producer
2005 | America’s Craftiest Animals | Senior Executive Producer
2003 | Death of Yugoslavia* | Associate Producer
2002 | How to Build a Human* | Producer / Writer
2001 | Manhattan on the Beach* | Producer / Writer
2022 | Inside the Mind of a Cat | Executive Producer
2022 | Mothersharker | Executive Producer
2022 | The Haunting of Shark Tower | Executive Producer
2021 | World’s Biggest Bull Shark? | Executive Producer
2021 | Secrets of the Whales* | Executive Producer
2021 | Penguin Town* | Executive Producer
2020 | I Am Wolverine | Development Executive
2020 | Space Disasters | Executive Producer
2020 | Raging Bull Shark | Development Executive
2020 | World’s Biggest Tiger Shark?* | Development Executive
2018 | Wild Nordic | Development Executive
2018 | America’s Mississippi | Development Executive
2018 | Man v Puma | Development Executive
2018 | WebMD Shorts | Development Executive
2018 | Wild Southwest | Development Executive
2018 | Carriers At War | Executive Producer
2018 | Mighty Northwest | Development Executive
2018 | America’s Wild Frontier | Development Executive
2017 | Sesame Studios Shorts | Development Executive
2017 | Return to Isle of Jaws | Executive Producer
2017 | Tiger Shark Terror | Development Executive
2017 | America: The Beautiful | Development Executive
2016 | Deadliest Place on Earth | Executive Producer
2016| Isle of Jaws | Executive Producer
2016 | Who’s Your Doggie? | Development Executive
2015 | The Killing Games | Executive Producer
2015 | Shark Storm | Executive Producer
2014 | Secrets of the Arsenal | Development Executive
2014 | Zombie Sharks | Executive Producer
2014 | Sheriff of Cross River | Development Executive
2014 | Air Warriors | Development Executive
*Award-Winning
From Emmy-winning documentaries to global network series, Shannon’s executive and development roles span two decades of impactful storytelling across major platforms.