Published on: October 15, 2026
VICE Media has appointed Shannon Washington, an award-winning creative leader, brand builder and culturist, as President of its creative agency, VIRTUE Worldwide. The appointment is aimed at strengthening the agency’s capabilities in brand strategy, driving business growth and developing culturally relevant creative solutions for clients.
Washington will report directly to VICE Media CEO Adam Stotsky. Her responsibilities will include shaping the agency’s future identity and exploring ways to strengthen its connection with the wider VICE brand and portfolio. She will also lead efforts to expand VICE’s brand marketing business through VICE Sports.
Stotsky said, “We are thrilled to welcome Shannon, a rare powerhouse who blends unmatched creative vision with deep business acumen,” said Adam. “She is the ideal leader to drive our agency’s next phase of growth – accelerating new business and delivering provocative, ground breaking strategy and creative work that elevates our clients’ brands. Beyond the agency, Shannon will help us better leverage the strength of VICE across our business units and continue to expand our VICE Sports footprint.”
In her new position, Washington will collaborate with Amy Powell, President of VICE Studios, to expand the company’s branded entertainment offering. She will also work with Andrew Lerios, President of London Alley, VICE’s production and creative company that represents established and emerging directors worldwide.
As part of the leadership transition, Kerry Tucker will become Chief Growth Officer at London Alley, reporting to Lerios. Tucker’s new role will help strengthen collaboration across VICE’s businesses and connect clients with a broader range of marketing and production services.
Washington said, “VICE has always seen where culture is headed, but there’s something bigger happening here,” said Shannon. “For two decades, our industry has optimised creativity out of business, leaving us with a narrow and superficial definition of what it means to be brave. Leading VICE’s creative agency is an opportunity to transform a creative business and build one differently. Expanding my work in sports with the full force of VICE makes that opportunity even bigger. Ultimately, VICE is the right place to do this work because being where others aren’t and doing what others won’t is in this brand’s DNA – a place where cultural resonance, growth, strategy and provocation are the same conversation. I’m excited to help brands take meaningful risks, create cultural impact and leave a mark.”
Washington brings extensive experience in connecting creative strategy with business growth. Most recently, she served as Managing Partner at 11 Ounces, where she developed the studio into a creative and consulting business focused on sports, entertainment and brand storytelling. Her work included advising athletes, leagues, teams and brands such as the WNBA, New York Liberty and PUMA on creative strategy, content and experiences.
VICE is also establishing a strategic partnership with 11 Ounces to support its VICE Sports marketing initiatives. Washington will continue to serve as an Advisory Partner at the company.
Earlier, Washington was Global Chief Creative Officer at Gotham/McCann Worldgroup, where she expanded the agency beyond its traditional beauty specialisation into a broader creative business. Under her leadership, the agency broadened its capabilities, categories and revenue opportunities while securing its first Webby and Clio Awards.
Before that, as US Chief Creative Officer at R/GA, Washington led the agency’s flagship office through the pandemic, improving employee retention and helping secure major new business wins, including Uber, Sephora and TurboTax. The TurboTax win was described as IPG’s second-largest new business win in 2023.
Across her career, Washington has worked at the intersection of sports, beauty, finance and culture, developing creative operating models and advising leaders on business transformation. She is a two-time Cannes Lions Jury President and has been recognised as Ad Age’s CCO of the Year, an Adweek Creative 100 honouree and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business.
Commenting on the leadership transition, Stotsky said, “I’m deeply grateful to Kerry Tucker for her outstanding leadership at VIRTUE and for positioning the business for its next stage of growth. I’m also excited about her new executive role at London Alley, where she will continue to serve as a bridge across VICE, ensuring we offer clients a comprehensive suite of brand marketing solutions – from strategy and creative advertising to branded entertainment and commercial production, and vice versa.”
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