Shavannia S. Williams is a marketing and sales veteran with an expertise in the sports industry. She is the Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of SW Group a marketing and communications firm in Washington, DC that specializes in providing unique integrated marketing communications solutions that drive sales, increase awareness, launch products and strengthen the brands of its clients through the use of media, events, technology and sports. She also leads “Heels & Helmets” a program that educates women on the game of football to help them “join the conversation at the office with colleagues” through workshops and a weekly blog.
Previously, Ms. Williams was responsible for leading the marketing and branding strategies and corporate communications initiatives for Ford Field and the Detroit Lions, a franchise in the National Football League (NFL) in Detroit, MI. She also served as the Public Relations Committee Co-Chair for the NCAA® 2009 Men’s Final Four®. With this appointment, she recruited and led a team of volunteers to develop and execute a public relations plan and community awareness program surrounding the world’s largest basketball event – NCAA® Men’s College Basketball Championship. She was also a member of the 2009 North American International Auto Show Public Relations Host Committee.
Prior to joining Ford Field and the Detroit Lions, Shavannia served in multiple sales and marketing functions at Washington Sports & Entertainment. During her tenure with the organization, she increased ticket sales and was recognized by the WNBA for securing the second largest group in the 2004 Court of Dreams Contest. As Sponsorship Services Manager, she supervised and grew over 35 key marketing partnerships for Ticketmaster; Verizon Center; Washington Capitals (NHL); Washington Mystics (WNBA); and the Washington Wizards (NBA). While in this position, she implemented new programs and incorporated digital media into recapitulation reports that increased the retention of major sponsors. Clients note her energy and keen ability to think outside of the box as reasons for her success in helping them increase brand awareness and sales.
Before entering the sports industry, Shavannia was Associate Market Manager with Steelcase Inc, a Fortune 500 company and international office furniture manufacturer. In this capacity, she developed sales strategies and marketing plans to meet the specific needs of her assigned dealerships within the Washington, DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas.
Shavannia is a strong advocate of education. She has served as a volunteer tutor, mentor and lecturer for schools in the Washington, DC and Detroit communities. As a result of her efforts to positively impact the lives of youth, she was a recipient of Washington Sports & Entertainment’s Community Service Award in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
A native of Muskegon Heights, MI, Shavannia received her B.A. in Sport Management and Communication from The University of Michigan. She serves as a volunteer Alumni Student Recruiter for her alma mater and is Vice-Chair for one of its scholarships, The Bernard “Pat” Maloy Scholarship.
Shavannia was recognized as a “Corporate Brass” in the 2009 Who’s Who in Black Detroit and was a 2008 recipient of the University of Michigan African American Alumni Council’s “5 under 10 Award.” She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., National Association of Black Sports Professionals and Metropolitan A.M.E Church.
Copyright © 2010 Shavannia Williams Group LLC
Shavannia S. Williams
Chief Marketing Officer
SW Group
www.theswgroup.net