As executive vice president of corporate communications for The Weather Channel Companies (TWCC), Shirley Powell has executive oversight of all internal and external public relations and communications strategies for The Weather Channel network, its digital properties such as weather.com and The Weather Channel Mobile, and its business-to-business division Weather Services International (WSI). Powell is based in Atlanta at TWCC’s headquarters and reports to TWCC’s President & CEO Mike Kelly.
A member of the senior executive team, she provides communications counsel on a broad range of business issues and initiatives as well as serves as the chief spokesperson for the company. With more than 20 years in the media industry, Powell’s understanding and broad experience play a critical role in taking the company’s message to key constituencies.
Most recently, Powell served as senior vice president of corporate communications for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., (TBS, Inc.) overseeing the strategy, development and implementation of TBS’s external messaging and serving as its chief spokesperson for networks and businesses such as CNN, TBS, TNT and Cartoon Network. She was also responsible for internal communications, as well as government affairs, corporate contributions and community relations.
Previously, Powell was senior vice president of media relations for NBC, where she oversaw publicity, corporate communications and talent relations for its entertainment divisions in Burbank, Calif. Earlier, she served as vice president of media relations for the Disney Channel and Toon Disney. Powell has led publicity and helped launch large projects, such as the launch of Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon Studios, and Universal Studios Florida.
Powell serves on the boards of directors of The Atlanta Women’s Foundation and Leadership Atlanta, and is a member of the Board of Visitors of Temple University’s School of Communications. She is actively involved with Women in Cable & Telecommunications (WICT), having served on its national board. She is a Betsy Magness Leadership Institute fellow, a graduate of Leadership Atlanta, and member of the Arthur Page Society. She received WICT Atlanta’s 2007 Red Letter “Horizon Award for Woman to Watch” and is among the Business to Business 2007 “Women of Excellence.” Powell earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Temple University and resides in Marietta, Ga. with her family.
