Shanon Cook is a writer, podcaster and media personality who grew up in Australia and now lives in Brooklyn, New York (where she insists she’s still growing up). Formerly a CNN broadcast journalist and Spotify podcast host, Shanon has interviewed many prominent artists, including Katy Perry, Dolly Parton, Ye, Britney Spears, Sting, Shakira, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Yo-Yo Ma, BTS, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, Annie Lennox and Mariah Carey.
Shanon also spent nearly a decade at Spotify, where she worked as the company’s spokesperson and trends storyteller. Through countless TV and radio appearances, she introduced audiences to insights about how streaming was changing music listening habits. She grew adept at identifying trends and developing compelling and timely global data stories, including the rise in nostalgia streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic and the often wacky song choices that make their way to wedding playlists. Shanon also curated numerous playlists for Spotify, including her personal favorite midwife-approved “push playlist” for mothers to listen to during labor.
During her time at Spotify, Shanon’s insights and predictions featured regularly in global media, and she’s been quoted in publications including The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Billboard, and appeared on national and international networks on high-profile shows including Access Hollywood, CBS This Morning and NBC’s Morning Joe. In 2020, Shanon helped launch and then hosted and co-produced Spotify’s innovative news podcast “Spotify: For the Record.” While confined to her apartment — don’t ever ask her where she set up her mic — Shanon explored how the pandemic was affecting artists and other topics such as the growing influence of African music, the explosion of K-Pop and the business of streaming.
Prior to joining Spotify, Shanon spent more than a decade at CNN, where she covered music and entertainment news as a producer and reporter. Her candid interviews with musicians — from breakthrough talent to global superstars — aired regularly on the network. Though music was her focus, a live interview with Kermit the Frog was particularly memorable. Forty seconds into the segment, the director told Shanon to cut things off for breaking news, but Shanon decided to finish the conversation with Kermit. She got into some trouble for that. It wasn’t the last time.
Shanon is the author of “The Baby Bumps,” a humorous memoir detailing the challenges of juggling new motherhood with a glamorous TV job.
Shanon also spent nearly a decade at Spotify, where she worked as the company’s spokesperson and trends storyteller. Through countless TV and radio appearances, she introduced audiences to insights about how streaming was changing music listening habits. She grew adept at identifying trends and developing compelling and timely global data stories, including the rise in nostalgia streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic and the often wacky song choices that make their way to wedding playlists. Shanon also curated numerous playlists for Spotify, including her personal favorite midwife-approved “push playlist” for mothers to listen to during labor.
During her time at Spotify, Shanon’s insights and predictions featured regularly in global media, and she’s been quoted in publications including The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Billboard, and appeared on national and international networks on high-profile shows including Access Hollywood, CBS This Morning and NBC’s Morning Joe. In 2020, Shanon helped launch and then hosted and co-produced Spotify’s innovative news podcast “Spotify: For the Record.” While confined to her apartment — don’t ever ask her where she set up her mic — Shanon explored how the pandemic was affecting artists and other topics such as the growing influence of African music, the explosion of K-Pop and the business of streaming.
Prior to joining Spotify, Shanon spent more than a decade at CNN, where she covered music and entertainment news as a producer and reporter. Her candid interviews with musicians — from breakthrough talent to global superstars — aired regularly on the network. Though music was her focus, a live interview with Kermit the Frog was particularly memorable. Forty seconds into the segment, the director told Shanon to cut things off for breaking news, but Shanon decided to finish the conversation with Kermit. She got into some trouble for that. It wasn’t the last time.
Shanon is the author of “The Baby Bumps,” a humorous memoir detailing the challenges of juggling new motherhood with a glamorous TV job.
Photo: Chris Sorensen