Ben Shields

Ben Shields is a Senior Lecturer in Managerial Communication at the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he focuses on digital transformation in the sports, media, and entertainment industries. He teaches graduate courses including Creative Industries: Media, Entertainment, and the Arts; Social Media Management; Sports Strategy and Analytics; and Communication for Leaders.

His research interests span multiple domains of digital engagement:

• Digital transformation strategies for sports organizations
• Social media management and persuasion in networked culture
• Data-driven team performance and storytelling
• Leadership communication in digital contexts
• Monetization strategies for digital content
• Fan engagement in crowded marketplaces

Ben Shields' publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the intersection of data, storytelling, and performance across sports and entertainment. His work shows how organizations can leverage digital tools while maintaining authentic human connections with audiences. Recent publications emphasize the growing importance of AI in content creation and audience engagement, particularly in how data-driven teams can use narrative techniques to achieve sustained performance.

His scientific achievements include:

• MIT's Teaching with Digital Technology Award (2020)
• Jamieson Prize for Excellence in Teaching (2022), MIT Sloan's most prestigious teaching award

As an educator and practitioner, Shields has developed and teaches multiple executive education programs including the Global Executive Academy (where he serves as Faculty Director), Data-Driven Teams: The Art and Science of Winning, Communication and Persuasion in the Digital Age, and Maximizing Your Personal Productivity. Prior to MIT, he served as Director of Social Media and Marketing at ESPN, bringing practical industry experience to his academic work.