David Shing

David Shing
Born	1970 Australia
Occupation	Marketing professional
Years active	2007–2019
Known for	Digital Prophet at AOL

David Shing (born in 1970), also referred to as "Shingy," is an Australian marketing professional who occupied high-level marketing positions at AOL between 2007 and 2019.

Personal life

Raised in a suburban area of Australia, Shing pursued his education at the Billy Blue design institution located in Sydney.

Career

Beginning his tenure at AOL in 2007 as Marketing Director for its European division, Shing progressed to the role of VP Media and Marketing for AOL's international operations by 2010. In 2011, he adopted the title "Digital Prophet," a unique position focused on enhancing the company's visibility through keynote speeches at prominent industry gatherings including SXSW and TEDx. He remained with AOL throughout its transition following acquisition by Verizon, continuing his work under Oath and subsequently Verizon Media until leaving the organization in 2019.

Public image

Shing is widely recognized for his unconventional attire, distinctive presentation style, and the somewhat enigmatic nature of his "Digital Prophet" designation. Media coverage has been mixed, with some critics labeling his talks as nonsensical, while others within the advertising community praise his contextual insights. Although some view him as a symbol of AOL’s strategic ambiguity and broader challenges within corporate America, alternative perspectives suggest that his role essentially represented a traditional marketing function within the company.

In popular culture

A parody character named "Shangy," inspired by Shing, is featured in the comedy series W/ Bob & David.