David Shing

David Shing (known as “Shingy”) is an Australian futurist, speaker, creative director, strategic digital consultant, and entrepreneur. Known for his performative persona and his bold and polarizing moniker, the Digital Prophet, Shingy is a multidimensional creative who specializes in advising clients about inventive, effective, and sustainable approaches to optimizing brand value within the digital landscape. He is passionate about educating big brands about the unique opportunities afforded by emerging digital, social, and mobile technologies.

Shing attended Billy Blue Design School in Sydney before launching his career in digital marketing. He gained prominence as the Marketing Director for AOL Europe before being promoted to VP of Media and Marketing for AOL International in 2010. In 2011, Shing assumed the unique title of the company's "Digital Prophet." As AOL's Digital Prophet, Shing worked globally to identify new opportunities for the business and assist in increasing its external profile. A key part of his role involved monitoring the digital landscape, identifying trends and opportunities, and communicating these to various stakeholders. He delivered speeches at numerous conferences and events, including SXSW and TEDx, providing insights into the future of digital marketing.

Shing's role also involved collaborating closely with agency and marketing teams to develop creative brand engagement strategies. His unique approach to his work, marked by an unusual fashion sense and idiosyncratic speaking style, made him a recognisable figure in the industry. Despite his notable contributions, Shing's time at AOL also drew criticism, with some describing him as a symbol of AOL's "uncertainty and aimlessness." After departing from AOL in 2019, Shing now serves as the Digital Prophet of his own advertising services, Shingy.

Outside of his professional engagements, Shing made several appearances in the media, including MSNBC and in a feature article in The New Yorker. His distinctive style even earned him a parody in the comedy sketch show W/ Bob & David. He currently resides in New York with his wife Lia.