Big Communications, a leading creative and marketing company, has promoted longtime staff member Shannon Harris to lead its award-winning creative department as Executive Creative Director.

Harris has been promoted four times since joining the company in 2010, most recently as creative director. This marks the birth of Big’s first female executive creative director in her 28-year history.

“Shannon is an integral part of our agency organization and the broader Birmingham community,” said Big Founder and CEO John Montgomery. “Her creative talents have propelled this city forward for nearly her 20 years by building brands that ultimately help build our community. I look forward to her continued success in this high position.” I’m sure it will continue.”

In his new role, he will be responsible for coordinating the development and delivery of highly impactful and award-winning solutions for Big’s customers, including brands such as Jack’s Family Restaurants, GFiber, and FedEx. Reporting directly to Montgomery, she will lead Big’s 14-person creative department and serve as part of the agency’s leadership team.

Mr. Harris has helped drive the agency’s growth across technology, retail and economic development, along with local and national brands such as Texas Children’s Hospital, formerly Bayer Properties (now Centennial) and UAB Callahan Eye. . As founding chair of Big’s Culture Club and its mentorship program, her Big Growth, she also continues to invest in creating opportunities for growth and development across the agency.

She has previously been named Designer of the Year, Illustrator of the Year, and Web Designer of the Year by the Birmingham Chapter of the American Advertising Federation (Birmingham AAF). Most recently she was awarded the world’s most exclusive large-scale photo competition in June 2023. Communication Arts’ 64th Annual Photo Competition — Winner for visually stunning images of the UAB Callahan Eye by Team Big. The Looking Beyond entry, which was honored in the advertising category, was led by Harris and photography partner Stephanie Ely.

Harris graduated from Auburn University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design.

“It is truly an honor to lead Big’s creative department going forward,” Harris said. “I have seen the agency grow tremendously, from our team to our capabilities to our client roster, and now I look forward to working with John and the rest of the team to lead us to the next stage of growth, success, and impact. I’m looking forward to it.”

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270