Big Communications, a creative and marketing powerhouse, has promoted longtime staffer Shannon Harris to lead its award-winning creative department as executive creative director.
Harris has had four promotions since joining the agency in 2010 and most recently served as creative director. This marks Big’s first female executive creative director in its 28-year history.
“Shannon is an integral part of our agency fabric and of the wider Birmingham community,” said Big Founder and CEO John Montgomery. “Her creative prowess has helped propel this city for nearly two decades by building brands that ultimately help build our community, and I know she will continue her success in this elevated position.”
In her new role, she will be responsible for orchestrating the development and delivery of highly impactful, award-winning solutions for Big’s clients, including such brands as Jack’s Family Restaurants, GFiber and FedEx. Reporting to Montgomery, she will also serve on the agency’s leadership team while helming Big’s 14-person creative department.
Harris has helped drive growth for the agency across verticals including tech, retail and economic development with local and national brands like Texas Children’s Hospital, the former Bayer Properties (now Centennial), UAB Callahan Eye and more. As a founding chairperson of Big’s Culture Club, as well as its mentorship program, Big Growth, she also remains invested in creating opportunities for growth and development across the agency.
She is a previous recipient of the Birmingham Chapter of the American Advertising Federation’s (Birmingham AAF) Designer of the Year, Illustrator of the Year and Web Designer of the Year distinctions. Most recently in June 2023, the most exclusive major photography competition in the world — Communication Arts’ 64th Photography Competition — honored team Big’s visually stunning image for UAB Callahan Eye. The “Looking Beyond” entry, honored in the advertising category, was led by Harris alongside photography partner Stephanie Eley.
Harris graduated in 2006 from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design.
“It’s truly an honor to lead Big’s creative department going forward,” said Harris. “I’ve seen the agency grow tremendously, from team to capabilities to client roster, and I now look forward to partnering with John and the rest of the team to usher in the next phase of growth, success and impact.”
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
