Due not only to his unwavering leadership in light of an extremely trying year and but also his team’s ongoing success despite unprecedented circumstances, Big CEO John Montgomery was recognized during the Birmingham Business Journal’s virtual awards event held Thursday, Dec. 3.
Montgomery — whose team has worked remotely since early March — has led Big through a unique 2020, but hopes to use this past year’s learnings to motivate his agency for expansion as the New Year approaches, saying, “While 2020’s challenges prove how fragile plans are, Big will to continue to support Birmingham while expanding out of market. I want to bring more national brands back to the Magic City and show the world what our agency is made of.”
Since founding Big in 1995, he has built an agency environment that manages and cultivates the talent it attracts while keeping an eye on the bottom line. His motto is “make a difference while making a living,” and he’s shown that as a champion of Birmingham’s revitalization – both for its citizens and its visitors.
Under Montgomery’s leadership, the multidisciplinary Big team manages a variety of accounts that span areas including economic development, healthcare, travel and tourism, restaurants and retail, and automotive. As early pioneer of the Birmingham’s cultural renaissance, he has also donated support and resources to local flagship events and attractions including the rebranding of the Birmingham CVB, Vulcan Park, Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham Promise and Sidewalk Film Festival.
In addition to his 2020 Birmingham Business Journal CEO award recognition, he has earned numerous regional and local awards and recognitions including Leadership Alabama Class of 2020-2021, Ad Age Small Agency of the Year 2013, Leadership Birmingham in 2010, American Ad Fed Birmingham Chapter Silver Medal in 2011 and Top 40 under 40 in 1998.
As a CEO worthy of praise, when asked what he is most proud of in his career, Montgomery responded, “I am extremely proud of the past 25 years at Big and our collaborative evolution. We’ve grown from a one-man shop into a 56-person agency offering strategic services that respond to clients’ needs. I take great pride in our people and our work.”
And, sir, Big takes tremendous pride in you.