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Shira L. Miller has 19 years of award-winning experience in public relations, corporate communications and marketing communications. Her boutique PR firm, Shira Miller Communications, provides brand image enhancement, strategic public relations, messaging development, new product launches, media relations, community relations and marketing communications to great companies in the retail, food, consumer brands and professional services industries. Clients have included Accountants One, AID Atlanta, Carvel Ice Cream, California Pizza Kitchen, Cox Communications, Spanx (hosiery and innerwear), Taste of Atlanta, The Weber School and Y-3 adidas.
Although Shira enjoys making corny "I'm the boss of me" jokes on demand, her motivation for starting the business came from a desire to help clients capitalize on opportunities and solve problems through really good, thoughtful PR that generates results. A passionate advocate for clients, she is proud to partner with businesses that have terrific products, services and people.
Before starting her consulting practice in 2001, Shira served as the Director of Corporate Communications for the American Retail Group, a billion-dollar retail company whose holdings included Eastern Mountain Sports, Uptons, Maurices, Levi's/Dockers Outlets by M.O.S.T. and Millers Outpost. Her career also included stints as the Director of Marketing Communications for Morrison Management Specialists ($800 million B2B food & nutrition provider), Public Relations Manager for The Shepherd Center; Community Relations Manager for Days Inns of America and Weekend Bureau Coordinator for the NBC News Southeastern Bureau.
Much to her mother's delight, Shira has been recognized with more than 30 national, regional and statewide communication awards throughout her career. Most recently the recipient of the 2006 Luminary Star Award and 2005 Best of Phoenix Award from Public Relations Society of America's Georgia Chapter, her work has also been honored by the International Association of Business Communicators, Women in Communications, the American Hotel & Motel Association and the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International.
Public speaking has also been a lifelong passion for the energetic redhead. Her extensive speaking experience includes acting as an industry presenter, trainer, emcee, motivational speaker and media spokesperson. She lectures on communication topics ranging from "How to Level the Playing Field through PR" to "Using Humor to Get Headlines" while actively serving on panels to discuss media relations, publicity generation and crisis communications. The recipient of more than 50 competitive speaking awards during college and high school, Shira was the South Carolina State Champion in Extemporaneous Speaking in 1983 and 1984. She was also nationally ranked in Extemporaneous Speaking in 1983.
The Emory University graduate is an active member of PRSA, co-chairing the Georgia Chapter's 2006 Awards Celebration and the Independent Counselor's Forum in 2004. She also belongs to the National Association of Women Business Owners and GROWE, the Georgia Roundtable of Women Entrepreneurs. A member of the Buckhead Business Association's Leadership Class of 2005, Shira has been quoted in publications including Health Magazine, Shape Magazine, PR Practitioner, Emory Magazine, Atlanta Woman and The Power of Nice, a bestselling business book in 2006.
When she's not working, Shira makes time for frequent gym workouts, the occasional spectacular dessert and the pursuit of great conversations with intriguing people.
Public Relations Society of America (Georgia Chapter):
- Best of Phoenix (Top Award in Competition), 2005
- Phoenix Award for Issues Management, 2005
- Phoenix Award for Reputation Programs, 2005
- Phoenix Award for Creative Tactics, 2005
- Certificate of Excellence for Press Kits, 2005
- Certificate of Excellence for News Releases, 2002
- Certificate of Excellence for Press Kits, 2002
- Phoenix Award for Consumer News Releases, 1999
- Phoenix Award for Intranets, 1999
- Certificate of Excellence for Annual Reports, 1999
- Certificate of Excellence for Internal Communications Program, 1996
- Phoenix Award for Media Relations Projects, 1996
- Certificate of Excellence for Best Overall Public Relations Program, 1994
- Phoenix Award for Best Internal Communications Program, 1991
International Association of Business Communicators (Atlanta Chapter):
- Silver Flame Award, Internal Communications Program, 1999
- Silver Flame Award, Special Publications, 1999
- Bronze Flame Award, Written Communications-News Releases, 1999
- Honorable Mention for Internal Communications Program, 1996
- Golden Flame Award, Ongoing Media Relations Program, 1994
- Silver Flame Award, Media Relations Project, 1994
- Silver Flame Award, Special Event Pieces, 1994
- Golden Flame Award for Top External Communication Program, 1993
International Association of Business Communicators (Southeastern District):
- Award of Merit, Annual Reports, 1999
- Award of Merit, External Communications Programs, 1990
Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International
- Golden Bell Award; Community Service Campaign, 1991
- Golden Bell Award; Public Affairs Campaign, 1991
- Golden Bell Award; Feature Placement Broadcast, 1991
- Golden Bell Award; Community Service Campaign, 1990
Business Aging & Leadership Award; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 1991
American Hotel & Motel Association; Gold Key Public Relations Award, 1990
Women In Communications (Atlanta Chapter); Aces Award for Special Events, 1990
KEY STRENGTHS
- Motivational Speaker
- Speaking Coach/Trainer
- Media Spokesperson
- Events Speaker/Emcee
- Industry Presenter
EXPERIENCE
Speaking Engagements:
- NAWBO Atlanta – Created interactive workshop called “PR to Level The Playing Field” that taught participants how to showcase their company’s expertise, raise visibility before prospective clients/customers and generate positive publicity about your business. Atlanta, Georgia, 2006.
- PRSA Georgia – Served as a panelist discussing publicity generation and media relations in a seminar called “The Media Relations Chess Game.” Atlanta, Georgia, 2006.
- No Foolin' PRSA Comedy Night - Co-hosted this lighter look at PR and presented an interactive program called "How Being Funny Can Get You In The Headlines." Atlanta, Georgia, 2005.
- Real World PR 2004 - Moderated the opening session media panel for this Georgia PRSA seminar, which educated over 200 public relations students about the industry. Atlanta, Georgia, 2004.
- Ladies Fitness Retreat at Camp Woodmont - Presented interactive workshop called "Become Your Own Best Cheerleader" to teach participants how to keep themselves inspired and motivated. Cloudland, Georgia, 2004.
- Freelancer's Forum - Presented interactive workshop called "Unleash the Energizer Bunny Within" for this group of creative professionals including writers, graphic designers, PR consultants, marketing experts and web site designers. Atlanta, Georgia, 2004.
- Independent Counselor's Forum - Presented interactive workshop called "Jumpstarting Your Creativity" for this group of independent PR consultants. Atlanta, Georgia, 2003.
- Cox Communications, Inc. - Created and facilitated a workshop for the $5 billion dollar broadband company's system-wide public affairs officials called "Influencing Your Key Audiences." The session taught participants how to effectively develop and communicate essential messages to important audience groups including customers, reporters, government officials, education contacts and employees. Las Vegas, Nevada, 2001.
- J.A. Thomas & Associates - Created and delivered a "Powerful Presentation Skills" Seminar for the consultants and management team of this leading health care clinical documentation provider. Atlanta, Georgia, 2001.
- American Marketing Association (Atlanta Chapter) - "Creating a Crisis Communication Plan" - Atlanta, Georgia, 1996.
- Public Relations Society of America (Georgia Chapter) - "Maximizing Your Media Coverage" - Atlanta, Georgia, 1996.
- Morrison Health Care National Conference - Emceed "Morrison Health Care TV" stage show production - Atlanta, Georgia, 1995.
- Employment Management Association Annual Conference - "Hiring Non-Traditional Workers" - Chicago, Illinois, 1991.
- Illinois Department of Aging Conference - "Days Inns' Efforts to Hire Older Workers" - Chicago, Illinois, 1991.
- American Management Association - "Recruiting & Training the Older Workforce" - Orlando, Florida, 1990.
- American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) - "Tapping Older Workers at Days Inns" - Washington, DC, 1990.
Corporate Spokesperson:
- Interviewed on camera and in print by national, regional and local media outlets, 1989 - Present.
Public Speaking Instruction:
- Morrison Health Care, Inc. - Created and facilitated a presentation skills workshop for 40 regional management team members. Provided individual public speaking coaching to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, 1994 - 1998.
- A.D.A.M. Software, Inc. - Led "Effective Co-Marketing Presentation Skills" workshop for the marketing management team, 1993.
- Atlanta Paralympic Organizing Committee - Presented "Public Speaking Tips for Speakers Bureau Presentations" to over 100 volunteers, 1993.
- Southwire Company - Created "How to Speak on Your Feet," an impromptu speaking seminar for plant managers, 1992.
- Days Inns of America, Inc. - Conducted weekly public speaking, media training and public relations workshops for visiting general managers and hotel executives, 1989 - 1992.
Additional Honors:
- South Carolina State Champion, Extemporaneous Speaking, 1983 & 1984
- Nationally Ranked, Extemporaneous Speaking, 1983
