Every month, PRSA-LA highlights members who are making an impact — sharing their ideas, information, and stories about their experiences in PR. This month, we are featuring Nathan Miller, CEO and Founder of Miller Ink.
What do you love about PR/communications?
First, I love the challenges and complexity of the work. Being successful in strategic communications requires a unique combination of creative thinking, a talent for rapidly responding to situations and executing tactically, and an ability to manage and nurture many different kinds of relationships. I often describe the best people in our field as “ninjas” because they have a sort of professional athleticism – an aptitude to navigate obstacles and get things done.
Second, I love the opportunity that we have every day to make a difference for our clients and the world. Communications professionals have tremendously powerful tools at our disposal. Storytelling is a basic human need. Ever since early man painted pictures on cave walls, we have used stories to make sense of our surroundings and translate our perspective to others. Our ability to share stories in the form of a communications strategy is fundamental to the success of virtually every venture.
What motivates you each morning?
First, I wake up with the knowledge that our clients are doing really interesting and important things – and that my team will play a central role in their success. Second, I know that there is a near certainty that something will come up unexpected nearly every day requiring me think creatively and navigate a situation I have never navigated before.
Who has been the most influential person in your career?
Ambassador Ron Prosor, who served as Israel’s Mission to the United Nations when I was at the Mission as a senior advisor and Director of Speechwriting. Ron had a famous ability to communicate in a way that was moving, memorable, and advanced his country’s agenda. When had a speech scheduled in the Security Council, other diplomats would show up just to hear what he would say.
He also had incredible diplomatic skills – and understood how to foster close professional relationships even when your interests were not always aligned with the other person.
What’s your PR secret weapon?
Bob Dylan said, “He who is not busy being born is busy dying.” That is how I approach our business. We are never satisfied with our status quo at Miller Ink. We are always seeking to be more excellent as an agency and as individual communications professionals.
Additionally, our team is a secret weapon. I’m really proud of the talent acquisition and training processes we’ve put in place to build a team unlike any other in our business. It pays dividends every day for our company – and is the single most important reason that Miller Ink is a great place to work.
What is the best piece of career advice you have ever received?
Everything compounds in your career. Friends bring you more friends. Opportunities create more opportunities. This is why there is no such thing as an unimportant relationship.
What was your favorite PRSA-LA event/program and why?
The annual PRISM awards dinner is a great opportunity to network with other industry professionals and celebrate the achievements of our colleagues.
What do you like most about PRSA-LA?
PRSA-LA plays a vital role in connecting our local community of communications professionals. It has been an invaluable resource for me in growing my business on so many fronts – from hiring, to networking, to business development.
Want to be featured in our member spotlight? Or know someone that should be?
Just fill out our form here: https://prsala.org/news-and-events/member-spotlight-submissions/
