Tuesday, November 10, 2009

John Douglas Miller, Chief Marketing Officer of the NBC Universal Television Group


After interning and learning the ropes at NBC Universal in Chicago over the summer, it was a great pleasure to get to speak with an Emmy winner and PROMAX Hall of Fame member, Mr. John Douglas Miller the Chief Marketing Officer of NBC Universal. He proved to me, once again, how optimistic and educational it can be working for such a successful and well known company. The encouragement and support that these executives have for graduates is overwhelming. Mr. Miller and I discussed the following questions:

What has made you successful in your career?
He said that the main two reasons he’s where he is today is because of both hard work and not being satisfied with “good enough”. My favorite part of the interview and a statement that I firmly believe leads to success was, “I’m always trying to look forward because the world doesn’t stop moving and neither should you.” You should enjoy what you do and do it well because doing something well has its rewards. At any job you’re at, look at what your next job might be and prepare for that position. Always continue learning.

What advice would you give to graduating seniors?
Be persistent, be upbeat, and when you go in for a job be mindful that there are probably hundreds of other candidates that are just as qualified. Stand up, differentiate and sell yourself. Let the company know why you are the best choice versus anyone else. Be remembered.

What was your first job out of college and how does that experience relate to your current position?
Coming out of college, Mr. Miller said it took him awhile to lock onto a first job. He started working for WMAQ, a television station in Chicago, as a production assistant and coordinated public service messages and did the logs during the course of the day for about eight to nine months. He was given this opportunity through a previous internship, an eight week chance to supervise the same intern program. Miller saw an opportunity for a new job and was proactive; he was then promoted to be the assistant producer of a magazine type show. What he learned from these experiences is that a first job is an opportunity to get your face seen, it doesn’t matter what your first job is as long as you are heading in the right direction. The first job is the dot and the second job is the direction.

Thank you, Mr. Miller, it was a pleasure to meet and speak with you today!

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