BIRMINGHAM, AL – February 19, 2025 – Big Com today announces the promotion of three longtime employees to Vice Presidents: Merry Michael Smith, Mary Jane Cleage, and Donna Cope, effective immediately. In their newly created roles, Smith and Cleage will be tasked with overseeing client and marketing strategy, agency growth, and fostering client relationships across key verticals like health & wellness, food & beverage, destination & place-making marketing, as well as its already established work in recruitment, public sector & government, including clients like Texas Children’s Hospital, Innovate Alabama, American College of Financial Services and the Alabama Department of Commerce. Cope will oversee the agency’s finance, operations, and administration as well as develop and execute strategies supporting growth and operational efficiency. The VPs will all report directly to Founder & CEO, John Montgomery.
“Promoting Merry Michael, Mary Jane, and Donna to Vice Presidents is about empowering leaders who are key to Big Com’s and its clients’ future successes,” said Founder & CEO, John Montgomery. “These women understand that when Big Com harnesses creative, digital, marketing, public relations, and media, we do our best work and deliver serious results for our clients.”
Formerly Director of Media, Merry Michael Smith has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Big Com. With more than 20 years of marketing expertise, Smith’s deep experience in industries including government, healthcare, recruitment and tourism allows her to dive head-first into connecting the dots that others miss. A natural mentor and strategist, Smith will serve as a key leader responsible for shaping and executing an integrated approach to client strategy, digital transformation, and agency growth. She will oversee a team of 17 that spans strategic communications, creative, technology, analytics, and media to drive impactful, data-driven marketing solutions.
Mary Jane Cleage has been promoted to Vice President of Client Engagement, where she will play a key role in driving revenue growth, strengthening client relationships, and fostering collaboration across internal teams. Formerly Director of Accounts, Cleage led the agency’s Account Management department, overseeing all client relationships. In her new role, she will lead communication and engagement with both current and prospective clients, ensuring a seamless and cohesive client experience. In addition to strengthening client relationships, she will play a key role in optimizing client operations to enhance efficiency and internal collaboration. Adept at developing and implementing strategies that improve client satisfaction and loyalty, she will continue to reinforce Big Com’s commitment to exceptional service and operational excellence.
Donna Cope, previously Director of Finance, holds over 30 years of accounting expertise, with more than two decades in general market and full-service advertising, equipping her to continue the agency and its accounts on its path to financial success. In her new role as Vice President of Finance and Operations, she is responsible for overseeing finance, operations, and administration, including enhancing Big Com’s stellar employee benefits and offerings, and will work closely with the CEO and senior leaders to develop and execute strategies supporting growth and operational efficiency. Cope has already demonstrated her adaptability in evolving the agency to meet the demands of the future, keeping Big Com’s competitive edge against the rest.
With a distinguished track record of national accolades, including prestigious ADDY Awards and recognition as a Small Agency of the Year by Ad Age, Big Com has solidified its position as a leading force in the market. These new leadership changes coincide with celebrating Big Com’s 30th anniversary of being in business, growing from its humble beginnings to putting itself, its clients, and the greater Birmingham community on the map.
