Stephen Miller from engineering to marketing

Garfene Grandison, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's first and biggest telecommunications company has taken the country by storm with their numerous advertisement campaigns, promotions and ideas that aim to rebrand the company and what it stands for. LIME has turned up the heat in Jamaica with a new look to their brand, exciting sponsorships and promotions, and a renewed commitment to give back to the communities where it all started.

Since its facelift a few months ago, the company has also unveiled the team behind LIME and one of these young moguls is 30-year-old Stephen Miller, a graduate of Campion College, who is now LIME's regional branding manager. Miller has been with the company for over four years and has been a part of the entertainment and promotions industry for seven years, dating back to the Smirnoff Ice BackTrack party. Although he studied civil engineering at Penn State University, Miller always had a love for the industry and so he decided that engineering wasn't for him and decided to head back home to Jamaica. According to Miller, "I always had a passion for planning, promoting and executing events. It was a natural progression to marketing and the activities around the discipline."

The Gleaner (G): How long have you been in this field?

Stephen Miller (SM): About seven years, going back to the first party I put on, Smirnoff Ice BackTrack.

G: Where have you studied?

SM: I did civil engineering at Penn State University before I decided this wasn't for me and headed back to Jamaica.

G: Why this career path?

SM: I always had a passion for planning, promoting and executing events. It was a natural progression to marketing and the activities around the discipline.

G: You started out as a customer care rep and worked your way up. At any point in time, did you face any career struggles and/or discrimination? Additionally, how was the process when you first started in this career field?

SM: I've never faced any discrimination at LIME, but as you can imagine, it took a lot to convince some of my colleagues that I have what it takes to be successful in marketing. I was fortunate to get an opportunity and, without being immodest, I think I've made the best of it.

G: What are you currently doing to further develop your ambitions for your career path?

SM: I have been volunteering and taking on projects outside of my direct scope so as to further broaden my skill set as it relates to the business and this industry.

G: As a relatively young professional, what advice do you have to offer to the younger generation?

SM: Stay focused on what you ultimately want to achieve. Do not shy away from the difficult tasks; embrace them and prove your worth.

G: Old men rule the world. True or false? Why?

SM: False. I think it is a combination and a necessary one - the experience and steady hand of maturity and the energy and creativity of youth. I have observed though, that sometimes some of whom we call old because of chronological age can be just as agile mentally as the 'young bucks'.

G: What's been the most challenging part of making a name for yourself in your field?

SM: Getting my opportunity to demonstrate my abilities in marketing, considering that I did not study that discipline in school.

G: LIME has linked itself to a number of lifestyle and entertainment events. How has the brand revolutionised its image to capture a more (youthful) following?

SM: I think one of the most important factors in relation to our refreshed look is the arrival of Chris Dehring at LIME. He is still young enough to know what the youth are looking for, but mature enough to package it so that it appeals to a wide demographic. I think everyone can now feel the energy and drive behind the LIME brand.

G: A number of artistes on the campaign were criticised as being unfit for such a promotion. What are your thoughts not only as a manager but as a young adult?

SM: LIME is not unaware of some of the realities and comments that have been made surrounding them and we could easily have turned away from some very talented artistes. However, we have chosen instead to work with them commercially, while at the same time, try to help them to 'look into the mirror' and change the manner in which they sometimes behave. I ask you to watch them going forward.