Behind the Scenes: Auburn alum’s degree comes full circle with production of award-winning PSA

Ed Miller’s name might not sound familiar, but to the Auburn Family, his work is certainly recognizable. Miller has written and directed Auburn’s last three NCAA public service announcements – including the fan favorite, “War Eagle.”

Miller’s work resonates with the Auburn Family because he is one of us. Miller graduated in 1982 with a degree in art with an emphasis in graphic design. It’s that degree, and his Auburn experience as a whole, that he credits for the success he’s had in his career, which has taken him across the country and around the world.

“Auburn prepares you to take a job upon graduation,” Miller said. “I often cite Auburn as the single difference maker for the life and career I have had.”

Miller’s career gives him an impressive resume. After graduating from Auburn, he moved to Birmingham and quickly rose to the rank of creative director at such places as Central Bank of the South (now BBVA Compass) and Slaughter Hanson & Associations. Because he had only lived in Alabama, he said he felt a need to live in other parts of the country.

“First I landed in Washington, D.C. with a company named Williams Whittle. Later I helped TBWA\Chiat\Day open a new office in the D.C. suburbs. It became clear that my career path in advertising needed to lead to Los Angeles or New York. I followed some other Chiat staff to an agency named Suissa Miller in L.A. with their win of the Acura account,” he said.

He has remained in Southern California for past 22 years and has added such companies as BBDO, Y&R, INNOCEAN, Faraday Future and another trip to Chiat to his list of employers.

Despite the years that separate Miller from his time as a student at Auburn, he said the university still gives him a sense of belonging.

“I have felt the support of Auburn people over the years and I try to offer that type of support as well,” he said. 

It’s that connection to the Auburn Family that guided Miller’s thought process in developing the university’s NCAA spots.

“I prescribed that we boil it down to three thoughts viewers would remember: Auburn grads go on to successful and interesting careers, that there is a sense of belonging at Auburn and that Auburn has unique and long-standing traditions that bond us together,” he said.

A recent work trip abroad reminded him of the connection shared among members of the Auburn Family.

“I had a three-month assignment in Dubai, UAE and I heard ‘War Eagle’ from strangers there at least three times,” he said. “The spot that featured Tim Cook really demonstrated that no matter where an Auburn grad is in the world, when we chant ‘Warrrrrr Eagle’ we are all together.”

Auburn’s PSA that featured Tim Cook earned a Grand Award earlier this year from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.