Billy J. Parrott

Biography

Billy Parrott’s long and illustrious career in advertising, marketing, writing and directing began as a mail boy at McCann Erickson Advertising. In less than 6 years he ultimately rose to Creative Supervisor at Benton & Bowles, responsible for the creative output of over 25% the firm’s billings and winning every copy-writing award in advertising on premier advertising accounts as Crest Toothpaste, Scope Mouth Wash, Hilton Hotels, Oreo, Premium Saltine Crackers, Ritz Crackers, Chips Ahoy, Nestea, Vanquish Headache Remedy and Coca Cola.   His marketing career included consulting for TIME magazine, where Mr. Parrott developed the innovative, groundbreaking and high revenue generating “magazine within the magazine” concept that is still a highly effective marketing tool for the print media. He was also a marketing consultant to AT&T, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Sharp Electronics, JVC, Becton Dichinson, Mead Johnson and others.   Mr. Parrott was CEO & Co-founder of Private Networks, Inc., a pioneer in the wireless telecommunication industry. He a founder of American Mobile Satellite Company (renamed Motient, then later TerreStar), where he served over 10 years on the Board of Directors, including the Executive, Audit and Compensation Committees, and as a Member of the Executive Committee when it approved the formation and funding of XM Satellite Radio and MSV Ventures.   Over the years Billy Parrott has earned distinction as an award winning movie producer, director and writer, having formed the film production company, Parrott and People. He received the Peabody Award for directing THE BOY KING, a television movie depicting the childhood life of Dr. Martin Luther King, starring Oscar Nominee, Howard Rollins. He Directed and wrote FROM KING TO CONGRESS, an award winning, National television documentary on Andy Young’s successful bid for Congress which premiered at the Kennedy Center , and numerous other documentaries and videos.   Mr. Parrott enlisted in the United States Air Force serving four years prior to entering and graduating from Oregon State University with BS in Business Administration. He attended Oregon State on a football scholarship under legendary Hall of Fame Coach, Tommy Prothro. He still serves several boards including the American Youth Hostel.

Research Interest

Medical Devices