The Industry Cosign Spotlight: Michelle Huff Elliot
Title: Owner
Company: Strategic Heights
Location: New York, NY
”From intern to entrepreneur”
Michelle took Los Angeles by storm in 1999. With a Bachelor’s degree from Bennett College and a Master’s degree in Marketing from LaSalle University, Michelle began working with the big boys right from the start as the International Marketing Director for Virgin Records. While at Virgin, Michelle worked with such icons as: Janet Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, the Neptunes, Kelis and the Rolling Stones. Michelle then moved to New York City to become the In-Store Director of Events for Donna Karan. As In-Store Director, Michelle organized all special events in Los Angeles and New York, including events in the New York Flagship store, with special appearances by Run DMC and Vanity Fair’s Summer Launch Party. After proving herself as a major force in her field, Michelle decided to go back to her roots and conquer the entertainment industry.
In 2002, Michelle decided to take the entrepreneurial path and start her very own company HUFF Events & PR, a full service boutique specializing in the entertainment, sports and fashion industries. HUFF has managed events and strategic publicity campaigns for such clients as: Usher’s album release party for Confessions in New York City and Los Angeles, Casio’s watch launch for Oceanus, the Neptunes album release party in New York City, Alicia Keys’ U.S. American Bowl Half-Time performance in San Antonio Texas, Stand Up For Family Comedy Tour, UNCF “A Mind Is” Gala, Ashanti’s 25th Surprise Birthday Party in New York City, Ford Motor Company’s FunkMaster Flex’s Expedition Vehicle Launch Event, Black AIDS Institute’s New York City World AIDS Day Fundraising Gala and much more.
HUFF has been visibly featured in the following television and magazine outlets: L.A. Confidential Magazine (Usher Album Release Event in LA), In Style (Alicia Keys Event), The Fabulous Life of…..Usher, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (Public Relations and Event Management), Biz Bash feature, MTV Behind the Scenes with The Roots, Musiq’s “Behind the Scenes” Video Shoot on BET, Sister 2 Sister Magazine and Billboard Magazine.
HUFF Events & PR’s past client roster consists of platinum recording artist Ashanti, as well as Grammy-nominated singer Tamia, Casio, Ford Motor Company, Mudd Jeans, Museum for African Art, Black AIDS Institute, BET Networks, Kedar Entertainment Group, Chico DeBarge, HLN News host Rocsi, R&B crooner JOE, singer Tamia, Style Week Jamaica, SoulSummer.com, Stand Up For Family, Grammy-winning music producer LOS DaMystro, platinum-recording artist D. Woods, Relationship expert Demetria Lucas, UNCF and NBA superstar Grant Hill.
In 2015, Michelle merged her company with Simone Smalls PR to launch Strategic Heights Media. Our clients include: USA Track & Field, American Black Film Festival, singer Guordan Banks, Love Jones the Musical, WE tv, TV One and more. Michelle is also in the process of creating a tech app and launching a new e-commerce business.
Michelle has been a mentor to Big Brothers Big Sisters for ten years and continues to participate in community service programs and outreach in Baltimore and New York City.
“Great things happen when you are prepared to handle it”
