Mitchell Communications Group was given the honor of collaborating with The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation to announce a new collegiate football award – The Burlsworth Trophy. As an agency, we wrote the media materials, pitched the press conference announcement and managed the event. More than 100 community members and Arkansas media were in attendance as the impressive trophy was unveiled.

Brandon Burlsworth was an exceptional football player who started his career as a walk-on for the University of Arkansas, and eventually earned a scholarship and All-American honors. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1999 draft, but was tragically killed 11 days later, keeping him from fulfilling his potential and excelling in the NFL.

After Burlsworth’s death, the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory. The Foundation supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular, those children that have limited opportunities.

As a result of our pitching efforts and strategic planning, the unveiling was featured on every major television station in the state, including KHBS, KFSM, KNWA, KATV, KARK, KTHV, KLRT and KAIT. There were a total of 216 placements reaching more than 135 million impressions.

We were honored to be a part of commemorating the memory of an extraordinary young man whose life holds many examples of doing things the right way, or as many of us would say, “Doing things the Burls way.”

The 2010 Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s list of 40 Under 40 is out, and there’s a talented face from Mitchell Communications Group among the bunch.

Honorees are stellar business and political leaders in the six-county area under 40 years old; people the public and NWABJ editors believe will continue rising in coming years. As Senior Manager of Organizational and Leadership Development at MCG, Melanie Arterbury certainly fits that mold.

Arterbury began in sales management for SouthTrust Bank in Alabama before moving into training and development management for United-Bilt Homes in Springdale. While there, she also attained a master’s in leadership and ethics from John Brown University. Arterbury established her own company, Arterbury Consulting and Training LLC, in 2007. Late last year, she fell into step with MCG as senior manager.

Today, Arterbury is still taking strides to act on her own advice to make learning a lifelong process. She creates business training, executive strategies and customized curriculum development, while continuing to expand client relationships at MCG. She says, “I like seeing the change in people as they polish skills in their own organizations, or seeing the light bulb come on for someone just learning a skill.” She encourages others to pass their new talent along, teaching future generations.

Read the complete article on Arterbury: http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/people_nwbj_40U.asp?id=444

The spotlight is shining on our agency president and CEO, Elise Mitchell, who is featured as “PR Professional of the Month” in the current issue of the PRSA Northwest Arkansas chapter newsletter.

In the interview, Mitchell says: “Every day is a gift to work with the employees and clients we are blessed to have.” After 15 years in her current position, Mitchell says helping employees work to their highest potential, solving problems for others, developing new approaches, and “connecting the dots” for a better result are just a few of the highlights that continue to make her job rewarding.  Whether she is working to help clients achieve their goals or taking a spin on her motorcycle, Mitchell’s determination to live life to the fullest is an inspiration to us all.

To view PRSA’s entire interview, click on this link: http://nwaprsa.org/images/newsletter.aug10.pdf

We’re excited to introduce an innovative new concept we have created to meet your training and development needs.  The ProFound Business Enrichment Consortium offers top-tier trainings in a group setting on a monthly basis at a great price.

Designed for small to mid-sized businesses in the Northwest Arkansas area, the Consortium  offers three primary benefits:

• Relevant, business-impacting trainings that will help develop and motivate your employees;
• A  powerful network of professionals who are looking to grow their own skills as well as find solutions for their workplace;
• Engaging and experienced trainers who will ensure each monthly session is valuable and applicable.

All of this comes at a significant value.  Because by sharing the costs of training with other companies, each company gets the same training experience at a much reduced price.

You can also join the Consortium now by clicking here. Special discounts are available for those who join by August 15! Classes start in September.

For more information, click here