The Arkansas 100

 

Ghidotti Communications Launches Content Marketing Division

Meet Sandra McGrew, Director of Content Marketing (Video by Cranford Co.)

Content is king, and in a fast-paced digital world, content marketing isn’t the future — it’s now.

Understanding the importance of this tactic is paramount, and it’s one of the reasons that we have launched a new Content Marketing Division within our company. All brands want a dynamic relationship with their customers and content marketing allows for just that — it provides something of value in an engaging and consistent way.

Quality content delivered on a regular basis makes your brand an authority, builds trust and boosts SEO. Most importantly, it allows you to build your audience in a fragmented world.

– Natalie Ghidotti, Ghidotti Communications

 

Anna Beth Gorman: Women in Arkansas

“I hope that we’re really going to be able to lead the charge for women here in Arkansas.”

Host Natalie Ghidotti sat down with Anna Beth Gorman, executive director of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, in the second episode of The Arkansas 100 Podcast.

Ghidotti and Gorman dive into the origin of WFA, its role in Arkansas, its mission of advocacy and how Southern culture impacts peoples’ mindsets when raising girls. Between her time as a rock star Girl Scout and vintage eyeglasses collector, Gorman talks about how it all plays into her role in leading WFA’s mission.

Check out the trailer and listen to the full podcast on our website or iTunes and make sure to subscribe.

– Maeghen Carter, Ghidotti Communications

 

CHI St. Vincent Ranks as Top Hospital for Fifth Year in a Row

CHI St. Vincent ranked top hospital in state
The CHI St. Vincent Infirmary was named the No. 1 hospital in Arkansas. (Photo courtesy of CHI St. Vincent)

CHI St. Vincent Infirmary has been named the top-ranked hospital in Arkansas for 2017-18 by U.S. News & World Report, marking the fifth consecutive year the annual listing has rated CHI St. Vincent Infirmary as the No. 1 hospital in the state.

“We would not have received this honor for five straight years without the support of our community or without physicians, nurses and medical staff who are committed to quality patient care,” said Polly Davenport, president of CHI St. Vincent Infirmary. “It is rewarding to know Arkansans put their confidence in us to meet their medical needs.”

– Aaron Sadler, Ghidotti Communications

 

Three Ways to Use the New Citizen Connect

City of Little Rock
Stay in the know on what’s going on in your neighborhood. (Photo courtesy of littlerock.gov)

The City of Little Rock has announced the platform Little Rock Citizen Connect in order to help residents easily access city information, including 311 requests and crime data. Here are three ways to utilize the information:

– Sign up for alerts: Register an account to get alerts on new reports near your home, work or school.

– Stay informed: Concerned about a problem in your neighborhood? See if it’s been reported and check for updates.

– Find your local emergency centers: Not sure where your closest police station, fire station or neighborhood resource center is? Search by address and see what’s near you.

– Maeghen Carter, Ghidotti Communications

 

A Note From the Regional Recycling Executive Director

Regional Recycling’s new executive director, Craig Douglass, discusses his mission. (Photo courtesy of Regional Recycling)

Sustainability. There are a number of definitions.

At Pulaski County’s Regional Recycling & Waste Reduction District, we believe sustainability means to conserve for future generations our valuable natural resources through reduction, reuse and recycling. It’s a socio-ecological process, requiring informed participation by household consumers.

As executive director, I, our staff and stakeholders, are committed to the following renewed mission: To inform and challenge local Arkansans to achieve maximum waste reduction, recycling and reuse of consumer goods, resulting in the protection of our shared environment and conservation of resources.

This mission will improve our economic growth and quality of life.

– Craig Douglass, Regional Recycling

 

Podcasts: Changing the Game

10 million podcasts streamed in 2016
Apple's plans to make analytics available for podcasts could be a game-changer.

In today’s digital marketing age, analytics are everything.

And soon, the power of analytics to shape and rank content is coming to podcasts – already a medium with millions of listeners. Until now, podcasts have had few metrics, but when Apple launches podcast analytics later this year, marketers will gain valuable insights into how a podcast’s audience is engaging, such as:

– when and where people listen;

– if and when they stop listening;

– and whether they stay tuned for ads.

Analytics should make podcasts more appealing to marketers, in turn increasing financial support for podcasts – a win for marketers, producers and listeners.

– Kyle Parks, The Tampa Bay 100

 

Find Your Partnerships

It’s all about teamwork.

One of the best tactics in your business arsenal already exists. Strategic partnerships are quickly becoming a necessity, especially in terms of marketing.

Partnerships can be created in a variety of ways but should include businesses or organizations that align with the mission of your company and have their own circle of influence. Recent high-profile partnerships include the Taco Bell “Taco Mode” Lyft Feature and Under Armour with rapper A$AP Rocky.

Who are your partnership opportunities? Find the players in your community by setting an objective, identifying those who will help you get there and complement your vision.

– Natalie Ghidotti, Ghidotti Communications

 

Dan Fowler: Urban Development in the East Village

“We stepped back and started thinking about who are we and what are we doing in the community?”

In the first episode of The Arkansas 100 Podcast, Natalie Ghidotti sits down with Dan Fowler, director of finance and business development at Cromwell Architects and Engineers, to discuss advancements and projects in the rapidly growing neighborhood of East Village in Little Rock.

What’s the history of the East Village? What projects are in the works? Who’s coming to the neighborhood? How does this impact the community around it? And how does Cromwell and its legacy fit into the mix?

Watch the trailer above and listen to the full podcast on our website or iTunes and make sure to subscribe.

— Maeghen Carter, Ghidotti Communications

 

Moving Worlds in Little Rock

Chris Cranford captures CEO of MovingWorlds, Mark Horoszowski, as he speaks in Little Rock. (Video by Cranford Co.)

Mark Horoszowski does not contribute most of his professional “wins” and skills to his master’s degree, but to his years of volunteer experience. This is the mission behind MovingWorlds — a site dedicated to connecting professionals with various long-term, impactful volunteer missions.

“Experteers” contrast “voluntourism” by making a conscious effort to train invested people for opportunities to use their professional skills in a volunteer setting.

While MovingWorlds is based out of Seattle, Horoszowski visited Central Arkansas to speak to the Rotary Club of Little Rock on the impact of experteerism and how to make the first steps towards getting involved.

— Natalie Ghidotti, Ghidotti Communications

 

Springdale Website is a Sports Fan’s Dream

Sports fans can now attend the events of their dreams with this NWA startup.

DreamIt, a new Springdale-based digital service, aims to connect sports fans to their dream “bucket list” events with all-inclusive travel packages. Creator Brad Norwood intends to grow his range of offerings after the success of his Executive Golf Packages.

“Executive Golf Packages has become well-known as the place to go for great golf packages, including The Masters each spring,” said Norwood. “We constantly field requests for ticket and travel packages to other major events. DreamItPro.com was created to deliver those dream experiences.”

Upcoming trip packages include Kentucky Derby, the Rose Bowl or the College Football Championship.

— Kathryn Heller, Ghidotti Communications

 

Should You Take a Stand On Social Issues?

A recent survey finds that there’s a benefit to taking action on important societal issues.

Corporate social responsibility remains a priority for many businesses, and research has shown that employees want the corporate entities they work for to take a stand on societal issues.

Recent research from Povaddo suggests that 57% of surveyed employees feel corporate America needs to play a more active role in social issues. A majority (62%) would also be more likely to recommend the company as a place to work if its CEO makes a real effort to make a difference.

The other 43% feel that Corporate America needs to strictly confine its activities to being financially prosperous and providing employment.

– Chuck Norman, APR, The North Carolina 100

 

Don’t Let Your Website Get Stale if You Want to Engage

Continue to update your website to attract more business.

If you haven’t updated your website in years, you may be losing valuable leads for your business.

Web design trends change annually, and investing in a new site can be costly but worthwhile. There are cost-effective changes that you can make to be more current and influence your potential customers. High-quality original photography can speak volumes about your relevance and build trust. The popularity of video is still on the rise, and studies have shown video increases engagement.

Your budget may not allow a redesign annually, but you can keep your site competitive with strong copy and visuals.

– Chuck Norman, APR, The North Carolina 100

 

The Arkansas 100 Podcast

We can’t wait for you to listen.

You heard it here first: The Arkansas 100 is launching a podcast. On July 14, 2016, we sent out our very first edition of The Arkansas 100. What a better time to announce our new platform than in our one-year edition?

The Arkansas 100 Podcast will bring in the experts from around the state to discuss the topics of intrigue everyone’s talking about. My guest and I will take a deep dive into their expertise. Every two weeks, we’ll send the podcast straight to your inbox. Stay on the lookout for our first podcast coming to you July 27.

– Natalie Ghidotti, Ghidotti Communications

 

First World Woman Summit in Little Rock

“Our mission is to be a global community for celebrating women’s voices around the world in business, entertainment, science and technology,” said Rupa Dash. “There is a lot that has been done by and for women and girls, but there’s still plenty to do.” (Photo courtesy of WWF)

The World Woman Foundation, based in Los Angeles, will bring the inaugural World Woman Summit to Clinton Presidential Center September 30. Little Rock will serve as WWF’s mid-USA operations base.

“Little Rock was very intentional as it’s truly a global village hosting this global conference to send out a global message at an important time,” said Rupa Dash, Co-Founder and CEO. “I’m excited to partner with a community of heart-centered leaders to make an impact together locally and globally.”

The conference brings in leaders from various backgrounds to speak on contributions to economic growth through gender harmony.

– Maeghen Carter, Ghidotti Communications

 

Shopper Marketing Reinvented With AISLE9

AISLE9 built as “Refinery29” for Walmart country (Photo courtesy of Smack)

The modern shopper wants to know what she’s buying before it lands in her cart and she’s searching on her mobile device. This was founder Sean Womack’s thinking behind the creation of AISLE9 — the mobile media company focused on making shopping easy, enjoyable and engaging.

“Although shopper marketing is flat, digital media is on the rise.” Womack said. “It’s ripe for innovation in the space. Brands need to tell stories beyond advertising. People are looking for useful and entertaining content. We built AISLE9 to deliver both, and we are seeing the shopper engagement and the sales lift our clients want.”

– Maeghen Carter, Ghidotti Communications

 

Megaphone Summit Returns to Fayetteville

The Megaphone Summit will take place August 4-5 in Fayetteville. (Photo courtesy of Megaphone Summit)

The Megaphone Summit, a conference cultivated from the Arkansas Women Bloggers network, will return to Fayetteville for a second year.

“This conference is designed to empower you with business-building ideas that will transform your marketing, your content and your business,” said Stephanie Buckley, founder of the Arkansas Women Bloggers.

Speakers will include blogger Rebekah Radice, social media strategist Peg Fitzpatrick and author and television host P. Allen Smith.

“I am excited to help build and strengthen the social media community in Arkansas, plus all the industry pros we have gathered, all wrapped in the hospitality of Fayetteville,” Buckley said.

– Maeghen Carter, Ghidotti Communications

 

Facebook’s Find Wi-Fi Feature Goes Global

Users must first turn on the "Find Wi-Fi" tool before browsing the closest hotspots. (Photo courtesy of Business Insider)

Facebook recently announced its feature designed to help mobile users find free accessible Wi-Fi networks. “Find Wi-Fi” will be available for users worldwide on iOS and Android devices.

The feature, first tested last year, will display a map for users showing the closest businesses with accessible Wi-Fi as well as details about the business. The tool is meant for users who are traveling or are in areas with limited cellular data, and also serves as another way for users to discover local businesses.

“Find Wi-Fi” will be located under the “More” tab on Facebook’s mobile app.

– Haley Haas, The Atlanta 100

 

Are Low Gas Prices Here to Stay?

Normally, gas prices are up 25 to 35 cents a gallon in the summer. But that isn’t the case this year.

It’s an exciting time to be driving, especially if you’re planning a summer road trip. And while gas prices historically rise in the summer, that’s not the case this year.

The price of oil has fallen since January because new technology has allowed the U.S. to produce an excess of oil, pushing the cost of production down.

Americans are also driving fewer miles, and as people shop more online, they are taking fewer trips to the store. These factors are combining to keep demand low, and, in turn, lowering prices – a trend that should continue for the foreseeable future.

– David Ide, USAmeriBank

 

Just Who Do You Think You Are?

Building a strong personal brand is essential for your business.

Everybody knows Barbie and what she stands for. A personal brand communicates who you are, what you are good at and how you can help others. A brand is important to tell others what you stand for, allowing you to advance.

How do you identify your personal brand? It starts with figuring out some key things about yourself and how you would like to convey them. Think about your values, mission and unique strengths. With these pieces, you can start to tell your story.

A word of advice: maintain authenticity and avoid empty socializing, and success will follow.

– Betsie Gambel, The New Orleans 100

 

The Importance of Continuing Education

Seek out opportunities to learn and you’ll see the benefits in your business.

Education is a lifelong journey; it doesn’t stop once you have a diploma in your hand. Whether you’re in communications, STEM fields, art or any other industry, there are always reasons to actively seek out new opportunities to learn and grow.

• Continued education places you at the forefront of new technologies and tactics. This will put you ahead of your competition and shows clients your innovation.

• Webinars and workshops provide opportunities to practice and refresh your skills you may not have used recently.

• Along with skill-building, you’ll mingle with like-minded professionals at these events and build your network.

– Natalie Ghidotti, Ghidotti Communications

 

Apptegy Raises $5.7M in Venture Capital Funding

Apptegy received $5.7M in VC funding from Five Elms Capital and works with over 1,000 schools in 40 states.

Jeston George, Founder and CEO of Apptegy says, “People create the best ideas by solving their own problems.” When his nephew first started kindergarten, he found it impossible to keep up with his events because schools lacked a way to communicate effectively. In 2014, George founded Apptegy to solve this problem. Apptegy offers schools a unique platform, Thrillshare, which allows educators to update all communication channels from one place.

“Staying in Arkansas is important because it supports the Governor’s Coding Initiative,” George said. “Scaling technology companies in Arkansas is critical for attracting and retaining the best talent to our state.”

– Jess Pingrey, Ghidotti Communications

 

The Future of Arkansas and E-Commerce

John James tells us what Arkansas can do in this period of disruption and change. (Video by Jeff Dailey Media)

“What wakes me up every day, is disruption and change,” said John James, founder of Hayseed Ventures in Fayetteville.

In the digital age, e-commerce is more common with consumers and more of a threat to traditional retailers. James tells us that successful e-commerce is a combination of retail, logistics and data. Arkansas is home to major power players in each of those areas including Wal-Mart, Acxiom, Dillard’s and more.

As we look ahead to 2017, James says to pay attention to companies putting large investments into their e-commerce and leading change throughout a time of disruption.

– Kathryn Heller, Ghidotti Communications

 

Science Behind Instagram Captions

In this Instagram post, Starbucks kept its caption short by using an emoji in place of a word. (Photo courtesy of Starbucks' Instagram)

You finally got a great shot and have it flawlessly edited, but wait … what do you write for a caption? This seems simple, but a strategic and well-crafted caption can add value and drive engagement to your post.

Here are some tips from Hootsuite:

1. Know your audience.

2. Identify your brand voice.

3. Consider length.

4. Place most important words first.

5. Edit and rewrite.

6. Use hashtags, but wisely.

7. Pose a question.

8. Give shout-outs with an @ mention.

9. Encourage engagement with a call to action.

10. Try using only emojis.

11. Try using quotes.

– Leah Brown, The North Carolina 100

 

Innovative Communications

Embracing new digital tools can enhance your company's communication strategies.

In any job, it’s important to make sure you have the right tools on hand to effectively share your message with co-workers, clients or the public. Take your company communication to the next level (beyond the traditional PowerPoint presentation) with these innovative, user-friendly programs:

• Uberflip: Transforms your PDFs into an interactive online magazine.

• Visme: Creates infographics by using a library of customizable templates and icons.

• GoAnimate: Builds animated videos in minutes, allowing you to choose your own soundtrack, cast of characters and more.

Pro tip: Track tool metrics to monitor how your audience is interacting with your content.

— Devon Chestnut, APR, CPRC, Communications Manager, Cox Communications

 

Use Competition to Propel, Not Paralyze

Direct your competitive spirit inwards, as well as outwards.

Competition in business is inevitable, whether you are first to market with a new concept, product or service, or whether you are entering an existing playing field. What is optional, however, is your approach to it.

Competitive spirit, when harnessed properly, is a motivating force that can save us from complacency. But rather than direct it outwards, use it inwards to set clear objectives, targets and metrics. The best runners are not only trying to win the race, but also break their own record. Pushing yourself to peak performance is the best way to leave your competitors in the dust.

– Tara Rogers-Ellis, The Dubai 100

 

Work With Clients Who Share Your Vision

It's important to work with clients who share your ideals.

As a business owner, you should create a mission statement that you can firmly stand behind. Once you’ve articulated what you and your team believe in, align your company with clients who share the same vision.

Just like marriage and friendship, a shared set of values is a significant driver in successful relationships. It allows for easier communication and a better understanding of goals. When you understand and identify with how your client thinks, driving those business results will become easier.

By seeking clients with similar vision, you’re showing your commitment to those ideals, contributing to client retention and growth.

– Natalie Ghidotti, Ghidotti Communications

 

Hare Wynn Settles Exxon Pegasus Lawsuit

Sixty-four families will receive settlement for the 2013 oil spill. (Photo courtesy of Hare Wynn on Facebook)

Hare Wynn Newell & Newton recently announced that it has settled a lawsuit on behalf of dozens of Mayflower homeowners affected by a 2013 oil spill.

The March 2013 rupture of the Exxon Pegasus pipeline caused about 150,000 gallons of oil to flow through Mayflower neighborhoods. Hare Wynn, which has offices in Little Rock and Fayetteville, reached a favorable settlement for the 64 Mayflower families represented, settling the case before trial. Hare Wynn attorneys Shawn Daniels and Don McKenna filed suit against Exxon in 2013.

The spill displaced scores of Mayflower residents and disrupted the lives of hundreds of others.

– Aaron Sadler, Ghidotti Communications

 

LumoXchange Makes International Money Transfer Easy

Maf Sonko, founder of LumoXchange and participant in Little Rock’s 2016 FinTech accelerator program, settled in Little Rock this year to scale his business. He will launch services this summer with international payments to the Philippines, Senegal, and Gambia. (Photo courtesy of LumoXchange)

LumoXchange Founder and CEO Maf Sonko had limited options to send funds to Gambia. It cost $27 to send $250 and took four days.

“Not being able to easily compare fees and exchange rates frustrated me, so I decided to do something about it,” Sonko said.

LumoXchange, incorporated in 2015, is a currency exchange marketplace that helps users find favorable exchange rates and make international payments on one platform.

“We chose Little Rock because of the excitement and support for technology startups,” Sonko said. “We want to be part of the journey making Little Rock a regional hub for entrepreneurs.”

– Jess Pingrey, Ghidotti Communications

 

8th Street Market Opens With BITE NW Arkansas

BITE NW Arkansas serves as Northwest Arkansas’ premier food festival. (Photo courtesy of BITE NW Arkansas on Facebook)

BITE NW Arkansas, a food festival bringing in the finest cuisine and chefs from around the region, begins this evening — marking the opening of Bentonville’s 8th Street Market.

“We can’t think of a better first event for 8th Street Market than BITE NW Arkansas,” said Bea Apple, of the 8th Street campus experience design team. “This event celebrates and brings together the best food, cooking and people from around the region. It’s a fantastic representation of what 8th Street Market aims to bring to the community and will give folks a taste of what’s to come in the near future.”

– Kathryn Heller, Ghidotti Communications

 

What Does the Business E-Waste Pick up Program Do?

It’s no secret: Electronics are one of fastest products to be worn out and replaced, especially in businesses and schools. Rather than let old equipment pile up in closets or be thrown out entirely, let Regional Recycling do the work. Anything with a cord can be recycled through the program.

By partnering with eSCO, we ensure that sensitive information and data is taken care of properly. Then, either refurbish the equipment or break it down into parts to make new electronics.

To schedule a pick up from Regional Recycling, click here. Learn more about residential drop off centers here.

– Carol Bevis, Regional Recycling