CJRW News

Cranford Joins Prestigious Arkansas Business Hall of Fame

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

On Friday, February 10, CJRW founder and Chairman Emeritus Wayne Cranford took his place alongside some of the great names in Arkansas business history (if not American business history). That evening, he joined three other Arkansas luminaries -- John Ed Anthony, Walter E. Hussman, Jr., and Jack C. Shewmaker -- in the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame.

The University of Arkansas' Sam M. Walton College of Business founded the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame, which has 58 members, including the 2012 inductees.

We shared our pride in Mr. Cranford's Hall of Fame honor with this ad designed to celebrate the occassion.

Mr. Cranford was introduced by University of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald Bobbitt. He was accompanied at the ceremony by his family - sons Jay, Ross and Chris and his wife of almost 50 years, Frances - as well as many other members of the CJRW family, including his founding partner, Jim Johnson.

We could write quite a bit about Mr. Cranford’s numerous achievements and how proud we all are about this special honor for our founder, but we think this quote from Mr. Cranford’s speech sums things up best:

“Many thanks to the hundreds of clients who have trusted us as their marketing partner … Together we have accomplished much, from electing visionary leaders, launching new companies, restoring Old Main, to introducing the American public to the great state of Arkansas … and the chicken nugget.

None of us at CJRW would be here tonight without their trust in us.

Tonight I give thanks to the power of words, the beauty of design, the marvels of technology and the power of persuasion.”

See more from Mr. Cranford’s speech, as well as speeches by the other inductees, here.

Welcome, Dante and Ashley

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods (CJRW) announced today that Dante Kellerman and Ashley Floyd have been hired as client accounting coordinators for the company.

Kellerman will serve as client accounting coordinator, responsible for media, accounts payable and special projects. She has previous experience in human resources. Kellerman graduated from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock with a Bachelor of Science in accounting.

Floyd was hired as a client accounting coordinator and will be responsible for production accounts payable and client billing. She has previously held positions as office manager and accounts payable/receivable clerk. Floyd received a Bachelor of Arts in accounting and Master of Accountancy from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

CJRW’s Partner Stamp Out Smoking Receives National Awards

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Congratulations to our partner, Arkansas Department of Health’s SOS on recently receiving several national awards from the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC), an organization striving to improve America’s health through public health communications. SOS was recognized for outstanding creative and media materials.

More than 230 entries were submitted to the 2011 contest, and SOS landed five national awards. SOS received three gold awards for the following categories: for the OP Ed division, “Let’s Clear the Air Campaign;” in the posters/billboards division, “SOS Banners in Schools;” and in the print graphic specialty division, “Let’s Clear the Air, Educational Brief.” In addition, the "Let's Clear the Air" campaign received silver awards. The Community Toolkit was recognized in the print graphic specialty division as well as "Cody's Story" for the TV marketing division.

We're proud of our nearly 10-year relationship with the Arkansas Department of Health helping with tobacco prevention and cessation efforts across the state of Arkansas.

Check out some of our winning entries:

SOS Banners in Schools (Posters/Billboards) – Gold

Let’s Clear the Air Community Toolkit (Print Graphic Specialty) – Silver

Let’s Clear the Air Cody’s Story (TV Marketing) – Silver

To learn more about SOS’s current activities click here.

Click here to read more about NPHIC and here to view the full list of winners.

Talk Business talking about CJRW Founder

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Congratulations once again to Wayne Cranford—featured on the cover of the newly redesigned Talk Business Quarterly, with an inside feature story covering his leadership role in the 50-year history of our company and advertising in the Mid South. The issue also highlights this year’s fellow inductees into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame: John Ed Anthony, Walter E. Hussman, Jr., and Jack C. Shewmaker.

Read the issue online.

http://facebook.com/talkbusinessarkansas

CJRW Proud to Support the Berry Pre-Coon Supper Reception

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The Gillett Coon Supper, now in its 69^th year, is an annual event that draws hundreds of attendees from the area and across the state, with the funds raised going to area high school students headed to college. For years, politicians have made the annual pilgrimage to the small town in south Arkansas County to shake hands, meet new folks and take the obligatory taste of ‘coon.

Former Senator Dale Bumpers and then-Governor Bill Clinton once survived a plane crash while landing in DeWitt to get to the Coon Supper, and “ran away unscathed, to the dismay of every budding politician in Arkansas,” according to Bumpers.

In the mid 1970’s, Marion Berry began hosting a reception for the politicians at his house in Gillett, which was located across the street from the local high school. The elected officials and their staff who arrived early would mix and mingle before heading across the street to the actual Coon Supper. Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe even credits the start of his political career to the Pre-Coon Supper Reception at the Berry farm shop in 1982.

When Berry went to Congress in 1996, the reception at his home evolved into a fundraiser for his campaign. This year, the congressman was at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota tending to some health issues, and the family was unable to put the reception together. Our colleague Gabe Holmstrom, along with agency friend Ben Noble, decided, after talking with the Berry family, to take on the task of hosting the reception at the Berry farm shop.

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor, Congressman Mike Ross and Congressman Rick Crawford stopped by the reception, as did Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, Secretary of State Mark Martin and Land Commissioner John Thurston. Several state legislators from both the House and the Senate made an appearance at the farm shop on their way to the Coon Supper. A bi-partisan affair, public officials, candidates and others enjoyed the hospitality and fare at the farm shop, which included smoked and fried turkey, smoked pork butts and bacon-wrapped duck bites, fresh from Arkansas County.

Mitch Berry, Berry’s son, was quoted in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: “We’ve got some things going on here tonight that are not so traditional. We have people like Jeremy Hutchinson in the room. Normally, that would not be the case here,” jokingly referring to the Republican state senator from Little Rock. “Anyway, I’m glad everyone is here, even the Republicans.”

Here is the invitation we designed:

CJRW was pleased to join with Noble Strategies in continuing this great Arkansas tradition. You can read more about the Coon Supper here:

We look forward to having the Congressman back on the farm celebrating with us next January.

Wayne Cranford honored with Business & Professional Leader of the Year Award

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Phyllis Brandon (from left), Brenda Scisson and Tom Bonner with Wayne Cranford (second from left) after the award presentation.
Photo credit: Jay Edwards/The Daily Record.

Congratulations to CJRW’s founder and chairman emeritus for receiving the most prestigious award given to non-Rotarians by the Rotary Club of Downtown Little Rock (Club 99) at their January 17th luncheon. Wayne was introduced by friend and former CJRW associate Brenda Scisson, with additional remarks by longtime friend Tom Bonner.

Wayne was also honored with the Paul Harris Fellow Award, presented by another longtime friend Phyllis Brandon. The coveted Paul Harris Fellow recognition was created in memory of Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary as a way to show appreciation for contributions to the Foundation's charitable and educational programs. Paul Harris Fellow recognition awards are given to show appreciation for extra service to the club. Every Paul Harris Fellow receives a pin, medallion, and a certificate when they become a Fellow. This identifies the Paul Harris Fellow as an advocate of the Foundation's goals of world peace and international understanding.

Here is the video that CJRW and Jones Film and Video produced for the occasion:

Photos by Jay Edwards/The Daily Record.

Welcome, Peyton and Philip

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods (CJRW) announced today that Peyton Bowen and Philip Laue have been hired as copywriters for the company.

Bowen will serve as copywriter in the creative department. He has extensive experience with Photoshop and In Design and recently held positions as a freelance copywriter in Atlanta, a copywriting intern in Chicago, and an associate copywriter in Dalton, Georgia. Bowen earned a graduate certificate in copywriting from The Portfolio Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Laue was hired as copywriter in the creative department and will serve numerous clients at CJRW. Laue was previously an interactive producer in Dallas, Texas. He has experience in Web design, non-traditional advertising and social media. Laue graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism.

CJRW Named Best in 2011

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

We appreciate the readers of Arkansas Business for naming us Best Advertising Agency and Best Public Relations Agency for 2011. Thank you! A special congratulations go to the other winners including some of our clients who were named finalists: Centennial Bank, The Peabody Little Rock and the Clinton Presidential Center and Park.

Merry Christmas From Your Friends At CJRW

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

We wish our clients and friends the best the season has to offer. To spread a little cheer, our video/production team at Jones Film Video helped several of us share our best holiday memories and traditions from years past. Enjoy!

Holiday Food - CJRW Christmas Memories from CJRW on Vimeo.

Holiday Movie Or Song - CJRW Christmas Memories from CJRW on Vimeo.

Best Gift - CJRW Holiday Memories from CJRW on Vimeo.

Holiday Tradition - CJRW Christmas Memories from CJRW on Vimeo.

Holiday Memory - CJRW Christmas Memories from CJRW on Vimeo.

Most Important Thing - CJRW Christmas Memories from CJRW on Vimeo.

Three Receive Coveted CJRW Chairman's Award

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The CJRW Chairman's Award is given each year to individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for the agency – someone who has contributed to the betterment of our company, enhanced our reputation and added to the culture and heritage of our success.

At our agency's annual shareholders meeting last week, Wayne Woods bestowed this coveted award to three CJRW colleagues: Tim Campbell, Christine Golden and Shanon Williams.

Here's to the three of you. We salute you on a job well done. Congratulations from all of us!

Tim Campbell - Art Director

Tim joined CJRW's Northwest Arkansas office in 2007 and has positioned himself among colleagues as a guy who gets it done – day after day. Tim is usually the first to arrive and one of the last to leave, making sure the client work is completed with the highest quality standards. A self-starter, Tim recently trained himself on a software program in order to handle some specialty projects in-house that previously required outside freelancers. Tim's roster of clients includes Walmart, First Federal, Tyson, the University of Arkansas Bookstore and Razorback Shop, Kum and Go, Mazzio's and others.

Tim grew up in Prairie Grove, AR, and graduated from the University of Arkansas Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor of fine arts in visual design and print making. When he's not working, Tim is an avid outdoorsman who loves to fish, hike and look for arrowheads.

Christine Golden - Public relations Account Executive

Christine joined the agency four years ago and quickly positioned herself as a major contributor to the public relations department. A major league player with the Arkansas Department of Health's Stamp Out Smoking (SOS) account, Christine manages the SOS creative campaigns, oversees all planning and placement of the media buy, and successfully coordinated the client's web site redesign in 2011. Christine also successfully serves The Peabody Little Rock account – from public relations to event promotions and other outreach efforts.

During CJRW's 50th anniversary year, Christine managed the redesign of the agency's website, an extensive and difficult project but one that has produced positive feedback from staff, clients and friends. She also played a key role with CJRW's 50th anniversary activities including the "50/50: Fifty Client Relationships Backed by Performance" online initiative.

A native of Bartlesville, OK, Christine holds a degree in journalism from Oklahoma State University. She is also a proud volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has given much time to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Shanon Williams - Director of Account Services

Shanon Williams has had two careers at CJRW – in the 1990s as a media planner/buyer, and then returning to the agency in 2006 in account services. And since that time, she has moved up from account executive to senior account executive to director of account services.

It's been a very busy year for Shanon, providing training and professional development to all those in account services, while managing several of the agency's key accounts – Centennial Bank, Arkansas Highway Safety Office, Magic Springs, McFarland Eye Center and Trane.

She is a dedicated team player, always willing to go the extra mile for CJRW and her clients.

Shanon is a native of Little Rock and a graduate of the University of Arkansas. She and her husband Allen enjoy the art of traveling.