Reflections on Being a Diversity Fellow at MP&F

MP&F StaffBlog

MP&F was thrilled to work with Bryan Byrdlong during his time as MP&F’s first diversity fellow. Bryan spent six months at MP&F, and the following blog shares highlights from his experience. Click here to learn more about our diversity fellowship program, or visit www.mpfnewsite.wpengine.com/careers to apply. The deadline for our 2016 fellowship is April 1, 2016. Fellowship 1: community of interest, activity, feeling or experience 2: the state of being a fellow or associate To say that my time as MP&F’s first diversity fellow has been invaluable both personally and professionally would be an understatement. It is difficult to summarize a six-month …

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Chapman named to PRSA Counselors Academy Executive Committee

MP&F StaffNews

MP&F Public Relations partner Alice Chapman was recently named to the 2016 executive committee of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Counselors Academy. The Counselors Academy is a national professional interest section of PRSA that focuses on the business of agency PR. Its entrepreneurial members are owners or senior managers of leading independent firms in the U.S. and Canada. The Counselors Academy’s programs foster networking, mentoring and learning. Chapman has been at MP&F for 21 years and a partner since 2012. Her client teams have won numerous national awards, including a recent PRSA Silver Anvil for Red White & …

12th Awards: Mike Pigott wins for Community Cheerleader

MP&F StaffNews

12th & Broad recently honored recipients of The 12th Awards during a reception at Rosewall in Nashville. The awards are designed to honor Nashville’s most innovative, creative and community-minded individuals and organizations of the year. MP&F founding partner, the late Mike Pigott was posthumously honored for his work in the community. Here is a short letter of appreciation written by his wife, Sharon. 12th Awards: Mike Pigott wins for Community Cheerleader posthumously The Tennessean February 3, 2016 Mike Pigott loved Nashville and he loved journalism. From the first day he arrived in this town some 40 years ago, he made …

2015 in Review

Mark McNeelyBlog

Happy New Year. May 2016 be productive and rewarding. Before it gets too far gone, though, I want to talk about 2015, a year like none I have ever experienced in my 28 years of PR agency work. 2015 was wrenching, heartbreaking and heartwarming. Our partner Mike Pigott’s untimely passing in June was a historic low for our company. We lost not only a great practitioner, but a great person. There is not a day that has gone by since June 29 that I have not wanted to ask his advice or opinion on something related to our company, our …

The Boss: Katy Varney, McNeely Pigott & Fox

MP&F StaffBlog

Katy Varney’s roots in Tennessee and Nashville political circles run deep. She took time off in college to work on Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign, a stint that got her a job offer straight out of school from Ned McWherter. She served on McWherter’s staff when he was governor and most recently worked with Megan Barry on her successful mayoral campaign. Those ties put Varney in a unique and powerful position. She’s a close adviser to Barry and also a partner in Nashville’s second-largest public relations firm, McNeely Pigott & Fox. In her spare time, you’ll likely find Varney baking. Read the Nashville Business Journal’s …

Four steps to create ads that drive action

MP&F StaffBlog

Marketing trends come and go, but successful ad campaigns play by some age-old rules. How can you create ads that drive action? Below are four key points to keep in mind during the creative process. Don’t lose sight of your goal. This may sound like a basic concept, but we’ve all been in that conference room when a brainstorm gets lost down a rabbit hole. Whether you want to increase sales or drive traffic, state your goal early on, and for every idea, consider whether the end justifies your means. We recommend sticking with the KISS principle – Keep It …

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Simon Kidgits Club Makes Healthy Habits Fun

MP&F StaffNews

NASHVILLE – Families wanting to make healthy living fun for their children will be able to do just that this Saturday at Opry Mills. The Simon Kidgits Club of Opry Mills will host Simon Kidgits Health and Wellness on Saturday, Sept. 19, from noon to 2 p.m. Attendees will be able to play energetic games along with learning how to make healthy snacking choices and why healthy eating is so important. Fun activities will include fitness activities with the Nike Factory Store, healthy snack craft projects from the Aquarium Restaurant, and interactive games with Dave & Buster’s and the Rainforest …

Mentoring Accelerates Career Success

MP&F StaffBlog

As a friend and former longtime client of MP&F, I was always impressed with the company culture. There is an ingrained sense of service to the community, a desire for personal and professional growth, which is encouraged, and a great camaraderie among all levels. Part of that culture stems from its two complementary mentoring programs, one of which I now spearhead on a volunteer basis. There is a “formal” program for all entry level employees, known as staff associates, and an “informal” one available to everyone. Formal Program for Staff Associates: During the first week or two at the firm, …

Nashville Public Education Foundation’s Project RESET Road Show Gathering Input From Around The City

MP&F StaffNews

The Nashville Public Education Foundation’s (NPEF’s) RESET Road Show, an interactive traveling display for Nashvillians to provide input and share ideas, has seen great response from the city so far. In addition to RESET Saturday, the traveling station has made stops at Casa Azafrán, the Main Library downtown, the Madison Branch Library and Looby Branch Library. Although some neighborhood- or school-specific ideas have arisen, Nashvillians are consistently highlighting the following top three citywide priorities: • Addressing early childhood challenges (i.e., pre-K, early literacy, etc.) • Need for great teachers (i.e., recruiting, retaining and growing highly effective teachers and making sure …

NSCC Adult Scholarships Provide Path to Acquiring New Skills

MP&F StaffNews

For an adult thinking about retraining in STEM or culinary arts, it is possible to get a degree virtually free at Nashville State Community College, thanks to a special scholarship program. The NSCC Foundation Adult Scholarship program will cover the cost of the first six hours per semester up-front, and reimburse up to the next six hours for any adult age 25 or older seeking to pursue a degree in science, engineering, math, technology or culinary arts. “The Foundation scholarship is a last-dollar program, meaning that it pays after any other financial aid, scholarships or tuitions discounts have been applied,” …