Ronald McDonald McDonald's Logo
McDonald's Logo Hot Springs Village Logo LRPD Badge

Little Rock Navy Week

Special Events

The Navy Week program is the U.S. Navy’s primary outreach event in parts of the country that do not have a significant Navy presence. Ghidotti was hired to ensure that Little Rock’s first-ever Navy Week was successful, reaching audiences across the Central Arkansas area.  

McDonald's Logo LRPD Badge Hot Springs Village Logo

The Situation:

Little Rock’s first-ever Navy Week event kicked off Oct.16, 2017, at the Inland Maritime Museum in North Little Rock with a ceremony and performance by Navy Band Southeast. Little Rock is one of only 15 cities that hosted Navy Week activities in 2017. The U.S. Navy brought musicians, a dive team, interactive simulators and more to central Arkansas for its inaugural event.

Although Navy Weeks are not focused on recruitment, they serve a broader awareness purpose. A particular focus is the emerging Centennial Generation who are aware of the Navy, but say they have little to no understanding of the Navy’s full mission, reach and influence. Navy Week events demonstrate why having a strong Navy is critical to the American way of life. Since 2005, 195 Navy weeks have been held in 71 different U.S. cities.

Ghidotti was tasked with encouraging Central Arkansans to participate in the many events planned from Oct. 16-22 and raise awareness of how the Navy specifically helps Arkansas.

Media Coverage

Media Coverage

Media Coverage

Media Coverage

Media Coverage

The Strategy:

Navy Weeks aim to engage their host communities in many ways, so it’s important to connect Navy officials with chambers of commerce, major employers and key leaders in the area, as well as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions and other civic and service-oriented organizations. Mayoral, county and gubernatorial proclamations are key events in every Navy Week, as are meetings with local city councils and county commissions. We used our connections in the community to create a master spreadsheet of all possible connections and events, and went to work prioritizing the list in partnership with the client and scheduling specific meet-and-greets, speaking engagements and more.

Media relations was a major goal, and we went to work creating a comprehensive plan to hit all major media outlets in the state to create momentum and buzz for Little Rock’s first-ever Navy Week.

Events we planned, managed and executed throughout the week included a kick-off ceremony with Navy Band Southeast at the Inland Maritime Museum, Navy diver demonstrations at the local aquatics center, a workshop at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service to teach small businesses how to do business with the Navy and a top Navy official speaker at the state’s largest and oldest civic organization, The Rotary Club of Little Rock, which meets in the Clinton Presidential Library.

Little Rock Navy Week Media Coverage Ghidotti Communications Arkansas

 

The Results:

The inaugural Little Rock Navy Week was a resounding success with a total of 65 events reaching a variety of audiences (general public, veterans, students, civic groups, corporations, media and more). More than 20 community and civic events and meetings were specifically planned and executed by the Ghidotti team, well over the client’s goal of seven. Media coverage included stories from every major media outlet in Central Arkansas, leading up and through Navy Week, including an interview with the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the statewide paper, and a live event with the Navy diving team showcasing their unique equipment on the top television station.

Almost 3 million impressions were generated throughout the week from media, social media and events.

400 W Capitol Ave Suite 2979

Little Rock, AR 72201

501.777.3509

© 2021 Ghidotti Communications

Close

Request Your Guide to Ghidotti!

We’d love to start a conversation with you about how we can create results for you. First step? Request your very own Guide to Ghidotti to learn more about our public relations and content marketing firm. This is a look inside our agency and will give you a good feel for who we are, what we do and how we partner with our clients to move the needle.


Close

Are You the Next Rock Star on the Ghidotti Team?

The Ghidotti Team is overflowing with full-fledged rock stars. Sure – we’re looking for the best, brightest, most creative, most organized. You get the picture. But what we REALLY want is someone who we can laugh with, depend on, learn from and do great work together. Learn more about who we’re looking for and what you can expect.

Ghidotti is currently hiring for three positions listed below – Account Executive, Account Supervisor and Media Relations Manager.

Account Executive Job Description: 

In the Account Executive position, emphasis is placed on growing independent work within the areas of project management, client relations, media relations, digital/marketing, and/or lead generation among other skills. You are the face to our clients and will play an integral role in daily communication and should be able to demonstrate tactical excellence. 

  • Write client and internal correspondence effectively and with limited supervision.
  • Successfully plan and execute client activities such as media tours, digital and social campaigns, business missions and/or other special events. 
  • Proactively identify blog content story ideas and work with the supervisor to develop. 
  • Develop relevant blogs, e-newsletters and website content effectively and with limited supervision. 
  • Successfully manage independently the execution of all client content calendars, which can include media relations pitch calendars, blogs, social content and paid media campaigns.
  • Exhibit competency and efficiency in drafting copy for client marketing materials and/or campaigns, such as website content, e-newsletters, collateral materials, paid media campaigns, etc. 
  • As it relates to social/digital media, regularly suggest ideas, manage the planning, and comfortably execute campaigns on behalf of clients. Efficiency with Canva, a plus!
  • Assist in the management of interns, when applicable. 
  • Be proficient in WordPress.
  • Easily navigate agency platforms such as Cision, TVEyes, Sprout Social, Sprinklr.
  • Depending on the needs of the service area, responsibilities may extend beyond the items above as skill sets, client contracts and other extenuating circumstances dictate.

Apply for this open position by emailing Bethany Siems at bethany@ghidotti.com.

 

Account Supervisor Job Description: 
In the Account Supervisor position, a staff member will be responsible for assisting and managing the public relations, content marketing, digital media, account services and/or creative/strategy for clients. This position requires fully developed specialty skills, a strong understanding of the industry landscape and an understanding of client priorities and objectives.
  • Serve as the account strategist/lead and oversee/play a clear leadership role on at least three clients.
  • Manage the implementation of work plans and ensure client deliverables are successfully met on deadline.
  • Play a leadership role in the sales process by identifying additional services to sell to existing clients and assisting with RFP responses, new business proposals, presentations, etc. with senior leadership or independently.
  • Display a strong understanding of and effectively communicate Ghidotti’s service offerings to existing clients.
  • Successfully supervise at least one junior staff member, including providing guidance on their professional growth.
  • Begin to play a role in the agency’s marketing efforts, guiding aspects of certain campaigns and/or helping to execute in their areas of expertise.

Account Services: 

  • Play a clear leadership role in the planning and execution of integrated marketing campaigns for clients.
  • Develop and write comprehensive strategic marketing plans for clients.
  • Handle vendor contracts and ensure proper billing.
  • Demonstrate a clear track record of successfully meeting deadlines and timelines.
  • Handle day-of logistics on behalf of clients, responding quickly and effectively.
  • Assist in providing leadership and professional development on client relations, helping team members improve their skills in managing conflict, presentations, sales, etc.

Client Strategy: 

  • Develop or oversee the visual content creation for client materials, including e-newsletters, website content, digital campaigns, marketing collateral, etc.
  • Oversee the development of marketing materials and branding campaigns.
  • Manage creative marketing campaigns on behalf of clients.
  • Demonstrate a clear track record of leading brainstorms, and providing and implementing creative ideas for proposals, presentations, etc.
  • Continually provide new and ‘fresh’ ideas for proposals, new business proposals and current clients’ marketing campaigns.

Apply for this open position by emailing Bethany Siems at bethany@ghidotti.com.

 

Media Relations Manager Job Description: 

In the Media Relations Manager position, a staff member will be responsible for assisting and managing the public relations, content marketing, digital media, account services and/or strategy for clients. This position requires fully developed specialty skills, a strong understanding of the public relations industry landscape and an understanding of client priorities and objectives. 

Main Responsibilities – General: 

  • Serve as the account strategist/lead and oversee/play a clear leadership role on media relations client accounts.
  • Display a strong understanding of and effectively communicate Ghidotti’s service offerings to existing clients. 
  • Successfully supervise at least one junior staff member, including providing guidance on their professional growth.

Main Responsibilities – Media Relations: 

  • Develop strategic media relations plans, direct management and outreach for client accounts with the supervision of Senior Leadership.
  • Perform with Senior Leadership to prepare a plan for strategic crisis communications.
  • Manage and facilitate the execution of media relations outreach for special events, programs and major initiatives.
  • Perform as spokesperson and coordinates official responses to media inquiries.
  • Conduct media training with clients in preparation for external media interviews. 
  • Support framing and development of main message points for better positioning prior to media interviews.
  • Prepare speeches, talking points and varied communications materials assisting client spokespersons.
  • Write pitches, backgrounders, press releases, key messages and blog posts.
  • Manage and monitor reporter hotline, client media relations calendar, metrics, media relations processes and press release approvals.
  • Propose ideas proactively for media pitches to stimulate media coverage.
  • Consistently pitch stories and secure strategic media placements assisting client reputation and business goals.
  • Manage and supervise media events along with initiatives defining company stories.
  • Identify proactive stories for trade, business as well as consumer media across multiple client industries.
  • Develop and maintain close media relations to improve press efforts.
  • Identify brands promoting opportunities and improve awareness of services and products.

Main Responsibilities – Client Strategy: 

  • Develop or oversee the visual content creation for client materials, including e-newsletters, website content, digital campaigns (webinar/live stream events), etc.
  • Demonstrate a clear track record of leading brainstorms and providing and implementing creative ideas for proposals, presentations, etc.
  • Continually provide new and ‘fresh’ ideas for new business proposals and current clients’ PR campaigns.

Apply for this open position by emailing Bethany Siems at bethany@ghidotti.com.

 

Rock Star Environment

We strive to create a fun, engaging atmosphere where high fives, chicken minis, and celebrations are commonplace. We lift one another up, honor achievements and reward hard work.

  1. Professional Enrichment

    Whether instructor-led, web-based or sharing during Fireside Friday, we are always learning more!

  2. Community Engagement

    We love the state of Arkansas. Our team enjoys outings to locally-owned businesses and pride ourselves on community involvement. In addition, employees are often offered free tickets to community events to get out and enjoy life with friends and family.

  3. Team Building

    Quarterly adventures for the team!

  4. Winter Recess

    We shut this place down at the holidays so we can all rest, relax and reinvigorate for the new year.

  5. Summer Fridays

    We get an early jump on the weekend every Friday during the summer.

  6. Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

    Along with your PTO, you also get VTO to use to support your favorite charity or organization.

Does this describe you?

Apply for one of our open positions or just send us an email letting us know why you should be part of this Rock Star team. Email bethany@ghidotti.com.