Tag: Choose 901

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Grassroots Campaign Launches to Attract Amazon HQ2 to Memphis

A coalition of community organizations is launching a campaign to help lure Amazon HQ2 to Memphis.

The grassroots campaign, Memphis Delivers, is designed to support Memphis’ response to Amazon’s public request for proposal (RFP) by  illustrating Memphis’ value for Amazon HQ2 through digital channels with the hashtag #MemphisDelivers.

The campaign, spearheaded by creative consultant firm DCA, will kick off Wednesday, Oct. 11 with lighting the Big River Crossing bridge in Amazon’s orange. Leaders of the campaign hope this will encourage other attractions, associations, and individuals to do similar activities before Amazon’s RFP deadline on Oct. 19.


“Today we are extending an open invitation to organizations, companies, individuals and Memphians in our community to share how they believe Memphis delivers on Amazon’s request,” Doug Carpenter of DCA said.

[pullquote-1]“While Memphis is not able to compete with some cities on a ‘check the box’ criteria, we do offer a very unique and appealing environment that is especially appreciated once experienced. Simply stated: You can’t put us in a box, but Memphis delivers.”


Other organizations participating in the campaign include Choose901, I Love Memphis blog, Memphis Medical District Collaborative, Crosstown Concourse, Memphis Grizzlies, New Memphis and the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC).

The DMC will campaign by using guerrilla marketing with existing signage, murals, and structures.

“We see Downtown as the soul of our city and that soul is filled with Memphis pride,” DMC’s vice president of marketing and community events, Penelope Huston said. “We will encourage all of our downtown and Medical District neighbors to use their enthusiasm and creativity to show the energy that Memphis delivers.”

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Memphis in May Introduces 901Fest to Replace Sunset Symphony

901Fest, a festival celebrating all things local, will be added to the month-long Memphis in May programming, replacing the long-running Sunset Symphony.

The festival will follow the inaugural Great American River Run on Saturday, May 28th. It will feature local musicians, artists, vendors, and merchants, as well as the annual air show and fireworks show that were a part of the symphony event.

“The mission of our organization is to celebrate Memphis’ culture and heritage. We plan on doing that in spectacular style this Memorial Day weekend by showcasing our musicians, artists, culinary arts, and unique Memphis products. 901Fest gives us an opportunity to turn the spotlight on Memphis and allow Memphians to enjoy our city’s assets,” said James L. Holt, president and CEO of Memphis in May.

Memphis in May is partnering with Choose 901 for the festival, and Choose 901 is holding a social media contest to gather input on what local artists and vendors should be featured at the festival. The full schedule for 901Fest will be released closer to the festival date.

The Sunset Symphony event, a performance in Tom Lee Park by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, was retired last year after a 39 year run.

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Choose901 Recruits New Yorkers For Memphis Jobs

Choose901, the city’s proverbial cheerleading group run by City Leadership, took a trip to the Big Apple this week to try and convince New Yorkers to trade the 212 for the 901.

The organization is partnering with the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce to help recruit New Yorkers to fill open positions at Shelby Farms Park, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Muddy’s Bake Shop, International Paper, the Memphis Grizzlies, and other companies with openings.

The organization’s trip to New York also focused on recruiting college talent as they visited Columbia University, King’s College, City College, and New York University —Alexandra Pusateri

Luke Pruett and wife April in New York

Flyer: Why New York?

Pruett: We’re advocating for Memphis. We believe that Memphis is a premier destination for millennials to enjoy and invest their lives in. That’s always been our goal: to tell Memphians about that and tell the whole world about that.

That plays out in a couple of campaigns we run other than just Choose901, one being Teach901, which is recruiting urban educators to Memphis along with other efforts; another being Serve901. It’s a way to serve the city and showcase opportunities to invest your life here.

We’re [here in New York] to network, meet with Memphians that now live and work here, and recruit Memphians back to the city, as well as show new people the opportunities that exist.

Some people might say that Memphians need those available jobs.

That’s our focus every day — to show off Memphis inside the city and outside the city. We want every single Memphian and folks outside to find the best economic opportunity in the city they can. That’s why our presence is so large with events and campaigns in the city. This is one of the many recruiting efforts we’ve done both inside and outside the city. It really isn’t a departure; our founding mission from day one has been to advertise for the city of Memphis and opportunities here. We want to be a conduit of connection for every single opportunity to the people looking for it inside the city, no matter where they’re from. Our goal is to tell the stories here.

What other trips like these have you taken?

Teach901 went to Phoenix last month. We did a job fair in Chicago a few years ago, called the Choose901 Job Fair. I’d say we take about five to seven trips like these a year.

How’s the week going?

We’ve really been overwhelmed with how many people are excited about things going on in the city. We have an incredible opportunity to showcase the Memphis art scene, which you know has so many amazing artists. Wednesday night, we’re going to be celebrating the Grizzlies season at the Half Pint, which is kind of the Grizzlies bar [in New York City]. A lot of Grizzlies fans gather here to watch the games. Only a fourth of our staff is here [in New York], so the rest of our people are still back in the city doing what we always do.

The core things you need when you’re looking for a place to live are: Where do I live?; What do I do?; Where do I work?; and ultimately, how do I serve and invest in the city? We’re staying devoted to our mission. So much of what we do is attempting to lead through surprise, so you gotta stay tuned to know what’s coming next.