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.