When Luke Bradshaw traveled from his hometown of West Fork to Russellville to become an Arkansas Tech University student in fall 1994, he never could have envisioned a day when he would work with Fortune 500 companies on some of their most important marketing initiatives.
He returned to his alma mater on Monday, April 10, to deliver the ATU School of Business Distinguished Lecture Series address for the spring 2023 semester.
As Bradshaw told his story to ATU students, faculty and staff in the Doc Bryan Student Services Center Lecture Hall, he reiterated several times that he does not believe there’s anything special about his talents or skills.
“The one thing I have that most people don’t,” said Bradshaw, “is ambition.”
Beginning in 2007, Bradshaw and his wife, Beth, built Bravis Marketing Agency from humble beginnings as a part-time freelance business based upon the graphic design skills Bradshaw developed and honed while a student at Arkansas Tech.
Today, Bravis operates in Centerton and manages shopper marketing campaigns for clients such as Diageo, Disney, Walmart, Unilever, Procter and Gamble, Mattel and Sam’s Club.
“Just because you like it doesn’t mean the rest of the world likes it,” cautioned Bradshaw when speaking to his ATU audience. “Don’t get too attached to things, especially your own ideas. Be sure you aren’t spinning your wheels on something that can’t be sold.”
Bradshaw, who is founder, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Bravis Marketing Agency, boiled down his operational model to three words: captivate, communicate and convert.
Among the rules for business he shared with ATU students were admit you don’t know everything and put people in place who do; be 100 percent upfront and truthful with your lawyer, your banker and your tax preparer; never run from debt; and be yourself.
Arkansas Business named Bradshaw to its 40 Under 40 list and the Path to Purchase Institute selected him to its Who’s Who for shopper marketing. He has served on the Walton Arts Center Corporate Leadership Council and the Arkansas Tech University Foundation Board of Directors.
Bradshaw, who attended Arkansas Tech on a music performance scholarship based upon his talent on trombone, is a 1998 graduate of ATU. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better, more nurturing educational environment than the one I experienced at Arkansas Tech,” said Bradshaw. “I’m always proud to say my story began here. That says a lot for the education you get at this institution.”
Learn more about the ATU College of Business and Economic Development at www.atu.edu/business.
