Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Accardi.
Hi Beth, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started my career at Madison Square Garden in 2004 and at 21, I imagined my world would be all power suits, big offices, and glamorous lunches. Instead, I heeded the advice of my father, who urged (told) me to get my foot in the door, work hard, and make a lasting impression. And that’s what I did.
I started out as a part-time sales rep selling tickets for the Knicks and Rangers at Madison Square Garden. It wasn’t glamorous. I hated cold calling. But I networked, set goals for myself, and slowly made my way up the ladder. Eventually, I went on to grow my career in Premium Hospitality & Tickets with the New York Yankees & New York Giants, opening two new stadiums and collecting a few championship rings along the way.
Spending the first decade of my career as an executive in professional sports in New York – well, what can I say, it taught me everything, and for that, I am forever indebted to the experience.
It was during that tenure that I found my passion in brand-building and creating experiential moments for fans and attendees. That led me to Miami ten years ago, where I dove into experiential marketing, but this time on the agency side, and developed integrated programs and activations for brands like Mercedes-Benz, Corona, Tiffany & Co., Inc. Magazine, Fast Company Magazine, Citrix, Cynthia Rowley, WWD, and Marriott Bonvoy.
In 2017, I launched my agency 14B Marketing, and continue to work across a myriad of industries, including several Miami non-profit organizations that I hold very close to my heart. It’s great to look back on the past 5 years and see how my one-woman shop has developed into a team of six. Our future looks bright.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Starting a company is scary. The first thing I acknowledged was that there were huge learning curves for me to tackle head-on. The clients and the work were the easy part – the challenge was figuring out how to build from the ground up. What do I need? What is missing from this process?
It’s easy to think about that now, but when you are in the driver’s seat, servicing clients, and providing high-level plans, you feel like you cannot pause or even blink. From the back-end process to staffing – I leaned on a lot of colleagues, friends, and mentors for advice and support. And with growth comes more challenges – one we face now is scaling up and investing more to keep up with a growing client roster.
Last but not least – Covid. Our industry was hit hard, but through a myriad of pivots and adjustments, we confidently led clients through the complex matrix that is “planning in the age of Covid-19.”
Shifting from in-person events to virtual to drive-thru live experiences, I’m proud of all of the lessons and for my team’s ability to adapt quickly along the way. We have been mastering a lot of new skills and confidently walking side by side with our clients to assure them we can deliver beyond their expectations.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
14B Marketing is not only female-owned and led, but is a diverse team that prides itself in the way we align our core values with those of our clients, and in turn, bring inspiring activations and brand-defining moments to life.
We thrive on curiosity and the spark that motivates people. We’re more ‘why not’ than why, and with that mindset, we help our partners resonate more authentically with their audience.
From national experiential programs to intricate brand re-launches, we help our clients meet the moment and drive engagement through an array of creative solutions. Our collaborative nature, decades-long partner vetting, and deep-rooted relationships are what make us leaders in our industry.
Over the past year alone, we have spearheaded 8+ virtual conferences and 16 live events featuring some of the best global business executives, community leaders and brands, with upwards of 50,000 attendees collectively.
Expertise includes:
• B2C & B2B live & virtual events
• Conference & event strategy
• Partnership integration
• Activation ideation & production
• Client service management
• Unique experience curation
• Brand marketing & positioning
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
For me, I take time to keep in touch with former employers, clients & colleagues. My advice is don’t just reach out when you need a favor but to foster genuine connections. Over the years, these are the individuals that have given me great advice and referred me to colleagues and clients.
It’s invaluable what these connections bring. Also, one important tip, check in when there are both ups and downs and pay it forward. I’m thankful for all of the calls, meetings, and texts from individuals along the way that we’re always willing to help me. I often think of those times when someone comes to me for help. People always made time for me and now I’m going to make time for them.
And push yourself to get out of your circle, get involved in some local initiatives, and support local businesses and vendors. Our community is a small one despite being a big city. Don’t be afraid to self-promote and ask your network to refer you. Opportunities come from word of mouth and the reputation you create.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.14bmarketing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/14bmarketing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/14Bmarketing
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14b-marketing/
Image Credits
Justin Namon, ra-haus Chris Carter, Ra-haus Mitchell, and Zachs JB Jakubek
