When Craig Mitchell won the prestigious Grand Clio Award last October for his outstanding voiceover work, he made a promise – to help open doors for Alabama A&M University business and marketing students by connecting them with opportunities in advertising and media.
On Thursday, the 2013 marketing alumnus returned to campus to speak with students as part of the Bulldog LEAD Speaker Series. This initiative is designed to equip students with the skills and mindset needed for leadership and career success. Mitchell shared his expertise on personal branding, networking, and entrepreneurship, offering real-world advice to students eager to carve their own paths.
The Power of Authenticity in Personal Branding
“Be yourself and talk to people,” Mitchell advised. “You can promote yourself while still being humble.”
Mitchell emphasized that personal branding starts with authenticity. Recalling one of his earliest voiceover sessions, he shared a pivotal moment when a producer told him, ‘Craig, that was cool, but can you just talk like you?’ That lesson stuck with him.
“People can sense authenticity, fear, and love,” he said. “Those emotions cut through like nothing else. The world needs your unique voice. Move with intention and never compromise who you are.”
Effective Networking: More Than Just Making Connections
Mitchell, a St. Louis native now based in New York, detailed his journey from a young account executive at an advertising agency to becoming a sought-after voice for brands like the NBA, State Farm, Nike, and Budweiser. He credited his success to “effective networking.”
“There’s no way I’d be where I am today without it,” he said. “Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it’s about building genuine, mutually beneficial relationships.”
He shared three key steps for effective networking:
- Connect with Intention – “See what you can do to help others; that’s how you expand your brand.”
- Engage and Add Value – “Build relationships by genuinely getting to know people and communicating effectively.”
- Follow Up and Nurture Relationships – “Relationships are gold – treat them as such.”
Mitchell also advised students to leverage platforms like LinkedIn and attend industry events, no matter how small. “The right connections can open doors to incredible opportunities,” he noted.
Entrepreneurship: Turning Passion into a Business
Beyond his success in advertising and voiceover work, Mitchell is also an entrepreneur. He founded CM Effect LLC, an independent creative and talent agency, and Melodies NYC, a music community based in New York. He described entrepreneurship as “identifying opportunities, creating solutions, and building a business that generates value, impact, and profit.” He also shared that a concept that helped him refine his career vision is Ikigai, a framework for finding one’s purpose. “It helps you determine what you love and what you’re actually good at,” he explained.
Student Reactions: Motivation for the Future
Students found Mitchell’s insights both practical and inspiring.
“Everyone in my generation is interested in having their own business,” said Jarah Redden, a sophomore construction management major from Atlanta. “This event laid out the foundation and groundwork, and to see someone who started at Alabama A&M and achieve national success is truly motivating.”
Symone Higgins, a sophomore political science major from St. Louis, echoed the sentiment. “He showed us that you can start here and go anywhere,” she said. “Being from St. Louis like him, his journey really resonated with me. He started right here and made it to the top. I love that.”
Mitchell closed his talk by encouraging students to take advantage of opportunities available to them now.
“Increase your visibility, build a strong support system, and learn from all of the mentors here at Alabama A&M University,” he urged. “Your future starts today.”
