VMLY&R
JOHN MULVIHILL
John Mulvihill, Chief of Staff for the Global CEO and Executive Director of the VMLY&R Foundation at VMLY&R, says that events run in his blood. VMLY&R is an award-winning, global, full-service marketing agency, with its headquarters based in Kansas City, Missouri.
Growing up in a tight knit community and family that took interest in the needs of the city, John is aware of the importance of events.“Events have been part of my life since I was young, my family was very politically active. There is a communal aspect to it."
​
John served as political advisor for a large part of his career before he found his way to VMLY&R in 2007.
%20(2).jpg)
Serving as Chief of Staff for the company, John was an integral member of the leadership team that launched TEDxKC, an independently organized annual event in association with TED; a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.
In addition, VMLY&R produces many large-scale internal events throughout the year, such as their Global Meeting, and The Sterling Sessions.
​
​
​
​
John says that his team’s work with HMXLive on the production of these events is more of a partnership-based relationship, not one of simply a vendor.
​
​
​
​
​
"When they are driving home, what feeling do they have? How are we going to measure success? - When’s the next one?
That is when we knew we succeeded.”
“With events, you have to work backwards. Begin with the end in mind. Start at the end, with a goal in mind, then work backward with the time and budget in mind."
“Many of the internal events we host, there are some higher expectations - but they are also there to have a great time.”
