I CREATE CULTURE. I COMMAND SHIFTS. I EDUCATE. I DISRUPT.
From speaking, to brand campaign strategy, to NIL partnerships, World Wide Willard has his finger on the pulse of the culture.
WHAT BRANDS HAVE TRUSTED WORLDWIDE?
From campaign creation to NIL partnerships, the following brands have trusted World Wide Willard to execute their visions:
ABOUT WILLARD
Willard R. Brown III is a distinguished entrepreneur, author, coach, podcaster, and thought leader, serving as the CEO and Chief Creative Officer of the award-winning marketing/branding firm Design 31 in Downtown Memphis. With an impressive roster of clients including prestigious institutions and renowned athletes, Willard's leadership and expertise have been recognized through his involvement in various organizations such as the American Marketing Association.
Before his meteoric rise as a successful entrepreneur, Willard's illustrious career in education included groundbreaking achievements, such as co-founding a pioneering college preparatory program for under-recruited high school basketball players. As a seasoned veteran with 12 years of teaching experience, he also empowered students to achieve record-breaking results in standardized test scores, leaving an indelible mark on their academic journey. His unwavering commitment to mentoring and positively impacting young lives is evident through his involvement in afterschool and summer programs, as well as his valuable insights shared through presentations and virtual education series.
Most recently, Willard has been dedicated to developing NIL programs for small businesses, mentoring college student-athletes, and consulting with university athletic departments, showcasing his profound impact and unwavering commitment to excellence in both education and entrepreneurship.
Mentor/Life Coach
A tapestry of diverse life experiences has shaped Willard into a formidable mentor and life coach, with a wealth of wisdom and insights gained from traversing various paths. As a former NCAA Division 2 basketball player with stints in JUCO and NAIA, a young parent navigating the challenges of parenthood while still in school, a serial entrepreneur, and one who has faced brushes with the law, being raised in a single parent home, and even being blackballed in college, Willard has weathered many trials and triumphed over them all.
With 12 years of experience as a basketball coach, athletic director, as well as being a proud parent of two college athletes, he has mentored numerous former students, players, and aspiring young entrepreneurs. Through creating innovative curriculums and summer programs, running basketball camps, and helping aspiring athletes secure scholarships, Willard's impact on the lives of others has been profound. His own journey of overcoming mistakes and obstacles has uniquely equipped him to provide unparalleled advice, mentorship, and coaching on levels that few can match.
NIL Thought Leader
Willard, an esteemed educator and co-founder of Faith Prep Post Graduate Academy, established a visionary curriculum focusing on college readiness and self-branding for student-athletes ahead of the passage of the NIL law. His remarkable success includes every Faith Prep student receiving basketball scholarships for six consecutive years, securing placements at renowned institutions such as McNeese State, Eastern OK State College, Belhaven University, Morgan State, and the University of Denver.
His pioneering NIL curriculum, dubbed "The University of You," has been sought after by nationally recognized brands such as Solepack (NYC), New Jersey Sets (LA), and Phatkhaps (Nashville), who have leveraged his expertise to create their own successful NIL programs. In addition, Willard has served as a trusted consultant to basketball programs at esteemed universities like Grambling State University, Oklahoma Christian University, and Simmons University, offering invaluable guidance on NIL bylaws, structure, and strategy.
Willard's impact on the world of college sports extends to institutions such as Saint Louis University, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Loyola University of New Orleans, Grambling State University, DePaul, UNLV, and Prairie View University, among others, where he has played a pivotal role in pitching, vetting, and signing athletes. As the online version of "The University of Game" is set to launch in June 2023, universities and athletes alike are eagerly lining up to benefit from Willard's unmatched expertise. For Willard, this opportunity is not just about athletes securing the bag, but rather empowering student-athletes to truly understand their own identity, values, and negotiating power. His visionary approach goes beyond the pursuit of monetary success and emphasizes the holistic development of student-athletes as individuals who are empowered to make informed decisions and negotiate from a position of power for themselves.
Speaker/Podcaster
Willard's passion for media and podcast production has been a driving force in his career. In 2011, he co-produced SWAC Smack, a groundbreaking podcast featuring esteemed co-hosts, Jackson State Hall of Fame Football player Sean Woodson and Chuck Bishop. Since then, Willard's compelling voice and insightful interviews have been featured on notable platforms such as One2gration's Cultivating One Community IG Live Event, the OG Hoops Podcast, and Action Coach.com's Business Spotlight with Keith Potts.
Not one to shy away from bold collaborations, Willard has also co-hosted FBS Fireside with Jaworski Vance and Tallie Gainer, a captivating show about fatherhood that aired on Tallahassee's 94.1 The Wave every Thursday. Additionally, Brown facilitated a 4-Week virtual entrepreneurship series (Fly Biz Only) for the 2020 LITE Memphis budding entrepreneur cohort, showcasing his unwavering dedication to empowering others. Recently, Willard's expertise and influence were recognized as he was chosen to speak at the Memphis Grizzlies' first annual Mentorship Summit, where he and his wife presented a powerful session on mentoring titled "Not for the Faint of Heart," leaving a lasting impact on all in attendance.
Prior to the pandemic, Willard had the privilege of interviewing internationally acclaimed fashion designer Rich Fresh, known for his awe-inspiring creations worn by A-list celebrities such as LL Cool J and Kevin Hart, on his show Disrupters. With his magnetic presence and unparalleled expertise, Willard's voice is sure to continue making waves worldwide. Stay tuned for his unmistakable voice to leave an indelible mark everywhere it resonates.
Brand Influencer
With a passion for marketing and branding, Willard has made a significant impact as the CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Design 31, an award-winning firm nestled in the heart of Downtown Memphis. His illustrious roster of clients includes reputable names such as Memphis Shelby County Schools, Thaddeus Young (Young for Youth/Team Thad), Sonny Weems (Weems World) of China's Shanxi Loongs, Solepack, Grambling State University, Letourneau University, Texas A&M Commerce University, and HBG Design, among others.
As a Leadership Memphis alum and a founding board member of the Memphis Chapter of the American Marketing Association, Willard's leadership in the field is widely recognized. Clients entrust him with their campaigns, relying on his bevy of ideas, strategic thinking, and creative problem-solving skills.
In 2022 alone, Design 31 garnered multiple awards for their exceptional work, including campaigns for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana (It Takes Two) and Memphis Shelby County Schools (Video Productions: The Laptop and Memphis Virtual Schools). In addition, Willard himself was honored with the prestigious Communitas Award, which celebrates businesses, organizations, and individuals who selflessly give back to their communities and strive to make a positive impact through innovative business practices. Willard's commitment to excellence and community impact continues to shine, setting him apart as a true leader in the industry.
Visit Design 31: www.bedopedaily.co
Award Winning Author
Willard's artistry knows no bounds, extending beyond his creative expertise into the realm of writing. A natural progression from crafting compelling copy for his clients, his love for words was ignited at a young age, where he found solace in poetry and even attempted a brief stint as a hip-hop artist during his grade school years. In 2022, he added another accolade to his impressive repertoire as he became a published author with his children's book titled "Sonny Did", dedicated to his esteemed client and three-time CBA Champion, Sonny Weems, who once donned the colors of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
"Sonny Did" encapsulates Sonny's triumphant journey, showcasing his unwavering determination in overcoming challenges and rising to become an international champion, philanthropist, and successful businessman. The book serves as an inspirational beacon for the youth of Eastern Arkansas, who look up to Sonny as their hometown hero from West Memphis. Written with the aim to influence and empower the next generation, "Sonny Did" carries a powerful message: if Sonny can do it, so can you. Sonny Did won a Vega Digital Award in 2022 for editorial and illustration.
With two more children's books set to release at the end of 2023, Willard is poised to utilize every ounce of his God-given creativity to captivate young minds and leave an indelible mark on the literary world. His boundless artistic talents continue to inspire and uplift, making him a true visionary in his craft.
BOOK NOW
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Speaking Engagements/Consulting/Mentoring
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