Episode 180: Marilyn Ball

Marilyn Ball is a leading expert in developing solutions for business growth.  Whether helping businesses improve their marketing success or supporting local organizations in building a collaborative culture based on openness, transparency and trust, she’s the go-to person for generating better outcomes by working together with a team approach.

As the founder of 12Twelve Marketing in Asheville, NC, with 20+ years of marketing and communication experience in the tourism, economic development, hospitality and micro-enterprise industries, Marilyn has an instinct for bringing a range of people and resources together. What’s more, she has the background to establish the most efficient use of marketing funds.

By fostering a spirit of mutual cooperation and purpose, she’s helped diverse groups establish more effective and focused strategies to achieve both their individual and collective goals.

Marilyn knows marketing and public relations.  Her keen insights and vision help guide business leaders to step up their game, transform their marketing efforts, and enjoy a real breakthrough in the results they’re getting.  She’s a much sought after strategist and mentor for businesses large and small.

As an avid traveler, Marilyn has expanded the range of her message.  She‘s spoken on the subject of Family Travel Trends in the U.S at the Hawaiian Tourism Authority’s annual meeting, and was part of a delegation team promoting North Carolina tourism in Ireland and England.  Marilyn is the host of her own radio show on iHeart Radio, Speaking of Travel, heard each week on News Radio 570 WWNC and 880 and 92.9 The Revolution and podcast globally on the iHeart Radio app. Visit speakingoftravel.net to find out more.

After an early career as a Montessori teacher in a parent-cooperative school, Marilyn returned to college (UNCA) to begin a new career path majoring in Mass Communication.  She began her new career in 1991 with an emerging advertising agency, Kelso Advertising & Design, becoming a partner in the company after just two years.

In 2009, Marilyn established her own company, 12Twelve Marketing.  Her current work focuses on speaking, teaching, business coaching and training.  Marilyn is a Leadership Asheville Fellow, a budding photographer and she’s at the red/black belt level in Tae Kwon Do.

In October 2015, The History Press/Arcadia Publishing published her first book, The Rise of Asheville: An Exceptional History of Community Building.

Visit 12twelve.me for more information.