Charlotte-based sports and events management firm, 54 Sports, and Greensboro-based digital marketing and communications firm, The Burris Agency, have announced a merger to form 54, creating the next evolution in marketing. Offering a 360° range of integrated marketing tools, 54 emerges with the goal of facilitating meaningful connections and simplifying engagement between clients and their customers.

While many industry players provide customer experiences based on client needs, 54 takes it several steps further by adding a human element, as well as implementing a marketing and communications strategy leading up to and following corporate events. This targeted approach ensures that the right people are in attendance and creates an unforgettable experience long after the event ends, ultimately helping businesses connect with customers and drive client engagement. In addition to corporate event planning and execution, the firm also specializes in branding and awareness, generating qualified leads, and measuring and reporting.

“Burris’s strong strategic marketing and communications capabilities allow us to create the engagement platforms for every event that return real, meaningful value for our clients. The correct strategy properly executed ensures our clients get the 'right people' and the desired outcomes for every event,” said Robert Miller, 54 Sports Founding Partner.

Sharing a passion for golf and growing businesses, Founding Partners Robert Miller and Mark Surles of 54 Sports, and Jack Burris of The Burris Agency, decided to join forces after a golf trip brought them together. Upon hiring Burris to lead the rebranding of 54 Sports, Miller and Surles quickly realized that Burris’ expertise in communications, marketing and business development, combined with the human element 54 Sports creates through corporate events, would be the perfect way to shake up the industry and make a true difference in their clients’ growth strategies. With over 60 years of combined knowledge in marketing and event management, the trio looks forward to creating lasting experiences and driving client engagement through 54.

“54 Sports has been a client for several years. Their ability to create and execute the perfect event — big ticket experiences like the Masters, custom trips, executive offsites, franchise conferences, incentive travel — has always impressed me,” added Jack Burris, President of The Burris Agency. “Merging our business with their proven event expertise gives us the personal connection component to complement our traditional and new media skillsets. What we now offer is totally unique and designed to maximize every marketing dollar to grow our clients' businesses.”

In today’s digital world, consumers are bombarded with mixed messages from email, social media and online advertisements. While these marketing tactics have proven to be effective, real world experiences are incredibly powerful tools for business growth. 54 believes that through shared, in-person experiences, businesses can truly get ahead and create relationships that wouldn’t be possible through traditional marketing and event management tactics.