We were lucky to catch up with Calvin Sanford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Calvin, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Calvin Sanford, Founder of Marketality, LLC. is a native Memphian who, as many others in the
region, was on a destructive path but has turned
that around towards complete success. Facing
numerous challenges in childhood from drug
dealing and use, he found himself in custody on
multiple occasions. 26 times to be exact.
Finding breakthrough by a faith based foundation,
along with experiencing fatherhood himself, Calvin
found a motivation to shift the course of his future
and focus on the priorities which would build the
future he is experiencing now. With a background
in entertainment and inspiration from his parents
he has produced multiple commericial work on
networks such as BET, VH1, and local broadcast
channels in the Mid-South.
Calvin has positioned himself as an entrepaneur
and business owner by successfully working his way
MARKETALITY
VIDEO MARKETING.
DIGITAL BRANDING.
DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT.
ADVERTISING & MARKETING
Calvin Sanford, Founder of Marketality, LLC
is leading the way for messaging to the City
of Memphis, and the Mid-South.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

through educational opportunities by attaining a degree in accounting from Southwest Community
College, and voted Alumni of the year for 2023.
Success would repeat itself again in 2020 with
earning a Bachelors of Art’s in Marketing from
Christian Brothers University which added to
the drive towards becoming a competitive and
successful business owner.
In 2020, Calvin established Marketality, LLC serving
over 100 local and nationwide businesses while
gaining interest by the City of Memphis to lead the
city’s messaging against gun violence.
Calvin looks to the future towards success through
partnerships, community, resourcing, and building
a legacy that positively impacts future generations
whom may have had similar backgrounds

16 Barz is the concept developed by Calvin Sanford when given
the opportunity to provide an effective messaging campaign
targeting anti-gun violence in the City of Memphis.
This campaign has provided real-life scenarios in order to find
a common ground to reach the city’s youth and communities
dealing with violence. Developing an online HUB at
https://16barz.org, targeted video communications products are
viewable, along with recorded podcasts recorded within Shelby
County Corrections.
The online communications campaign, broadcast of the 16Barz
public service announcements running on local stations, and
public billboard display rotation of messaging within the city
limits, and viewable along the I-40/240 loop have given an
alternate message to the youth towards looking inward at
why they choose violence, what traumatic points lead to these
decisions, and how to gain assistance in shifting their paths
toward success.
16 Barz has been successful in it’s campaign through support
from the City of Memphis and other community based non-
profit organizations such as B.L.O.C. Squad, and Memphis based
community involvment organization.
Taking the narrative of choices over actions still has a long way
ahead, and through this messaging the city will help direct the
culture towards breaking free from social constraints.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the early months of 2020, right when the Covid pandemic hit, I took a leap of faith and started my own business. It was a challenging time, as I was in college, recently married, and had two young daughters to care for. Being the sole provider for my family, the slow pace of business due to the pandemic added to the obstacles I faced. However, my unwavering faith in God kept me going, knowing that He had a greater purpose for me and was guiding me to build something beyond my wildest imagination.

I chose to view every challenge as an opportunity for strength and growth. I believed that if I could overcome these difficult circumstances, I could overcome anything. My passion for my work made the sacrifices easier to bear. Recognizing the growing importance of social media and the ongoing need for commercials and marketing, I seized the opportunity and secured contracts with various businesses. To date, we have successfully filmed and produced over 100 commercials for different companies.

Even when faced with adversity, we never gave up. Instead, we focused on finding our niche in the industry and exploring how we could profit from it. Additionally, I had the privilege of assisting numerous churches with live streaming services as they faced closures during the pandemic. Through it all, we acknowledge that God has blessed us and we give Him all the glory for seeing us through the storms.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Our focus shifted towards securing contracts with the city, allowing us to access larger budgets and establish a stronger brand presence for our company. This strategy opened doors for us to become vendors for prominent companies in the city, such as Graceland, the iconic home of Elvis Presley. Working with them as vendors for filming and wedding photography has been a wonderful opportunity, and we are now their top choice for these services.

In addition, we have expanded our reach to work with prisons, currently in the process of signing a contract to facilitate classes on filmmaking and photography for inmates. This initiative aims to provide them with valuable skills and opportunities for personal growth. Furthermore, we have partnered with Southwest Tennessee Community College, where I am an alumnus, to shoot a television series. These collaborations have allowed us to showcase our talents and make a positive impact within the community.

Our involvement extends beyond just filming and marketing. We have teamed up with non-profit organizations and churches to contribute to significant projects. Our work is driven by a desire to make a difference and create meaningful experiences for those we serve. It’s truly gratifying to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marketalityvideos.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketalityllc?igsh=MW9zbDg2cTJzMmJvdQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marketalityllc?mibextid=opq0tG
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvin-sanford-0b09a222a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@marketalityllc4649?si=ZvyLvGc9xq6V38uX