Meet Larry Fairley: Board Member at The ACGG
To say that Larry Fairley is a resilient optimist is an understatement. As an entrepreneur, he believes in persistence, innovation, and the potential for success—no matter the challenges. He’s the founder and CEO of MRS, a full-service multicultural marketing agency celebrating 25 years of bridging brands and audiences. Last year, he joined The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro’s board, bringing his marketing expertise to support the arts.
My journey in advertising began many years ago when I interned at High Point Central High School’s printing department. It was there that I was introduced to graphic design and content development, sparking an immediate fascination with the idea of getting paid to create.
As I advanced in my career, I came to realize that marketing is not just about creativity—it’s about solving business challenges and driving brand growth. This insight ultimately inspired me to start my own firm, originally called Marketing Resource Solutions, LLC.
Over time, as the business grew and evolved alongside the dynamic shifts in the marketing industry, we rebranded to MRS Unlimited, Inc. An unwavering belief in innovation and the ability to adapt has been a driving force in my firm’s evolution. The rebrand reflects not only a change in name for MRS but a commitment to growth, creativity, and the unlimited opportunities in the marketing industry.
My connection to the arts began early in life when I played the cello. While that was one of my earlier exposures to the arts, a deep understanding was yet to form. Over the years, my engagement with the arts grew significantly.
My professional life and the arts found spaces to merge over the years. One of our clients, Denny’s Corporation, was a founding sponsor of the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, and I had the privilege of witnessing the project evolve from concept to launch. It was an incredible experience to see the curatorial process and the intentionality behind the museum’s creation.
I’ve always been an avid Jazz enthusiast, and we’ve had the opportunity to work with clients who sponsor prestigious music and film festivals, such as the John Coltrane Jazz and Blues Festival and the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. Through our agency’s experiential marketing efforts in event planning, management, and activation services, we’ve directly connected our clients with their target audiences. For me, these spaces have brought about a greater passion and appreciation for the breath, depth, and soul of the arts.
Meeting Laura Way, CEO of The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, was the starting point of my connection with The ACGG. At an intra-city visit hosted by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, we struck up a conversation, and she shared the then ArtsGreensboro’s vision for rebranding.
The conversation with Laura was enlightening and ultimately led to our agency’s involvement in the Arts Greensboro’s 2023 rebrand to The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro. Since then, I’ve remained actively engaged, joining the Board of Directors late last year to continue supporting the growth and mission.
What drew me to invest more deeply in The ACGG is my belief in the transformative power of the arts to enrich communities, making them more vibrant and attractive. The arts have a unique ability to bring people together regardless of their backgrounds or life stages. A city without a thriving arts community is missing a vital part of its identity.
Looking ahead, the key challenge I see for The ACGG is securing more substantial investments through the Corporate Affinity Program. We need our community’s major brands to recognize the profound value of supporting the arts and to make investments accordingly. I am truly excited to contribute to The ACGG growth and lasting impact through my role on the Board. With a deep commitment to its future, I look forward to championing its mission and collaborating with a dedicated team to strengthen our community and amplify the transformative power of the arts.