Arnie Malham

While selling TV airtime at a local affiliate, Arnie Malham created a

small side venture to help a few clients market beyond just the TV

station. In 1994, that venture ultimately got him fired and quickly

became his best and only career option. Without a clue as to how to

run a company, Malham repeatedly “got it wrong” when it came to

hiring, firing, and everything else related to building a business. Armed

with his belief that different is better than good, outliers are

fascinating, and mind-set is everything, he persevered.

Thanks to hundreds of business books, dozens of patient mentors, and

a universe conspiring to help him, Malham stumbled upon a bold,

culture-first approach that gave his fledgling company the momentum

it needed. cj Advertising grew to become the largest full-service brand-building

agency in the country exclusively for law firms. Along the way,

Malham also launched a call center named Legal Intake Professionals

(LIP) in 2005 that was also strictly focused on serving personal injury

law firms. Both businesses were sold to separate buyers in 2017, and

Arnie turned all his attention toward a concept that played a huge role

in creating the successful culture of growth at both cj and LIP:

BetterBookClub.com.

Malham lives in Nashville with his wife of more than 25 years. When

he’s not ranting about improving work cultures across the country or

cheering for his son and daughter at their respective colleges, you’ll

likely find Arnie with his dog Katy on his side porch enjoying a decent

cigar, an affordable scotch, and an inspiring book (usually all at the

same time).