MLCworks Celebrates 10 Years in Business 

In 2023, MLCworks celebrated its 10-year anniversary as a marketing agency in New Orleans, Louisiana. You could say we’re feeling all the feels.  

We’re grateful to our clients, our team, and our community for making it a darn good decade. It has been a decade filled with lines and lines of website code, “a-ha” moments in creative brainstorms, hours of commercial footage shot, numbers, numbers… and more numbers… including the ones below. 

• 95% retention rate of clients 
• 50% of team has a 4+ year tenure 
• 50% of new contracts come from current clients 
• 9+ years with our longest-standing client, Beatriz Ball  

We wouldn’t have it any other way. 

MLCworks started 10 years ago to assist New Orleans businesses with technology and behavior changes. Throughout the years, MLCworks has had the privilege of working with longstanding Louisiana brands. More on those later. 

Over time, the agency has also grown in capabilities. Clients recognize MLCworks as a reliable partner for website development, branding, digital marketing, and design in the area. We are creatively focused, results-driven, people-oriented, and passionate partners. This combination sets us apart and allows us to provide unmatched client service. 

To celebrate our 10 years, we want to reflect on our history and achievements. We invite you to read and learn more about our evolution and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.  

Our History as a New Orleans Marketing Agency 

Background of Our Founder, Lauren Lightfoot 

MLCworks was born from a vision by founder Lauren Lightfoot. With deep roots in Louisiana, Lauren was raised in an entrepreneurial family.  

Raised by a local business owner, she learned the invaluable lessons of entrepreneurship at a very young age. She took this experience with her as she pursued an education at Loyola University in New Orleans.  

Entering the professional world in New Orleans, Lauren worked at one of the largest marketing agencies in the city. Little did she know that one day this experience would help her open a marketing agency of her own.  

Lauren advanced in her career at local businesses in New Orleans. She then chose to pursue an MBA at the University of New Orleans to follow her entrepreneurial passion. This education greatly complemented her experience, setting the foundation for launching a business of her own. 

Launching MLCworks as a New Orleans Business 

In 2013, Lauren started MLCworks to help businesses stay relevant and navigate a complex and fast-changing world. 

In her prior experience, she saw the digital marketing challenges that existed for small- to mid-sized businesses. Without a digital presence, these companies were losing out on potential customers and revenues.  

Lauren started MLCworks in 2013 and tackled the issues these businesses faced with wholeheartedness and laser focus. Websites and digital media strategy quickly became the focus for MLCworks, and Lauren continues to push the boundaries of technology and creativity today.  

Lauren’s belief that it’s important to truly understand a client’s business has driven the success of MLCworks. She pushes her team to fully understand client industries, products and services, pain points, audiences, and opportunities. She guides the team in adapting strategy and presenting creative ideas when the research and data call for it. 

Overcoming Challenges and Finding Opportunities 

Using her experience, Lauren Lightfoot has led her team in overcoming challenges and finding opportunities. Navigating 10 years with finesse is what has led MLCworks to be the business it is today. 

From Gulf hurricanes to industry competition, MLCworks has faced the same challenges as its clients. Lauren has sought opportunities throughout each and every one of them. Gulf hurricanes and a global pandemic pushed the team to better embrace technology. Entering a crowded landscape as a new agency offered an opportunity for differentiation and relationship building.  

It is this exact fortitude that has established MLCworks as a trusted strategic partner for businesses in Southeast Louisiana. Throughout the years, processes have been streamlined by a dedicated account team, campaigns have driven results by talented digital strategists, and clients have stood out thanks to thoughtful designers. 

Evolution of Marketing Services at MLCworks  

Our Roots in Digital Marketing 

At the founding of MLCworks, Lauren was focused on helping businesses be found on Google. Her experience in managing search advertising campaigns prior to MLCworks afforded her the ability to consult and manage accounts for her new clients. 

However, serving your ads in the right place can only go so far. Campaigns were delivering results—but there’s always more opportunity when you know where to look.  

To drive greater results, Lauren began having conversations with clients about website enhancements. She used numbers to back up her recommendations for website improvements, which built greater trust in her client relationships. It was then that MLCworks offered a new solution for clients. 

Becoming a Powerhouse in Digital Marketing 

As clients started requesting website development and additional digital marketing services, Lauren began growing her team. Lauren first welcomed a website designer and digital strategist to help clients transform their digital presence.  

However, the requests didn’t stop there. As clients began asking for more and more help, she sought account managers, designers, and digital experts to join the ranks. The additional talent brought to MLCworks allowed the agency to grow in its capabilities. With greater support, MLCworks was able to improve quality, efficiency, and strategy for client partners.  

MLCworks has now grown into a powerhouse of digital marketing in New Orleans. Our portfolio has greatly expanded, demonstrating how we’ve embraced data-driven strategies, forward-thinking design, and innovative technology. 

Notable Projects for Clients in Southeast Louisiana 

MLCworks has built a reputation for marketing in Southeast Louisiana. We assisted Louisiana Treasury in returning money to small business owners and state residents. Our team assisted LAS Shutters and Windows, an established home improvement company, in surpassing competitors and reaching tech-savvy homeowners. For Beatriz Ball New Orleans, we helped the luxury retailer increase revenue across the U.S. through digital marketing. 

Touching a variety of industries and business sizes, we’ve faced our client challenges head-on. We do so through truly understanding the vision, audience, and industry landscape of each of our clients. Our ability to stay on top of changing behaviors and campaign data has allowed us to become a trusted partner for some of the largest names in our region. 

Learn more about our work here. 

Our Focus on Our Team and Culture 

MLCworks began as a party of one. Soon, two more experts joined the team. As client needs grew, so did MLCworks. Over the past 10 years, MLCworks has grown amidst a rapidly changing employment landscape.  

What works for a small team of 3 doesn’t work for a team of 15. As more people joined the team, Lauren wanted to create a positive and rewarding environment for everyone. She recognized that an investment in team culture has positive, resounding effects on client service. Below are just a few of the ways we’ve inspired a thriving team. 

Team Recognition Program 

Our team works hard for clients. Many times, they go above and beyond the original ask. We often see team members stepping out of their comfort zone, assisting colleagues, and achieving impressive results for clients.  

In these moments, we want to give credit where it is due. Through a program facilitated by Nectar, our team can give shoutouts to each other in the form of points. These points accrue throughout the year, which allows our team to redeem them for PTO, gift cards, and other sweet prizes.  

This system provides a multitude of benefits. It promotes a culture of kudos, where people celebrate positive impacts. It also provides a little extra incentive for going above and beyond for clients. From Amazon to Starbucks gift cards, our team enjoys a little extra treat for their efforts. 

Hybrid Workplace 

The pandemic introduced a new method of working for people around the world. We had to embrace technology to keep businesses moving despite a changed landscape. More people are seeing the advantages of working from home, like less travel time and more time for family and hobbies. 

At MLCworks, we still believe in the power of in-person connection. There is a lot of value in face-to-face communication, especially when it comes to creative brainstorms and client relationship building. However, we began offering a hybrid schedule to our team to support their needs for work-life balance.  

With 3 in-office days and 2 work-from-home days, our productivity and communication has not changed. We’re still able to provide the top-notch service we’ve always given to our clients. By offering this to our team, they’re able to enjoy activities that provide greater balance, from morning workouts to family dinners. 

Team Events 

Collaboration in our industry requires elements of trust, camaraderie, and respect. We can freely share ideas, support colleagues, and feel more connected to our mission. 

At MLCworks, we love to celebrate our team through regular events that bring us together for a little bit of fun. We help pay for tickets to Locals Day at Jazz Fest every year, allowing our team to get inspired by our city’s rich culture and artistry. We also celebrate our hard work with a holiday party at the end of every year.  

We like events that make us think differently about different cultures. Recently, we’ve taken the team to Vue Orleans and the Van Gogh Immersive Experience in Downtown New Orleans. The goals for these events were to renew our love for New Orleans and inspire imagination in the work we do. Plus, it’s nice to bond with the people you work alongside every day. 

Our Adoption of Technology Through the Years 

The longevity of MLCworks has also hinged upon the adoption of technology. From advertising platforms to artificial intelligence, technology has been our best friend in driving results for clients.  

We’ve embraced technology that streamlines our workflows, encourages efficiency, and provides accountability in a hybrid workplace. We’ve leveraged artificial intelligence in our advertising platforms to optimize campaigns and drive results. By staying up-to-date with the latest, we’ve been able to provide better and better service to our clients. Below are just a few of the technologies we’ve adopted. 

Software for More Agile Project Management 

We leverage a robust project management system to ensure we complete projects and deliverables on time and on budget. Our account team manages all work schedules within this system, allowing us to track the productivity of our team across all client accounts. The software allows us to keep one another accountable when working in the office and at home.  

Artificial Intelligence in Marketing Platforms 

Over the years, we’ve leveraged cutting-edge software for content development, delivery, and measurement. Each of these platforms leverages artificial intelligence.  

For us, this hot topic isn’t new. We use AI to optimize campaigns, address technical website issues, and pinpoint the most relevant audiences for our clients. As AI gets smarter, so will our capabilities. 

Learn more about how we leverage AI here. 

Generative AI for Efficient Brainstorming  

While AI isn’t new when it comes to advertising, generative AI is a new player that has changed the game. We believe in embracing technology, and we’ve certainly played with generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Adobe Firefly. Don’t worry, we still develop content using our team’s imaginative and strategic brains. Generative AI has simply become a tool in brainstorming, from content outlines to design mockups.  

Our Vision for the Next 10 Years 

When looking ahead, we are excited and optimistic about the future. Our goal is to continue growing MLCworks and helping businesses in New Orleans embrace technology. We plan to sharpen all of our capabilities, especially within digital design, strategic consulting, and website development.  

Our excitement for the years ahead is fueled by the support of our team, clients, and community. We remain committed to providing top-tier digital marketing services to businesses and organizations around Southeast Louisiana. Together, we can shape and transform our local economy, strengthening it for years to come. 

Enough about us. We want to hear your vision for the next 10 years. To celebrate our anniversary, we’re offering free consultations. Let’s get ready for your next, incredible year.