Cooking with Kitchell: A Recipe for Marketing Success
Posted by president on May. 5, 2025 / Chapter News, Best Practices, Misc. / Subscribe 0
Kitchell, Grand Phelix Award
Kitchell Construction received the 2024 Grand Phelix award for their unwavering commitment to corporate giving, driven by the active engagement, volunteerism and generosity of its employees. The judges said that “through active engagement with SMPS of Arizona, Kitchell reinforced to their team, and the community, their genuine support of professional development for marketers and business developers, and to furthering a collaborative environment among industry peers.”
We had an opportunity to catch up with Colleen Cochran, Senior Marketing Manager for Kitchell. She oversees the Texas and Arizona markets and additionally supports their presence in Iowa and Utah.
Colleen has participated in three SMPS Chapters – Atlanta, Phoenix, and St. Louis, and shared her experiences. “While each chapter has its own unique character, they all share a common goal: promoting continuing education and encouraging active member involvement.” At the beginning of her career, the association was more networking-based. Over time, it has become more educationally focused due to the need for proficiency in various graphic design software and digitally based public relations platforms. Colleen also appreciates that SMPS Chapters offer educational events and webinars with CEU-accredited content.
Colleen feels that winning an SMPS award specifically increases team morale and pride in work that often goes under the radar. Marketers are the voices behind pursuits, but developing ROI around “successful communication of the benefits and capabilities of a firm” is difficult. To be recognized for writing content and creative design validates a professional’s skills. “Marketers and Business Developers are the artists and actors of our industry - and we need both.”
Founded in 1950 by Sam Kitchell, the Phoenix-based firm is proudly celebrating it’s 75th anniversary this year. Sam and his wife Betty, were both very active in the Phoenix community, so much so that the company now uses Sam’s birthday as a companywide day of volunteering called “Founders Day.”
Kitchell has several divisions, including general contracting, construction management and development. They are now nationwide and have 15 national marketers on their team.
In Arizona, Kitchell is renowned for its work in healthcare, having delivered iconic projects across the Valley such as Phoenix Children’s Hospital and the newly completed Valleywise Heath Medical Center.
In 2022 and 2023, Kitchell won Marketing Communications Awards for videos produced highlighting project milestones. The videos were designed in conjunction with another marketing communications tool, a web-based newsletter sent out monthly, on each project, to clients, project managers, and other staff, along with stakeholders.
The team ties each newsletter to a QR code that can be posted on banners at job sites so the public can be kept up to date on the team’s progress.
In speaking about the award submittal process, Colleen says that preparing an award is a good excuse to pause as a group and recognize the team’s hard work. It gives greater perspective and purpose to those ‘in the weeds’, helping them to see how they are crucial contributors to winning projects and providing the company with a community spotlight.
Thank you, Colleen, for your insight into the benefits of submitting and winning an award!
About Colleen Cochran
Colleen Cochran | Kitchell Construction
Colleen is a seasoned marketing professional with over 20 years of comprehensive experience in strategic planning, proposal management, and interview preparation, all aimed at winning work and supporting Kitchell's vision. She brings expertise in developing key messages and crafting compelling stories through various methods and deliveries.
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