Brelby Theatre Company, a Glendale-based company that produces professional live theatrical shows and operates classes and workshops, has been named the winner of the “FirstBank $20,000 Elevator Pitch Business Contest.”
Brelby Theater Company representatives learned they won on Friday morning when representatives of FirstBank arrived at the theater with an oversized check and balloons. The Glendale Chamber of Commerce, and Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers also were on-hand to congratulate the Brelby team who was overcome with emotion upon learning they had won.
Back in mid-October, FirstBank — which has 17 banking locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan area– launched a contest where businesses were encouraged to submit a short, 90-second elevator pitch style video explaining what they would do with $20,000 if they won.
Several dozen submissions were made, and the top five submissions were selected by a panel of outside business experts, including Michael Gossie, Editor-in-Chief of AZ Big Media, which includes the AZ Business Magazine and other publications; Rick Murray, CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association; Patrick O’Grady, Managing Editor of the Phoenix Business Journal; and Todd Sanders, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. Those top 5 videos were then added to FirstBank’s Facebook page and the public has been invited to vote on the final winner. Voting closed Thursday at midnight leading to the Friday announcement.
The five finalists for the $20,000 were:
- Brelby Theatre Company
- Cake Art Studio
- Co+Hoots
- Nancy’s Jewelry and Clothing
- Pinspiration
The winning video can be viewed at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B73Ps00uB3p7NExwRDEzUmJnQVU/viewMedia
Brelby Theater Company said they will use the prize money for marketing, eliminating their startup debt and investing in new equipment.
