About 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 20 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).
Additional Achievements
EO (Entrepreneur’s Organization) Nashville Chapter Forum Six – 2004–present
EO (Entrepreneur’s Organization) Nashville Chapter, Learning Chair – 2008, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Regional Finalist – 2009
EO (Entrepreneur’s Organization) Nashville Chapter, President – 2009
DiJulius Secret Service Summit, highest-rated speaker in event history – 2012
EO (Entrepreneur’s Organization) Entrepreneurial Masters Program – 2012
Nashville Business Journal’s Best in Business Awards winner – 2012
EO Nerve (Entrepreneur’s Organization, regional conference), Learning Chair – 2015
Published Worth Doing Wrong: The Quest to Build a Culture That Rocks – 2016
Nashville Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs and Their Companies award winner – 2017

Media Featuring Arnie
Throughout his journey to create a rockin’ culture at cj Advertising, Arnie’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s always ready to talk camel culture and share his story with others. Check out his TV appearances and interviews to learn more about the great culture we’re talking about.
Arnie’s Book Recommendations
After you finish reading Arnie’s book, Worth Doing Wrong, check out the other business-savvy, entrepreneurial-minded, culture-building books on his list of recommendations. These books and their authors have been vital to Arnie’s sustained growth as a business leader. Browse through the books below and visit BetterBookClub.com to see how Arnie has used this list to encourage his employees to read.