Fort Smith boldness

As part of a “Bold Choices” marketing campaign, the Beam Global Spirits & Wine company announced Thursday (Feb. 9) its 25 Boldest Towns in America, with Fort Smith ranked 4th on the list.

"From tattooing a girlfriend’s name on your back, to joining the military – the bold choices we make may be difficult or unexpected but they ultimately define who we are," Rob Mason, director, U.S. Bourbons, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, said in a statement. "We’re excited to announce the 25 boldest towns by celebrating the residents who choose boldly as we launch Jim Beam’s new ‘Bold Choices’ ad campaign."

The Jim Beam Boldest Towns Survey was conducted by Kelton Research Jan. 3-18 using an email invitation and an online survey. The survey was conducted among 10,120 men ages 22 and over in the nation’s top 100 direct marketing areas.

Beam’s clever marketing survey noted that bold towns “are where the people are decisive; where risks are something to embrace, not avoided; and where guys are celebrated for confidently going with their gut.”

Part of that boldness is in not being afraid to stand out — a category in which Fort Smith apparently excels.

“A vast majority, including a whopping 87 percent in Fort Smith, AR (#4) have sported a mustache either for charity, as part of a joke or bet, or just because it looks good,” according to the statement.

TOP 25 LIST AND OTHER SURVEY NOTES
• Guys in the Top 25 Boldest Towns answer the call to serve. At least 40% in Charleston, S.C., (#10), Waco, Texas, (#5) and Pensacola, Fla. (#25) have joined the military.

• More than 20% of men nationwide – and nearly 40% of Angelenos (#7) surveyed – have gotten inked with a tattoo.

• Nearly half aren’t afraid to switch careers. 46% of guys have quit their job without having another one lined up and 32% have ventured on their own and started their own business.

• 1 out of every 4 guys has piercings. The real shocker is the 16% that have pierced something other than their ear.

• Almost half of guys mix business with pleasure, with 44% of guys across the country have dated a co-worker, and an ambitious 7% have gone out with their boss.

The Top 25 Boldest Towns
1. Spokane, WA
2. Savannah, GA
3. Las Vegas, NV
4. Fort Smith, AR
5. Waco , TX
6. Harlingen, TX
7. Los Angeles, CA
8. Charleston, WV
9. Birmingham, AL
10. Charleston, SC
11. Washington, DC
12. Fort Myers, FL
13. Denver, CO
14. Wichita, KS
15. Davenport, IA
16. Portland, OR
17. Fresno, CA
18. Portland, ME
19. Chicago, IL
20. New Orleans, LA
21. Springfield, MO
22. Atlanta, GA
23. Orlando, FL
24. South Bend, IN
25. Pensacola, FL