Richmond ad firm reboots its brand

Hawley Martin's 1,400-square-foot office at 103 E. Main St. (Photo by David Larter)

Hawley Martin’s 1,400-square-foot office at 103 E. Main St. (Photo by David Larter)

There’s a new Martin agency in town.

Stephen Martin has re-launched Hawley Martin, an ad firm he co-founded in Richmond more than two decades ago. He started the company with David Martin, his late brother and founder of the Martin Agency.

Stephen Martin

Stephen Martin

The brothers sold the firm in 1990, and Stephen Martin continued to work as a freelance advertising consultant. He reopened Hawley Martin on May 1 with partners Timothy Wood and Jim Maxwell.

“It occurred to us that we should combine our talents and start our own agency,” Martin said.

They’ve set up shop in a 1,400-square-foot office at 103 E. Main St. The company is coming out of the gate with about 10 clients, including Car Nanny, Richmond Family Magazine and Skipper’s Creek Vineyard.

“We’re not unpacked yet, but we’re already working,” Martin said.

Martin said the firm would offer print and digital services.

“We’re bringing a broad view of strategies and tactics,” Martin said. “We’re not just a man with a hammer who thinks every problem can be solved with a nail.”

Wood, Maxwell and Martin are the only three full-time employees. Martin said that they’ll enlist the help of freelancers as needed and that he hopes to grow the firm by the end of the year.

Wood was previously with CRT/tanaka and had his own agency, Imagine Simplicity. Maxwell had been with Martin Branding, an arm of the Martin Agency, and also teaches at the University of Richmond.

“Right now, we’re talking to some significant accounts,” Martin said. “My goal is to outgrow our quarters by the end of the year.”

At its peak in 1990, the agency had $30 million in billings and 41 employees, Martin said.

Martin declined to comment on startup costs for the re-launch, but said the three partners self-financed the operation.

Hawley Martin's 1,400-square-foot office at 103 E. Main St. (Photo by David Larter)

Hawley Martin’s 1,400-square-foot office at 103 E. Main St. (Photo by David Larter)

There’s a new Martin agency in town.

Stephen Martin has re-launched Hawley Martin, an ad firm he co-founded in Richmond more than two decades ago. He started the company with David Martin, his late brother and founder of the Martin Agency.

Stephen Martin

Stephen Martin

The brothers sold the firm in 1990, and Stephen Martin continued to work as a freelance advertising consultant. He reopened Hawley Martin on May 1 with partners Timothy Wood and Jim Maxwell.

“It occurred to us that we should combine our talents and start our own agency,” Martin said.

They’ve set up shop in a 1,400-square-foot office at 103 E. Main St. The company is coming out of the gate with about 10 clients, including Car Nanny, Richmond Family Magazine and Skipper’s Creek Vineyard.

“We’re not unpacked yet, but we’re already working,” Martin said.

Martin said the firm would offer print and digital services.

“We’re bringing a broad view of strategies and tactics,” Martin said. “We’re not just a man with a hammer who thinks every problem can be solved with a nail.”

Wood, Maxwell and Martin are the only three full-time employees. Martin said that they’ll enlist the help of freelancers as needed and that he hopes to grow the firm by the end of the year.

Wood was previously with CRT/tanaka and had his own agency, Imagine Simplicity. Maxwell had been with Martin Branding, an arm of the Martin Agency, and also teaches at the University of Richmond.

“Right now, we’re talking to some significant accounts,” Martin said. “My goal is to outgrow our quarters by the end of the year.”

At its peak in 1990, the agency had $30 million in billings and 41 employees, Martin said.

Martin declined to comment on startup costs for the re-launch, but said the three partners self-financed the operation.

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Ruben Foster
Ruben Foster
10 years ago

He did PR for the Richmond Raiders last season. I guess this explains why he didn’t return this season. I was wondering why.

Tim Wood
Tim Wood
10 years ago

It’s really cool to see our new sign by Sure Hand SIgns (http://www.surehandsigns.com/wordpress/) being featured in the article! Ross is a great guy and has a fantastic eye for design and ink.

Stephen Martin
Stephen Martin
10 years ago

Ruben, I love the Raiders and it was fun working with them last year. It was a great experience and home attendance increased 40% – can’t wish for more success than that. But the owners made a really smart move. They hired Tim Early full-time, former GM of WLEE, to do what I was doing plus a lot more, like play by play for the webcast. Tim’s a great guy and I wish him and everyone at the Raiders well.

Ruben Foster
Ruben Foster
10 years ago
Reply to  Stephen Martin

Hey Stephen good to hear from you. I agree Tim is doing a great job. He is a nice guy and takes the time to listen to fans. Team is 5-2 and headed to the playoffs. Good luck to you on your new business venture. I did enjoy your game write-ups last year as well. 🙂