Felica Sparks

I started Ad4! in 2004. My original intent was to change the way companies and the local community thought about “ad agencies” by always paying attention to the client’s bottom line. I wanted to make sure that Ad4! always cared about the ROI of each project. Secondly, I wanted to offer outstanding expertise at an affordable rate, focusing on small to mid-size companies.

I have enjoyed a career in finance, management and small business ownership for over 38 years. I began in late 1976 in customer service at a small, independent bank in Guntersville, AL. I moved to Huntsville 10 years later and went to work for another locally owned bank. After years of branch management, commercial relationship development, lending, and eventually small business management, I eventually became a small business owner myself.

My entrepreneurial spirit first picked up speed in the form of a budding neighborhood lemonade stand empire when I was 8, and has not slowed down. While a banker in Guntersville, I initiated a program to help our small business customers and our local youth. We began the Help a Student program, matching local students with local businesses and farmers to earn extra money. I would go down to the local radio station, cut my promotional spots and enjoyed the fruits of my labor. Fellow students were able to make extra money, which they turned around and deposited back into our bank. When I moved to Huntsville in 1986 and began working for a locally owned bank, I managed a branch located in a mall. I became a member of the mall governing body, and got involved in the marketing strategies of both the mall and the commercial businesses which were also my clients.

When I went to work for a local ad agency in 1991, I had the pleasure and great opportunity to work on projects with clients such as: Alabama State EMA agency, Comcast Cable, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Woody Anderson Ford to name a few. I was involved in the management of the agency, which led me to become an expert in our enterprise software; Clients and Profits. After integrating the agency into this high end software management system, I turned my attention to learning the media buying business. The agency hired a top notch, national buying expert from Darcy in St. Louise, MO. This amazing, very strategic media buyer taught me about proper industry practices and how to focus on ROI of each media buy.

When I left the agency in 2003, I became an expert consultant for the Clients and Profits software company, and covered the SE region. I was lucky to work with other ad agencies in the region, and it inspired me even more to start my own agency.

It’s my belief that that Ad4!’s success is directly related to our brand promise, our work ethic, our strategic approach, our focus on ROI, and our commitment to support our favorite non-profits. Since 2004, I have the good fortune to work on a variety of projects and with clients such as Cirque du Soleil, Avnet-Microsoft, Huntsville Madison County Conventions & Visitors Bureau, Huntsville Rehabilitation Foundation [Phoenix], Liberty’s Learning, Lee Energy, and I was integral in the development of a nationally known video, “Still Standing” interviewing local WWII veterans.

I love my Daddy, my 3 cats: Blu, Callie & Chy, my community and country. I enjoy listening to music, watching a good movie and SEC college football.

Marketing Plan Template: Market Strategy Part 3

This week we will look into Product or Service. Here is the marketing strategy template again, for your reference. Marketing Strategy Unique Sales Proposition Brand Product or Service Promotion Goals Product or Service What is your product or service? You should be able to define your product in terms of what it does for the […]

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Marketing Plan Template: Market Strategy Part 2

This week we will look into Brand. Here is the marketing strategy template again, for your reference. Marketing Strategy Unique Sales Proposition Brand Product or Service Promotion Goals Brand What’s your brand? We used to think of BRAND as a logo or group of stylized words and colors. Clever marketers even dream up fanciful words

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Marketing Plan Template: Market Strategy Part 1

You’ve done all your research and think you’re ready to open up shop and start selling your product. How do you know you’ve got the product or service right? Like every other step in this process, you need a well defined goal and plan to get you there. Outside of running out of cash, lacking

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Marketing Plan Template: Market Analysis Part 4

This week we are looking at Company in your market analysis. Here is the market analysis template again, for your reference. Market Analysis Industry Description of Industry Industry Trends Market Segment(s) Distribution Channels Competition Direct & Indirect Competition Strengths & Weaknesses Customers Demographics Company Company Profile SWOT Analysis Company Just as you looked closely at

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Marketing Plan Template: Market Analysis Part 3

This week we are looking at Customers in your market analysis. Here is the market analysis template again, for your reference. Market Analysis Industry Description of Industry Industry Trends Market Segment(s) Distribution Channels Competition Direct & Indirect Competition Strengths & Weaknesses Customers Demographics Company Company Profile SWOT Analysis Customers Who are your customers? Do you

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Marketing Plan Template: Market Analysis Part 2

This week we are looking at Competition in your market analysis. Here is the market analysis template again, for your reference. Market Analysis Industry Description of Industry Industry Trends Market Segment(s) Distribution Channels Competition Direct & Indirect Competition Strengths & Weaknesses Customers Demographics Company Company Profile SWOT Analysis Competition Determine who your direct and indirect

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Marketing Plan Template: Market Analysis Part 1

This book will be laid out in sections. We’ll give you the template first with details and explanation following. If you understand the template, you can wiz right through the process. If there’s something you need a little help with, read the details. The Marketing Plan Template is comprised of three main steps: research, strategy

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Marketing Plan Template: Market Research

In order to identify and understand your market, segments, competition, distribution channels and customers, you’re going to have to do some research. Even a seasoned industry pro will start by doing some research. Where will you get the information that you need? There are many sources of information and in the age of the Internet,

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Marketing Plan Template: Definitions

When developing a marketing plan it is important to know the lingo so a few definitions may be in order. The following terms are used to describe markets, functions, and tools used in the marketing area. Market Analysis: This is a brief restatement of the market conditions, trends and major opportunities and threats. Market Segments:

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Marketing Plan Template: Writing Marketing Plans for Small Business

  In 2011, my former business partner and friend, Chris Gattis, and I published our first book together. The title of our book was “Marketing Plan Template”. I had never worked on my own book before, so I had no clue where to start. The good news, Chris had written books before, and knew exactly

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