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.
