Mangan/Holcomb & Partners*

Mangan/Holcomb Adds Clients, Celebrates Anniversary in 1997

Mangan/Holcomb & Partners of Little Rock did something special in the competitive, volatile advertising industry in 1997: It celebrated its silver anniversary. That celebratory atmosphere apparently continued into its 26th year, as M/H&P had a terrific 1998.

In fact, in an industry in which a firm is usually lucky to land 20 percent of the business it pitches, M/H&P batted .500.

Steve Holcomb, president of the firm, says the past year was “unlike any other. We had several new business opportunities, and we were very busy in that regard. I think we made maybe 12 presentations for new business, and out of that 12 we were successful in 50 percent of them.

“It’s been a good year not only in terms of new business acquired, but in the expansion of existing business. That’s always good when the clients who know you best choose to increase their work with you.”

Mangan/Holcomb added such business in 1998 as Keep Arkansas Beautiful, Roller Funeral Homes Inc. and J.A. Riggs Tractor Co. to a client list that already included J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., Monsanto Corp. (Hartz Seed and Asgrow Seed), Simmons Foods Inc., Riceland Foods, Sprint PCS, Stephens Inc., insurance company Aegon and several Arkansas banks.

The firm handles investor relations work and creates annual reports for companies such as J.B. Hunt and Beverly Enterprises Inc.

Steve Mangan, the firm’s chairman, began the agency in 1972. Holcomb joined not long after that. M/H&P has grown to 20 employees.

Diversity seems to describe M/H&P, not only in clients but in employees, Holcomb notes. “Diversity has always been a part of our mission,” he says.

Another key for the firm, Holcomb says, is becoming totally immersed in the client.

During the past five years, he says, the agency has increased capitalized billings by more than 65 percent.

Net income for the firm in the past five years has grown 300-400 percent.

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