The new bright yellow awning is a tip-off that marketing agency Hitchcock Fleming & Associates has spruced up its offices on Wolf Ledges Parkway near downtown Akron.
The 72-year-old agency, which goes by the name hfa, celebrated its newly expanded and renovated headquarters at an open house Thursday.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” said Jack DeLeo, hfa president and CEO, noting the changes come in a lackluster economy that has caused other agencies to contract.
The expansion of the brick building — a former warehouse adjacent to railroad tracks — is roughly 2,700 square feet of space, bringing the total space to more than 19,000 square feet.
The new space includes employee work areas, an expanded lobby and a large conference room that boasts an 80-inch interactive display TV.
Renovations were done with flair; a wood stairway was widened and the steps can now serve as bleacher-style seating for staff meetings. Colorful pillows line the steps.
The company employs about 90 staffers, making it one of the largest marketing agencies in town in terms of work force size. Larger clients include Akron’s Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
Before the expansion at 500 Wolf Ledges Parkway, roughly 30 of those staffers worked in leased space across the street.
DeLeo said having employees under one roof will make it easier for collaboration. “Not that it was hard walking across the street,” DeLeo said, “but it’s a lot easier to interact when you’re all in one place.”
The expansion also features gathering spaces — one with cushy seating and another with rocking chairs — for what agency staffers call “on-the-spot” collaboration.
Upgrades include 11 TV displays that are 3-D capable and include Internet access.
DeLeo said the TVs allow employees to stay up on current events and product marketing — such as that appearing on cable television networks as DIY and HGTV. The agency’s clients include those in the building/home improvement industry, including cabinet maker Kraftmaid and Glidden Paint.
Area businesses did the renovation/expansion work. They include Schumacher Designs of Bath Township, Caruso Architecture Inc. of Fairlawn and Krumroy-Cozad Construction Corp. of Akron.
DeLeo, who joined the agency in 1973 after graduating from college, is a co-owner of the building. He declined to say how much was spent on the project.
The agency has been at 500 Wolf Ledges since 1978. The last major renovation was in 1999, when large windows were added.
The late Ralph Hitchcock and Robert Wolfe founded the agency in 1940, initially calling it Akron Advertising Art.
Several retired agency officials attended Thursday’s event, including Bob Fleming, 94, the Fleming in the company name, who joined in 1961.
Also attending were former agency leaders Stan Buda and Cy Hitchcock, who is Ralph Hitchcock’s son.
Cy Hitchcock joined the agency in 1963.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.