Company: Tyler Outdoor
Markets: Oklahoma.
Headquarters: 5101 S. Shields Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73129
Phone: 405-616-5000
Tyler outdoor was founded in 1965 by Ralph Tyler. Tyler Outdoor owns 1,500 digital billboards, static billboards, bus benches and bus shelters in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Midwest City, Norman, Stillwater and Tulsa. Tyler Outdoor is part of a local, family owned business by sons Ty and Tony Tyler. The family also owns 14 radio stations, five TV stations and a commercial sign shop. Insider talked with Tony Tyler about the family business.
How did the family happen to enter the outdoor business?
Ralph,our dad, owned a radio station in the 1970’s and began putting out “Courtesy Benches” at bus stops and installing 8-Sheets around town to promote the station. Other business began asking if they could buy advertising and an outdoor advertising company was born.
What are some of the challenges of running a family business?
We are blessed to have such great co-workers that make us a wonderful company. Ralph still comes in every day and mentors Ty and I. He happily passed on the reigns in 1995 and gets credit for encouraging us to enter the Spanish TV and radio market. Ty and I have always had a good separation of duties and respect the decisions the other makes.
You own radio stations and TV stations and a commercial sign shop in addition to your outdoor business. Are there any synergies?
Some, but fewer that one would think. There is some cross-selling of our products and our back office operations, like accounting and HR, have synergies. The production of each product is different so once the advertising is placed the process goes in different directions.
Who’s digital signs do you use and what’s been your experience?
Because we have a commercial sign shop, we began making our own digital boards. After trying this for a few years, we have moved to another local vendor here in OKC and Watchfire. Both are excellent products with great service.
Have your markets been impacted by oil price gyrations?
Yes, to some degree. The Oklahoma economy has been able to shift away from being so oil dependent since the crash in the 1980’s. Oil is about 15% of our economy so there is an impact. Tyler is fortunate because it has a large number of local, independent businesses that are advertising partners. Since 1965, dad and our co-workers have done a fine job giving great service, offering great products and building relationships. This history allows Tyler to continue to assist our advertising partners and promote their businesses even in a slower economy.
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