By Marty Williamson, Williamson and Associates.
On July 25th the Outdoor Advertising Industry lost one of our great former independent operators, Stan Henderson. Stan gave me my start in the Industry when he hired me as an Account Executive in 1983. As my mentor, he taught me a great deal about the business and more importantly, he was a powerful example of how to conduct business and life – I am forever grateful and consider myself incredibly lucky to have known and learned from him.
Here is a summary of his notable achievements in our industry during his 33-year career:
Stan was a native of Austin Texas and started out in the industry as an Account Executive for Houston Poster Company where he eventually handled national sales and at one point even had a call with David Ogilvy of Ogilvy and Mather in New York. The humorous story worth sharing is that Ogilvy didn’t like Outdoor or its reps. He had written a book about advertising with no mention of Billboards. When Stan tried to see him, he was blocked by the Secretary so Stan left a note along with his sales brochure… “I read your book. Now, you read mine!” Ogilvy later sent him back a note saying he admired his style but as the story goes, he still didn’t get a buy. In the 70’s, Stan was hired by Lance Bell (later Bell & Associates and predecessor of Wilkins Outdoor Network) to manage sales for the Southern Outdoor Advertising Company markets. Years later Lance introduced Stan to Claude Williams, owner of Georgia Outdoor, who hired him as General Manager of the Athens, Georgia division. Stan eventually acquired the plant in 1986 and retired as Owner, President and CEO of Georgia Outdoor in 1996. During his career, he was a past-president of the Athens Advertising Club, the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia and past National Director of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America. He was appointed to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America delegation, which worked with Congress to help draft the Highway Beautification Act of 1965. More recently, in 2010, he was honored with the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia’s Lifetime Achievement Award… well deserved. Stan Henderson was respected and admired immensely by his partners, employees and the community. An amazing contributor to the Industry and an even more amazing man. Rest in peace Stan- you will be missed.
If you would like to read more about Stan and his many other life achievements please read his obituary here. You will be impressed and inspired.
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