
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 7, 1990                   TAG: 9003071341
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HOUCK ADVERTISING CLOSES

Houck Advertising, Roanoke's oldest advertising agency, has closed its doors.

William Houck Jr., president, said the agency effectively went out of business at the end of February. Houck and a skeleton staff were at the office on Grandin Road on Tuesday, notifying clients and suppliers.

The nine people on the creative staff have been terminated, he said, and clients are dispersing to other agencies.

The agency opened in October 1928, more than 61 years ago.

Houck said he could "write a treatise" about what he thought had happened, but he declined to comment specifically.

He said he and his father will search for new employment, preferably in the Roanoke Valley. Jan Wilkins, an account executive who last month won the Silver Award from the Roanoke Advertising Federation, likely will have several offers from other valley agencies, Houck said.

by CNB