It was the mid 1970s. Young folks flaunted their flamboyant fashion, the Super Bowl was just reaching its first decade and disco ruled the world, though many agreed, “How long can disco on!” It was also a time of significant business development and cultural transformation in greater Fayetteville. Enter Hodges Advertising Associates. The agency was founded in October 1974 by the late Jean Hodges, who believed there was great need for marketing, advertising and public relations services to support all that was happening in her new hometown. From a single-client, one-woman show, Hodges quickly grew to have a diversely talented staff serving clients with local, regional, national and international operations.

According to their website, when Founder Jean Hodges got started in 1974, there were no other advertising agencies at the time, There were no associates and no “ready-made” clients. But that would quickly change. Jean’s determination, her experience and expertise, and her ability to “spot” talented and dedicated staff set the tone for the notable growth the award winning agency experienced over the next four decades. 

Today, as they like to say, Hodges Advertising Associates is still 'ad' it. 

“We're marking more than 50 years in business with a year-long celebration,” said Anna Hodges Smith in a press release. Anna, Jean Hodges' daughter, now serves as the agency's current owner/president following her mother’s passing in 2015. Hodges is now the longest-operating Fayetteville-based marketing, advertising and public relations firm still in business. 

After 50 years, Hodges Advertising Associates has grown to a seven member team and has become a stalwart of the Fayetteville community for the creativity they bring and the marketing partnerships they've established with clients in the region. The agency has also provided countless hours of pro-bono work for local non-profits, while the leaders and individual staff members have served on many boards and committees. 

With expertise in print, corporate identification, digital, broadcasting, outdoor and specialty marketing projects, Hodges Associates has grown their client roster from companies based in the greater Fayetteville, NC, area to business, industry and organizations based throughout North and South Carolina, with operations ranging from local to international in scope. 

Commenting on the many changes the agency has seen over the years, Smith noted in a press release, “Even the design and art production at the ‘creative core’ of our business have become technology-driven.”

New computer programs allow the agency to work more quickly and easily make changes. Creatively, it allows them to do things they couldn’t even imagine in 1974. Web-based and social media marketing have opened a whole new realm for clients – which includes the ability to keep their message constantly updated and reach a wider audience, especially younger generations. 

“However,” Smith emphasized, “while evolving technology provides us with valuable tools, market savvy and creative inspiration are still the foundation for achieving clients' success.”

Smith explained that in order to help clients with their marketing and advertising goals, the agency gets to know the client's business, in depth. “Over the years,” she said, “we've become 'experts' in welding and power tools, banking, utilities and city services, finance and accounting, real estate and construction, healthy hearts and bones, jewelry, textiles, chicken, pork and turkey, and the list goes on.” 

As the year progresses, through October 2025, Hodges Advertising Associates looks forward to sharing their 50-Years-and-Counting celebration with news and stories, past and present, online and through social media. 

Watch for more on Facebook and at hodgesassoc.com.