Contact:
Dana Arnold, APR
o: 608-256-6357
c: 602-402-2200
darnold@hiebing.com
Celebrates Life and Legacy of Madison’s Marketing Icon
February 11, 2016 – MADISON – Roman G. Hiebing had many titles: husband, father, grandpa, business owner and friend. Another of his key roles was founder of Madison’s marketing agency, Hiebing. With an idea of putting strategy first, the team before the individual, and disciplined thinking into the “why” behind the “what,” Hiebing formed The Hiebing Group in May of 1981.
All agency employees—former and current—mourn the loss of their founding father who died on February 9, 2016, in Madison.
“We’re so proud to be a part of Roman’s ongoing legacy. He was a visionary leader who shaped the culture of our agency in every way possible when he founded it 35 years ago,” said Dave Florin, current president of Hiebing. “His passion to positively impact businesses through his gifts as a marketer was inspiring from the start.”
Hiebing launched his marketing career at Leo Burnett, where he worked from 1968 to 1974. With an emphasis on media and account service experience, Hiebing worked with clients like Kellogg’s, United Airlines, Schlitz, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pillsbury.
At age 30, Hiebing founded his own Madison shop called Hiebing, Hiebing and Others Advertising Agency and served as president from 1974 to 1975. He then merged with Stephan & Brady Advertising, becoming vice president from 1975 to 1977 and, subsequently, president from 1977 to 1981.
While leading The Hiebing Group, Hiebing instructed several classes at the University of Wisconsin School of Business, impacting hundreds of students over the course of those years.
In 2000 Hiebing received the Silver Award from the American Advertising Federation, which recognizes “amazing individuals that have had and continue to have a profound impact on our industry.”
Additionally, Hiebing co-authored a number of business and college texts published by NTC/Crain Books, an affiliate of Advertising age: The Successful Marketing Plan: A Disciplined and Comprehensive Approach, How To Write A Successful Marketing Plan, and The One-Day Marketing Plan.
About Hiebing
Named 2015 Small Agency of the Year—Midwest Region by Advertising Age, Hiebing is a full-service marketing communications agency with offices in Madison, WI, and Austin, TX. In addition to its expertise in branding, content development, public relations, social media, digital marketing and media planning, Hiebing acquired Fountainhead Brand Consulting in 2015, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary focused in the areas of brand strategy and consumer research. Hiebing’s client roster includes well-loved and venerable brands like Culver’s, Montgomery Ward, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, Grand Hyatt San Antonio, Fiskars, Wollersheim Winery & Distillery, Gravely, Schneider and Energems.
