Flynn Honored Among Rochester’s Best Legacy Businesses

Flynn was recently highlighted in the Rochester Business Journal’s “In the Lead” recognition program—In the Lead: Best Legacy Businesses in Rochester—which recognizes accomplished companies with at least 50 years of history in demonstrating excellence across numerous criteria.

This list was compiled by RBJ’s editorial leadership team. According to the RBJ, recognized companies have demonstrated “growth in the marketplace; high employee morale; strong community engagement; innovation and product breakthroughs.” And, they ‘ve “weathered changing dynamics over the years and have reinvented themselves as necessary to continue to thrive.”

An excerpt from Flynn’s profile in the program coverage is below. You can read the full story on their website.

—

Flynn is an independent, full-service marketing agency that works in highly regulated, high-consideration categories vital to people’s lives — health care, insurance, banking, and more.

What inspired the founding of your company, and what was its original mission?

Our founder, Jerry Flynn, was a born entrepreneur who created his own luck. After returning from service in the U.S. Navy, he launched his broadcasting career at Channel 8. He was a host of the first local television show and worked in ad sales, building strong relationships with area businesses. It was through these years of learning and listening to marketers’ needs that Jerry found his calling, and an independently owned, family-run, values-led ad agency opened in 1967.

What were the most significant milestones or turning points in the company’s 50+ years in business?

Earning relationships with ambitious brands like DICK’S Sporting Goods (Flynn has supported them since 1992, when they had only eight stores). A period of innovation in key capabilities in the 90s — adding services such as in-house editing, website development, performance marketing, and measurement and analytics — fueled growth to a full-service partner and attracted several national and Fortune 500 accounts. Flynn has been fortunate to successfully transition to a third generation of leadership.

How have your core values and vision influenced the way your company operates?

Flynn specializes in helping what we call Peace of Mind Brands perform better. We love supporting brands that show up in all the moments that really matter, because we want to feel good about the value we’re providing. Not just to our clients’ bottom lines, but in the world with everyday consumers’ families. This reason for being shapes how we work with our clients, partners, and staff, too, and has served as a North Star in building the kind of offering and culture we want to sustain.

How has your company adapted to industry changes or economic challenges over the years?

Emerging from a tough few years in the late 80s, Flynn recommitted to aggressively getting ahead of clients’ needs. In the 90s, the agency was a first mover in several areas. We were one of the first agencies to bring digital video in-house. We also built out a full development team for a hot new frontier called the Internet. Today, Flynn is keeping that “first mover” spirit alive in implementing AI tools and technology to deliver the most efficient and effective work possible.

What are the key factors that have contributed to your company’s ability to stay competitive?

We care deeply about our clients — not just by truly knowing their business, but by operating in a way that gives them peace of mind in their decisions and investments. Our clients have tough jobs, and we aim to be the best part of their day. We look for colleagues who can deliver on that, bringing a growth mindset, natural problem-solving, and who are good humans first and foremost. The formula for success is simple: hire smart people who really care and let them work their magic.