Farmington advertising agency Keiler & Co. is no longer in business, according to a voicemail message at its Main Street office.
“We have ceased business operations as of Aug. 6, 2015,” the voicemail says.
Earlier this month, Ad Week first reported that Keiler, founded in 1973, had closed. Citing unnamed sources, Ad Week said Keiler had struggled to recover from the loss of longtime client Lockheed Martin in 2013.
CEO and co-owner Lynn Taylor has led the agency since 2013, overseeing approximately 50 employees.
Keiler received a “Best in Show” award last year for its Twitter account @KeilerGhost, which the agency used to promote its work.
Taylor did not immediately return a message seeking comment left Monday at her home.
Her business partner’s ongoing bankruptcy may be a factor in the closing.
Wilford A. Smith of Southport, who became chairman of Keiler upon Taylor’s promotion to CEO, filed for Ch. 7 bankruptcy in March 2014, according to court records, which say he has a 49 percent stake in Keiler. The documents say Smith also holds a 50 percent interest in Five Star Properties, the company that owns Keiler’s Farmington headquarters, which is for sale, according to a March 2015 filing.
As of Monday, Farmington’s assessor website still showed Five Star as the owner.
Smith’s bankruptcy filing lists both Taylor and Five Stars as co-debtor to Webster Bank. Taylor is also a principal of Five Star, according to state incorporation records.
