Marty Hall

The success story of System4 is the American dream come true for Marty Hall.

His extensive knowledge of media buying, of creative advertising and or management led to the phenomenal success of the agency.

Born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, W. Martin Hall grew up on a farm in Virginia. His love of the Blue Ridge Mountains influenced him to pursue his career in the Roanoke Valley.

In 1963, Marty began his broadcast career as an on-air announcer in Christiansburg, Virginia. His career was interrupted in 1967 when he served his country in Vietnam as a MP in the US Army. While in Vietnam, Marty used his creative and on-air talent producing informational films for American soldiers on Armed Forces Television.

After his tour of duty he returned to Virginia to work on radio and television - this time as a TV weatherman and sportscaster.

In 1970 Marty heard a voice on the radio that so impressed him that he sought out this talented personality. He and Larry Bly became good friends and decided that a business partnership was inevitable. Both had the knowledge and experience for advertising; both had the courage to start their new enterprise. In 1971 System4 Advertising Agency was established.

Marty served on many local boards and received the Jim Payne Memorial Golden Horshoe Award for outstanding service to the Shenandoah Valley Travel association, a coveted honor.

Marty retired from the agency in the lattter 1990's due to health issues. He died in 2003. His embrace of technology and his gentle demeanor will remain with us always.

Larry Bly

As owner of System4 Advertising, Larry Bly spends his days managing the creative staff, assuring that his high standards of excellence are carried out through every phase of the business. He is a hands-on business man, always involved in the day-to-day operation of the business.

Larry R. Bly was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1947. Like his partner, Marty Hall, he grew up a farm boy in Virginia.

His interest in broadcasting began at a very early age. He had already developed skills as an announcer while attending high school and college. After college, Larry served in the U. S. Army, including one year as a network announcer with AFKN (The American Forces Korea Network).

When Larry returned to the states he continued his broadcast career at WWWW in Detroit, working for Gorden McClendon, who invented rock and roll radio. In 1971 the opportunity to start an ad agency with his broadcast friend, Marty Hall, brought him south to Roanoke, Virginia.

Larry continued his radio career, gaining celebrity status because of his quick wit and smooth style. His talents led him to public television where he has his own comedy cooking show, "Cookin' Cheap," seen across the US.

In 1988 Larry received the highest honor given to an advertiser. He was chosen by his peers to receive the silver medal award given by the Advertising Federation of the Roanoke Valley. The award recognizes a lifetime of contribution to advertising and is given to someone who is active in furthering industry standards, who shows consistent creative excellence and a dedication to social responsibility.

Today Larry oversees a very different agency than it was in 1971, but his commitment to personal and full service remains first and foremost.

Gary Harris

Gary Harris was born in Floyd, Virginia in 1962 and attended Pulaski High School, where he graduated in 1980.

Upon graduation he entered the US Army from 1981-1985 where he served his country on base in Oklahoma and traveled to Germany on his tour of duty.

Upon his return to civilian life, Gary enrolled at Radford University, where the graduated in 1992 with a bachelor of Business Administration degree; having studied marketing and accounting.

He married Janet in 1993 and they moved to Washington, DC where he was employed in direct-sales.

They then moved to Richmond, Virginia, where Gary was employed by Media General, owner of numerous newspapers and TV stations around the country. He worked in the controller’s office handling accounting chores.

In 1995 he relocated to Roanoke, Virginia to join System 4 Advertising Agency where he handled everything from direct-account work to bookkeeping and billing.

Gary served as company president for many years before leaving the agency for other opportunities in 2007.

The System4 Story