Transcript Works: Webster Atkins, advertising representative

Jan. 20—Editor's note: Today's profile of advertising representative Webster Atkins is the latest in a series focusing on Norman Transcript employees.

Webster Atkins is The Transcript's new kid on the block. He's been on the job for about a week.

Atkins, 24, is a native of Byars and has lived in Norman for six years. He considers himself a people person, a trait you need to sell advertising.

"I like to be able to talk to people and visit businesses," he said. "I've always been interested in business."

Advertising reps sell space to businesses and individuals. Atkins will contact potential clients, make sales presentations and maintain client accounts.

He will be responsible for a territory that includes the University of Oklahoma, and sell print, digital and website advertising, according to Transcript Publisher Jeffrey Hayden.

"He's very disciplined in his approach to things, which you need to be a good salesperson," Hayden said. "You need to be disciplined, you need to have a good head for figures and you need to be a people person."

Atkins has served in the Army National Guard and worked as a detention officer at the Cleveland County jail, so he knows a thing or two about discipline.

"I like philosophy a lot, and one of the things that's taught in philosophy is being prepared for any situation, and having realistic expectations," he said.

Atkins developed an interest in business as a kid growing up in a family with five children in Byars.

"I tried to start a couple when I was a child," he said. "They failed miserably."

One, an egg business, lost money every week because "my mother required me to give her a dozen eggs a day for rent."

He also went into business with a rock polisher selling rocks as a youth.

"I have lots of interests," he said. "There aren't many things that don't interest me in some way."