Jim Dalton is the quintessential self-made man. An Illinois native, he moved here in 1979 to attend Jacksonville University on a soccer scholarship and major in communications. Today, he leads The Dalton Agency, one of the city’s largest full service advertising and public relations firms.
The firm has more than 40 employees and billing of more than $30 million, and is based in a three-story building in San Marco that once was part of the now-defunct American Bank.
“We’ve been here for about five or six years and we really like it,” Dalton said of the spacious and colorful headquarters. “San Marco is an active and vibrant place and it’s a good fit for us.”
The fit may be nice for the moment but, before the end of the year, Dalton plans to move his operation into the heart of the City’s Sports Complex, joining Bailey Publishing & Communications Inc. in a joint venture to take over The Noland Building at the corner of Bay and Randolph.
“That’s our greatest focus, aiding in the revitalization of downtown,” he said. “That’s where the future of Jacksonville lies.”