Nelson Schmidt Inc. expands into Madison with new leadership, new office

Milwaukee, WI – (June 23, 2011) – Nelson Schmidt Inc., a leading full-service marketing communications agency, is continuing its growth and expansion strategy in the Madison market. The agency’s Madison office, acquired in 2002 and doing business since 1963 as Waldbillig & Besteman, will now go to market using the Nelson Schmidt Inc. trade name. A new managing director for the Madison office was announced earlier this spring. On Monday June 27, the operation will also move into a historic building in Madison’s downtown Willy Street neighborhood, completing the brand transformation.

When Nelson Schmidt acquired W&B, the two agencies had different business models and served different types of clients. Over the past two years the offices have been operationally integrated under unified account management and creative oversight, culminating in theappointment of Mr. Chris Schell as managing director.

“Being independently owned, we now enjoy seamless collaboration, sharing systems, resources and expertise to jointly serve clients across both offices,” said agency president, Dan Nelson, Jr. “Technology has made it so that proximity to clients is no longer the critical success factor in business. We are able to offer exceptional service and value to marketers from around the country.”

Nelson Schmidt views its growth and expansion in Madison as integral to its long-term plans to become the leading considered purchase agency in the country.

“While previously operating fairly independently and providing very traditional solutions to multiple local clients, we have transformed our Madison operation to mirror our full-service agency model. Both offices are now optimized to serve clients operating globally across multiple disciplines including interactive, public relations and direct marketing. Under Chris Schell’s leadership and with our downtown relocation complete, now is the ideal opportunity to position the entire organization under a unified Nelson Schmidt brand,” Nelson said.

The agency’s growth strategy differs from those that broaden their capabilities through absorption of small specialty shops or open service outposts in larger, distant markets. Nelson Schmidt’s approach is to establish competitive leadership in both of Wisconsin’s major metropolitan markets. The agency is investing in its Milwaukee headquarters, the economic engine of the state and where its office building sits near Lake Michigan on East Wisconsin Avenue, while building one of the strongest full-service offerings in Madison, the seat of government and education.

“Madison is one of the country’s leading creative communities, similar in many ways to cities like Austin and Portland that are also gaining in national prominence,” said Schell. “It is growing and attracting clients looking for the attention of their agencies’ A-teams. We enjoy a vibrant, growing economy and progressive community, a high quality of life and a deep talent pool in Madison. That makes recruiting and retaining top talent from throughout the country into both offices easier.”