MADISON (WI), August 25, 2008–Knupp & Watson, a Madison-based strategic communications agency, is pleased to announce new ownership.

Knupp & Watson has been purchased by longtime employee Andy Wallman, who now serves as president/executive creative director. Wallman, who most recently served as creative director, has purchased the company from co-founders Ted Knupp and Jan Watson.

Wallman has helped grow the company, taking it from a social marketing-focused agency, to a full-service strategic communications agency with advertising, marketing, public relations and new media. Over his 20-year career, he’s received hundreds of awards for his strategic creative work. At Knupp & Watson, he’s created award-winning campaigns for Park Bank, Wisconsin DHS and Goodwill among others.

Jennifer Savino has been named vice president/director of client services. She previously served as director of development.

Knupp will remain with the agency as chairman and serve in an advisory role. Watson will be moving on to new opportunities.

Wallman says his goal is to lead the company in this era of “new marketing and advertising.”

“Our clients can’t succeed with the same old communications tools. That’s why this is an amazing time to be in the business. My grandfather ran an ad agency in New York in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Up until a few years ago, what he did and what I did were pretty similar. But so much has changed so quickly that the business just isn’t the same,” said Wallman. “To say I’m excited to lead this era is an understatement, sort of like saying that going to Mars would be…neat.”

Wallman’s career has taken him from Madison to Detroit and back. He’s worked on brands like The DISH Network, Pepsi, Lava Lamp, Miller Brewing Company, Oscar Mayer and The Green Bay Packers. Savino comes to Madison via Seattle, where she worked on Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft and Boeing.

“Andy is one of the most original thinkers I’ve ever worked with during my career, says Scott Cooper, Marketing Engine Group president, former senior vice president of marketing for Famous Footwear and former president of Hiebing. “Andy translates strategies into ideas that work. In a competitive environment where differentiation matters more than ever, he’d be one of the first people I’d want on my team. Few work smarter, few work harder, no one I can think of does both as well and with as much passion. Oh, and one more thing, I personally enjoy Andy. I always end up with a smile on my face working with him. And I believe smiles create better work.”
Knupp & Watson’s potter of record, Mark Skudlarek, has created customized handcrafted mugs to commemorate the event.

About Knupp & Watson
Knupp & Watson is an award-winning strategic communications agency, offering advertising, marketing, public relations and new media. They’re known for creating campaigns designed to change behaviors. As passionate strategists, they’re on a mission: to create extraordinary ideas that are bigger than brands. Founders of the Goodstock event, Knupp & Watson has donated more than $750,000 in goods and services to Dane County non-profit organizations. More information is available at www.knupp-watson.com.

The Goodstock™ advertising marathon, an annual event that assists the strategic communications efforts of area nonprofits, has earned a Corporate Citizenship Award for Knupp & Watson. The Corporate Citizenship Award, sponsored by Corporate Report Wisconsin and Edgewood College, is a statewide award given to companies that “go above and beyond the normal bounds of business with extraordinary acts” involving the community. Download the full press release.

Knupp & Watson was given two Gold ADDY awards at the 8th District regional competition. The 8th District of the American Advertising Federation is considered one of the premier regions for new work in advertising. Both entries will move on to the National level, where they will compete against submissions from agencies represented by AAF’s 200 advertising clubs throughout the country. Download the full press release.

Winning in more categories than any other agency and awards for 10 different clients, Knupp & Watson won an outstanding 35 awards, including eight Gold ADDY awards, at the Madison Advertising Federation’s Addy Awards. The work will go on to the regional competition, competing against work from American Association of Advertising Agencies in Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Dakotas. Download the full press release.

For the first time in 20 years, Knupp & Watson won Best of Show at the Madison Advertising Federation’s Addy Awards. What took the top? The K&W Brand Biography, our very own strategic brand development and implementation tool. In fact, we were awarded the most golds, including Gallery Golds, for the Department of Health Family & Family Services, SprintPrint, Trac-Rite Doors, and ourselves. Goodwill, Mt. Olympus, AIDS Network, and UW Veterinary School projects were also honored. Want to see more? Download a list of Saturday night’s winners, or see the work in person (winning entries will be on display at the Hue Art Gallery, Monroe St., beginning March 2nd). Congrats to our clients and employees. Thanks for some excellent work.