I’m feeling nothing more than pride and awe that we are celebrating Wendt’s 95th birthday! We’ve come a long way since our start in 1929 when the company was designing and printing custom calendars for businesses to distribute during special occasions. Fast forward to today – we are an innovative, strategy-driven full-service marketing and advertising company that has endured and flourished with what the world has dished out in the last 95 years!

So many people built this business over time. Starting with our founding father, LW Wendt, who launched Wendt Advertising in his home. In 1946 Wendt’s son, Wally, and copywriter, Zelma Hay Schroder, became co-owners of the agency. In 1968, Wally passed away, and Zelma became president of the company and held that position until her retirement in 1979. She was a strong businesswoman who was well ahead of her time. We stand on the shoulders of so many gifted and visionary leaders and professionals who have come before us now. We are grateful for their foresight, grit, and gusto to build the foundation of what Wendt is today.

In this moment, we owe this company’s continued success and growth to those who contribute to Wendt each day. The 17 talented team members at Wendt are passionate about the work they do and the agency they love. The ten employee-owners of the agency want nothing but the best for our people and the clients we serve, and, of course, the continued success of our business. We are ever so grateful to have a roster of clients who appreciate us for who we are and what we do! They are true partners, and many have become dear friends.

Being a person who enjoys a celebratory glass of wine, I can’t help but think about how this company has aged beautifully, like fine wine. So, here are some ways I would describe who we are today…in wine speak. It is a little cliche but play along with me!