To help celebrate 45 years in business, we developed a timeline of William Mills Agency’s proudest moments over the last four decades starting when we first opened our doors to publishing our first blog.
1977
1977 Highlight
William Mills Agency founded by Bill and Eloise Mills as an advertising agency
1977
Our First Office
Bill, Eloise and Mary Riggall, who previously ran an ad agency, moved into their first office at 3242 Peachtree Road (where a bridal shop is now)
1978
1978 Highlight
Deluxe Check Printers Forms Division was one of the agency’s first financial industry clients
1978
1978 Highlight
Frank Smith, owner of Computer Management, hired William Mills Agency, introducing us to the technology industry
1979
1979 Highlight
The agency moved offices to East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead to accommodate growing business
1980
1980 Highlight
Agency developed and executed a comprehensive marketing plan for Anniston National Bank, one of the first financial clients
1982
1982 Highlight
Bill and Eloise bought the building at 3091 East Shadowlawn Avenue, where the agency moved in January 1983
1982
1982 Highlight
National Computer Systems, Trust Systems Division (Trustware), a company offering technology for trust departments, was one of the agency’s first FinTech clients
1983
1983 Highlight
Bill Mills co-founded The Innisbrook Group, a group of PR and advertising agencies formed to focus on better agency management, business practices, and profitability, with other colleagues throughout North America
1983
1983 Highlight
Selling Solutions, a sales promotion and consulting firm, was formed by Bill Mills, Jr., Norvin Hagan and William Paullin and had offices at William Mills Agency
1983
1983 Highlight
Bill and Eloise hired William Mills III, newly graduated from Florida State University’s College of Communication Advertising program
1983
1983 Highlight
Agency won its first mortgage technology client, American Automated
1984
1984 Highlight
A Fintech company, Charlotte-based Broadway & Seymour became a client. One of the agency’s contacts at Broadway & Seymour is now chairman of WMA client Jack Henry & Associates
1985
1985 Highlight
Agency featured in AdWeek, headlined “Bill and Eloise Run $450,000 Advertising Mill”
1986
1986 Highlight
Agency given prestigious Addy award for wine bottle promotion, celebrating tenth anniversary of the company
1989
1989 Highlight
After a short career in radio, Scott Mills returned to the agency as a full-time employee
1990
1990 Highlight
William named President of William Mills Agency
1990
1990 Highlight
William Mills Agency opened Orlando office to better serve Florida clients
1991
1991 Highlight
William narrows the focus of the agency to financial services with an emphasis in financial technology
1992
1992 Highlight
The agency hired first dedicated PR professional
1993
1993 Highlight
Agency adopts the Deming management method and continues with process-driven measurement and professional development meetings today
1995
1995 Highlight
William Mills Agency published first Trade Show Directory
1995
1995 Highlight 2
William and Alecia Mills develop Intelligent Information Integration (I3) PR planning process still in use today
1996
1996 Highlight
Scott Mills named President of William Mills Agency and William named CEO
1998
1998 Highlight
William Mills Agency launches its first website, created by William
1999
1999 Highlight
Scott saw a “For Sale” sign in front of 300 West Wieuca Road. Bill and Eloise Mills bought the office building. The agency remains there today.
2001
2001 Highlight
To accommodate agency growth, first floor offices built out and furnished to add 3,000 additional square feet for the agency
2002
2002 Highlight
William Mills Agency published first Bankers as Buyers report under Scott’s direction
2003
2003 Highlight
The Bill & Eloise Mills Scholarship in the School of Communication at Florida State University was established marking Bill’s 70th birthday
2005
2005 Highlight
WMA named as Agency of Record to promote SourceMedia’s Fintech 100 Global Rankings
2005
2005 Highlight
WMA client APPRO Systems was acquired by Equifax for $92 million – Equifax continues to retain WMA for PR service to present day
2005
2005 Highlight
William Mills Agency published its first blog
2007
2007 Highlight
City of Atlanta Mayor, Shirley Franklin, officially recognized William E. Mills, Jr., founder of William Mills Agency, on the agency’s 30th anniversary
2010
2010 Highlight
After 33 years of taking checks to the bank, agency implemented remote deposit capture
2010
2010 Highlight
William E. Mills, Jr. and Eloise B. Mills jointly named distinguished Alumni at Florida State University. Also pictured: Outstanding Alum Warrick Dunn and Dean Larry Dennis
2011
2011 Highlight
First of William’s live blogs from Finovate
2012
2012 Highlight
Former employee, Gregg Bauer starts BauerHaus Creative, sister company of William Mills Agency, that now handles all graphic design and advertising for agency clients
2012
2012 Highlight
Founder, Bill Mills, Jr., passes away and WMA staffers run the Peachtree Road Race as “Team Bill” in his honor.
2014
2014 Highlight
Content Marketing as a service for the agency was launched, and the agency became a certified HubSpot partner
2017
2017 Is The Future
William Mills Agency is celebrating 40th anniversary and another successful year