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