2007 is the 25th anniversary of Villing & Company. In preparation for this brief retrospective essay, we decided it would be interesting to check out the pop music charts for 1982 – our first year in business. Looking in the rear view mirror of this ride we’ve been on since then, the titles are, shall we say, interesting.

• I’m So Excited (Pointer Sisters)
• I Can’t Go For That [No Can Do] (Hall & Oates)
• I Don’t Know Where To Start (Eddy Rabbitt)
• Hurts So Good (John Couger)
• Only The Lonely (The Motels)
• Trouble (Lindsey Buckingham)

Well, you get the idea.

The themes of love and fear, ignorant bliss and incredible excitement seem especially apropos. Candidly, we had very little idea of what we were getting ourselves into. All we had were the two small clients, 500 square feet of inexpensive office space in a former retail complex, a manual typewriter or two and a few pieces of thrift store furniture. Between the two of us, we also had a reasonable amount of experience in public relations (Jeannine) and the creative side of advertising (Thom). Just like the songwriter who was “country before country was cool”, we like to say we were integrated marketing communications practitioners before integrated marketing communications became the buzz word du jour in the academic textbooks. Because of our backgrounds, integrating disciplines to achieve marketing objectives just sort of came naturally.

We take pride in the longevity of our client relationships. Although this is inherently a volatile business, we think this kind of tenure speaks to one of our core beliefs – that the best relationships are based on mutual respect, trust and loyalty. These shared values not only promote longevity, but they also beget good work.

Our first big break came when National Bank of South Bend (now Wells Fargo) entrusted us with their advertising business. Not long after that, we were blessed to win business from the Hacienda Restaurants and the Foodservice Division of Ralston Purina.

Another one of our core beliefs which surfaced early on was our desire to give something back to the community whenever we could. One of our most pleasant memories was being involved in the early development of South Bend’s East Race Waterway. We even had the opportunity to sponsor the US Olympic Whitewater Team Trials in the mid eighties.

Writing an essay like this is difficult. It’s hard to be concise when there are so many great memories to relive and stories to tell. It’s hard not to be overly sentimental when there are so many people to whom we owe so much gratitude for helping us along the way. Incredible clients. Talented and supportive suppliers. And a consistently creative and conscientious staff. Good friends all. And all a critical part of whatever success we have achieved.

To each and every one of you, thank you. Thank you so very much for your friendship and support.

With apologies to Kenny Rogers, as we look back “through the years,” the journey has been one of promise, persistence and passion. In that spirit, there is one song title and artist from 1982 that seems especially appropriate. Eye of the Tiger – by Survivor.

Jeannine & Thom Villing