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Effective January 2011, Westergaard Advertising will be known simply as Westergaard. The name change comes as the firm begins its 30th year of business in Iowa and reflects the agency’s expanded focus on brand development and strategic communication across a variety of media.

“We are very different than a typical advertising agency,” said owner Dean Westergaard highlighting the firm’s purposefully small size which allows them to move nimbly and economically to meet client needs. “At the end of the day, we work with our clients to create strong brands with compelling stories. We then work to activate these brands across a variety of media which, as we all know changes rapidly. Our expertise is strategic brand communication. Through our network of creative partners we can execute anything a client needs without incurring additional overhead. We’ve purposefully kept our company small but in many ways we’ve outgrown the term ‘advertising.”

Founded in Des Moines in 1981 by Dean Westergaard, the agency has built long-standing relationships around creative and effective strategies for some of Central Iowa’s premiere brands including the Willis Auto Campus, Hummel’s Nissan, Wyckoff Industries, and Peoples Trust & Savings Bank. The agency still serves its first client. Dean first operated the business from his home, then an old bank building, and now from a quaint bungalow on the brick streets of Adel.

In 2007 the agency expanded into Eastern Iowa, as Dean’s son Nick Westergaard joined the agency. In that time they have expanded their client base regionally to include ACT, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), as well as leading the successful 21 Makes Sense initiative to protect Iowa City’s 21-only ordinance.

Along with the name change, Westergaard has introduced a new tagline — Brand/Action. This is an evolution from the firm’s previous slogan, Ideas + Action. “We realized as we broadened our name, we needed to hone our positioning statement as well,” said Nick Westergaard. “Any consultant provides ideas. Our true value comes in developing strong brands and setting those brands into action to achieve client goals. What we really work to create is active brands or Brand/Action.”

Added Dean Westergaard: “As we enter our 30th year of business and continue our growth, our goal is to continue to create strong work and results for the region’s premiere brands.”