When I started ANDERSON Advertising, I didn’t think about how long the agency would last. Honestly, it wasn’t about that. The agency came to life in 2004, just as the internet started reshaping everything—including advertising.
I moved to Arizona from San Diego in 1995 to open a Phoenix office for the agency I was working for. Back then, the world was a very different place. Today, we can send messages, photos, and videos instantly from our phones or laptops, but 20 years ago, getting an ad to a media outlet was a whole production (pun intended). We’d hand-deliver artwork for print publications, tapes for TV and radio, and hard drives for billboards. Fedex was our best friend, and media companies even had runners on staff to manage deliveries. Slowly, technology transformed how we worked, allowing us to send everything electronically. It suddenly became clear that remote offices wouldn’t be necessary for much longer, and it was time to take a leap of faith and start something on my own.
So, I did.
With two amazing clients—thank you, Harkins Theatres and The James Hotel!—two trusted partners, Jeff Moss and Michelle Milauskas, and two brave employees, ANDERSON began as MMA Advertising (I was the “A”). Looking back, I think we didn’t know what we didn’t know, and maybe that was a good thing. I was lucky enough to bring paying clients to the agency from the beginning, which made the startup months much more manageable. We dove in immediately, talking to everyone we knew in town, sharing our vision, and offering our services. Those early conversations led to new clients, and suddenly, we were off and running.
After a few years, my partners (the Ms) went on to other opportunities. Around the same time, we kept getting calls from people thinking we were the agency for Mixed Martial Arts (head slap), so in 2008, we became ANDERSON.
Now, 20 years later, it’s wild to reflect on everything—the incredible team members, our founding partners, the amazing clients (many of whom I now consider friends or even family), and, of course, the work.
We’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some truly amazing brands: Desert Financial Credit Union, Mayo Clinic, Arizona Science Center, Huss Brewing, Jose Cuervo, Smirnoff, Baileys, Ciroc Vodka, Harkins Theatres, PopChips, DryBar, Oreganos, NYPD Pizza, Mondrian Hotel, Alice Cooper, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Coyotes, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Superbowl Host Committee, Dave & Busters, and so many others.
It’s been quite a ride to see the evolution of our industry—it has changed in ways I couldn’t have imagined when we started. The same shift in technology that inspired me to start the agency has driven much of our success. We were one of the first agencies with in-house video production, something almost every agency has now. Computers and software have advanced so that tasks take up a fraction of the time, allowing for more efficiency. And the rise of digital and social media has opened up smarter, more effective ways to support our clients, and it’s exciting to think about where the industry is heading next.
It’s funny to realize that some of our employees are only a year or two older than the agency itself. Our interns weren’t even born when the agency was founded! My twins were 18 months old then, and now they’re graduating college and building their own lives.
Milestones like this are a chance to celebrate and reflect. Starting this agency from scratch, winning and losing clients, moving office spaces (and eventually buying our building), adding new services, and constantly pushing ourselves to do better—it’s been a journey. Through it all, I’ve worked hard to build and protect a culture of respect, generosity, and fun.
I’m incredibly proud of the fact that ANDERSON is a tight-knit group. We are not an agency that works late into the night; our team has a great work-life balance, and we encourage family-first values. Owning our space has even allowed us to create a unique environment, complete with office dogs that double as greeters and stress relievers.
Over the years, we’ve won more awards than we can display, and while the trophies are nice, what matters most is what they represent—the talent, creativity, and passion of the team members who’ve called ANDERSON home.
I always say I love what I do and tell younger generations to find what they love because it won’t feel like work. For me, it’s about learning. I’ve had the privilege of diving into so many industries—banking, healthcare, beer, nonprofits, logistics, cannabis, and more—and becoming a mini-expert in each. That curiosity has even inspired me to start two other businesses and work with countless others.
At the heart of it all is one firmly held belief: being a good person and doing the right thing will always pay off, whether with employees, clients, or vendors. That’s what’s helped us grow, and I couldn’t be prouder of our reputation over the last 20 years.
As we enter our third decade in business, I’m excited about what’s ahead. To our incredible team, our leaders, Adrianna and Sara, clients, and everyone who’s been part of this journey—thank you for making the last 20 years unforgettable.
Here’s to the next 20.
In the immortal lyrics of the Grateful Dead, “…see what tomorrow brings.”