Rhea + Kaiser Agency History

It has been nearly 35 years since Rhea + Kaiser opened its doors with four employees and one client. Back in May 1978, life was pure and simple: Traditional ads for a traditional agricultural client.

But actually, the die was cast years earlier when Steve Rhea and Van Kaiser were brought together to open the Oak Brook, Ill., branch of Cleveland-based Wyse Advertising, serving the White Farm Equipment business. After five years of building the White business for Wyse, Steve and Van mortgaged their homes, negotiated a deal, and turned Wyse/Oak Brook into Rhea & Kaiser Advertising.

Two years later, White Farm Equipment, their only substantial client, went bankrupt.

Undeterred, the young agency picked up project work from machinery-maker International Harvester, and the role steadily expanded. Next came the agency's landmark win: Rhone-Poulenc, a French ag chemical company which later became Aventis, and was then acquired by Bayer CropScience. Over the years, with each change, R+K repitched and retained the business.

As its agricultural business accelerated, so did R+K's diversification. Consumer-oriented minds came on board, and leveraged the award-winning agriculture work to help R+K win plum, new healthcare, education and finance accounts.

In tandem with new clients came new capabilities. Strategic planning and media planning and buying strengths grew, dialogue marketing and event planning blossomed, and a robust public relations practice emerged.

As the Millennium clicked over, R+K accelerated its embrace of digital engagement. Consumer empowerment came to the fore; new skillsets came on board.

Today, the ampersand has stepped aside and the agency has re-amplified its commitment to strategic brilliance. Diane Martin, a 25-year veteran of R+K, succeeds Steve Rhea as President/CEO. Steve serves as chairman of the board and the agency celebrates the life of Van Kaiser, who passed away in January 2012.

The nail-biting days of one client and four employees are long past, but the tenacity and perseverance are stronger than ever.