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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Miller to run daily operations at WhiteRunkle agency


Miller
 (The Spokesman-Review)

Running of the day-to-day business operations of Spokane advertising agency WhiteRunkle has been given to Ed. Miller, a longtime manager there.

Miller was promoted to managing partner by majority owner and CEO Jack White, who with founding partner Bob Runkle plans to partially retire. “We’re just very confident this business will be in good hands,” White said.

Miller joined WhiteRunkle in 1985 and led the agency’s work for its largest client, AT&T Wireless Services.

He was made a partner in the business a dozen years ago, giving him a personal stake in the success of the business as WhiteRunkle’s work for AT&T Wireless helped it grow into one of the Northwest’s top advertising agencies.

In 2003, about 65 percent of the WhiteRunkle’s business was related to AT&T Wireless.

With Redmond-based AT&T Wireless to be sold in November for $41 billion to Atlanta telecommunications giant Cingular Wireless, WhiteRunkle is trying to ensure it will have a role as an important vendor.

So far, WhiteRunkle has not been notified whether it will have a slice of the Cingular advertising work.

If that business relationship ebbs, Miller said he expects to offset any lag with new clients. This diversification push has already netted business with Motorola and National Geographic, he said.

WhiteRunkel has about 60 employees in Spokane, with several more in Seattle, Dallas and Pittsburgh. It’s considering opening another office in Atlanta, Miller said.