NCET Biz Tips: Passion And Break-The-Mold Spirit On Display At The Abbi Agency

The Abbi Agency started around Abbi Whitaker’s kitchen table in 2009 during the depths of one of the deepest economic recessions in modern history.  Founded by sisters Abbi Whitaker and Constance Aguilar, the agency started with a fierce dedication to intelligent and results-driven public relations.

Early technology expertise landed key venture-backed tech startup accounts in New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.  The agency has since expanded from a public relations firm to a fully integrated agency with a comprehensive creative team, web development department, paid media division, and public affairs experts.  The Abbi Agency has recently expanded its client base across the nation, partnering with destinations and companies from Montana, Utah, New Mexico, California, and beyond.

Even as The Abbi Agency has grown to 35 employees, Reno has remained the heart and home of the company.  With a second office in Las Vegas and additional team members around the globe, the Reno office still operates as the perfect mothership for a vibrant and growing hub for new ideas.

Personality and passion run deep in the agency.  Whether creating a beer festival from scratch or having playwrights and painters on staff, the Abbi Agency is unafraid of out-of-the-box ideas.

The successes of their clients measure the agency’s success.  The Abbi Agency has helped its customers pass school funding ballot measures, represented tech companies through hundreds of millions of dollars in funding, and even worked with an online yarn company to great success.  Representing tourism clients like Kalispell, Montana, Morro Bay, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and St. Helena has proven inspiring and rewarding.  There are also key Nevada statewide accounts such as Nevada Health Link, the Nevada DMV, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Like most companies, the Abbi Agency faces its share of challenges.  One unique challenge comes in the form of a question, “What’s next?”  The agency does not work in a stagnant industry. Their media landscape is constantly changing.  Methods of communication, from animation to video capabilities, are shifting almost hour-by-hour. The same is true for social media platforms.  The agency continually challenges itself to look ahead, be original, and think two and three steps into the future.    

Two Abbi Agency campaigns come to mind that illustrates their team’s dedication to their craft and the greater public good.

First, the Save Our Schools ballot measure was a huge step forward for Northern Nevada education.  The agency donated its time and ran the campaign from start to finish.  Generations of Northern Nevada students will benefit from the success of that ballot measure.

Second, a series of economic development campaigns were created to bring Reno back from the great recession.  The Abbi Agency worked on numerous efforts, many pro bono, to support our Reno businesses and economic development.

Is there a question that the Abbi Agency wishes people would ask them?  The answer is Yes.  They love it when clients want to think big, be genuinely original, and be insanely creative in an effective way.  That question is, “Can you tell me what you think is best?”  Why?  Because experts trust experts.  The agency’s clients are experts in their industry.  The Abbi Agency is the marketing expert helping all businesses thrive.

What best describes the Abbi Agency?  These words come to mind.  Creativity, passion, out-of-the-box ideas, break-the-mold spirit, caring for the public good, constant learners, digital practices experts, social media platform experts, and never settling for a mediocre creative campaign.

There is no doubt that The Abbi Agency will continue to push the boundaries of what their Reno-based independent agency can achieve for its clients worldwide.

Want to learn more about public relations, websites, media buying and social media? Sign up for NCET’s Tech Wednesday on December 8 from 4 to 5 pm, for an onsite presentation and tour with networking from 3 to 4 pm.  Tickets and more information at https://www.ncet.org/ncet-event-calendar/abbi-agency

Bill Leonard is VP of Communications for NCET (www.NCET.org) and a content writer of lead-generating case studies, white papers, and blogs that help innovative and disruptive companies grow. (linkedin.com/in/billleonardusa)  NCET produces educational and networking events to help people explore business and technology.