Fresh location, fresh approach for Wendt – New home in Great Falls, MT delights advertising agency

The folks at Wendt have transformed a historic downtown building, built 95 years ago to store ice, into a hip headquarters for the Great Falls-based advertising and public relations agency.

The project is the culmination of nearly four years of planning and renovation and an investment of nearly $1 million.

"It’s a big investment for a company like us, but we gained such incredible space," said Brenda Peterson, one of two managing directors at Wendt, which is owned by 12 employee-shareholders.

Wendt is showing off its new digs in an invitation-only open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today.

The new home also symbolizes, to a degree, a fresh start for the company that a few years ago laid off workers and last year went through an ownership transition as former CEO Carl Kochman left the agency.

In the wake of his departure, Peterson and other company directors said they would become more aggressive in seeking new clients, focusing on potential in neighboring states and in the agency’s tourism and outdoor recreation niches.

"It’s paid off," said James Ford, Wendt’s other managing director, in terms of the diversification strategy.

By JAMES E. LARCOMBE Tribune Business Editor

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050526/BUSINESS/505260329/1046/NEWS01