Walz Tetrick Advertising
Walz Tetrick Advertising (WTA) is a Kansas City-based, full-service independent advertising agency founded in 1967, serving more than 70 enterprise and mid-market clients across healthcare, sports, retail, food and beverage, and hospitality with integrated strategy, creative, media, production, and AI services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersMission, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Walz Tetrick Advertising does
Walz Tetrick Advertising, now operating as WTA, is a privately held, full-service advertising agency headquartered in Mission, Kansas, in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Founded in 1967 and led by President and CEO Charlie Tetrick, the firm serves both regional and national advertisers across verticals including healthcare, sports, retail and restaurants, food and beverage, financial services, and hospitality, with a customer base of more than 70 active clients.
WTA delivers integrated marketing services spanning brand strategy, creative, media planning and buying, social media management, web development, data and analytics, and an in-house production studio staffed by directors, editors, animators, designers, and musicians. In 2025 the agency launched Fuel Lab, an AI-focused division led by Brian Olson that develops proprietary AI solutions for retail and manufacturing clients, and the agency markets "AI Decision Intelligence" as a core capability. Notable enterprise clients include Kansas City Royals (multi-decade partner), Dairy Queen (largest regional media agency for franchisees), H&R Block, Wendy's, Gatorade, NAPA Auto Parts, Sporting Kansas City, CoxHealth, and IVX Health.
The business model is professional services-based, generating revenue through creative production fees, media buying commissions, and multi-year retainer arrangements scoped per client. WTA operates a sales-led direct relationship model targeting enterprise and mid-market clients, supported by an owned production capability and a regional Kansas City base. In February 2026 the agency rebranded to WTA under the "Made To Move" credo and has executed three acquisitions (Ruth Burke & Associates in 2017, InQuest Marketing in 2022, Outrider in 2025) to extend capabilities and market presence.
Walz Tetrick Advertising firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Walz Tetrick Advertising
- Legal name
- Walz Tetrick Advertising
- Website
- https://wtads.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Walz Tetrick Advertising (WTA) is a Kansas City-based, full-service independent advertising agency founded in 1967, serving more than 70 enterprise and mid-market clients across healthcare, sports, retail, food and beverage, and hospitality with integrated strategy, creative, media, production, and AI services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Walz Tetrick Advertising industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Advertising and Marketing Services
- NAICS
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Media Representatives (541840)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Media & Broadcast Sponsorship (In-Game Broadcast, Streaming Sponsorship) (MPAKALAF)
Keywords
Where Walz Tetrick Advertising is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mission
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Walz Tetrick Advertising business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Advertising and Marketing Services: Full-service agency providing strategy, creative, media, social, production and post services. Revenue generated through professional service fees, creative production fees, media buying commissions, and ongoing retainer arrangements with clients.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom professional services engagement |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Walz Tetrick Advertising product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WTA is a full-service advertising agency that plans, creates, and executes integrated marketing programs for enterprise and mid-market clients across verticals including healthcare, sports, food and beverage, retail, financial services, higher education, and nonprofit organizations. Its offering spans brand strategy, creative campaign development, media planning and buying, data and analytics, web development, social media management, AI-driven decision intelligence, and an in-house production studio, with engagements typically delivered through custom professional services scopes and multi-year retainer arrangements.
Product overview
WTA (formerly Walz Tetrick Advertising) is a full-service advertising agency offering an integrated suite of marketing services including Brand Strategy, Creative, Media, Data & Analytics, Web Development, Social, AI Decision Intelligence, and Production Studio. The agency operates as a unified platform where all capabilities work together from strategy through execution. Key offerings include Fuel Lab, an AI-dedicated division launched in fall 2025 that develops proprietary AI solutions for retail and manufacturing sectors. The agency serves clients across healthcare, sports, retail, food & beverage, financial services, and hospitality industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Brand Strategy Brand positioning, messaging, and architecture services that sharpen brand clarity and leadership for enterprise and mid-market clients.
- Creative Visual identities, full brand campaigns, and brand experiences designed to create lasting connections with audiences.
- Media Planning and Buying Connected campaign design and delivery across channels that are measurable, responsive, and built to perform in real time.
- Data and Analytics Performance tracking, measurement, and refinement services that inform decisions and drive growth for clients.
- Web Development Secure, accessible, scalable web platforms with connected systems, data, and experiences built for client brands.
- Social Media Management Human-first content ideas that feel native to social platforms, spark conversation, and earn audience attention.
- AI Decision Intelligence AI-powered translation of complex data into usable insight that supports better marketing decisions and stronger performance.
- Production Studio Full-service production studio staffed by directors, editors, animators, designers, and musicians executing large-scale productions as well as quick-turn content.
- Fuel Lab AI-focused division that develops proprietary AI solutions for retail and manufacturing clients, led by Brian Olson, helping organizations navigate complex AI challenges.
- Heart & Goal Podcast Original podcast content produced by WTA tied to the FIFA World Cup Kansas City 2026, serving as thought leadership and audience engagement content.
Quantifiable outcome
- 14% lift in ad awareness, 8% increase in perceived physician expertise, 5% rise in intent to choose Olathe Health
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Walz Tetrick Advertising
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Walz Tetrick Advertising technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature2 records
Walz Tetrick Advertising partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- OutriderminorStrategic acquisition by Walz Tetrick. Outrider's CEO indicated that a strategic combination was only feasible in one specific area, suggesting a targeted capability or technology acquisition.
- InQuest MarketingminorKansas City-based marketing agency founded in 1986, acquired by Walz Tetrick in November 2022. Transaction terms were not disclosed. This acquisition expanded Walz Tetrick's presence and capabilities in the Kansas City market.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Walz Tetrick Advertising competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Energy BBDO: Chicago-based creative agency within the BBDO/Omnicom network. Broad incumbent peer with comparable mid-market footprint, demonstrating the network-affiliated competitive alternative to WTA's independent model.
Direct peers
- Barkley: Kansas City-based fiercely independent full-service agency of comparable size and 50+ year heritage. Closest geographic and structural peer to WTA, serving enterprise and mid-market clients across health, retail, and CPG verticals.
- The Martin Agency: Richmond, VA-based independent creative-led full-service agency with strong consumer brand portfolio (Geico, Oreo, P&G). Comparable mid-sized independent with deep CPG and sports marketing expertise.
- Hill Holliday: Boston-based integrated marketing agency serving enterprise clients across financial services, healthcare, and consumer. Comparable mid-sized independent-style agency with full-service capabilities.
- RPA: Santa Monica, CA-based full-service agency known for Honda/Acura and retail clients. Comparable size and independent creative-driven model with strong broadcast and digital capabilities.
- Bernstein-Rein (BR): Kansas City-based advertising agency now part of Omnicom, serving clients across retail, healthcare, and consumer verticals. Direct peer in same metro with overlapping sports and healthcare client roster.
- The Tombras Group: Knoxville, TN-based independent full-service agency with 300+ employees, offering strategy, creative, media, data, and production. Closely comparable size, independence, and integrated service model to WTA.
- Mother: New York and London-based independent creative agency serving global brands. Direct peer as an independent creative-led agency competing for enterprise brand mandates without holding company affiliation.
- Laughlin Constable: Milwaukee-based independent full-service agency with 200+ employees. Comparable Midwest-rooted independent serving healthcare, retail, and consumer clients with integrated creative and media offerings.
Regional players
- VML: Kansas City-headquartered global creative and customer experience agency, now part of WPP. Important regional peer sharing Kansas City talent market and competing for overlapping enterprise mandates but with vastly greater scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Walz Tetrick Advertising social profiles
Digital presenceWalz Tetrick Advertising financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Walz Tetrick Advertising leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Walz Tetrick Advertising subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Walz Tetrick Advertising funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Walz Tetrick Advertising M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Walz Tetrick Advertising
What does Walz Tetrick Advertising do?
WTA is a full-service advertising agency that plans, creates, and executes integrated marketing programs for enterprise and mid-market clients across verticals including healthcare, sports, food and beverage, retail, financial services, higher education, and nonprofit organizations. Its offering spans brand strategy, creative campaign development, media planning and buying, data and analytics, web development, social media management, AI-driven decision intelligence, and an in-house production studio, with engagements typically delivered through custom professional services scopes and multi-year retainer arrangements.
Is Walz Tetrick Advertising a public or private company?
Walz Tetrick Advertising is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Walz Tetrick Advertising founded?
Walz Tetrick Advertising was founded in 1967. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Walz Tetrick Advertising based?
Walz Tetrick Advertising is headquartered in Mission, United States, in the North America region.
How does Walz Tetrick Advertising make money?
One revenue line is on record: advertising and Marketing Services.
Who are Walz Tetrick Advertising's main competitors?
Energy BBDO is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Barkley, The Martin Agency, Hill Holliday, RPA, Bernstein-Rein (BR), The Tombras Group, Mother and Laughlin Constable. VML is listed as a regional player.
Does Walz Tetrick Advertising have an API?
No public API is recorded for Walz Tetrick Advertising.
What industry is Walz Tetrick Advertising in?
Walz Tetrick Advertising's product category is Advertising and Marketing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKALAF, Media & Broadcast Sponsorship (In-Game Broadcast, Streaming Sponsorship). Its NAICS code is 5418 and its SIC code is 7311.