Ampersand: Connecting Brands with Success

MMAC member spotlight 

By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist 

When you hear the word ‘marketing,’ what comes to mind? For some individuals it might be social media, while for others it’s cohesive branding. The reality is that marketing is complex and finding the best way to make a brand stand out has become increasingly challenging. Ampersand, a full-service marketing agency in Pewaukee, is dedicated to ensuring its clients achieve marketing success. 
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Entrepreneurship meets business excellence 
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Heather Noel is the Founder and CEO of Ampersand. She launched the agency in 2010, after years of working both in small business marketing roles as well as an account executive for a marketing agency. Noel has always gravitated toward the entrepreneurial world and attributes this passion for business and innovation to her childhood. Growing up, she watched her parents successfully run their own small businesses, building strong relationships with clients.  
 
"I’ve always appreciated the entrepreneurial mindset. That was the foundation for starting my own firm, providing a strong understanding of the essential components of a successful business," said Noel.  
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Shortly after the agency’s opening, Noel hired Brian Odeja, Ampersand’s current President and now Co-Owner. Odeja took his sales expertise from years working in big box retail and used it to better align the agency’s marketing and sales efforts.  
 
For 10 years, Odeja has worked to bring the foundational aspects present in large corporations (systems, processes, perspectives, etc.) and apply them to Ampersand’s strategic framework. His business insight has helped the agency take the next step forward.  ​

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Success built on systems 
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Ampersand offers a wide range of services to clients, including traditional and digital marketing, sales, branding, strategy and execution. The agency collaborates with clients who want to outsource their marketing initiatives or need project assistance. Regardless of industry, the Ampersand team has found that most organizations struggle with similar marketing problems.  
 
“A lot of problems in business are universal, but we can bring unique marketing solutions to the table,” said Noel.  
 
Noel and Odeja often see businesses that outsource their marketing initiatives to different vendors but still struggle to grow. Typically, it is because a reliable system has not been constructed to ensure marketing success.  
 
Ampersand’s mission is to “Fuel & Simplify Business Growth.” This means creating a seamless and integrated experience for clients. Creativity and process sit at the center of this business model.  
 
“We take things off their plate, consolidate and realign their efforts and try to provide a holistic solution to growing organizations," said Noel. 
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Ampersand works with clients across diverse industries such as construction, manufacturing, professional services, retail, healthcare and financial services.  
 
"Our agency is driven by people who understand the business aspects of many different industries, as well as how to be creative in each vertical,” said Odeja. ​

 
Eyes on the horizon 
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As technology evolves, marketing best practices will follow suit. According to Noel and Odeja, a large reason clients decide to work with a marketing agency is because it is difficult to keep up with marketing communications technology. Ampersand works hard to ensure that the services provided to clients align with the current marketing landscape.  
 
"Taking the burden off our clients is key. They can focus on what they do best - running their own organization and operations - without having to worry about how they market, advertise or sell themselves. It is a big relief to them, and it keeps us motivated to do great work," said Odeja.  
 
Successful marketing in today’s world is tied to the people who are willing to learn and grow.  
 
"We hire people who are open to change and eager to grow,” said Noel.  
 
In 2020 the organization was restructured. Three individuals were promoted, creating Ampersand’s Leadership team. The new agency structure supports the individual growth and skills development of staff members. In 2023 Ampersand developed a tier of Product Managers. Part of their role at the agency is to keep a pulse on marketing trends and continuously seek opportunities for process improvement.  
 
“Operational excellence is an enabler in business,” said Noel. 
 
Ampersand’s workplace culture has even shifted to better accommodate the increasingly digital business world. The office recently underwent a remodel. Conscious decisions were made to implement technology and design the space to make hybrid work more effective for Ampersand employees.  
 
"The reality is that for us to grow we need great people, and we need the best and the brightest.  We have to have a work environment that the best and the brightest want to work in," said Odeja.  
 
"We need to look at our physical office as well as our virtual tools as our workspace," said Noel. 
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Community Investment
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Ampersand understands the value that can come from relationships with other local organizations. 
  
Located in Pewaukee, the agency maintains a close relationship with the community. Ampersand facilitates food drives, supports many local organizations and invests in the next generation of professionals. 
 
The agency is a member of several chamber organizations, including MMAC, fostering stronger B2B connections. Ampersand employees are also encouraged to go out in the community and uphold business connections.  
 
"In general, our focus is to support business growth. We are in a unique spot. As we grow ourselves…it is important for us to remember where we came from," said Odeja. 
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