Pete Williams Agency Circa 2006
For several years this was the website for the Pete Williams Agency, a marketing agency located in New Braunfels, Texas.
Content is from the site's 2006 archived pages.
Contact the Pete Williams Agency
Ask how we can serve you in your next marketing project.
As a satisfied customer of the Pete Williams Agency, I can't say enough good things about their work. I recently tasked them with a campaign a new line of women's golf clubs, and they absolutely knocked it out of the park. Their team covered all the bases with both competence and creativity. From the initial concept discussions to the final execution, their attention to detail and strategic thinking were impressive. They developed a multi-faceted approach that included a beautifully designed website update, eye-catching print materials, and clever social media content that really resonated with our target audience.
What stood out most was how they captured the essence of our brand while also appealing specifically to female golfers. The campaign not only looked great but also drove real results in terms of increased traffic and sales. We were truly blown away by the final product and the impact it had on our business. There's no question that we'll be using the Pete Williams Agency again for future projects. Their combination of marketing expertise, creative flair, and professional service makes them a valuable partner for any business looking to make a splash in their market. [Mieka Lu, Fortune Forward]
Web Design.
A web site is the best investment for your growing business.
We are dedicated to meeting our client's needs. See our work at rivercityresorts.com or view more of our clients' web sites.
The Pete Williams Agency provides great looking, functional websites for businesses, large or small, and individuals looking for self promotion. From simple sites consisting of a few web pages to large, interactive web sites, the Pete Williams Agency excels at meeting the wants and needs of its clients.
- Hosting and maintenance of xHTML web pages.
- We focus on usability and accessibility by conforming to evolving web standards.
- Server-side programming that gives control to the client.
- We feel that there are no boundaries to what we can accomplish to meet your web site needs.
- Contact The Pete Williams Agency for a discussion and an estimate on your web site project.
Brochures
We are the Brochure Specialists. Contact The Pete Williams Agency for design and production of your brochure.
Used by businesses both large and small, the brochure can be handed out to interested prospects, used as a direct mail piece, and displayed in brochure racks.
Tell us what you want to communicate, and we can do the rest, from copywriting and design, to printing and delivery of high quality brochures to your door.
- 1-color, 2-color, or Full-color
- Any size or folding style
- Creative concepts, knowledgeable guidance to make your brochure effective
- We listen to you, and work with you. It's your brochure, and we want you to be completely satisfied with it.
- We have been producing brochures for over 10 years.
- With our guidance, your brochure project can move quickly to completion, while avoiding serious mistakes that can affect printing or mailing.
- Contact The Pete Williams Agency for a discussion and an estimate on your brochure project.
Logos, Corporate Identity.
Your logo will not only give you a unique presence in the marketplace, it can also become a valuable property, as part of your company.
- We will produce a logo that looks right for all applications: black & white, full-color, large, or very small.
- Once produced, you own all rights to your logo.
- We will work with you on creative concepts.
- We have been producing logos since 1986, for industry, small business, and musical events.
- Contact The Pete Williams Agency for a discussion and an estimate on your logo design project.
Postcards.
Let us help you carry out a successful postcard campaign.
Postcard mailings are one of the best and most affordable types of advertising campaigns for small and large organizations.
To get the most out of your postcard mailing, consider the important details:
- Innovative design and message
- Mailing technology and method. (There are mailing houses that use the latest technology, and mailing houses that use out-of-date methods. The difference in cost can be very big)
- Postal regulation. Even simple postcards can get complicated when you consider the important postal regulations regarding
Radio, Television, Newspaper.
What is the best way to buy media advertising?
Answer: As scientifically as possible.
- The Target Audience
We will help you determine the best media to use to reach your target audience. - The Ad/Commercial
Purchasing advertising in media can be very expensive, so the ad that you are running needs to do the job in the best way possible. - The Media Buy
What plans to buy, and what plans not to buy... this is where we can help you save money, stay consistent, and achieve the best results.
Graphic Design, Illustration
Graphic design is a large factor in creating and maintaining brand identity.
We can provide you with great designs that suit your needs.
- Posters
- Flyers
- Product labels
- T-shirt designs
- Special graphics for your website
- Logos, postcards, web design and more
2006 Blog Posts
Get a pen and a pad of paper!
September 28th, 2006Before I started designing websites, I had a conversation with a web designer about a project he was working on.
“I’m stuck!” he said with frustration. “The site is all there, I’m just waiting for them to get me the content!”
I thought to myself, “If you don’t have content, what do you have?”
This may be boring to you (it’s exciting to me), but the very first and most important phase of your website is like a writing assignment (but don’t worry, it’s not like school). Get a pen and paper and start writing down everything you want to say. What is amazing about your subject? What is unique? What are the details?
I tell my clients to just make a rough, sketchy list if they wish. i smooth it out and make it into finished copy, as part of my service. Actually, I prefer to do the final writing, since how you present and how you frame your communication is very important.
A website is text, copy, information. Everything else is decoration.
What’s going on with banner ads on our local online newspaper?
May 27th, 2006In the last few weeks, I’ve seen 2 different companies run banner ads on the Herald-Zeitung website, that led to websites that were “under construction.”
What’s going on here?
I like this new Mac campaign!
May 9th, 2006
I’m going to go ahead and say I really like this Mac ad campaign from Apple Computer, Inc. The commercial features two men against a white background. One man represents a PC computer and the other man represents a Mac computer.
Mac: “Hello, I’m a Mac”
PC: “And I’m a PC”
PC: “What are you reading?”
Mac: “Just the Wall Street Journal, it’s nothing. Oh no no, ”
PC: “Oh it’s a review of you”
Mac: “Don’t read it”
PC: “Oh, it’s from Walt Mossberg, one of the most respected technology experts on the planet. Apparently you are the finest desktop PC on the market at any price. Very nice.”
Mac: “It’s just one man’s opinion”
PC: “I actually got a great review this morning too”
Mac: “Good for you,”
PC: “So we are the same”
Mac: “What was that in?”
PC: “The, um, awesome awesome computer review weekly journal”
The commercial is simple yet elegant, and quite effective in getting the message across. Obviously, the PC is represented as “nerdy, stuffy older guy” and the Mac is “cool, creative younger guy”.
The new ads have also been shown on the Net.
Local advertisers, you can be simple, yet creative in your cable TV advertising. Take inspiration from this commercial. (Let me quickly add that pulling off this commercial took awesome acting talent, plus a great, understated script. I’m not saying it is easy to do)
Update: I wanted to say that I am a PC user, so there is no bias in my admiration of this campaign. I guess I’m the nerdy guy.
My Search Engine Rant - Part Two
May 9th, 2006Regarding my post below, I do not want to give the impression that I do not do search engine optimization. Our agency optimizes sites as best possible when we build them.
When there is an opportunity to successfully optimize a site, I will go all out to do it. Go to Google and type NEW BRAUNFELS ADVERTISING and see who is listed at the top (at least for now). Also, for one of my real estate clients, I discovered an often used search term with little competition, and optimized her site to rate at the top for that term. (I won’t give details, for obvious reasons).
When is search engine optimization too much to ask? The answer is when there is so much web competition and your business has a very general description. For instance, if you are in the mortgage business, I don’t think I can do search engine optimization for you. In fact I would recommend other avenues of marketing.
My Search Engine Rant - Part One
May 9th, 2006There is has been an ongoing debate about search engines and search engine optimization. For it, or against it? Expensive, or low-cost solutions (not a good question, it all depends on the competition)?
What do you think is most important? Figuring out the latest way to outsmart the search engines, or running your business in the best way possible, making your website customer friendly, and building a loyal following?
I tend to agree with Seth Godin’s opinion (this is an old post).
Just to be fair, I will link to a rebuttal of Godin here.
Valid points on both sides. What I would want people to know is this…
(1) How you run your business is most important. (2) In many ways, it’s just going to take good old fashioned advertising to build your web traffic. (3) Search Engine Optimization may be right for you, but good service in this specialty is going to cost a lot of money. Anything that’s cheap or automated is not worth it.
Beware of funny radio
May 8th, 2006First, I want to say that our local radio station, KGNB/KNBT, has some real talented people (DJ’s and Sales) who produce some real nice commercials. I am impressed.
There is a commercial that I find very annoying, and, it is not from our local talent. It sounds very much like an ad agency commercial, either regional or national. It is meant to be funny, but, it is not. Especially after the hundredth time you’ve heard it.
Planning a radio commercial? This is advice from old, old advertising cranks (not just me): Don’t try to be funny! Funny radio is great, but it can only be done by top, super talent, and the script has to be really funny. Also, consideration must be made in how often the commercial is played each day.
Be powerful. Be jolting or interesting. Most of all, be effective in getting your message across. But, beware of “funny”. It is very hard to do a funny radio commercial, that doesn’t end up being extremely annoying and unliked (perhaps hurting effectiveness).
I have not mentioned the company running the commercial I referred to. But, the fact is, I don’t think I can recall the company.
A strange, unpredictable road
May 8th, 2006In the late Eighties I was doing graphic design and advertising work on a part time basis, while trying to change careers. I was trying to leave the engineering/drafting world, and get into the advertising world. That means I would answer ads and send resumes, and pretty much hear nothing from the companies.
In 1991 I went to work for a printing company. I had determined that printing companies might be somewhere at the start of a career ladder to a major advertising profession. I had the good fortune to work for a very talented printer, who taught me a lot about preparing artwork and film for the press.
I was determined to go back to school, but first I went to a private career counseling business to get advice on my future. They gave me a strange little test and told me, point-blank, to be a lawyer! I thought that was weird then, and I still think it’s weird today. When I returned to school, I took the school career tests, and “lawyer” was nowhere near the top.
I was telling myself that I would not pursue graphic design or advertising any longer, but I always ended up in the college library, poring over advertising books. One day I came home, completely on fire to start an ad agency. My wife was quite shocked. In June of 1993, I left the printing job. My wife and I started working on ad agency plans, and by November we had clients and work.
I had managed to stumble into the right groove, for finding work in the New Braunfels and surrounding area. I was a “print man”. When most of my friends thought about advertising, they thought of glamorous TV and Radio work. Our agency did none of that, with a few exceptions. We did newspaper campaigns, brochures, and direct mail. It was the foundation, the practical solution, that most businesses needed, no matter what size they were.
As we were happily moving along, feeling confident in our print focus, we would hear excited talk now and then, about a strange new thing called the Internet, and the World Wide Web. The “web” would soon creep into the everyday conversation of business people. It was the “new thing”. Some thought it would be the “thing” that would replace all of their marketing needs (this was how Internet and web salespeople used to push it at the time).
There is one thing the Web did for certain. It took away the old rock-solid, can’t-miss print business market. Of course, it isn’t completely replacing print, but, today a businessperson usually thinks of getting a website first, whereas ten years ago, it would have been a brochure.
Today, websites make up much of our agency’s work, along with brochures, print ads, radio commercials, and some cable television. During my “print man” days, I could get very excited while talking about print advertising. I knew all the wonderful things that it could do. These days I am very excited about the ever-evolving Web and the possibilities that it brings. Of course, it is hardly an advertising medium. It is more of an important structure for a business, just like an office building, staff, etc.
This is my first post on this blog. I hope you add this blog to your favorites and visit it often. You may find something that will help you with your business. I will be writing about business advertising and communication, and whatever smart or whacky things I come across in this enterprise.
More Background On PeteWilliamsAgency.com
PeteWilliamsAgency.com serves as a preserved digital record of a small but ambitious full-service marketing and advertising firm based in New Braunfels. Although the site is no longer active in a modern commercial sense, it remains an important artifact for understanding how regional agencies operated during a pivotal moment in marketing history—the transition from print-dominant strategies to a hybrid model that included web and digital media.
Rather than simply promoting services, the website reflects the mindset, priorities, and practical approach of a working agency navigating rapid technological and cultural change. It reveals how small agencies positioned themselves to compete with larger firms while serving local and regional businesses.
Geographic Context and Market Position
New Braunfels, located between San Antonio and Austin, has long been a growing economic hub with a mix of tourism, small businesses, and regional commerce. This location shaped the Pete Williams Agency’s client base and service offerings.
Unlike agencies in major metropolitan centers, firms in this region needed to provide practical, cost-effective marketing solutions to businesses that often lacked large advertising budgets. The Pete Williams Agency positioned itself as a flexible partner capable of handling everything from basic brochures to complete branding systems.
Its proximity to larger cities allowed it to draw inspiration from broader industry trends while maintaining a grounded, client-focused approach tailored to local needs.
Services and Core Offerings
The agency presented itself as a full-service provider, offering a wide range of marketing and creative solutions. These services reflect both the expectations of the time and the agency’s emphasis on versatility.
Web Design and Development
At a time when many businesses were just beginning to establish an online presence, the Pete Williams Agency promoted websites as essential investments. Their approach emphasized:
- Functional, user-friendly design
- Compliance with evolving web standards
- Customization for businesses of all sizes
- Integration of server-side capabilities to give clients control
This positioning highlights a key transitional moment in marketing history: websites were no longer optional, but they were still treated as structured business assets rather than dynamic marketing ecosystems.
Print Marketing and Brochures
Print remained a cornerstone of the agency’s offerings. Brochures, in particular, were framed as powerful and versatile tools that could be used for:
- Direct mail campaigns
- In-person distribution
- Retail and office display
The agency emphasized end-to-end service, including:
- Copywriting
- Design
- Printing coordination
- Delivery
This reflects a time when print marketing still held significant influence, especially for local and regional businesses.
Branding and Corporate Identity
Logo design and corporate identity were presented as foundational elements of business success. The agency’s philosophy focused on:
- Creating adaptable logos for multiple formats
- Ensuring ownership rights for clients
- Developing visual identities that could grow in value over time
This approach aligns with broader branding trends of the 1990s and early 2000s, when companies increasingly recognized the long-term importance of consistent visual identity.
Direct Mail and Postcard Campaigns
The agency also specialized in postcard campaigns, which were described as one of the most cost-effective advertising tools available. Their expertise included:
- Message development
- Design optimization
- Mailing logistics and technology
- Compliance with postal regulations
This focus demonstrates the continued importance of direct mail even as digital channels began to emerge.
Media Advertising Strategy
The Pete Williams Agency offered strategic guidance for advertising across traditional media channels, including:
- Radio
- Television
- Newspapers
Their approach emphasized a structured, analytical process:
- Identifying the target audience
- Crafting effective messaging
- Making strategic media buying decisions
This reflects a pragmatic philosophy—one that prioritized measurable results over creative experimentation alone.
Graphic Design and Creative Services
Graphic design was positioned as a central component of brand identity. Services included:
- Posters and flyers
- Product labels
- Apparel graphics
- Custom website visuals
The agency framed design not just as decoration but as a functional tool for communication and brand consistency.
Philosophy and Approach to Marketing
One of the most distinctive aspects of PeteWilliamsAgency.com is its emphasis on practical, grounded marketing principles. The agency’s philosophy can be summarized in several key ideas:
Content Comes First
The agency stressed that content—what a business communicates—is more important than visual elements alone. This reflects an early understanding of what would later become central to digital marketing: messaging drives engagement.
Strategy Over Shortcuts
The agency expressed skepticism toward quick-fix tactics, particularly in areas like search engine optimization. Instead, it emphasized:
- Long-term business quality
- Customer-focused communication
- Consistent branding
This perspective aligns with modern best practices, suggesting that the agency was ahead of its time in certain respects.
Integration of Old and New Media
Rather than abandoning traditional advertising, the agency embraced a hybrid approach that combined:
- Direct mail
- Broadcast media
- Emerging web technologies
This balanced strategy reflects the realities of the early 2000s, when businesses needed to maintain established channels while exploring new ones.
Historical Evolution of the Agency
The agency’s background reveals a trajectory that mirrors broader industry trends.
Early Years in Print
The founder’s experience in printing and graphic production shaped the agency’s initial focus. Print advertising—brochures, newspapers, and direct mail—formed the foundation of its services.
Transition to Digital
As the internet gained prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the agency adapted by incorporating web design and online marketing into its offerings.
This shift was not immediate or complete. Instead, the agency integrated digital services alongside traditional ones, reflecting the gradual adoption of new technologies by small businesses.
Embracing a Broader Marketing Role
Over time, the agency expanded beyond design and production to include strategic consulting. This evolution reflects the growing importance of marketing agencies as advisors rather than just service providers.
Audience and Client Base
The Pete Williams Agency primarily served:
- Small to mid-sized businesses
- Local and regional companies
- Entrepreneurs and individuals seeking self-promotion
Its services were designed to be accessible and practical, making it an attractive option for clients without large marketing budgets.
Reputation and Client Feedback
Available testimonials and descriptions suggest a strong reputation for:
- Creativity
- Strategic thinking
- Attention to detail
- Professional service
Clients highlighted the agency’s ability to:
- Capture brand identity
- Deliver cohesive campaigns
- Produce measurable results
This combination of creative and analytical strengths was a key differentiator in a competitive market.
Cultural and Industry Significance
PeteWilliamsAgency.com offers valuable insight into a specific moment in marketing history.
A Transitional Era
The early 2000s marked a shift from traditional advertising dominance to digital integration. The agency’s services and messaging reflect this transition, showing how businesses adapted to new opportunities and challenges.
Regional Agency Perspective
Unlike large national firms, regional agencies like Pete Williams provided a more grounded, client-focused approach. Their work highlights the importance of:
- Practical solutions
- Cost efficiency
- Personal relationships
These qualities remain relevant in today’s marketing landscape.
Early Digital Thinking
The agency’s emphasis on usability, accessibility, and content quality anticipates many modern digital marketing principles. This suggests a forward-thinking approach despite operating in a relatively small market.
Strengths and Differentiators
Several factors set the Pete Williams Agency apart:
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Strong foundation in print and production
- Early adoption of web technologies
- Emphasis on strategy and content
- Personalized client relationships
These strengths allowed the agency to remain competitive during a period of significant industry change.
Limitations and Challenges
Like many small agencies of its time, the Pete Williams Agency likely faced challenges such as:
- Competition from larger firms
- Rapid technological change
- Increasing client expectations
- The need to continuously adapt services
These challenges were common across the industry and contributed to the evolution of marketing practices.
Legacy and Modern Relevance
Although PeteWilliamsAgency.com is no longer an active commercial platform, its legacy remains significant.
Lessons for Modern Marketers
The site highlights several enduring principles:
- Focus on clear, effective communication
- Prioritize strategy over trends
- Maintain flexibility in service offerings
- Build strong client relationships
A Window into Marketing History
As an archived website, PeteWilliamsAgency.com provides a valuable case study of how marketing agencies operated during a transformative period. It captures the intersection of:
- Traditional advertising methods
- Emerging digital technologies
- Changing business expectations
PeteWilliamsAgency.com stands as more than just an outdated business website—it is a detailed snapshot of a working marketing agency navigating one of the most significant transitions in the history of advertising.
From its roots in print to its adoption of web design and digital strategies, the Pete Williams Agency exemplifies the adaptability and resourcefulness required to succeed in a changing industry. Its emphasis on content, strategy, and client relationships continues to resonate, offering lessons that remain relevant for marketers today.