Milwaukee Business Journal - Milwaukee Works Out

Hanson Dodge living what its clients promote

When Hanson Dodge Creative  began shifting its focus to companies that promote active lifestyles, it decided to follow suit in its own office.

Over the last decade, employees at the Milwaukee advertising agency have gradually been introduced to more wellness initiatives.

Now, with everything from yoga taught on-site to free bicycles and kayaks for employees who want to use them during lunch hours or on weekends, Hanson Dodge Creative’s culture is as committed to living an active lifestyle as the clients it serves.

“Over the years, we’ve continually been shifting our focus to active lifestyle marketing and we’ve rewritten the mission of our company as a result,” said Tim Dodge, president and partner of the firm.

The company took its quest for fitness to the next level Nov. 4 when 12 employees traveled to Tennessee to participate in a two-day, 196-mile relay race from Chattanooga to Nashville.

Each runner ran three legs of the course, ranging between 10.5 to 20.2 miles over the two days. Only one runner was on the road at a time and the rest of the teammates followed along in two vans.

Hanson Dodge employees finished the race in 31 hours and 25 minutes.

The relay is part of the Ragnar Relay Series, which has 15 races across the country, including one from Chicago to Madison. Ragnar Events LLC, Kaysville, Utah, is one of Hanson Dodge’s newest clients.

“It’s hard to capture in words what an incredible experience it was,” said Mike Stefaniak, the firm’s vice president of client services. “It’s one of those things that as you are doing it, it’s difficult but really fun and exhilarating. Twelve of us were there together, sometimes in confined spaces, but living the mission of the company together.”

Jen Miller, an account supervisor at the firm, said the trip was an extension of what employees typically do on their own to stay fit.

“A lot of people here do running groups, or lunchtime bike rides, (and) this was just another opportunity to get out there and also to better understand a client’s product,” Miller said. “I feel like we’ve been able to consult (Ragnar) on their brand work, but now we feel what they do in our gut.”

Now that the team is back at work, Hanson Dodge is focused on the next wellness project — building an on-site employee gym.

Beginning in January, the company will install an exercise facility with showers in its building at 220 E. Buffalo St. near downtown Milwaukee. The gym should be ready in March or April.

“I’ve been promising this for a long time, but had to wait for space to be available,” Dodge said. “In our business, everyone works really hard and we tend to work long hours. If you are really committed to staying fit, you just have to find every opportunity to squeeze it in, and we want to help with that.”