ADsmith agency to open Nov. 1

Angela Smith, the "S" of TPS Media Group, has left the company and her position as its vice president to open her own agency, ADsmith Communications.

ADsmith Communications will open Nov. 1 at 1909 E. Bennett, and Smith's last official day with TPS Media Group was Oct. 27, she said.

Smith had considered opening her own company prior to joining TPS Media Group three years ago.

"I was at Perkin-Watts Advertising, and they were shifting their direction away from my particular area of expertise. I enjoy working with local clients. So, I started thinking about (opening my own company)," Smith said.

"And then, I heard that David Taylor and Linda Palmisano were partnering and that there might be an opportunity for me to participate, so I put my plans of owning my own business aside and joined TPS," she said.

But the idea of owning her own business resurfaced late this past summer, Smith said, and it seemed that the timing was right for her to move out on her own.

Smith said TPS has grown to serve about 45 clients, and she will take with her the clients she has served as the primary agency contact.

Smith said her transition to her own company been both friendly and positive.

"I had been directing the media efforts of all 45 clients, supervising two media buyers and working very closely with about 15 clients in a more complete, full-service capacity. I want to devote more of my time and energy to those (full-service) clients," she said.

In advertising, Smith said, full service means, in addition to directing clients' media advertising decisions, being involved with the creative process and all other aspects of advertising and marketing.

"David Taylor gave me an environment where I had the freedom to grow and think and have my ideas gel. I appreciate that immensely, and believe it was a necessary step in my professional growth," she said.

David Taylor began TPS Media Group in May 1991 and originally was called Taylor Communications. Taylor said starting one's own company is the American dream, and Smith deserves that opportunity.

"I support her 100 percent. If that's what she wants to do to help herself and her family, then I applaud her and would not stand in her way," Taylor said.

Joining Smith at her company is Gail McKinney, who joined TPS Media Group in 1995 and was vice president of operations.

In her new position, McKinney will be vice president of ADsmith Communications, providing accounting and media buying services, Smith said. McKinney's final day with TPS Media Group will be Nov. 15.

Smith said she plans to limit the number of clients her company serves, so that each will receive individual attention.

"We want to limit the number of clients, because if we don't set those limits, then we're limiting the amount and quality of work that we can do for our clients," Smith said.

Smith said although she will buy media throughout Missouri and in several other states, she plans to work with Springfield-based clients.

"The reason I choose to work with local clients is that I want to be a very hands-on advertising partner. It's difficult to do that when they're not based in Springfield," she said.

There's also a limit on the number of employees ADsmith Communications will have. Limiting the number of staff will ensure that she and McKinney will be involved with every client.

Taylor said Linda Palmisano, represented by the "P" in TPS Media Group, left the company last summer, but he doesn't plan to change the name.