Miller.WhiteRunkle, of Spokane, has won a contract with Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Co., of Hood River, Ore., to be the lead advertising agency for that companys lines of premium beers.


Through the agreement, Miller.WhiteRunkle, will be the agency of record for the Henry Weinhards brand of beers, which means it will be in charge of every aspect of the brands marketing and advertising campaigns, excluding buying ads from media outlets, says Ed. Miller, the agencys president and CEO.


Work will include designing print and electronic advertisements, designing Web sites, and holding promotional events and activities, Miller says. The agency plans to launch a new advertising campaign this spring, he says.


Miller says the Henry Weinhards account will represent a fairly large percentage of the agencys gross annual billings, but declines to disclose an exact figure. In 2005, its total capitalized billings, meaning the total amount of money it billed its clients, was $48.7 million, says spokeswoman Michelle Witham.


The agency hopes the new account will help it land other big contracts.


It shows that Spokane can compete on a national level, Miller says. Were going to use that to pursue other national business.


The agency competed with several advertising firms from around the country for the account, Miller says, although he declines to name them. The account formerly was handled by Jacobson Rost Advertising, of Sheboygan, Wis., he says.


Following an extensive agency review, Miller.WhiteRunkle was the clear choice to reinvigorate the Henrys brand, says Jonathan Sickinger, the brewers brand manager.


Blitz-Weinhard Brewing is a subsidiary of London-based SABMiller PLC. The companys lines of beers include Henry Weinhards Private Reserve, Blue Boar Ale, and Hefeweizen. Its gourmet soda lines include Henry Weinhards Root Beer and Henry Weinhards Vanilla Cream.


Employees at Miller.WhiteRunkles offices in Seattle and Spokane will be working on the account, Miller says. The agency has more than 50 employees in offices in those two cities and Atlanta.