Our History
Like any agency, there’re war stories. And at SMZ, they’re real. Founded by Leonard Simons and Larry Michelson in 1929 during the Great Depression, the former Simons-Michelson Co. started without clients and with limited funding, determined to make a mark on the advertising world. Through World War II and beyond, the agency found a way to attract blue-chip clients like Dr. Grabow Pipes, Hiram Walker, Parker Pens and more. And they won them with hard work, innovative creative and attentive client services.

We give our founders all the credit for their courage to start this agency. Without them, the second and third generations would have nothing to build on. We treasure our history and look to it for continuity and passion. But the successful future of our clients is always our primary focus.