Akron's WhiteSpace ad agency acquires Bath firm [The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio]

(Akron Beacon Journal (OH) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 11--WhiteSpace Creative, a marketing communications agency in downtown Akron, is expanding, acquiring longtime Bath Township marketing company SmileyHanchulak.

SmileyHanchulak's seven staffers are moving to WhiteSpace's offices in the Dickson Transfer building on North High Street, bringing WhiteSpace's employment to 33.

The building also houses the Musica nightclub and Rubber City Clothing.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

SmileyHanchulak President John Hanchulak contacted WhiteSpace about acquiring his 35-year-old company because he was preparing to retire.

Ralph Davila, senior director of public relations for the 18-year-old WhiteSpace, said the deal means WhiteSpace's clientele is growing by roughly a third, and WhiteSpace is on track for sales and personnel growth.

With the new staffers, Davila said, "we're offering more services and enhanced services and, as a result, we're going to be able to increase our sales, which in turn is going to require us to hire new people." SmileyHanchulak's public relations experience was especially attractive, Davila said, with WhiteSpace's focus on boosting its public relations and social media services.

WhiteSpace Creative founder Keeven White said in prepared comments that the two agencies' "cultures, people and business ethics mesh very well." Davila noted that the agencies shared some clients -- including separate divisions of manufacturing giant Parker Hannifin Corp. of Cleveland and Smith Dairy in Orrville.

Several members of the WhiteSpace staff have been promoted as a result of the acquisition. They include John Puglia, to vice president of creative services; Greg Kiskadden to executive vice president of account services and Davila to senior director of public relations.

SmileyHanchulak's brick office building at 47 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road, in the Montrose shopping area near West Market Street, has been listed for sale or lease with NAI Cummins of Akron. The building totals 6,615 square feet.

White, president and chief executive, started WhiteSpace in 1994 in his Canton home. He began his career at Little Tikes Co. in Hudson, where he managed a team responsible for the company's print collateral and advertising materials.

WhiteSpace moved to local developer Tony Troppe's Dickson Transfer building in 2005.

Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.

___ (c)2012 the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) Visit the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) at www.ohio.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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