# Clint Runge

> Clint Runge is the CEO and co-founder of Archrival, the Lincoln, Nebraska youth-culture agency he started with Charlie Hull while they were architecture students. Across nearly three decades, Runge turned a small design practice into a specialist in brand communities, collegiate programs, experiential work and creative campaigns for companies including adidas, Red Bull, Spotify and Netflix. Following Havas's June 2026 acquisition of a majority stake, he continues to lead Archrival as part of Havas Play.

- **Role:** CEO & Founder at Archrival
- **Organizations:** Archrival, Havas Play, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dachis Group
- **Education:** Degrees in Architecture and Advertising, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- **Known for:** Co-founded Archrival and led it from a college-era design practice into a youth-culture and experiential agency., Led work for brands including adidas, Red Bull, Spotify, Netflix, Snapchat, Tinder and EA., Helped Archrival become one of Facebook's original 14 preferred developer consultants in 2009.

## Career timeline

- **1996** — Runge, Charlie Hull and MBA student Linda Hauner developed a business plan that placed third in competitions at the University of Nebraska and San Diego State.
- **1997** — Co-founded Archrival in Lincoln while studying architecture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- **2000s** — Focused Archrival on youth culture and worked with Red Bull as the agency expanded into social and community-led marketing.
- **2009** — Archrival became one of Facebook's original 14 preferred developer consultants.
- **2010** — Dachis Group acquired Archrival after several rounds of discussions.
- **2013** — Runge, Hull and Nebraska-based minority investors bought Archrival back from Dachis Group; Runge continued as managing director.
- **2017** — Archrival appeared on the Inc. 5000 at No. 614.
- **2024** — Discussed Archrival's origin, focus and community-building model on the We Built This Brand podcast.
- **2026** — Havas acquired a majority stake in Archrival and aligned the agency with Havas Play; Runge remained CEO and Founder.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Archrival and led it from a college-era design practice into a youth-culture and experiential agency.
- Led work for brands including adidas, Red Bull, Spotify, Netflix, Snapchat, Tinder and EA.
- Helped Archrival become one of Facebook's original 14 preferred developer consultants in 2009.
- Led Archrival through an acquisition by Dachis Group in 2010 and a founder-led buyback in 2013.
- Archrival ranked No. 614 on the 2017 Inc. 5000.
- Taught creative strategy at the University of Nebraska for 15 years.
- Continued as CEO after Havas acquired a majority stake in Archrival in June 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Havas acquired a majority stake in Archrival, aligned it with Havas Play in North America, and confirmed Runge would continue as CEO and Founder.
- **2026-06** — Runge wrote that Archrival would retain who it is while pursuing what it could become, adding, 'Midwest to the world continues.'
- **2024-10** — Appeared on the We Built This Brand podcast to discuss the agency's college origins, youth-culture specialization, community programs and future-facing marketing.

## Links

- Website: https://clintrunge.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintrunge/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/clint-runge
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-26