# Marc Williams

> Marc Williams is the Seattle-based CEO and second-generation owner of WH inc., the independent marketing agency founded by Jim Williams and Ed Helde in 1969. A Western Washington University design and illustration graduate, he combines creative leadership with brand strategy, startup advisory work and outdoor public relations. Away from the agency, he is a former ski racer and the skipper of Run for the Roses.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at WH inc.
- **Organizations:** WH inc. / Williams & Helde Inc., Active Labs, Hayter Communications, Northwest Entrepreneur Network, Seattle University Innovation & Entrepreneurship Advisory Board
- **Education:** Design and Illustration (degrees identified in agency biography), Western Washington University
- **Known for:** Second-generation ownership of an agency that has remained independent since 1969., Launch of Active Labs in 2016., Acquisition of Hayter Communications in 2017.

## Career timeline

- **2014** — WH launched its Mobius consumer journey model; Williams reported 522 agency projects that year.
- **2015** — Identified as President and Executive Creative Director in the announcement hiring Phil Chin.
- **2016** — Introduced Active Labs, a consulting and creative division serving startups; identified as a Seattle University entrepreneurship advisory board member.
- **2017** — Led Williams-Helde when it acquired Hayter Communications.
- **2019** — Published a personal retrospective marking the agency’s 50th anniversary.
- **2024** — Published a three-year review of the family’s Beneteau Oceanis 46.1.
- **2026** — WH appointed Adrienne Lopez Executive Vice President and published Stop Interrupting. Start Belonging.

## Achievements

- Second-generation ownership of an agency that has remained independent since 1969.
- Launch of Active Labs in 2016.
- Acquisition of Hayter Communications in 2017.
- Williams Helde shared a 2017 Community Impact Awards silver recognition with Samaritan after contributing more than $20,000 in creative work.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — WH appointed Adrienne Lopez Executive Vice President on September 1; Williams emphasized connecting strategy, communications, experience and execution.
- **2026-09** — WH announced Stop Interrupting. Start Belonging. on September 9, presenting its Performance Lifestyle Consumer mindset and Mobius Cycle framework.

## Links

- Website: https://wh1969.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcjwilliams
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailingthepacificnw/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/marc-williams
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-06