# Rick Milenthal

> Rick Milenthal is the Columbus-based founder, chairman and CEO of The Shipyard, an independent agency built to put creativity, media, public relations, digital work and data in one operation. Over a 43-year advertising career, he helped build Engauge before its 2013 sale to Publicis Groupe, served as chairman of Worldwide Partners, co-founded WE Digital in China and became a venture partner at NCT Ventures. His present thesis is that measurement should make marketing more human: data listens at scale, while emotion creates preference and loyalty.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairman and CEO at The Shipyard
- **Organizations:** The Shipyard, Engauge, Worldwide Partners, WE Digital, NCT Ventures, DoMedia
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts, The Ohio State University
- **Known for:** Co-founded and chaired Engauge before its 2013 sale to Publicis Groupe., Built The Shipyard into a multi-office independent agency through organic growth and acquisitions., Former chairman of Worldwide Partners, a network described in his professional biographies as spanning 80 agencies in 50 countries.

## Career timeline

- **1982** — Began the agency career that ultimately included leadership of HMS Partners, Ten United and Engauge.
- **2004** — Named chairman of Ten United after serving as CEO of HMS Partners.
- **2006-2008** — Served as co-founder and chairman of Worldwide Partners; he later continued as a senior advisor.
- **2010** — Became a venture partner at NCT Ventures.
- **2013** — Engauge, which he co-founded and chaired, was sold to Publicis Groupe; he launched The Shipyard in Columbus.
- **2020** — Led the acquisition of California agency Mering after an eight-month process conducted through remote meetings.
- **2021** — Integrated Mering under The Shipyard name and introduced the 'Engineering Brand Love' positioning.
- **2024** — The Shipyard acquired Fahlgren Mortine, creating a combined company then reported at 400 professionals, 10 offices and $350 million in billings.
- **2025** — The Shipyard acquired TinyWins, adding more than 75 professionals in strategy, design, development and AI-powered innovation.
- **2026** — Appeared on Brand Story and Agency Business to discuss emotion, AI, independence and The Shipyard's paid-owned-earned model.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and chaired Engauge before its 2013 sale to Publicis Groupe.
- Built The Shipyard into a multi-office independent agency through organic growth and acquisitions.
- Former chairman of Worldwide Partners, a network described in his professional biographies as spanning 80 agencies in 50 countries.
- Co-founded and served as vice chairman of WE Digital, described in professional biographies as China's first social media agency.
- Assembled The Shipyard's paid, owned and earned offering through acquisitions including Mering, Fahlgren Mortine and TinyWins.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Joined the Agency Business podcast to discuss sustaining an independent full-service agency, serving mid-market advertisers and treating acquisitions as talent acceleration.
- **2026-01** — Appeared on the Brand Story podcast to discuss emotion, automation, curiosity and the future of The Shipyard.
- **2025-08** — Published a LinkedIn article arguing that independence, rather than the label 'indie agency,' is the more important operating idea.
- **2025-06** — The Shipyard completed its acquisition of TinyWins, adding digital, design, development and AI capabilities.

## Links

- Website: https://theshipyard.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickmilenthal
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/theshipyardcrew
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZclFEx_M3s
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheShipyardCrew/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/rick-milenthal
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22