TheBuzz Erika Engle

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Pizza sales help fuel new advertising agency partnership

Patrick Bullard has sold a lot of pizza for Papa John's Pizza Hawaii -- as well as other products offered by the many clients of his advertising career.

He has turned some of that revenue -- an undisclosed amount -- into an equity position at Gib Black Advertising, an agency he joined about a year ago.

The agency has also changed its name to Bullard & Black Advertising Group Inc. It was founded as Gib Black and Friends in 1972.

"Nothing will change for our clients at all," said Black. "It's really about Patrick Bullard coming on as an equity partner in the company."

Well, one thing has changed.

"We painted the walls red, because we've got a little red in our logo now," Bullard said. "We painted the walls red and we're hoping to paint the town red," he laughed.

The seven-figure Papa John's account has followed Bullard from two previous agencies, Myers Advertising Inc. and the now-defunct AdWorks.

"Patrick has done great work for me for many years with three different agencies. I think this means he won't be changing agencies on me," said Jeff Jervik, president of Papa John's Pizza Hawaii. Jervik was recently named a national executive vice president of operations at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.

Longtime Black client Pacific Harley-Davidson praised Black for "carving an exceptional position for us over many years," and welcomed Bullard's partnership.

Bullard, 42, said reforming the company will begin Black's transition toward eventual retirement, "though he's still a young guy." Black's age was not divulged for the record.

The partnership "will position us even stronger in the community as the advertising and marketing industry continues to evolve," Black said. "Patrick and I love working together -- we have fun and complement each other very well."

Air and space for sale

Speaking of advertising: Ad space, air time and production services will be up for auction Nov. 15 as the local advertising industry works to raise funds for scholarships, public service campaigns, training seminars and other activities.

It is the 35th annual media auction, organized by the American Advertising Federation District 13, the Hawaii Advertising Federation and Ad 2 Honolulu.

Businesses hoping to bid on discounted ad packages are asked to check in at Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant at Aloha Tower at 11:30 a.m. for the noon-to-2 p.m. auction. Roberta Cullen is the contact for reservations and auction item information at 532-0555.