Mudd Advertising Marks 45 Years of Automotive Marketing Evolution

Founded by Jim and Cecelia Mudd in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the agency has expanded from a local husband-and-wife venture into a nationwide partner for thousands of dealers. Despite the passing of its founders, the company maintains its core philosophy under CEO Jim Mudd Jr. and Chief Futurist Rob Mudd. The agency’s longevity stems from its ability to adapt, moving from traditional advertising to the current landscape of AI-driven strategies while retaining a focus on dealership success.

To commemorate the anniversary, the agency released "The Ad Man 2.0: Principles First. Technology Second. Results Now!" Co-authored by Rob Mudd and the late Jim Mudd Sr., the book serves as both a tribute to the firm’s history and a practical guide for navigating today’s automated marketplace. The firm is also preparing for the 2026 Mudd Summit on October 15 in Cedar Falls, an event designed to provide dealer partners with direct access to industry insights and creative strategies.

Looking toward the NADA Show in 2027, the company is positioning its latest platform capabilities for a national audience. By prioritizing staff development—consistently earning Top Workplace recognition—and refining its data-driven outreach, the agency aims to scale its influence among OEM partners and franchise groups alike. The focus remains on the same "growth-through-partnership" model that launched the firm four and a half decades ago.