Surprise Advertising

Surprise Advertising is a full-service advertising agency located in Portland, ME. We have been in operation since 1989, and in that time, we have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients from various industries. Our team is made up of experienced professionals who are passionate about helping our clients achieve their goals through effective advertising and marketing strategies.

Capabilities

At Surprise Advertising, we offer a comprehensive range of services to help our clients achieve their goals. Our capabilities include marketing plans, concept development, collateral development, copywriting, corporate brochures, direct mail services, logo development, graphic design, television and radio commercials, newsprint advertisements, and web site design and construction. We are committed to developing and implementing strategies that achieve results on time, on budget, and on target.

Industries

We have experience working with a broad range of industries, including healthcare, telecommunications, political campaigns, legal firms, transportation, and more. We have developed expertise in these industries and are able to provide tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of each client. Our healthcare clients include long-term and assisted living facilities, home health care, rehabilitation, PT, OT & ST, primary care physician groups, orthopedic physician groups, cosmetic surgery, ENT practices, Alzheimer's facilities, ophthalmologic practices, diagnostic laboratories, and medical equipment. Our telecommunications clients include cellular, paging, local telephone services, and internet services (connectivity, data storage, hosting, collocation). We have also worked with gubernatorial and legislative political campaigns, as well as issue-related lobbying efforts. Our legal clients include corporate image, education, construction, municipal, health care, litigation, tombstone announcements, blogs, and electronic client updates. Our transportation clients include air transportation.

Team

Our team is made up of experienced professionals who are passionate about helping our clients achieve their goals. Sam Surprise, our President, has nearly thirty years of advertising and marketing experience. Prior to founding Surprise Advertising in 1989, Sam worked in New York City for The Movie Channel/Show Time, for Direct Broadcast Satellite, Inc., and for a variety of advertising agencies. Sam has a deep love for film, with some of his favorite movies including To Kill A Mockingbird, Lawrence of Arabia, Apocalypse, Melvin & Howard, Miller's Crossing, No Country For Old Men, Angel Heart, The Road. He is also an avid reader, with favorite authors including Cormac McCarthy, Jim Harrison, John Connelly, James Lee Burke, and Norman Mailer.

Jennifer Blake, our Account Executive, holds a BFA from Maine College of Art with a concentration in photography. Jennifer brings to Surprise Advertising over 10 years experience in business-to-business sales, advertising, and marketing. She has a passion for photography, design, art, music, hiking, skiing, laughing, movies/theatre, wine, and sushi.

David Gillis, our Designer and Art Director, has over 25 years of commercial design and art direction experience. He has provided visual solutions for a wide range of clients including Maine College of Art, the Portland Symphony Orchestra, and D.L. Geary Brewing. Prior to partnering with Surprise Advertising, David was an art director at L.L. Bean for the outdoor and travel catalogs.

Luccia, our Bernese Mountain Dog, is our friendly gatekeeper. She has a natural ability to relax even the most prickly clients with charm and a cold nose.

Recent Work

We are proud of the work we have done for our clients and are pleased to showcase some of our recent projects on our website. We have had the privilege of working with the Maine Medical Association, NAPA Stores, and First Atlantic Corporation, among others. Our work includes public relations, marketing, special events, and film documentaries.