Brew City Promotions Career Opportunities

How did we get into this mess?
Owner Rick Keppler has owned and operated his own commercial art studio called Spectrum Creative, Inc. since 1980. At its inception, he wanted to find ways in which his creative staff could utilize their "non-productive" time in a more efficient way. So, he began experimenting with Milwaukee images, such as elaborate sketches for The Great Circus Parade, which was about to return to the streets of Milwaukee after a ten year hiatus. He was also enamored with the City of Milwaukee. He art directed the development of over 30-40 images centered around the skyline of Milwaukee, the Circus Parade, fireworks, festivals and other various downtown happenings.

Ben Barkin, who brought The Great Circus Parade back to Milwaukee in 1985 was impressed by the work of the artists at Spectrum Creative, Inc., and he chose an illustration by Keppler's staff as the Official poster to The Great Circus Parade for 1986.

So, how was Keppler going to produce and merchandise this graphic to the public? Well, Rick called on (forced) his two sons, Frank and George Keppler (then 18 and 15) to run a pushcart in Grand Avenue Mall's sky walk, in order to retail the posters and products for the Great Circus Parade in June, 1986.

Keppler also quickly produced posters and apparel around the concept of Milwaukee as an International City of Festivals, based on his original concepts.

The race was on! Together, the Kepplers began an endless string of original, classy, clever, sometimes strange, always funny products based on the City of Milwaukee. Rick Keppler did numerous interviews regarding the City of Milwaukee--how it was so clean, interesting, and accessible, as compared with other large cities. Some of the issues he discussed in 1986-1989 still have relevance today--including ideas to get suburban people to venture downtown, the secret treasure of Milwaukee at night and on weekends, where you could walk for miles along the river and through different groupings of shops and festivals.

Through Keppler's knowledge of the beer industry, and work he had produced with Miller Brewing Company, he began venturing into the world of corporate licensing. He began producing innovative and retail-oriented graphics for apparel for Miller Brewing Company, got them licensed, and brought them to the retail floor. He added Miller licensed products to Brew City's product line in Spring of 1988.

We have transformed into a brilliant, creative, energetic, unique company.

With one retail location, booths at Summer fest and multiple trade shows, our Web site and many coprporate and retail accounts--Rick, Frank and George Keppler are still having fun with the City of Milwaukee! Whether it's beer, brats, or bowling, you can bet that we are having the STRANGEST corporate meetings ever imagined!

We have now been running design, production and a warehouse in house for almost 10 years, where our product line is designed, printed, and warehoused, before it is sent to the store or is housed as customer owned product. We have integrated buyers, printers, designers, and shippers to one goal--promoting Milwaukee through creative and innovative artwork. Our wholesale division now supplies promotional products to companies such as Miller Brewing Company, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, Disney and the EAA, among others.