A busy spring and early summer has Risdall Advertising Agency (RAA) in New Brighton wondering who coined the phrase "the lazy days of summer."

A total of 18 new accounts represent over $6 million in additional capitalized billings for RAA, bringing total billings to over $44 million. Risdall Advertising, the ninth-largest agency in the Twin Cities, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

RAA has added six employees since May to help handle the influx of new work. They include: Rick Robbins, executive vice president, director of integrated marketing; Liv Tolefson, account executive/public relations specialist; Jennifer Jones, art director; Pete Proper, art director working primarily in production; Melissa Risdall, Internet researcher, and Kelly Becker, administrative assistant.

New accounts at Risdall Advertising include:

• 3M ICSD, Eagan, identification and converter systems division of 3M. RAA will conduct a survey via the internet.



• Birchwood Casey, Minneapolis, a manufacturer of firearms products. Agency of record.



• Boomerang Group/I.C. System, Minneapolis, the product of a union between I.C. System and Risdall Advertising. Together they offer clients complete creative services, innovative database marketing solutions and full in-house production. RAA will create collateral materials and an introductory direct mail campaign.



• C.G. Hill, Mounds View, a repair parts and custom-designed equipment company, RAA will create a new company brochure and corporate identity.



• Cummins Diesel/Onan, Fridley, a world leader in diesel engine manufacturing, RAA will create a publicity campaign.



• Marvin Windows, Warroad, custom window manufacturer. RAA will create a "special colors" promotion, including a brochure, in-store promotional items and direct mail.



• Micron Metalworks, Blaine, metalworking company that recently changed names under new ownership. RAA will create a direct mail campaign announcing the name change.



• PowerFlo Products, Minneapolis, maker of best-selling PaintStick, RAA will handle project work for PowerFlo.



• SafeStrap Company, Inc., Sommersworth, N.H., developer of child-safety products for commercial businesses. RAA will help with strategic planning, special promotions and related materials.



• Target Stores, Minneapolis, RAA is working with Target on creating point-of-purchase displays for home water filtration products.



• Treated Water Outsourcing, Naperville, IL. RAA is working on a capabilities brochure and direct mail campaign for TWO, a joint venture of Nalco and U.S. Filter, two world leaders in water treatment chemicals and technologies.



• Vista Technologies, Minneapolis, a new company specializing in the advanced technology of stereolitography and rapid prototyping. RAA is creating a corporate identity, collateral material and a web site.



• Walmart, Bentonville, Ark. RAA is working with Walmart on creating point-of-purchase displays for home water filtration products.



• WMNN AM 1330, Minneapolis, all-news format radio station. RAA will create an outdoor campaign, in addition to other promotional materials.