Rutter Communications was founded in 1987 in Muncie, Indiana by two local entrepreneurs, Tom Rutter and Brad Benbow. Cable television was in its infancy and all over the country, MSO's were intent on building out to homes in both municipal and rural areas. Rutter and Benbow saw an opportunity for local businesses to affordably advertise on television and the company's first representation agreement was struck with local cable provider, Century Communications.

The entrepreneurial pair hired two additional employees, King Lumpkin, who would later become the company's 2nd President and Scott Smalstig, later to become executive Vice President.

The first ads went on the air in December of 1987. Within just a few short years, the operation expanded to over ten employees and sales of over $1 million. The Rutter Way was attractive to many cable companies, who were more interested in expanding their household penetration versus selling advertising time. Rutter began forging ad sales agreements with many of the country's premier cable providers including Time Warner, Adelphia and Comcast.

Over the next decade, Rutter markets consistently outperformed peer cable ad sales operations by double digits. This success was due in large part to an approach that offered more comprehensive advertising planning services and a community commitment in markets previously underserved.

By the late 1990's, Rutter Media, the cable ad sales division of Rutter Communications, had expanded to twelve different cable markets across the U.S. from Connecticut to California, in addition to the original Muncie system. Employment rose to over 100 associates and video production operations were expanded to accommodate the growing need for creative services.

In 2001, Rutter launched Ideavenue, a full service video production affiliate in Indianapolis. The new division focused on film and video production for a variety of clients throughout the Midwest including the Indiana Chamber, Kelly School of Business at Indiana University and a variety of hospitals, corporate clientele and non-profit entities.

In 2006, as new media and new technology began to change consumer habits, Rutter launched their newest division, Fusework Studios. With a direct emphasis on Internet marketing, the latest operation is focused on Web development and hosting, networking, online marketing strategies and a host of IT services. This new affiliate integrates well with Rutter's existing Television and film production operations as clients look to drive traffic to their Web sites and utilize podcasts and other streaming video content as communication tools.