MDC Launches New Integrated Network

MDC Partners has announced the formation of a new agency network combining Doner, one of its largest US ad agencies, with six specialist agencies whose expertise includes data-driven strategy and agile production facilities.

The six are Canadian influencer marketing and PR offering Veritas (including sister agency Meat&Produce); shopper marketing agency 6Degrees Integrated Communications, based in Toronto and New York; US-based brand and ad agency Yamamoto; Canadian creative, tech and media agency Union; transatlantic brand strategy and digital PR agency KWT Global; New York & LA-based luxury and lifestyle PR agency HL Group.

With a dozen offices and more than 700 employees across North America, the new network has a Chair, Doner CEO David DeMuth; and two Vice-Chairs, Krista Webster, CEO of Veritas and Meat&Produce; and Kathy McCuskey, CEO of Yamamoto. Agency CEOs Troy Yung (6Degrees), Lynn Tesoro (HL Group), Aaron Kwittken (KWT Global), and Sub Nijjar (Union), will continue to lead their individual firms.

The move continues the efforts of Chairman and CEO Mark Penn (pictured) to re-energise the firm, which had suffered a challenging few years. Penn took over the roles in March after his Stagwell Group took a $100m stake. A two-year turnaround plan was announced in May.

Penn says the new network 'will deliver unparalleled storytelling, brand building and performance to the North American marketplace', while DeMuth comments: 'This is all about evolving the agency model. In a world where more entrepreneurial entities compete with well-established holding companies, a fresh, collaborative take on how firms can adapt today - while better serving their clients - has more to offer than looking in the rear-view mirror'.

MDC Partners comprises more than 50 partner-companies including a number of market research, shopper marketing and data and analytics specialists; and is online at www.mdc-partners.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.