MARC USA Hires Jerry Thompson from Ketchum to Expand PR Discipline

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fast growing independent marketing and advertising agency MARC USA announced that it is expanding its Public Relations capability with the hire of veteran industry leader Jerry Thompson, who is joining the agency in the newly created position of EVP Director of Public Relations.  He comes to MARC from Ketchum Public Relations, where most recently he led Ketchum Energy, the agency's global energy industry consulting group.

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"PR is a critical part of every client engagement for us today," explained Michele Fabrizi, President and CEO of MARC USA.  "Day one, Jerry will have an impact on our ability to provide senior leadership to our clients and results driven, integrated solutions.  We also believe his deep experience in the energy and tech sectors will help us expand our business in these fast changing industries."

Joining MARC USA is a homecoming for Thompson, a Pittsburgh native who led Ketchum's Pittsburgh office for four years, during which it won six PRSA Silver Anvil awards. He moved to Atlanta to lead the agency's work for The Home Depot account and then launched Ketchum Energy, the agency's global network of consultants working across the energy industry spectrum.

"MARC is one of the very few agencies to have fully broken down the marketing discipline silos to provide clients with seamless solutions across all channels," noted Thompson. "Clients want – and need – to take advantage of the full range of earned, owned, shared and paid media. There is immense opportunity to align MARC's behavioral science strategic approach and strong retail focus with engagement efforts across the stakeholder spectrum.  I'm looking forward to helping MARC and its clients fully leverage the value of integrated marketing communications for business, reputation and brand management in today's rapidly changing marketplace."

MARC USA provides PR capabilities to such clients as Rite Aid, Pennsylvania Lottery, Lanxess, Cooper Tire and Rubber, DePaul University, Carle Foundation Hospital and Capital Blue Cross among others. Its PR practice has grown to 15 employees and includes an expanding Social Media offering. Thompson will have oversight for the agency's PR capabilities and will be a member of the agency's senior leadership team.  He will report to Ms. Fabrizi.  

"We are committed to building and investing to make our PR capability an even more vital part of our overall offering," said Ms. Fabrizi.  "Hiring Jerry takes us to a new level."

A highly awarded and seasoned PR executive, Mr. Thompson has counseled a wide range of blue chip clients including VISITFLORIDA, NextEra Energy, FedEx, Delta Airlines, Celanese, Mitsubishi Nuclear, Georgia-Pacific, Husqvarna, Olympic paint and stain, Irwin Tools, Alcoa and Heinz.   In addition to his experience in the high growth energy and tech sectors, he has strong background in consumer packaged goods, chemicals, tourism, food, associations and home improvement products and services.  

Prior to his long tenure at Ketchum, Thompson was VP of Marketing for the Steel Recycling Institute and worked at Burson-Marsteller, another global PR firm.  He holds a B.S. in Communication and Journalism from Indiana State University, and his work has been recognized with various industry awards including three PRSA Silver Anvils and one Bronze Anvil.

About MARC USA (www.marcusa.com)

MARC USA is a national full-service integrated marketing communications firm known for creating game-changing business solutions through big ideas, insight and the creative application of new technology. With offices in Chicago, Miami and Pittsburgh, 200 employees and more than $320 million in annual billings, it is one of the largest independent agencies in the country. Services include advertising, strategic planning, research, public relations, social marketing, media planning and buying, interactive marketing, direct and customer relationship marketing and sales promotion. 

SOURCE MARC USA