PITTSBURGH, Jan. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MARC USA announced today that it is starting the year with its interactive and social media practices double the size of last year. "Bringing innovative marketing solutions to our clients through growing digital channels is an expanding focus of the agency," explained Michele Fabrizi, President and CEO.

The dramatic digital growth began as the agency made key leadership hires in its interactive group last April. Chris Heitmann and Chris Pointon joined as EVP Chief Innovation Officer and SVP Marketing Technology, respectively, with each bringing over 20 years of expertise in digital strategy, product development and technical innovation to the agency's already established digital capabilities. Since then, the agency also hired leading interactive strategists in both the Pittsburgh and Chicago offices and is currently seeking to fill the newly-created position of Social Media Director in Pittsburgh as well as nearly 10 other posts, largely in digital areas.

"In 2012, MARC USA experienced one of its best years in terms of both business growth and the expansion of our integrated marketing services," noted Fabrizi. "We're committed to keeping our clients ahead with next generation solutions that leverage the full spectrum of digital channels. We've already brought in over 25 new employees to our interactive and social media groups and now have more than 50 people working directly in these areas."   

In the interactive arena, the agency has delivered break-through solutions in media, mobile, in-store technology, phone and tablet apps for nearly every client.  Its social media marketing group now includes nearly 15 employees who drive content, strategy, as well as monitoring and insight-gathering activities on a wide variety of social platforms, including Facebook, twitter, Pinterest and others.

"Pittsburgh is a great place to work and many up and coming young professionals are drawn to both the city and our agency where they see great growth opportunities as well as the ability to deliver innovative marketing solutions to our clients," said Fabrizi.

The agency's interactive hires cross a wide variety of specialized skills from digital design and production to game development, web site creation and development, social media, search and other areas of digital media specialization.

MARC USA (www.marcusa.com) is a national full-service integrated marketing communications firm known for creating game-changing business solutions. With offices in Chicago, Miami and Pittsburgh, 200 employees and $300 million in annual billings, it is one of the nation's largest independent agencies. Services include advertising, strategic planning, research, public relations, social marketing, media planning/buying, interactive marketing, direct and customer relationship marketing and sales promotion. 

SOURCE MARC USA