Stagwell

New York-based MDC Partners Inc. is an advertising and marketing holding company structured as a partnership model- in which it initially acquires a majority stake in its partner agency- leaving a percentage of ownership with the founder. It has more than fifty partner firms worldwide.  In August 2021- following the merger of The Stagwell Group with MDC Partners- a group of multichannel agencies named Stagwell was formed. 

MDC Partners was founded as Multi Discipline Communications in 1980 in Toronto by Miles Nadal and company held an IPO on 16 October 1987.

The company operated two divisions in the Nineties: Marketing and Communications- and Secure Transaction Products which included the production of cheques- credit and debit cards- tickets- and stamps. Toward the end of the Nineties MDC concentrated on growing its marketing and communications business.. and continued to expand into the United States.. surpassing CAD$1 billion in revenue in 2000 through acquisitions and organic growth.

In 2001 MDC formed its first partnership with the agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky and in three years the company changed its name to MDC Partners Inc. In 2008 MDC became the first advertising company to build a capability designed for automated or programmatic media trading with the formation of Varick Media Management. The company went on to acquire Anomaly in 2010 and 72andSunny the following year.

On 21 July 2015 Miles Nadal resigned as CEO in response to an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding executive pay and accounting practices. Nadal agreed to pay back $1.9 million in expenses and $10.6 million in salary and bonuses. He did not receive any severance or compensation on his resoignation. Chief Accounting Officer Michael Sabatino also announced his resignation and would reportedly repay $208,000 in bonuses. MDC's presiding director of the board- Scott Kauffman succeeded Miles Nadal as Chairman and CEO.

In December 2015 the company ranked eighth in Advertising Age's global ranking of Agency Networks by cumulative award wins. In June 2016 MDC announced the first acquisition under Kauffman of Swedish creative agency Forsman and Bodenfors, forming a strategic partnership with sister agency CP+B. In April 2018 MDC acquired a 51 per cent majority stake in digital creative agency Instrument for an undisclosed amount.

In March 2019 Mark Penn was named CEO of MDC Partners. Penn’s career spans forty years in market research, advertising, public relations, polling and consulting. He has advised top world leaders including presidents, led companies and written two bestselling books. In 2021 Penn spearheaded the combination of digital services leader The Stagwell Group and global creative network MDC Partners creating Stagwell Inc: a top 10 global marketing services firm that brings together the top award-winning creatives in the world with the best connected technologies to transform marketing.

"I try to remember that it’s not necessarily about what everybody else thinks at that moment. It’s really about, "Are you going to have the kind of strength and fortitude to carry through with what you believe in, even against the odds?" That's what's made me a tough competitor and a fighter that people relied upon through their difficult situations" he says- per markpenn.com

The Stagwell Group invested $100 million in the company. The company is headquartered in New York City and operates a corporate office in Toronto where it was founded. According to industry reports MDC does not acquire agencies and instead partners with agency management by acquiring a 51 to 80 percent initial stake. Instead of integrating the firms.. acquired agencies continue to manage their own operations. MDC provides support to the agencies in which it has invested including business strategy and financial resources. Today it is a digital-first global marketing network that delivers scalable seamless solutions through a combination of creativity and leading-edge technology.

The agency's mission is grounded in the conviction that the modern marketplace necessitates a new breed of marketing companies. Their core philosophy revolves around seamlessly integrating in-depth data- insightful analytics- and a profound comprehension of the evolving digital landscape. By embracing this holistic approach.. the agency strives to revolutionize the way businesses engage with their audience. 

The team believes that true success in the digital age is achieved by harnessing the power of data-driven insights.. enabling brands to not only adapt to the rapidly changing market dynamics but also to proactively shape the future. With a global network of innovative agencies at their disposal.. the agency is equipped to think beyond conventional boundaries.. adapt swiftly to emerging trends.. and deliver exceptional value to some of the world's most ambitious brands. In essence their mission is to be the catalyst that propels these brands to new heights, leveraging data, analytics, and a profound digital acumen to unlock untapped opportunities and achieve unparalleled success in the industry.

The agency is rooted in the belief that the marketplace demands new marketing companies that combine in-depth data- insightful analytics and a clear understanding of the digital landscape. Its global network of forward-thinking agencies empowers it to think bigger- adapt faster- and provide greater value for some of the world's most ambitious brands.

The agency helps its clients transform for a digital-driven economy by evolving their creative, media, technology, digital platforms, audiences and products to create fully integrated marketing strategies that drive impactful results. This includes digital transformation- research and insights- global media and content- public affairs and advocacy- and compelling creative.