NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — MDC Partners (www.mdc-partners.com) announced today that they have acquired a majority interest in Laird+Partners (www.lairdandpartners.com), a New York based creative agency specializing in fashion, lifestyle and luxury branding communications. Founded by Trey Laird in 2002, Laird+Partners works with its clients on a broad range of initiatives from traditional advertising to comprehensive digital services.

By far one of the leading firms in their field, Laird+Partners teams with leading global designers and brands including Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Coty, Tory Burch, Bottega Veneta, St. John, Hermes, Rag & Bone, and Vera Wang, among others. L+P is also rapidly expanding its client base outside fashion with assignments from Hilton, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and Amazon. The partnership with MDC will allow Laird+Partners to accelerate its international growth plans, particularly in Europe and China, where many of their clients are actively driving new initiatives, as well as quickly expand the capabilities of its fast growing digital division.

“MDC is a perfect strategic and cultural fit for Laird,” said Trey Laird, Chief Executive Officer and Creative Officer of Laird+Partners. “They have an entrepreneurial independent spirit that greatly mirrors our own vision. Our success in blending strong strategic brand building with high impact visual style for our clients can be significantly enhanced through this partnership with MDC. Additionally, we now have the appropriate firepower behind us to continue to deepen our capabilities beyond the luxury and fashion categories to create a formidable presence abroad.”

“Our partnership with Laird is yet another example of how we are building the firm of the future,” said Miles Nadal, Chairman and CEO of MDC Partners. “Laird is nimble, entrepreneurial, media agnostic, and built on a foundation of true talent that innovates and creates with the aim to transform clients’ businesses. While Laird is a high-end luxury agency at its core, the firm’s unique ability to bring these same sensibilities to its entire client portfolio is a compelling growth opportunity. Laird is a perfect addition to our tremendous roster of creative agencies, especially as we continue to build our international presence. Their creative brilliance is yet another example that MDC is truly ‘The Place Where Great Talent Lives.'”

About MDC Partners, Inc.

MDC is a Business Transformation Organization that utilizes technology, marketing communications, data analytics, insights and strategic consulting solutions to drive meaningful returns on Marketing and Communications Investments for multinational clients in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean.

MDC’s durable competitive advantage is to Empower the Most Talented Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders to Drive Business Success to new levels of Achievement, for both our Clients and our Shareholders, reinforcing MDC’s reputation as “The Place Where Great Talent Lives.”

MDC Partners’ Class A shares are publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “MDCA” and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “MDZ.A”.

CONTACT:
Katie Kempner
305-646-7366
kkempner@mdc-partners.com

SOURCE MDC Partners