Executive Moves: Two MR&K Staffers Go to CME By Beth Heitzma

In what could be a similar story for other struggling shops across the city this year, creative upstart Mitchiner, Ross & Kahn is closing its doors afte

Effective March 1, Michael Kahn, MRK president/director of client services, moves to CME/KHBB as vp/management supervisor, reporting to CME president/coo Michael Garcia. Marshall Ross, MRK creative director, also moves to the agency as vp/creative director, reporting to senior vp/exec creative director Tom Reilly. The pair will bring at least two accounts with them, The Great Frame Up and Heller Financial, worth roughly $2-3 million. In addition to managing their accounts, both will be involved with new business as time permits.
Six people are being laid off, although most have found other work, according to the partners.
The move comes on the heels of a difficult year in which MRK was bested in a number of new business pitches by agencies with greater media and research capabilities.
‘After five years of building an agency, we came to the conclusion that meeting our clients’ needs in the most effective way simply demanded more resources,’ Kahn said.
Ross maintains that the move will allow the pair to remain faithful to their strategic and creative ideals.
‘CME is a small office here, but they carry a big name and have incredible resources around the country,’ Ross said. ‘They are in a growing stage and we are really excited about being a part of this place.’
The recession and cut-throat competition have put the squeeze on smaller agencies during the past couple of years, putting a number of small shops in jeopardy. The economy, combined with extending itself past its resources, caused Stern Walters Partners last year to fold up shop. Some executives in the city don’t see things improving anytime soon.
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