Employee Buyout Finalized at Ohio's Largest Independent Advertising Agency

CLEVELAND, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyse Advertising has been sold to a group of employees, led by Michael Marino, President and Chief Executive Officer. The agency, founded in 1951 by Marc and Lois Wyse, has a 56-year history as a regional powerhouse, serving a broad range of both consumer and business-to-business clients nationally and internationally.

"We are delighted that the people who have been managing the agency now have the opportunity to own it," said Lois Wyse and Marc Wyse in a joint statement.

The new ownership team includes four senior-owner Partners, all long-time key contributors at Wyse: Dave Jankowski, Director of Account Management, Sharyn Hinman, Creative Director, Margaret Weitzel, Director of Administration, and Marino.

Other key employees will also assume new ownership positions in the company, and the opportunity for equity in a leading national independent will be a significant incentive for retaining and recruiting the agency's top talents.

At the outset, says Marino, "Our chief promise to our clients is continuity. Creative excellence, in-depth account service, and financial stewardship are part of our heritage here at Wyse. And our clients can expect us to continue to deliver all three."

"However," notes Marino, "This transition allows us to envision a new future for Wyse, and to do so at a time of great change -- and great opportunity -- in the advertising business. With on-staff experts in a broad range of specialties, including brand advertising, direct marketing, e- commerce, and retail marketing, the new Wyse will offer clients and prospects a unique opportunity to take advantage of today's rapidly-changing communications landscape."

With 100 employees, Wyse is a full-service independent agency, with an unusual depth of experience in big-name brand building.

"Cleveland has been prominent on the national advertising scene, and Wyse has been an important part of it," said Marc Wyse. "Now the Wyse legacy will continue here as an asset for Cleveland."

Wyse's client list includes such well-known brand names as Sherwin- Williams, Royal, Marathon, Moen, Champion, Anco, Medical Mutual, Rockwell Automation, Hungry Jack and Wyndham Vacation Ownership.