our story
| 1937: | Thomas and Woodburn, Inc. is founded by Ira A. Thomas in Youngstown, Ohio, on the heels of the Great Depression. |
| 1939: | T&W becomes Meek and Thomas, Inc., serving retail clients like Arby’s and Strouss Department Store. |
| 1945: | After WWII, Meek and Thomas grows from two employees to 15, and the client mix shifts to industrial, with Republic Steel (later LTV, ISG and eventually ArcelorMittal) contributing significantly to the agency’s growth. |
| 1946: | Marcus Advertising is founded by brothers Don and Marvin Marcus in Beachwood, Ohio. |
| 1952: | Marcus Advertising begins live telecast of the Gene Carroll Amateur Show, which becomes the longest-running show in local television. |
| 1967: | Ira A. Thomas retires; Ira D. Thomas is elected president and treasurer. |
| 1971: | Meek and Thomas name is changed to Ira Thomas Associates Inc. |
| 1972: | Two big account wins for Marcus Advertising: the Cleveland Browns and the Ohio Lottery. The longevity of these relationships breaks industry records. |
| 1974: | Marcus Advertising picks up the Cleveland Indians, Manpower and Benjamin Moore as clients. |
| 1976: | Marcus Advertising originates first live Lottery television show in the country. |
| 1980: | Marvin Marcus retires from Marcus Advertising. |
| 1984: | Harvey Scholnick joins Marcus Advertising as executive vice president. Ira Thomas Associates enters the Cleveland market through merger with Gregory, Inc. (De-merges one year later.) |
| 1986: | Marcus Advertising acquires Meldrum & Campbell agency. |
| 1987: | Don Marcus is inducted into the Cleveland Advertising Association Hall of Fame. Ira Thomas Associates posts a million-dollar year. |
| 1988: | Harvey Scholnick is named president of Marcus Advertising. Marcus Advertising acquires Harlan Advertising. |
| 1989: | Ira Thomas Associates spins off Continental Communications Services, Inc. to provide desktop publishing. Jim Nash and Mark Bachmann join Ira Thomas Associates. Ira Thomas Associates bans smoking inside its building. |
| 1990: | Joanne Kim joins Ira Thomas Associates. |
| 1991: | Beth Hallisy joins Ira Thomas Associates. The first dog, Jake, starts coming to the agency. |
| 1993: | Transition plan is adopted at Ira Thomas Associates, naming Jim Nash, Mark Bachmann, Beth Hallisy and Clare Jones as the new management team. |
| 1994: | Ira Thomas Associates Inc. acquires R. J. McCallister & Company and Continental Communication Services. |
| 1995: | Joe Blaha is named chief financial officer. Ira Thomas Associates adds Alltel and IBM to client roster. |
| 1996: | Joanne Kim is named creative director and agency partner. Marcus Advertising celebrates 50-year anniversary. |
| 1997: | Ira Thomas Associates opens Cleveland office, wins Eastman Kodak business. |
| 1998: | Ira Thomas Associates launches first Web site. Johnsonite and Swagelok come on board as clients. |
| 1999: | Interactive is added to Ira Thomas Associates’ core service lines. |
| 2000: | Ira Thomas Associates Inc. and Marcus Advertising merge to form Marcus Thomas LLC. |
| 2001: | Harvey Scholnick is inducted into the Cleveland Advertising Association Hall of Fame. Don Marcus retires. Alcoa becomes first major new business win for combined entity. |
| 2002: | Marcus Thomas moves to new headquarters in Highlands Business Park. |
| 2003: | Agency celebrates new clients: Akron Children’s Hospital, Caterpillar and Libbey. |
| 2004: | Ira D. Thomas retires from Marcus Thomas, but continues involvement on a consultant basis. Enter Diebold, Pfaltzgraff and Truseal. |
| 2005: | Agency wins its first Nestlé account. |
| 2006: | Harvey Scholnick retires from Marcus Thomas, but remains a member of the board. Bob Grimm is first to celebrate 30 years at Marcus Thomas. MTD becomes a client. |
| 2007: | Marcus Thomas posts first million-dollar month. Marcus Thomas celebrates 70-year anniversary. Oster joins the family. |
| 2008: | Jennifer Hirt-Marchand, Ellen Russell and Jim Sollisch become senior vice presidents and members of the executive committee. Jim Nash is appointed president of MAGNET, an international network of agencies. Marcus Thomas is named “coolest space” in Cleveland by Crain’s Cleveland Business. |
| 2009: | Beth Hallisy is elected to the executive committee of PRSA’s International Counselors Academy. Joanne Teets celebrates her 30th anniversary with the agency. |
