Columbia-based Marriner Marketing Communications, a leading branding and activation agency in the food, beverage and hospitality industries, announced a new executive team and added a new managing partner.

Tighe Merkert, second from left in photo and the majority owner of the agency, will remain the Chief Executive Officer and stay involved in all significant business decisions to advance the growth of the firm. The Partners’ accountabilities will be expanded to handle more of the day-to-day management and innovation for the company.

Rob Levine, a Managing Partner, left in photo, has been appointed the new President and will help set the future vision for Marriner. Levine will also oversee the Client Services and Media & Performance teams to support customers’ goals as well as the agency’s strategic and results-focused approach. He will continue to guide all Planning & Insights initiatives and to champion the voice of the target for our customers. Levine joined Marriner in 2003 and became a Partner in 2013.

Susan Gunther, a Managing Partner, has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations. She will be responsible for optimizing the agency’s processes and systems to achieve an array of tangible products and services to benefit Marriner’s future innovation and customers’ needs. She will oversee Production and Resource Management for the agency and integrate with Human Resources to recruit, develop and build strong teams throughout the organization. Gunther has been with Marriner since 2004 and became a Partner in 2013.

David Melnick, right in photo, becomes a new owner and Managing Partner. He will take on the role of Executive Vice President of Brand Integration. Since joining Marriner in 2016, Melnick’s business development efforts have resulted in new customer wins with Nestlé Professional, National Pork Board, Kent Corporation and Maryland Office of Tourism. In his new position, Melnick will oversee the Creative and Digital teams to support Marriner’s commitment to developing best-in-class integrated marketing campaigns, while continuing to spearhead all business expansion efforts for the firm.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past 32 years. Our reputation as a national agency with an enviable expertise in food, beverage and hospitality is very rewarding. Transitioning the company to proven, senior leaders I know and trust will put Marriner in a position to expand beyond our current success,” said Merkert.