VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/17/13 --

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Vancouver-based digital transformation agency Engine Digital, announces its expansion into the U.S. with the opening of a New York City office and the addition of Michael Aaron, VP Client Strategy to its leadership team. The agency outpost opened in November at 270 Lafayette in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. Driven by the demand of a growing U.S. client roster that includes Bravo TV, MTV, The Teaching Company and the NBA, the East Coast location will allow the agency to better service existing clients and build new relationships with marketers and product teams.

Engine Digital's New York expansion is the foundation of a larger agency growth strategy that establishes a bi-coastal presence and increases access to key business verticals such as finance, consumer packaged goods, sports, media, and entertainment. The increasing demand of marketing organizations for smaller, specialized agency partners, and the evolving priorities towards brand experiences built with a user experience focus over the traditional disruptive approach of the past fits exceptionally well with Engine Digital's philosophies, core capabilities, expertise, and client work.

"It's a really exciting time to be in the digital agency business," stated Stephen Beck, Engine Digital's Founder and CEO. "There is incredible energy and change happening all around us, both on the agency and client-side, mostly driven by digital media and technology. Part of what makes this move exciting for us, is the access it creates to our clients, target verticals, and the incredible New York Ad Tech community."

To establish and lead the New York office, Engine Digital has recruited Michael Aaron in the role of VP Client Strategy. In addition to adding local market insight, Michael brings over 16 years of digital marketing experience including social media, online advertising, strategic planning, and branded application strategy for clients such as Dell, Smirnoff, Pepperidge Farm, Carl's Jr. and Verizon.

Prior to joining Engine Digital, Michael was Chief Operating Officer at Attention, a 100-person social media agency with offices in New York, Los Angeles and London, where he was responsible for managing the agency's productivity processes and efficiencies. He has served on the leadership teams of several award-winning digital agencies (Tocquigny, Animax, and M2K) and has worked within client-side marketing teams at both Citigroup and Sony Entertainment.

"It's clear that brands are beginning to shift business to highly skilled, nimble, 'specialist' shops like Engine Digital, and that insight played a big role in my decision to join the agency," stated Mr. Aaron. "There is a greater focus now on the digital product as an extension of the brand - so it's critical that you get strategy, UI/UX, and design right from the start. I'm excited to be leading Engine Digital's New York office, supported by an extraordinary team in Vancouver ready to execute on both platform and campaign projects."

In support of the agency's expansion, Mr. Beck, will split his time between Vancouver and New York beginning in early 2013. He will work with Michael to set the foundation, develop new accounts, build strategic partnerships, and provide digital strategy consultation to help client organizations drive new revenue sources and find creative ways to achieve business objectives. The agency plans to add to its headcount in early 2013.

Expansion into the U.S. follows the recent 10-year milestone for Engine Digital in June, and points to not only the continual growth of the agency in headcount, but also in scope and depth of capabilities. Over the past 24 months the agency has developed its five core practice areas: Client Engagement, Insight & Planning, Creative, Technology and Production, and has added key personnel in the areas of Brand Strategy and User Experience, changes driven by the evolving nature of the agency's client engagements, consumer behaviors, digital media and technologies.

About Engine Digital

Engine Digital is an insights-driven, creative agency focused in improving the way organizations reach and connect with consumers and across digital channels. The agency works with forward-thinking organizations that embrace change and recognize the massive opportunities driven by rapidly evolving user behaviors, a constantly changing media landscape, and an ever-growing mix of digital touchpoints across desktop and mobile. Clients include NBA, Bravo TV, MTV, BC Hydro, Telus, Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Co., Western Union, and The Great Courses.

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