A Tribute to Marc

Marc in 2008
Marc’s MK 50th Anniversary Photo in 2008

Marc Wortsman,  our EVP/GM, will be retiring at the end of this month. He worked for 30 years at Marden-Kane, making all promotions he touched the best they could be, every client feel like they were the most important, and each co-worker valued. We will miss our friend and mentor, and wanted to honor him with a look back (and forward) with some great memories and well wishes for the next phase. Good luck Marc! We will miss you!

Please leave a comment below to add your own Marc tribute and wish for the future!

 

I recall my first meeting with Marc at MK. He had his sleeves rolled up and was deeply involved in preparing a client project, directing some of the MK staff to check on a legal or technical issue of some sort. What a first impression it was to see a seasoned marketer take such a passionate, hands on approach to his client’s business, making sure their needs were taken care of first and that the project was to be carried out flawlessly. Through his career, Marc mastered the art of staying involved in the day-to-day account work to make sure his high standards were met, while at the same time giving his staff the autonomy to work and grow and make a positive contribution to the process. Opening the Marden-Kane Interactive Department at a time when many agencies were still figuring out what the Internet even was, is a testimony to his forward thinking and clear vision for the Company.

It was truly my pleasure to work for Marc and I’m proud to consider him a mentor and true friend.

Rich

Marc and Gang in the Early 90's.
Marc and Gang in the Early 90’s.

In the late 80’s during my first tour of duty here at Marden-Kane, Marc was my immediate supervisor.   He patiently took an enthusiastic but pretty unstructured kid and did some course correcting.  One of these corrections was insisting I put Marden-Kane on our client correspondence.  Apparently I had the bad habit of sending clients what he termed “mystery memos.”  I was happy to accept instruction then and continue to receive words to live by from Marc to this day. Anyways, I showed him my gratitude back then by inviting him and his son Jeremy, who was like 10 years old at the time, out on a speedboat I owned up on the Long Island Sound.  We all got knocked around a bit.  Hey, it wasn’t the captain it was the weather, yeah the weather.  But by the end of the day I’m pretty sure they both decided that boat ownership would not be part of their future plans.  I wish you all the best Marc and thank you again for all the guidance you have given me through the years.

 Paul S.

Marc with Gibby and Fae
Marc with Gibby Kane and Fae Savignano on the MK 40th Anniversary Cruise

Happy Retirement, Marc! May you make the most of your new 7 day weekend. May you have a very happy retirement.  Enjoy!

Cheryl

Mr Ed Meets Marc
Mr Ed Meets Marc

What I’ll most remember about Marc is his great love of animals, especially cats. With us both being animal lovers, we often shared stories about our present pets, and reminisced fondly about past ones.

I’ll also recall Marc’s participation in our company’s Wii Bowling tournament. Marc was more competitive than most of the participants, but also clearly enjoyed himself more as well. He ended up being one of the strongest performers in the tournament.

Good luck Marc! I will miss you!

Paul C.

MK Christmas 2000
MK Christmas 2000

I remember my last day in the NY office when you wished me well on my journey to moving to Chicago. I now wish you a bon voyage in your awesome new journey.  Only the best for you Marc – you deserve it. Don’t take any wooden nickels or buy any bridges. Be well, best regards!

Adam

marc in 2006
Barbara, Marc, Jessie, Alan and Fae in 2006

Thank you Marc for being an excellent listener. I admire you because the high standards you set for your professional life extend beyond the workplace. Your keen interest in your clients, co-workers, friends (canine ones, too) and their families and your altruistic activities make it a privilege to know you. Remember our shared “windy city” roots and there’s always next year for da Bears and the Cubbies. May your journey on new paths bring you much joy and contentment.

Rosemary

Marc and Matt: the Dynamic YouTube Duo of 2010
Marc and Matt: the Dynamic YouTube Duo of 2010

My favorite moments with Marc have been brainstorming together on complex promotions whether it was at the round table in his office or over a round pie from Grimaldi’s. I will miss you!

 Katie

marc at the NYSE
Marc ringing the bell at the NYSE

What can I say about Marc? For nearly a dozen years, he’s been a constant source of support, knowledge, and guidance for me both from a professional standpoint as well as a personal one.  He’s been a mentor and a friend – the kind of friend that you can sit in an airport with for hours and not have to say a word. I’m thankful for the time we shared and for the fun memories that will keep me laughing out loud for many years to come – mistaken identities, rain delays, the bistro – good times!   I wish Marc the best as he sets off on his next adventure in life and look forward to hearing all of the new stories that he’ll have to share.

Josephine

marc in san fran
Marc at a client conference recently in San Francisco.