• by Larissa Faw , June 5, 2014

Michael Bassik, CEO of Burson-Marsteller's Proof Integrated Communications digital division, is joining MDC Partners as managing director and president of Digital Operations.

Bassik will be responsible for partnering with MDC’s strategic communications firms, including public relations, corporate communications and financial communications consulting.

Parallel to those duties, Bassik will play a digital role at MDC to help develop and lead digital and social strategy and initiatives in partnership with agencies. Ultimately, his duties will concentrate on supporting MDC's growth and development, as well as lead the network in all areas of digital and social media strategy. 

Bassik has varied experience developing strategic partnerships across the industry and creating award-winning digital media programs for corporations, advocacy organizations and political campaigns. He has worked with IBM, Google, Democratic National Committee and the presidential campaigns of John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. 

“The MDC Strategic Communications Group of agencies have long shown themselves to be innovative in the marketplace and are enjoying tremendous growth as clients seek ever-greater return on their marketing investments,” said Miles Nadal, Founder and CEO, MDC Partners.

“At the same time, we are observing increasing demand for the type of creative digital strategy that MDC agencies – across advertising, public relations, analytics and insights – are known for. As we continue to enrich our Strategic Resources group with deep, discipline-specific expertise, Michael’s experience in both areas is sure to help us even further accelerate our clients’ and agencies’ success,” Nadal added.

Bassik's position is new, but the structure is not unique to MDC Partners, as it has several corporate managing directors that each work with a broad group of holding company resources, such as communications or advertising, rather than operating under the typical corporate hierarchy.

Bassik will be based in New York City and will report to both MDC Partners Network CFO Andre Coste and CEO Miles Nadal.