• by Larissa Faw , August 29, 2014

Last year, Publicis Groupe created Level Studios, a new digital marketing agency within its Rosetta division, to focus specifically and solely on one client: Apple.

Now, Level is expanding its scope. The agency, which has been separated from Rosetta and is now a stand-alone agency with Publicis Groupe, has promoted Dan Connolly from Partner to the newly created role of President to oversee all business units within Level Studios. As Partner, he previously focused on leading team and client relationships, but as President, he will focus on Level’s expansion through new client business, building out the core components of the agency, and leading market-facing business initiatives.

All 125 employees across offices located in California and the United Kingdom will report to Connolly, who is based in California.

Connolly originally joined Level in 2008 as an Account Supervisor before moving up the ranks to Partner and now President. 

Meanwhile, Level is rapidly growing in size, clients and stature within Publicis Groupe. Connolly’s promotion coincides with a major hiring spree for the agency. There are more than 50 current open positions for skilled creatives, technologists and client service representatives.

At the top of its list of key hires is a senior business development officer who will lead its pursuit of new business. The agency also plans to open an additional office in San Francisco before the end of the year.

“Our unique status within the Publicis Groupe has positioned Level Studios to enter into a phase of rapid growth, both domestically and abroad, allowing us to expand our client roster and attract the industry’s best talent,” said Connolly.

Although Publicis re-launched this unit last year to concentrate on Apple, Level Studios has actually been around for numerous years. The agency originally began in the '90s as Web Associates. Then, Web Associates rebranded itself as Level Studios, and was acquired by Rosetta in 2010.

With last year’s re-launch Level’s structure and delivery model were developed in close partnership with Apple to ensure alignment across operations, workflows and processes.