NEW YORK: Sloane & Company has promoted two former MDs, Darren Brandt and Whit Clay, to serve as co-CEOs, the firm said on Monday.
They are teaming up to replace founder and CEO Elliot Sloane, effective immediately. He will continue to advise the firm and about 10 clients. The agency, which specializes in crisis and financial communications and public affairs, was acquired by MDC Partners in April 2010.
"This is about giving my partners the chance to run a company they helped create, and for me to focus on the things I love the most, which is the client business," Sloane said.
Sloane formed the firm in 1998, working from his bedroom, after leaving his position as EVP and GM of Edelman’s New York financial practice. He worked with Brandt and Clay at Edelman. Brandt joined Sloane & Company in 1998 and Clay did the same in 1999.
With a background in financial and media relations, as well as public affairs, Clay said his three focus areas are technology, media and telecommunications, and the energy business. He added that Brandt, who was not immediately available for comment, specializes in healthcare, financial services, and some consumer brand retail.
Sloane & Company’s clients include AMC Networks, IMAX, athenahealth, and Walgreens.
"Continuing to serve our clients is our most important priority," Clay said. "And this division of responsibility and sharing of labor, so to speak, is going to better enable us to do those things."
