Milwaukee-based The Marcus Corp. has launched a new business focused on digital marketing called Graydient Creative.
The separate business was formed through the expansion of internal Marcus functions related to the entertainment and hospitality company’s digital marketing efforts. It has 17 employees.
The digital marketing company offers a range of digital solutions, including website design and development, web and mobile application development, content strategy, social media management, search engine optimization, e-commerce solutions, email marketing solutions and augmented reality technology. Its target clients are hospitality, entertainment, retail, restaurants, spa and wellness and amusement companies.
Graydient is currently located in the Marcus Corp. offices at 100 E. Wisconsin Ave., but its leaders expect to outgrow that space in the next six months and are already evaluating new office spaces. They plan to move into a 4,000- to 6,000-square-foot office downtown, said Peter Engel, chief technology officer of Marcus Hotels & Resorts.
“As a matter of fact, we’ve got enough work lined up now that we’re in hiring mode,” Engel said.
The legal spinoff occurred Jan. 1, and Graydient has been building its client base in the hospitality, entertainment and restaurant industries.
“Mainly, we have been growing with every new piece of business we get,” said Shawn Spartz, director of creative & development for Graydient Creative. “We’re hiring to accommodate that new business. I think they really appreciate the fact that we understand hospitality, we understand restaurants and what their needs are.”
“The client base will become much more varied, which kind of will broaden our skills and we’ll be able to bring those skills back and apply them at Marcus,” Engel said.
