Hart, a full-service marketing agency with offices in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio, and Detroit and Washington, D.C., has announced the appointment of Amanda Marko as managing director of its D.C. office. Marko joins the agency’s leadership team to drive strategic growth, foster innovation and expand Hart’s visibility in the D.C. market where the agency has been steadily building its presence for the past three years.

Hart established itself in D.C. after acquiring MDB Communications in 2021, a long-standing independent agency known for its work with the DC Lottery and Destination DC, among others. Now, with Hart in the lead, D.C. area partners like Graham Holdings Company, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Events DC have joined the roster of noteworthy clients.

With extensive experience in communications strategy, change leadership and stakeholder engagement, Marko brings a corporate and public affairs perspective to Hart’s growing client roster of mission-driven associations, nonprofits and corporations.

“Organizations are navigating increasingly complex terrain – tight budgets, disengaged members and rapidly shifting expectations,” said Marko. “Hart is uniquely positioned to help them cut through the noise and create lasting impact through brand clarity, aligned experiences and a powerful value proposition that’s actually felt.”

She highlighted the urgent need for alignment over tactics in today’s communications landscape. It’s a perspective that resonates with Hart’s brand transformation approach: building connection, clarity and loyalty by putting purpose and experience at the center of communications.

“Amanda’s strategic insight and collaborative leadership style make her the ideal leader to expand our presence and partnerships in the D.C. market,” said Hart’s President Marc Paulenich. “She brings not only deep understanding of multiple audiences, but also the ability to translate strategy into action.”

Hart’s presence in Washington, D.C., reflects the agency’s continued investment in helping organizations navigate uncertainty in a shifting political, economic and communications environment. Under Marko’s leadership, the agency aims to become a go-to strategic partner for organizations seeking transformation across brand, employee and customer experiences to create meaningful brand momentum.

About Hart
Hart is a full-service, independent brand transformation agency that creates growth for middle-market companies in the new experience economy. Hart’s promise of Every Day Greater™ is an outgrowth of the agency’s distinctive capability to move audiences from apathy to advocacy by designing and deploying empowering, unified brand experiences. Established in 1965 and headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, with offices in Columbus, Ohio, Detroit and Washington, D.C., Hart partners with B2C and B2B brands across industries to unlock clarity, amplify purpose and create momentum. Learn more at hartinc.com.