We stay one step ahead by staying true to our values.

For some, it’s a bold feat. For us, it’s the only way.

Our Promise

Clarity is our special sauce. We know the world is bursting with information, misinformation, data, expert opinions and crowd-sourced reactions.

It’s time to get to what matters and give your brand a competitive advantage. That’s Clarity.

Why does it matter? Because decisions are made with the head, but commitments are made with the heart. Clarity is how we connect the heart of your brand to the heart of your target.

Are you ready to let clarity define you?

Our Team

Meet the people powered by clarity.

Tighe Merkert

CEO

Family, food and friends. One of seven kids in a family where everyone brought a friend to dinner, Tighe learned these values early—along with a natural understanding of food, beverage, hospitality and how to please crowds. A very successful foodservice career naturally ensued. Recognizing a real need for businesses that understand client and customer insights held the door wide open to running an agency. All the while, the game of golf fascinated Tighe from an early age, carrying his own bag through Division I golf up until today. Good business, good friends, food and hospitality all start there.

David Melnick

Partner / EVP of Brand Integration

I’m a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll (and a little jazz, bluegrass, hip hop…). But one thing is for certain, I will always be surrounded by music. Friday night jamborees with the wife and kids? Check. Stop-light car karaoke? For sure. Music inspires, provokes thought and makes you feel. But most importantly, music connects people.  A great marketing strategy will do the same thing, if you have the right group playing the song. Good news is, I’m jamming with a pretty tight band.

Rob Levine

Partner / President

The food industry is kind of in my blood—I’ve had two great uncles and a grandfather in the business to prove it. I’ve planned ticker tape parades for Wendy the Snapple Lady, penned op-ed pieces on school lunch, and I’ll fight the first person who doesn’t think the best pizza is from New Haven (forgot to mention I’m a Connecticut native). Other than that, I like to run marathons and spend time with my wife, two kids and our dog, Shepley. I’d tell you how he got his name, but it’s a long story.

Anne Torregrossa

VP of Client Services

Client services isn't for the weak and weary. We are the organizers of chaos. The calm in the storm. The believers in magic. And I have a pretty amazing team of wizards and magicians that work hard to deliver exceptional services every day.

Jessica Painter

VP, Creative

As a PSU alum, I am a natural when it comes to tailgating. Depending the day, you can find me playing in intramural leagues or doing anything that involves running. Running really fast is the best. When things don't go my way, I believe a good dirty martini is the best way to end a bad day.

Trey Buckingham

VP of Technology

Golf is my thing. I’m ready for tee time, anytime. When I’m not golfing or spending time with my family, you can probably find me behind the grill cooking up something amazing. I’m a big Baltimore sports fan, too—go O’s and Ravens!

Nicole Morant

VP of Production

Travel, art and interior design are core to who I am! I love culture, food and music in new places. I’m excited by a blank canvas or being behind a camera. I’m always changing my environment with color, texture and fabric to create an unexplored perspective. It’s key to growth, evolution and clarity.

Wendy Simms

VP of Media / Performance

Home, family, nature—enjoying the simple things in life. Pet adoption is my passion—finding homes for unwanted animals. I would take them all in if I could, but I have my two rescue dogs, Hannah and Henry, who now rule my heart and my home.

Nikki Harris

Controller / Director of HR

Growing up on a farm made me appreciate the beauty of fresh fruits and veggies. Could be one of the reasons I’m a plant-based eater. Coming back to an agency that specializes in food & beverage is really exciting. Walking through the office & talking about our customers every day makes me hungry!

Strategic Partners

If we don’t have an answer, we know people who do. Meet the best-in-class industry experts who serve as an extension of our team.

Anne-Marie Roerink

Principal, 210 Analytics, LLC

Anne-Marie is one of the most prolific and sought-after market researchers in the food and beverage industry. She collaborates closely with key stakeholders, providing deep consumer insights as a catalyst for growth. Anne-Marie is a renowned speaker at industry events, covering topics including meat, seafood, produce, bakery, and candy.

Shannon Gray

CEO, Gray Research Solutions

Founder of Gray Research Solutions, Shannon is a cultural anthropologist specializing in consumer behavior and the travel industry. Shannon is a certified Tourism Marketing Professional and an instructor at Southeast Tourism Society's Marketing College, focusing on tourism research and target market segmentation.

Dave Taub

Founder, T&S Marketing

Dave specializes in spearheading integrated digital solutions encompassing strategy, product, development, marketing and sales. With over 25 years of industry expertise, he’s skillfully guided enterprise-level clients in digital transformation and product innovation, creating unique, impactful solutions that deliver on key success metrics.

Our Culture

We want every Marriner to be authentically themselves. That’s why our halls are filled with data nerds and visionaries, artists and analysts, dreamers and doers.

It’s a powerful diversity of perspectives. But what unites us all is a deep commitment to the work, a generosity of spirit and an innate curiosity.

Community Engagement

We’re proud to support causes close to our hearts, including Feeding America, the Maryland Food Bank and the Oyster Recovery Project.

Want to join us?

Open Positions

We're searching for genuine people who have an insatiable curiosity, a knack for thinking outside the box and a love for diving headfirst into uncharted territory. 
If you have an interest or background in food and hospitality, even better!

Want to work with us?

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