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MDR attracts new clients and adds more talent, prompting major relocation

Since 1974, those seeking creative advertising and media often look to a quaint house on Santa Fe Street. It’s been a long-time fixture of the neighborhood. But steady growth has caused this team to finally outgrow their home. Soon, the agency plans to relocate to a more efficient and modern space in Downtown Corpus Christi.

“This move not only signals a new chapter in our company’s story, but it will allow us to better serve our clients,” says Stephen Rybak, Owner and Chief Creative Officer. “The new office will be more efficient, with more open workspace where our team can collaborate and share ideas.”

The agency move comes at a time of revival of the downtown area. “This is an opportunity to be involved in the rebirth of the soul of our city,” says Nancy Zuniga, Account Executive. “The timing for it couldn’t be better.”

With demolition of the new space almost complete, the plan is to completely renovate the 11th floor of the Wilson Building. Located at 545 N. Upper Broadway, the building was originally constructed in 1927 as The Nixon Building. Perched above the iconic balustrade, it was the first skyscraper to rise above Corpus Christi.

“It has tons of character and history,” says Rybak. “As an evolving agency, we really value that. We thought it was only fitting that our company—which thrives on being original—would create its new home in one of the city’s historic buildings. This concept, uniting the old with the new, is what has kept us successful for so many years.”

The move will be a big shift for the agency, whose first clients were some of Corpus Christi’s oldest and most recognized businesses, including Whataburger, Andrews Distributing, USS Lexington, Red Carpet Carwash and Menger Automotive. Today, they continue to attract notable clients like NavyArmy Community Credit Union, NEC Co-op Energy, Port Corpus Christi, Del Mar College, Shiner and HEB. MDR has made a name for itself over the years, building honest relationships with its clients and forging ahead as one of the city’s longest-living and most recognized ad agencies—a rare breed this day and age.

“Our home on Santa Fe is full of history and great memories, serving us well for over four decades,” says Fred Dotts, one of the agency’s original partners. “But we have no doubt we can recreate that same magic in our new space.”

As the new office continues to undergo construction, the group plans to be moved in by this spring.