Vancouver-based digital agency Engine Digital said this month it will expand into the U.S. market to better serve clients stateside by opening an office in Manhattan. Engine recruited Michael Aaron to lead the new office as VP client strategy. He was previously COO at the social media agency Attention, where he was responsible for productivity processes and efficiencies.

Engine, which employs about 20 people in its Vancouver office, plans to start small in New York with current CEO Stephen Beck and Aaron heading up the efforts for the time being. “The short-term plan is to keep New York focused on client services and business development and keep creative and production in Vancouver,” Beck told strategy.

Engine has a U.S. client base that includes brands like Bravo TV, MTV, The Teaching Company and the NBA. It does a variety of digital work for brands, including creating mobile apps and online platforms, as well as developing an overall digital strategy. “There’s a lot of opportunity [in New York] for shops like us. There’s a lot of brands looking for exactly what we’re good at and the mix of capabilities we have that may be different from a lot of the bigger agencies,” says Beck.

In Canada, Engine works with clients like B.C. Hydro and Great Western Brewing. Beck adds several are currently eyeing digital products like mobile-based apps, but who also want to invest heavily in the desktop web.

Pictured: Stephen Beck, Engine Digital founder and CEO (left); Michael Aaron, VP client strategy.

Correction: This article originally stated that Michael Aaron was CEO at Attention.