Advantage Solutions Strengthens Senior Leadership to Accelerate Growth Strategy
Rhea-AI Summary
Advantage Solutions (NASDAQ: ADV) announced senior leadership changes on Feb 12, 2026 to accelerate its growth strategy. Key moves include Bob Hardester as Chief Information Officer (effective March 2, 2026), Jo O’Hazo promoted to Deputy CIO & Chief Data Officer, David Fall elevated to Chief Growth & Strategy Officer, and George Johnson named COO of Demonstration Services & Workforce Operations.
Management said these changes follow “meaningful operational progress in 2025” and aim to strengthen the company’s technology, data, and commercial capabilities to support sustained growth.
Positive
- Bob Hardester named CIO, effective March 2, 2026
- Jo O’Hazo promoted to Deputy CIO & Chief Data Officer
- David Fall elevated to Chief Growth & Strategy Officer
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, ADV gained 2.60%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. This price movement added approximately $5M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $194M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Several advertising/marketing peers also traded lower today (e.g., ANTE -4.92%, QNST -3.12%, NEXN -1.14%), but no names appeared in the momentum scanner and sector moves were not flagged as coordinated.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 13 | Partner award recognition | Positive | -7.7% | Genpact award for Salesforce-based platform used by Advantage Solutions. |
| Nov 06 | Q3 2025 earnings | Neutral | -2.4% | Q3 2025 results with slight revenue decline but improved profitability and cash flow. |
| Oct 24 | Earnings call scheduling | Neutral | +3.5% | Announcement of Q3 2025 release timing and conference call details. |
Recent positive or neutral news has sometimes coincided with flat-to-negative moves, suggesting muted reactions even to favorable developments.
Over the last few months, ADV news has centered on operations and financial performance. On Nov. 13, 2025, a partner award highlighted technology investment supporting ~4,000 CPG clients, but the stock fell 7.69%. Q3 2025 results on Nov. 6, 2025 showed $915.0M revenue and improved profitability, yet shares slipped 2.44%. An Oct. 24, 2025 announcement simply set the Q3 earnings date and saw a modest 3.45% gain. Today’s leadership changes fit this pattern of operational updates during a challenged share-price backdrop.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement outlines a deeper emphasis on technology, data, and growth roles as ADV seeks to move from transformation to sustained growth. It comes while shares sit 78.5% below their 52-week high and after disclosures of a Nasdaq bid-price deficiency and a proposed reverse stock split. Investors may track execution under the new CIO, data, growth, and operations leaders alongside future earnings, debt metrics, and listing-compliance milestones.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
New appointments and expanded roles position company for sustained performance
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advantage Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: ADV), a leading provider of business solutions to consumer goods manufacturers and retailers, today announced changes to its executive leadership team designed to accelerate its growth strategy.
Key leadership changes include:
- Bob Hardester appointed Chief Information Officer (effective March 2, 2026)
- Jo O’Hazo promoted to Deputy CIO & Chief Data Officer
- David Fall elevated to Chief Growth & Strategy Officer
- George Johnson named COO of Demonstration Services & Workforce Operations
“Every move we’re making is about matching our leadership to where the business is headed,” said Dave Peacock, CEO of Advantage Solutions. “We delivered meaningful operational progress in 2025 and we’re investing in the technology, data, and commercial capabilities our clients and customers need. These leaders are the team to take us from transformation to sustained growth.”
About Bob Hardester
Hardester brings over 20 years of digital transformation experience. At Schnuck Markets, where he served as CIO and Chief Supply Chain Officer, he led ecommerce expansion through Instacart and other partnerships, digitally enabled store operations, and automated supply chain processes.
About Jo O’Hazo
O’Hazo has led Advantage’s data and analytics capabilities, including architecting the company’s data lake and transformative digital initiatives that directly serve clients. Prior to Advantage, she held senior data and technology leadership roles at Giant Eagle, Estée Lauder, Newman’s Own, and Unilever.
About David Fall
Fall brings a deep strategy and CPG background with nearly nine years at Bain & Company. Since joining Advantage two years ago, he has advanced our ability to innovate and scale partnerships and played a pivotal role in advancing the company’s strategic objectives. His expanded role formalizes his leadership of strategic planning and innovation as the company pivots from transformation to sustained growth performance.
About George Johnson
Johnson’s expanded role reflects strong commercial momentum in Advantage’s demonstration services business and positions the company to capitalize on growing demand. As COO of Demonstration Services and Workforce Operations, Johnson will oversee both commercial strategy and operational execution for the company’s demonstration and workforce capabilities — areas Advantage sees as a meaningful driver of future performance. His portfolio combines sales leadership with workforce planning, field operations, and health and safety oversight, enabling Advantage to scale this high-demand service line with precision.
These appointments follow the transition of Chief Digital Officer Francesco Tinto, who is leaving to pursue a new opportunity.
About Advantage Solutions
Advantage Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: ADV) is the leading omnichannel retail solutions agency in North America, uniquely positioned at the intersection of consumer-packaged goods brands and retailers. With its data- and technology-powered services, Advantage leverages its unparalleled insights, expertise and scale to help brands and retailers of all sizes generate demand and get products into the hands of consumers, wherever they shop. For more information, visit youradv.com.
Investor Contacts: investorrelations@youradv.com Media Contacts: Advantage Solutions Corporate Communications | press@youradv.com
FAQ
Who was appointed Chief Information Officer at Advantage Solutions (ADV) and when does it take effect?
What role did Jo O’Hazo receive in Advantage Solutions' Feb 12, 2026 leadership update (ADV)?
What responsibilities accompany David Fall’s elevation to Chief Growth & Strategy Officer at ADV?
What new role was created for George Johnson in Advantage Solutions' Feb 12, 2026 announcement (ADV)?
Why did Advantage Solutions reorganize senior leadership on Feb 12, 2026 (ADV)?
