Kettle Closes a Landmark Year of Momentum, Innovation and Industry Recognition
Rhea-AI Summary
Kettle (STGW), part of the Code and Theory Network within Stagwell, closed 2025 with notable growth, leadership promotions and industry recognition.
Key highlights: CEO Lauren Kushner was named The Drum's Agency Leader of the Year and earned multiple executive honors; Camille Imbert and Jess Mireau were promoted to C-suite roles; the agency doubled headcount over two years while keeping employee turnover under 3%; Kettle earned placements on Adweek and Ad Age lists and won eight Webby and Shorty Awards. The agency plans to scale product and creative capabilities and explore AI-enabled creative systems in 2026.
Positive
- CEO Lauren Kushner named The Drum Agency Leader of the Year
- Promoted two executives to inaugural C-suite roles in 2025
- Headcount doubled over two years
- Employee turnover kept under 3%
- Won eight Webby and Shorty Awards
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – STGW
On the day this news was published, STGW gained 1.92%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peers show mixed moves: ZD up 2.65%, QNST up 2.10%, CRTO up 1.27%, IAS flat, and EEX down 0.54%. With no peers in the momentum scanner, STGW’s modest 1.96% gain looks more company-specific than a broad sector trend.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 08 | Polling release | Neutral | -2.3% | Harvard CAPS / Harris poll results on approval and economic concerns. |
| Dec 08 | Leadership appointment | Positive | -2.3% | Appointment of new Europe CEO to expand Allison Worldwide leadership. |
| Dec 04 | Business realignment | Positive | +5.0% | Creation of unified communications and advocacy vertical under new Global Chair. |
| Dec 03 | Leadership change | Positive | -0.4% | Appointment of Jonathan Gardner as CEO of Harris Quest with AI research focus. |
| Nov 25 | Strategic partnership | Positive | -1.1% | Strategic partnership with Gradial to deliver agentic AI capabilities to marketers. |
Recent news flow around leadership changes, organizational alignment, and partnerships has produced mixed, generally moderate price reactions without a clear directional pattern.
Over the past few weeks, Stagwell reported several corporate developments. On Nov 25, 2025, it announced a strategic AI-focused partnership with Gradial. Early December brought leadership moves, including a new CEO for Harris Quest on Dec 3 and a new Global Chair for Communications and Advocacy on Dec 4, tied to a vertical with expected net revenues near $400m. Additional December announcements included a new Europe CEO at Allison Worldwide and release of the Harvard CAPS / Harris political poll. The current Kettle-focused announcement continues this theme of portfolio- and leadership-driven brand strengthening.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Kettle’s strong 2025, including leadership recognition, an expanded all-women C-suite, industry awards, and headcount growth with turnover under 3%. For the parent company, it reinforces a narrative of creative and digital capabilities that complement stronger Q3 results, with revenue of $742.998 million and diluted EPS of $0.09. Investors may watch how Kettle’s awards, leadership structure, and AI-enabled offerings translate into revenue growth and margin performance.
Key Terms
ai-enabled creative systems technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Empowered by a strong culture and visionary leadership, Kettle, part of the Code and Theory Network, Stagwell's (NASDAQ: STGW) digital transformation network, continues to shape the future of digital.
The recognition celebrates leaders who bring clear vision and strategic direction to their organizations. It caps a standout year for Kushner, who was also named to Campaign 40 Over 40 and nominated for Digiday Agency Executive of the Year.
Kettle further strengthened its leadership team in 2025. Camille Imbert was elevated to the agency's first Chief Creative Officer and Jess Mireau as its inaugural Chief Product Officer, leading the agency's work at the intersection of product and story to unlock greater possibilities for clients and partners. Together with Kushner, they form an all-women C-suite driving Kettle's next chapter.
The agency's impact was felt across the industry and within its culture:
- Named to Adweek's Fastest Growing Agencies List 2025
- Recognized as one of Ad Age's Best Places to Work 2025
- Eight Webby and Shorty Awards celebrating work for e.l.f. Beauty and The Legal Aid Society
- Doubled team headcount over two years, while keeping employee turnover under
3%
A key driver in Kettle's success is its cross-disciplinary capabilities. Social experts, content makers, product designers, technologists and strategists team up to deliver high-impact digital work for clients across technology, finance, retail, e-commerce and more.
Looking ahead to 2026, Kettle will continue to scale its product and creative capabilities, strengthen partnerships with leading brands and explore emerging platforms and technologies, from AI-enabled creative systems to next-generation personalization. The goal is simple: to build the most human, high-impact digital experiences in the industry.
Lauren Kushner, Kettle's CEO, says: "2025 has been a year of bold growth and meaningful transformation. Our success is driven by a team that embraces curiosity, collaboration and fearless creativity. Together with our clients, we're shaping digital experiences that inspire, connect and endure. I couldn't be prouder of what we've achieved and what's ahead."
About Kettle
Kettle is a digital creative agency that builds personal, high-impact products and experiences to connect brands with their audiences. Trusted by some of the world's most ambitious brands like Apple, Nike, T-Mobile, Warby Parker, e.l.f. Beauty and Robinhood, Kettle blends design, strategy and technology to drive lasting impact. Recently named one of Ad Age's Best Places to Work and an Adweek Fastest Growing Agency, Kettle's growth reflects the values and culture at the heart of everything it makes. For more information, visit wearekettle.com.
About The Code and Theory Network
The Code and Theory Network is the only technology and creative network with a balance of
Media Contact
Carly Ross
carly.ross@codeandtheory.com
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SOURCE Stagwell Inc.
FAQ
What recognition did Kettle (STGW) receive on December 10, 2025?
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