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.

Key Figures

Q3 2025 revenue $742.998 million Quarter ended Sept 30, 2025

Q3 operating income $60.913 million Quarter ended Sept 30, 2025

Q3 net income $24.619 million Net income attributable to common shareholders, Q3 2025

Q3 diluted EPS $0.09 Quarter ended Sept 30, 2025

YTD 2025 revenue $2.102 billion Year-to-date through Sept 30, 2025

Cash balance $132.238 million As of Sept 30, 2025

Long-term debt $1.526 billion Includes $1.1B notes and $438.326M revolver draw

Share repurchases 17.6 million shares at $5.12 First nine months of 2025 under buyback program

Market Reality Check

$5.72 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,008,789 is about 0.67x the 20-day average (1,512,115), indicating subdued trading versus recent norms. low

Technical Price at $5.72 is trading above the 200-day MA of $5.30 and about 27.87% below the 52-week high.

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.

Pattern Detected

Recent news flow around leadership changes, organizational alignment, and partnerships has produced mixed, generally moderate price reactions without a clear directional pattern.

Recent Company History

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.

Jargon Translator

contingent consideration

Contingent consideration is an additional payment agreed when one company buys another that will be paid later only if specific future targets are met, such as revenue, profit, or regulatory milestones. It matters to investors because it shifts risk between buyer and seller and affects the acquiring company's future cash flow and reported value — like promising a bonus after results are proven.

eps

Earnings per share (EPS) measures how much profit a company makes for each outstanding share of its stock by dividing the company’s profit after expenses by the number of shares. It matters to investors because it shows how much of the company’s “pie” each share represents—higher EPS usually signals greater profitability per share, helps compare companies of different sizes, and influences stock valuations and investor decisions.

operating income

Operating income is the profit a company earns from its regular business activities after subtracting the costs directly related to running the business, such as wages, rent, and supplies. It shows how well the core operations are performing, ignoring income or expenses from non-regular activities like investments or one-time events. Investors use it to assess the company's efficiency and profitability from its main work.

pro rata distribution

A pro rata distribution is when a company or organization shares out money, assets, or benefits evenly among all eligible people based on their size or share. For example, if a company makes a profit and distributes it to shareholders, each person gets a portion proportional to how many shares they own. It ensures everyone gets their fair part based on their ownership or stake.

revolver

A revolver is a revolving credit facility — a line of borrowing a company can draw, repay and draw again as needed, similar to a corporate credit card for short-term cash needs. It matters to investors because it provides liquidity and flexibility to cover expenses, smooth cash flow swings, or bridge financing gaps; the size, cost and covenants of the revolver affect a company’s interest costs, financial health and default risk.

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.

NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kettle, the digital-first creative agency partnering with brands like Apple, T-Mobile and Warby Parker, is closing out 2025 with extraordinary momentum and a clear vision for its next chapter. The year was defined by exciting new projects, deepened client partnerships and most recently, a significant industry honor: CEO Lauren Kushner has been named The Drum's Agency Leader of the Year.

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 50% creative and 50% engineers. Our unique makeup makes us the place where CMOs, CTOs and CIOs come together to drive results for their businesses. We partner with our clients to redefine what is possible to create lasting impact and drive long-term growth. Part of Stagwell, Code and Theory offers a global footprint and the capabilities to work across the entirety of the customer-facing journey and implement the technology that powers it. The network includes the flagship agency Code and Theory as well as Kettle, Instrument, Left Field Labs, Truelogic, Create. Group, Rhythm and Mediacurrent. Code and Theory clients include Amazon, JPMorganChase, Microsoft, NBC, NFL and Yeti. For more, visit codeandtheory.com

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?

Kettle announced CEO Lauren Kushner was named The Drum Agency Leader of the Year and cited multiple industry honors on Dec 10, 2025.

How did Kettle's headcount change through 2025 and what does it mean for STGW investors?

Kettle reported its team doubled over two years, indicating rapid agency-scale growth within the Code and Theory Network.

What leadership changes at Kettle were announced in 2025 for STGW stakeholders?

Kettle elevated Camille Imbert to Chief Creative Officer and Jess Mireau to Chief Product Officer, forming an all-women C-suite with CEO Lauren Kushner.

Which awards and lists did Kettle (STGW) appear on in 2025?

Kettle was named to Adweek's Fastest Growing Agencies 2025, Ad Age's Best Places to Work 2025, and won eight Webby and Shorty Awards.

What operational metrics did Kettle disclose that are relevant to STGW investors?

Kettle disclosed a headcount doubled over two years and maintained employee turnover under 3%.