STAGWELL INC Stock Price, News & Analysis

Allison Worldwide has announced the addition of six new senior leaders across multiple practice areas to enhance its global client communications support. The new appointments include expertise in Corporate Affairs, Crisis Management, Data Analytics, Strategic Communications, Automotive, Public Affairs, and Earned Media.

The new leaders are: Ellen Barry as Managing Director of Corporate Affairs, Kiersten Fries as Chief Strategy Officer, Aaron Kokoruz as Senior Vice President of Earned Media Relations, Rebecca Lindland as Managing Director of Automotive, Robyn Patterson as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, and Tony Sardella as Managing Director of Data and Predictive Analytics.

According to Ray Day, Allison Worldwide executive chair and Stagwell vice chair, this expansion aligns with the company's focus on client success, future-focused innovation, and building world-class expertise.

Assembly, a Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) agency, has launched STAGE AI, an enhanced version of its proprietary operating system STAGE. The new AI-powered platform is integrated at the core of the operating system, delivering insights with improved speed and precision while streamlining workflow processes.

Key features include an AI-powered 'Brand Monitor' providing real-time insights into upper funnel brand performance and optimization capabilities for digital commerce customer journeys. Early results show a 30% improvement in campaign relevance for targeted audiences. The platform aims to provide clients with efficiency at scale while prioritizing incrementality to drive measurable business impact.

STAGE AI distinguishes itself by incorporating artificial intelligence as a foundational element rather than an add-on feature, focusing on delivering outcomes that directly impact client growth through improved data processing speeds and automated optimization.

HUNTER and KWT Global are merging to form an integrated communications firm under the HUNTER banner, as announced by Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW). The combined agency will have nearly 400 people across offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and London.

The merger strengthens HUNTER's consumer verticals in financial services, travel, and hospitality while expanding its corporate, crisis, and B2B capabilities. HUNTER has shown double-digit growth for five consecutive years, while KWT Global has doubled in size over the past three years.

The combined entity will be led by an all-female C-Suite, with Grace Leong as CEO, Gigi García Russo as Chief Transformation Officer, Gabrielle Zucker as Global Chief Client Officer, and Samantha Turtle as Chief Operating Officer. The executive leadership team is 90% female.

Forsman & Bodenfors, part of the Stagwell (STGW) network, has appointed Justine Armour as its new Global Chief Creative Officer. The Swedish-founded creative agency, known for iconic campaigns like 'Epic Split' for Volvo Trucks and 'Wow No Cow' for Oatly, brings Armour's nearly three decades of industry experience to strengthen its creative offering across nine offices.

Armour joins from FIG, where she served as Partner and CCO. Previously, she made history as the first female Chief Creative Officer at Grey New York in over 105 years. Her career includes positions at prominent agencies like 72andSunny, Wieden+Kennedy, and Saatchi & Saatchi. Initially based in New York, she will relocate to London later in 2025.

The appointment aligns with Forsman & Bodenfors' strategy to expand its global creative presence. Armour's track record includes recognition at major award shows and listings in prestigious industry rankings such as Adweek's Creative 100 and AdAge's Leading Women.

California voters show strong support for S.B. 54, with 81% backing the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, according to a new survey by The Harris Poll. The study reveals that 63% of voters prefer expanding recycling infrastructure over eliminating single-use plastic (27%).

The survey, which polled 1,005 registered California voters, highlights that 56% understand mechanical recycling alone cannot meet the state's S.B. 54 targets. Notably, 65% of voters recognize that different chemical recycling methods have varying impacts, and 71% value products made with recycled plastic.

Voters particularly support methanolysis technology, which enables repeated recycling of common plastic packaging waste into new materials. The technology promises to reduce CO2 emissions compared to new plastic production or traditional recycling methods, while helping to address plastic waste challenges.

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) released the January Harvard CAPS / Harris poll results, showing President-Elect Trump entering office with a 53% approval rating compared to outgoing President Biden's 39%. The poll, conducted among 2,650 registered voters, reveals significant insights into voter priorities and public sentiment.

Key findings include: 66% of voters hope the Trump administration will address inflation; 61% approve of the TikTok ban; and 82% support the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. The Republican Party's approval stands at 52% (+3), while the Democratic Party's approval dropped to 41% (-1), its lowest since June 2024.

The poll also covered social media trends, showing Facebook, Google, and YouTube as the most popular platforms for news consumption. Regarding AI, 46% believe it's too late for regulation, though 61% support some form of oversight. The survey was conducted on January 15-16, 2025.

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) released a comprehensive survey of over 1,000 CEOs and Board Directors across 14 countries, revealing significant insights about news media's role in advertising and brand safety protocols. The study, conducted by HarrisX, shows that 90% of executives follow news closely, with 86% supporting advertising in news media.

Key findings indicate that 83% of leaders believe news media raises awareness of critical issues, while 81% say it can positively influence society. However, 57% think brand safety protocols are mistakenly applied across all news content, with 69% stating these protocols are overapplied, potentially harming both media outlets and advertisers.

The study also reveals tempered economic expectations for 2025, with only 42% expecting global economic improvement, 36% anticipating inflation easing, and 33% foreseeing improvement in geopolitical conflicts.

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) has announced its intent to acquire ADK GLOBAL, a network of overseas subsidiaries of ADK Holdings Inc. The Japan-headquartered integrated marketing solutions firm operates in 10 markets globally. This strategic acquisition expands Stagwell's APAC presence to over 2,000 team members across 14 countries including Australia, China, India, and Japan.

The merger strengthens Stagwell's AI-powered digital marketing solutions and complements its service offerings for clients including LG, Shanghai Disney Resort, Google, Dexcom, and Adidas. The acquisition provides Stagwell with a complete APAC offering spanning media, creative, and PR services for local, regional, and global clients.

This acquisition follows Stagwell's significant expansion in 2024, marking their 11th acquisition of the year, including acquisitions across MENA, Germany, Israel, and other global markets.

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) has announced the launch of Stagwell Italy and appointed Diego Ricchiuti as its inaugural CEO, effective immediately. Ricchiuti, who brings over 30 years of advertising industry experience and previously served as CEO of MullenLowe Italia, will report to James Townsend, CEO of Stagwell EMEA.

This expansion follows Stagwell's establishment of its European headquarters in London in April 2024 and three strategic European acquisitions in 2024: UNICEPTA in Germany, Sidekick in the UK, and WHAT'S NEXT PARTNERS in France. The move is part of Stagwell's broader European growth strategy, strengthening its presence in key markets and expanding its connected marketing solutions offerings.