Stagwell Doubles Down on Owned Media Naming Ben Berentson CEO, Owned Media
Rhea-AI Summary
Stagwell (NASDAQ:STGW) appointed Ben Berentson as CEO, Owned Media, effective immediately. Berentson will lead operations, growth and expansion of the owned media portfolio, including Ink, ReachTV and RealClearPolitics, and future initiatives to scale these assets.
He brings 20+ years of digital media and corporate strategy experience, with prior roles at Forbes, Condé Nast and most recently as Managing Director at Stagwell's Code and Theory.
Positive
- Appointment of Ben Berentson as CEO, Owned Media effective immediately
- Leader with 20+ years of digital media and corporate strategy experience
- Owned media portfolio named: Ink, ReachTV, RealClearPolitics
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
STGW fell 4.97% while peers showed mixed moves: IAS, CRTO, QNST and EEX were up, with only ZD down, suggesting stock-specific trading rather than a broad advertising-sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 02 | Polling data release | Neutral | +1.0% | Harvard CAPS / Harris political poll results with voter sentiment metrics. |
| Jan 29 | Agency integration news | Positive | -3.5% | Formation of DonerColle Partners unifying Midwest creative operations. |
| Jan 26 | Event marketing update | Positive | -3.2% | SPORT BEACH announcing Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Clubhouse events. |
| Jan 22 | Strategic partnership | Positive | +2.5% | Spotter partnership to advance creator-led media with Stagwell network. |
| Jan 21 | Platform launch | Positive | +2.1% | Launch of Harris QuestRQ always-on reputation intelligence platform. |
News and partnership updates have produced mixed reactions, with several positive corporate developments met by both gains and selloffs.
Recent STGW news has focused on product launches, partnerships, and branded initiatives. On Jan 21, the Harris Poll launched the QuestRQ reputation platform, and on Jan 22, Stagwell announced a strategic partnership with Spotter; both saw modest positive price reactions. Other brand and event announcements on Jan 26 and Jan 29 coincided with declines, while the Feb 2 Harvard CAPS / Harris poll update saw a small gain. Today’s leadership appointment in owned media fits the pattern of strategic, brand-building updates.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Stagwell’s effort to formalize and scale its owned media portfolio by naming a dedicated CEO for properties like Ink, ReachTV and RealClearPolitics. It builds on a series of strategic initiatives and partnerships reported in recent months. Investors may monitor how this leadership change affects monetization of owned media, integration with the wider agency network, and future financial trends such as revenue growth, operating income of $60.913 million in Q3 2025, and balance sheet leverage.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / February 5, 2026 / Stagwell (NASDAQ:STGW), the global challenger network transforming marketing through AI, today announced the appointment of Ben Berentson as CEO, Owned Media, effective immediately. Berentson will drive the operations, growth, and expansion of Stagwell's owned media portfolio including Ink, ReachTV, RealClearPolitics, and future initiatives, advancing the portfolio as a strategic business engine for the global network.
Ben brings 20+ years of experience spanning corporate digital strategy and hands-on leadership of digital media businesses. He began his career at Forbes before joining Condé Nast, where he held senior corporate digital strategy roles and led digital at both Glamour and Vogue during periods of rapid expansion and innovation. Most recently, Ben served as Managing Director at Stagwell's Code and Theory, Adweek's Innovation Agency of the Year, where he led the business through a period of growth and transformation for nearly a decade.
"Berentson is a true professional with long-standing media experience, and his appointment will accelerate our push to scale differentiated media platforms with real market impact," shared Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark Penn. "By continuing to invest in and scale our owned media capabilities, we are doubling down on what sets us apart and fuels growth across the network."
Berentson remarked on his new role: "Stagwell's owned media platforms are a powerful differentiator, and I'm looking forward to scaling them even further. Building engagement and direct relationships with the highest-value audiences is a critical piece of our strategy, and industry disruption creates a clear opportunity to leverage Stagwell's unique capabilities, strengthening how we show up in the market and unlocking new ways for brands to connect with audiences."
About Stagwell
Stagwell is the global challenger network transforming marketing through AI. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 45+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.
Media Contact
Maggie Axford
PR@stagwellglobal.com
SOURCE: Stagwell
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
FAQ
What did Stagwell (STGW) announce about Ben Berentson's role on February 5, 2026?
What experience does Ben Berentson bring to Stagwell's owned media division (STGW)?
Which owned media assets will Ben Berentson manage as CEO, Owned Media at STGW?
How did Stagwell describe the strategic purpose of scaling owned media under the new CEO?
