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Contact:

Deborah.abraham@forsman.com
Trudi.harris@forsman.com 

As Global CCO, Justine will play an invaluable role in expanding and strengthening the collective’s global creative offering across its nine offices. Justine will initially be based in New York, relocating to London later in the year.

Said Armour: “The global creative industry is crying out for a truly distinctive, unique offering like the collective at Forsman & Bodenfors. The Swedes are genuinely creative in their very DNA; from the process to the org structure, F&B approaches things in a completely counter-cultural way compared to a traditional agency. I find this invigorating, and it’s no surprise that the collective has made some of my most favourite work in the world over the years. The F&B culture is designed to support and produce creativity that stands apart and transforms thoroughly, and I’m looking forward to helping bring that magic to a wider array of creative talent and clients around the world.”

Most recently, Justine was a Partner and CCO at independent New York agency, FIG. Justine joined FIG from Grey New York where she was chief creative officer, the only woman to hold the position in over 105 years. Prior to Grey she built a diverse portfolio across agencies including 72andSunny, Wieden+Kennedy, Publicis Mojo and Saatchi & Saatchi. She began her career in her native Australia, at McCann Erickson Brisbane.

“Justine’s outstanding creativity and track record of producing work that helps brands grow makes her the perfect partner for us – curating Forsman & Bodenfors’ direction as we move into a new era” commented James Denton-Clark, the agency’s recently appointed Global CEO. 

“Creativity at Forsman & Bodenfors has always been about how we approach the task and the outcomes rather than outputs. Justine really gets that creativity is the process through which we can achieve these outstanding results,” Denton-Clark added.

Recognised across every major global award show including Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, LIA’s and more, Justine has previously been named to Adweek’s Creative 100 list; listed by Campaign magazine as a US Female Frontier honouree and recognised as one of AdAge’s Leading Women. A champion of diversity, equity and purpose, Justine has spoken at numerous events including One Club Creative Summit, SXSW and TribecaX.

About Forsman & Bodenfors Founded in 1986, Forsman & Bodenfors has achieved global fame as a creative collective that transforms businesses and shifts culture. One of the most awarded agencies in the world, F&B is renowned for its uniquely flat structure, radically collaborative ways and highly creative ideas that transcend media and earn their way into culture for clients including Volvo, Oatly, H&M, LG, P&G and Therabody. The collective has grown from Swedish roots to offices around the world, including Gothenburg, Stockholm, London, Dublin, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, Toronto and New York. The first creative agency to be certified by the Fair Pay Workplace for gender pay equity, Forsman & Bodenfors is part of the challenger network Stagwell.

Contacts

Deborah.abraham@forsman.com +65 9114 9063
Trudi.harris@forsman.com +44 7520 665371

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Contact:

Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com

Originally Released On

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Contact:

Kara Gelber
Stagwell 
pr@stagwellglobal.com

At Stagwell, we believe a thriving news industry is not only the foundation of a healthy democracy, but also a critical platform for marketers and advertisers. However, recent discourse around brand safety – the effort of protecting a brand’s reputation by controlling advertisement proximity to certain content – has disproportionately hurt the news industry, as advertisers shy away from news due to misconceptions and an abundance of caution. Stagwell launched the Future of News Initiative with the goal of reinvigorating the relationship between news and marketing through research, events and informed discussion around brand safety.

This latest study, fielded among more than 1,000 CEOs and Board Directors across 14 countries, and conducted by Stagwell’s HarrisX research consultancy, underscores that business leaders overwhelmingly value the importance of news media as a powerful advertising tool.

CEOs and Board Directors Are Strong Proponents of News Media

• 90% of CEOs and Board Directors follow the news closely, reading an average of six articles per day.
• A strong majority say news media raises awareness of critical issues (83%), can positively influence society (81%), and is critical to democracy (79%).
• The executives view advertising in news media as a strategic tool, with 86% saying companies should advertise on news media and 87% calling it a sound investment to reach and influence stakeholders.
• 75% say their companies should advertise in news more, compared to just 7% who want to scale back their advertisement in news.

CEOs and Board Directors Think Brand Safety Protocols Are Overapplied

• 84% of CEOs and Board Directors say their organizations apply brand safety protocols, but 57% think it is a mistake to apply brand safety across all news outlets and types of news content.
• 69% say brand safety protocols are overapplied to the point of hurting media outlets and advertisers.
• 75% of executives of large companies in particular believe brand safety has been overapplied.

Tempered Expectations for 2025

• 42% of CEOs and Board Directors expect the global economy to improve in 2025, while 35% predict stagnation and 23% anticipate a decline.
• 36% believe inflation will ease, but 35% foresee no change and 29% expect worsening.
• Only 33% foresee improvement of geopolitical and military conflicts this year, with 41% expecting no change and 26% predicting escalation.

Throughout WEF next week, Stagwell will host programming laddering back to its Future of News initiative including a News x Democracy panel with AG Sulzberger, Chairman and Publisher at The New York Times, and Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell. Stagwell will also host a Cocktails and Conversation event in partnership with The Washington Post to celebrate a new year of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of news.

Later this month, Stagwell will also host an inaugural Publisher Showcase with its coalition of publisher partners at Stagwell’s headquarters in One World Trade Center. For more information about the initiative and to get involved, visit https://www.stagwellglobal.com/future-of-news/.

Methodology
This study was conducted with 1,028 CEOs and Board Directors in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. The executives interviewed for the study lead publicly traded, privately-owned companies and public sector organizations across industries. The online interviews were conducted by HarrisX from December 30, 2024 to January 14, 2025.

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. 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 35+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.    

About HarrisX
HarrisX is a leading public opinion research, data analytics, and strategy consulting company with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore. HarrisX conducts multi-method research in over 50 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies and philanthropic organizations, public policy institutions, global leaders, media and NGOs. HarrisX is a proud member of Stagwell Global (STGW). Learn more at www.harrisx.com.

Contact:
Kara Gelber
PR@stagwellglobal.com 

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Contact:

Kara Gelber
Stagwell 
pr@stagwellglobal.com

Noriyoshi Yoshie/ Shohei Goto/ Eri Itoh
Corporate Planning Division, ADK Holdings
adkpr@adk.jp

ADK GLOBAL
info@adk-globalnetwork.com

This acquisition comes as Stagwell expands its global footprint and invests further in AI-enabled solutions at the forefront of digital marketing. By bringing ADK GLOBAL into Stagwell, the network’s regional staff count rises to over 2,000 team members, spanning agencies and affiliates on the ground in Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Stagwell and ADK GLOBAL’s complementing suite of AI-powered solutions for digital marketers are set up to help clients, including global and Asian brands such as LG, Shanghai Disney Resort, Google, Dexcom and Adidas, deliver impactful results. Furthermore, with the addition of ADK GLOBAL, Stagwell now has a complete offering in APAC of media, creative, and PR for any local, regional or global client opportunity.

“Our vibrant APAC division and its regional coverage are significantly enhanced by the addition of ADK GLOBAL,” shared Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell. “We’ve been focused on winning local accounts that we can then extend regionally and globally. The ADK GLOBAL team has been pioneers of this strategy and we’re looking forward to introducing their clients to opportunities across borders and to our suite of digital solutions for the modern marketer.”

“ADK GLOBAL has joined Stagwell to collaborate in overseas business. By leveraging Stagwell’s global network, which includes regions in North America, Europe, and Asia, along with their digital-based full services, we will integrate ADK Group’s expertise and personnel to develop our overseas marketing business. This will enable us to provide even more optimal solutions to our client companies, primarily focusing on Japanese clients,” stated Toshiya Oyama, Representative Director, President & Group CEO of ADK Holdings. “Meanwhile, in the content business, including anime and IP, ADK Group will promote the vision of ‘Growing brands and fans,’ and aim to further strengthen its overseas operations by enhancing our business structure.”

“We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with ADK in Japan while maintaining our current management and account teams to provide our services,” said Yasuyuki Katagi, CEO of ADK GLOBAL. “By leveraging the strengths of Stagwell, which operates on a global scale, we will further elevate the quality of our expertise in integrated marketing solutions and contribute to the growth of our clients’ businesses.”

The addition of ADK GLOBAL follows Stagwell’s 11 acquisitions in 2024: Create. Group (MENA), UNICEPTA (Germany), Consulum (MENA), LEADERS (Israel), Business Traveller (Global), BERA (U.S.), Luxine Relations Publiques (Canada), PROS (Brazil), What’s Next Partners (France), Sidekick (U.K.) and Team Epiphany (U.S.). 

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. 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 35+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

About ADK Group
ADK Group is an integrated marketing company led by ADK Holdings, consisting of three business companies: ADK Marketing Solutions, ADK Creative One, and ADK Emotions. It contributes to the results of client businesses across the entire marketing field. The group possesses a uniqueness in developing businesses that are expert in anime and intellectual property (IP). https://www.adk.jp/en/

About ADK GLOBAL
ADK GLOBAL is the collective team for a network of subsidiaries whose primary business is marketing operations outside of Japan for the ADK Group. In 1979, we opened our first overseas office in London. ADK GLOBAL has offices in 10 markets, including mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Australia, and the United States. We currently have 600 employees providing integrated marketing solutions based on a deep understanding of local markets and consumers to approximately 300 clients. https://adk-globalnetwork.com/

Contacts:
Kara Gelber
Stagwell 
pr@stagwellglobal.com

Noriyoshi Yoshie/ Shohei Goto/ Eri Itoh
Corporate Planning Division, ADK Holdings
adkpr@adk.jp 

ADK GLOBAL
info@adk-globalnetwork.com 

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Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1586110/Stagwell_Logo.jpg

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Contact:

Quinn Werner
Stagwell EMEA
PR@stagwellglobal.com 

Diego has 30+ years’ experience in the advertising industry. Most recently, he served as CEO of MullenLowe Italia where he worked with many international clients of a high calibre. In his previous positions, he worked with brands such as Allianz, Edgewell Personal Care, McDonald’s, Costa Crociere, Phoenix Pharma, Unilever, Lufthansa, ENI.

The opening of Stagwell Italy comes after an exciting year of expansion for Stagwell in Europe following the opening of its European headquarters in London in April 2024 along with three 2024 European acquisitions: UNICEPTA (Germany), a leading provider of media intelligence, Sidekick (UK), an award-winning collective of specialist agencies focused on experiential, digital storytelling, and branded content and WHAT’S NEXT PARTNERS (France), a digital brand and marketing consultancy specializing in data-powered strategies, integrated communications, and creative content.

“Stagwell Italy allows us to bring our challenger mindset and unique capabilities to an important market. As we continue strategic European growth and remain an ideal size for clients, Diego and his network are vital to Stagwell’s ambitions to expand seamlessly into Italy,” shared Chairman and CEO of Stagwell Mark Penn.  

James Townsend, CEO of Stagwell EMEA, said, “As we continue to execute our global growth strategy, our EMEA region continues to develop rapidly and Diego Ricchiuti brings the strategic experience with enterprise brands we need for Stagwell Italy to have a fast start in a key market for us.”

Diego Ricchiuti, recently appointed CEO of Stagwell Italy, added, “With over three decades of advertising experience, I think Stagwell’s collective capabilities spanning consumer research, media, data, technology, creative, and digital transformation represents the most modern and innovative player in the industry and I am excited to be a part of this impressive network. I can’t wait to help James and the team take Stagwell to the next level.”

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. 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 35+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.   

Contact:
Quinn Werner
Stagwell EMEA
PR@stagwellglobal.com 

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Contact:

Dritan Nesho
Dritan@HarrisX.com

Nearly four in five (79%) U.S. adults say tech has a positive economic impact and 57% expect the industry to be a major economic driver over the next five years. For comparison, approximately just one in three Americans think the real estate (35%) and auto (32%) industries will play a major role in the U.S. economy.

However, while a majority of Americans (55%) want the leaders of technology companies to speak up on issues affecting industry and society, sixty percent say these leaders mostly get it wrong when they speak up. Respondents indicated that they want tech leaders to focus more on workplace and governance issues and less on divisive social and political themes.

Workplace and economic issues appear to be the safest topics for tech leaders to take a stance on. While a strong majority say tech CEOs should speak up on issues such as paid family leave (68%), minimum wage (66%) or the environment (65%), significantly fewer believe they should take a public stance on social and political issues such as transgender rights (38%), abortion (39%) or elections (41%).

“For three decades the technology sector has defined the ‘new economy’ and modern opportunities, in the process building a very strong reputation,” said Dritan Nesho, CEO of technology research firm HarrisX. “As it now embarks to once again reshape the global labor and economic landscape via A.I., Web3, and other novelties, the way tech CEOs navigate and address the impact of their innovations, and the regulations that will surely follow, will determine how the industry is perceived and treated for decades to come.”

The heads of Stagwell’s Risk and Reputation practice added their analysis on the data during a roundtable at CES.

Zac Moffatt, the CEO of Targeted Victory and the Republican co-Chair noted that “the landscape of public discourse has shifted with the 2024 presidential election, and companies need to quickly rewrite the playbook of how to engage with both the public and government over the next several years.”

Nevertheless, public sensitivities on several key themes such as the environment, human rights, income inequality, and DE&I remain strong, added Doug Thornell, CEO of SKDK, and the Democratic co-Chair, “The risk of dismissing these themes is high. The years ahead require both balance and courage.”

The Stagwell/HarrisX poll, which was conducted online January 3-6, 2024 with 1,498 registered voters, also shows that 67% of voters want tech companies to work with the incoming Trump administration. Nearly as many (58%) also believe the Trump presidency will provide a boost for the technology industry. Just 27% think tech companies will be worse off under President-elect Donald Trump.

The study also shows that as the tech industry and financial investors are doubling down on AI, Americans are less certain about its economic impact. While 60% think AI will replace more jobs than create new ones, just 30% of Americans believe AI will decrease their personal earnings in the future.

The public uncertainty towards AI is also reflected by the fact that voters are evenly divided on the approach they think the U.S. government should take in regulating the new technology. Fifty-three percent say the government should first monitor the development and implementation of AI versus 47% who say it’s better to start regulating AI right away.

In the post-election landscape, Stagwell and HarrisX are committed to helping businesses navigate the political crosshairs. For more information on how Stagwell’s Risk and Reputation Unit can help navigate the political minefield, visit https://www.stagwellglobal.com/risk-reputation-unit/.

Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted online within the United States January 3-6, 2025 among 1,498 registered voters in the United States by HarrisX. The sampling margin of error of this poll is +/-2.5 percentage points. The results reflect a nationally representative sample of registered voters. The survey sample was weighted for age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, income, and region where necessary to align it with the actual proportions in the population.

About HarrisX
HarrisX is a leading public opinion research, data analytics, and strategy consulting company with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore. HarrisX conducts multi-method research in over 50 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies and philanthropic organizations, public policy institutions, global leaders, media and NGOs. HarrisX is a proud member of Stagwell Global (STGW). Learn more at www.harrisx.com.

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. 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 35+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.    

Contact:
Dritan Nesho
Dritan@HarrisX.com 

Originally Released On

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Contact:
Kara Gelber
PR@stagwellglobal.com 

As the pre-eminent home for sport at Cannes Lions, SPORT BEACH will once again activate at Plage du Festival – this time as the official LIONS Sport Partner for 2025.

From redefining brand-building with athletes as creators to breaking barriers with bold strategies to captivate diverse audiences, this year’s programming will inspire meaningful conversations surrounding every facet of sport. In returning for its third year, SPORT BEACH will also welcome a new roster of the world’s best athletes.

“SPORT BEACH serves as the destination where athletes, brands, and marketers come to make deals and engage in conversations that matter,” shared Beth Sidhu, Stagwell’s Chief Brand and Communications Officer. “In 2025 we’ll build on the momentum from our first two years to deliver an unmatched experience for brands and athletes alike.”

Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS, added: “Stagwell’s SPORT BEACH has become a hub for bringing together brands, platforms, and athletes to explore the evolving trends shaping the business and culture of sports. We’re excited to welcome them as our official LIONS Sport Partner in 2025. This partnership has redefined the sports community at the Festival, providing insights, connections, and tools to harness creativity as a driver of business growth in this rapidly expanding sector.”

Stagwell invites brands, athletes, sports leagues, media platforms and other interested parties to reach out to SportBeach@stagwellglobal.com to get involved.

Introducing SPORT BEACH Clubhouses

Leading up to Cannes Lions 2025, SPORT BEACH will emerge across major industry and sporting events throughout the year in the form of SPORT BEACH Clubhouses. The Clubhouses will redefine how brands, athletes, and fans engage while serving as a platform to foster meaningful conversations around future partnerships and collaborations.

Stagwell will host Clubhouses at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, South by Southwest in Austin, and more moments to be announced. At each Clubhouse, a highly curated audience of senior decision makers will join the world’s best athletes, delivering a differentiated experience for all.

SPORT BEACH 2025 Programming

• Athletes as Creators: Redefining brand building, media platforms, and the rise of athlete-driven innovation. One feature of this track is the expanded second annual Seventh Estate Wine and Spirits Festival in partnership with 10-time NBA All-Star and entrepreneur Carmelo Anthony and long-time business partner Asani Swann’s global wine brand, VII(N) The Seventh Estate.
• Tech & Innovation Unleashed: Pushing boundaries with cutting-edge tech, revolutionizing how fans experience the game and beyond, including with Stagwell’s ARound, a shared augmented reality platform for teams and stadiums. On site, ARound will showcase a new interactive experience that unites fans and brands for an immersive and engaging event.
• Culture & Community Reimagined: Amplifying voices and opening the door for meaningful conversations surrounding the sports community, with the purpose of fostering lasting connections — on and off the court.
• Global Reach in Overdrive: Breaking barriers with bold strategies to captivate diverse audiences and inspire worldwide participation, as well as reaching across the globe in partnership with NBCUniversal.
• Resilience & Wellness Redefined: Mastering the art of grit and growth—lessons from athletes on thriving, sustaining, and excelling at the highest level.

2025 Athlete Partners

• Carmelo Anthony (basketball) – 10-time NBA All–Star, entrepreneur and philanthropist Carmelo Anthony has led a storied career as a three-time Olympic gold medalist and number nine on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Anthony’s incredible career has continued to pave the way for his many other business ventures and philanthropic efforts including his wine brand VII(N) The Seventh Estate, production company Creative 7, lifestyle brand STAYME7O, as well as his work as the co–founder of The Social Change Fund, which aims to support and invest in critical and timely issues that impact the Black community. Most recently, Anthony was announced as a first-time nominee for the Class of 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
• Sue Bird (basketball) – A WNBA legend and decorated athlete, Bird has captured five Olympic Gold Medals, four World Championship Gold Medals, two NCAA Championships, four WNBA Championships, and is a 13x WNBA All–Star. Since her retirement in 2022, Sue has quickly established herself as a true trailblazer as a former athlete segueing into the mainstream media business with an unparalleled perspective. She is a co-founder of the women’s sports media commerce company Togethxr; co-founder of the production company, A Touch More, with fiancé and soccer legend Megan Rapinoe; co-owner of the Seattle Storm and earlier this year, Megan and Sue re-launched their podcast A Touch More: The Podcast. Bird is an outspoken and visible activist advocating for Black Lives, LGBTQ+ rights, equality, health, and wellness and expanding opportunities for girls and all marginalized people.
• Tara Davis-Woodhall (track and field) – Tara Davis-Woodhall is the reigning Olympic Gold Medalist in the long jump and has remained undefeated for the past two years. She is a two-time Olympian, ranked #1 in the world, and has claimed the titles of 2024 World Champion, 2023 and 2024 US National Champion. Known as “America’s Cowgirl,” Tara’s iconic cowboy hats, boots, and infectious personality have made her a fan favorite both on and off the field. She is also the assistant track coach at Kansas State. As a former NCAA Division 1 athlete at the University of Texas, Tara became a four-time All-American, shattered two NCAA records, and earned the title of double-record breaker in the same week.
• DeAndre Hopkins (football) – DeAndre Hopkins is an NFL All-Pro wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs. Drafted 27th overall in 2013, Hopkins’ remarkable play has earned him five Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro honors, three of which were consecutive First Team All-Pro awards. Off the field, DeAndre is renowned for his impeccable sense of fashion, entrepreneurial ventures, and philanthropic initiatives. He’s been featured on Sports Illustrated’s Fashionable 50 list for two consecutive years and nominated for Forbes 30 under 30. Additionally, he’s a vocal advocate for domestic violence victims, serving on the board of his mother’s foundation, S.M.O.O.O.T.H., which empowers women affected by domestic violence, offering them a second chance at life.
• Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson (football) – Famously known for changing his last name to Ochocinco in 2006, Chad Johnson was drafted 36th overall in the 2001 NFL draft. Fans worldwide quickly embraced his vibrant personality and playmaking ability, making him one of the most prominent figures in sports. Throughout his 11 year NFL career, he earned six Pro-Bowl selections, three All-Pro honors and was inducted into the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ring of Honor in 2023. On the heels of his playing career, Johnson transitioned into entertainment. He served as a lead analyst for Fox Sports during the 2022 World Cup, and is currently in his second season as a co-host for ‘Inside the NFL’ on the CW. He has also partnered with Shannon Sharpe to create Nightcap, a podcast that has taken over the sports media landscape. Nightcap won a Webby Award for the Best Sports Podcast.
• Flau’jae Johnson (basketball) – Flau’jae Johnson is breaking boundaries as both a standout athlete and a talented artist. A key player in LSU’s 2023 national championship-winning women’s basketball team, she’s equally commanding in the music world as a rapper with a distribution deal under Jay Z’s Roc Nation. Talent and drive are in her DNA; her music career gained momentum with unforgettable appearances on Jermaine Dupri’s “The Rap Game” and season 13 of “America’s Got Talent,” where she became the first rapper to earn the coveted Golden Buzzer. In 2024, Flau’jae was recognized as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and named a Top Creator for 2024-2025, solidifying her impact both on and off the court. With over 4 million followers across platforms, her dedicated online community, The Flauk, has amassed over 7 million YouTube views and continues to grow. Flau’jae is a powerhouse of talent and ambition, redefining what it means to excel in multiple arenas with style, passion, and authenticity.
• Kyle Kuzma (basketball) – NBA Champion Kyle Kuzma has established himself not only as one of the most talented basketball players in the world, but also as a strategic entrepreneur, visionary philanthropist, and cultural icon. From his standout performances on the court to his innovative ventures across business, fashion and art, Kuzma exemplifies a bold commitment to authentic self-expression and a passion for shaping new approaches and perspectives. Through the Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation, he helps drive initiatives that empower families and uplift his communities, reflecting his dedication to creating a meaningful and lasting impact beyond the game.
• Noah Lyles (track and field) – Noah Lyles earned the title of ‘fastest man in the world’ with his victory in the Men’s 100 meters at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Lyles is also a six-time world champion and is the American record-holder at 200 meters. Off the track, Lyles is a mental health advocate and was the star of his own docu-series on Peacock TV in 2023, “Untitled: The Noah Lyles Project.” He is also the star of the Netflix series Sprint, now in its second season. Noah is currently working with several new projects to take his sport to a wider audience and introduce fashion and his other lifestyle interests.
• Candace Parker (basketball) – Candace Parker is the most accredited women’s basketball player of all time. Parker has been known for her ability to win at all levels. This knack for shattering glass ceilings became prevalent in the early 2000s in her hometown of Naperville, Chicago. Since then, Parker’s notoriety has only grown, from bringing legendary Coach Pat Summitt her final two national championships at Tennessee to being the first WNBA player to appear on the cover of NBA 2K as the central athlete of the 25th Anniversary Special Edition. Both on and off the court, Parker has built a legacy that she hopes will inspire others to break through glass ceilings. Parker is the founder of Baby Hair Productions, an athlete advisor of Avenue Capital, and the first-ever President of Adidas Women’s Basketball. As a mother and an empowered Black woman, Parker has developed into a bold, insightful, and inspiring thought leader who is passionate about the importance of women’s rights, voters’ rights, and Black Lives Matter.
• Megan Rapinoe (soccer) – 2X World Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Megan Rapinoe is a fan favorite and soccer legend. A vocal leader in every aspect of her life, Rapinoe helped lead the USWNT to the 2019 Women’s World Cup Championship scoring some of the biggest goals of the tournament. Rapinoe is a New York Times’ Best-Selling author, Time100’s Most Influential People and Presidential Medal of Freedom award recipient. At the end of 2022, Megan and her fiancé and basketball icon, Sue Bird, launched A Touch More, a production company focused on promoting narratives around revolutionaries who move culture forward; and earlier this year Megan and Sue re-launched their podcast A Touch More: The Podcast, which quickly garnered a large following for its honest and wide-ranging conversations. Megan is renowned for her advocacy in LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality and gender equity.
• Hunter Woodhall (track and field) – Hunter Woodhall is a three-time Paralympian and 2024 Gold Medalist, redefining what it means to be an athlete and entrepreneur. Hunter has won 5x Paralympic Medals and holds the American record for the 100m and 400m (T62). Born with fibular hemimelia, Hunter had both legs amputated below the knees at 11 months old. Defying all odds, he became the first double amputee to earn an NCAA Division 1 scholarship, competing for the University of Arkansas and becoming a four-time All-American.

2025 Program Hosts

Program hosts support the growth and evolution of SPORT BEACH, serving as collaborators and moderators who connect brands and athletes while shaping pivotal conversations in sports and marketing.

• Paul Rabil – Paul Rabil, author of The Way of the Champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time, transitioned from his legendary playing career to co-found the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL) alongside his brother Mike. Together, they built a groundbreaking league, secured a broadcast partnership with Disney and ESPN, helped lead lacrosse back into the Olympics, and forged key sponsorships with brands like Ticketmaster, Lexus, Loreal, Cash App, Adidas, BOSE, Progressive, Champion, Gatorade, and Jagermeister, among others. Available on Disney+ and Hulu, Rabil executive produced Fate of a Sport, an ESPN documentary chronicling the creation and rise of the PLL. A proud graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Paul Rabil is an award-winning host of the Suiting Up Podcast and founder of the Paul Rabil Foundation, which empowers children with learning differences through the transformative power of sports.
• Taylor Rooks – Emmy nominated sports broadcaster, journalist, and cultural icon, Taylor Rooks is an acclaimed interviewer whose probing questions give rise to some of today’s most pressing discussions beyond the game. Rooks is known most prominently for her work as a Feature Reporter for TNT Sports, sideline reporter for NBA on TNT and the resident Feature Reporter for Amazon’s Thursday Night Football. Praised in a profile by the New York Times, “Taylor Rooks gets the interviews that go viral,” Rooks shares meaningful insights about succeeding in her industry by focusing on making connections and honoring the humanity of the players, as well as understanding the larger context behind the game. For the success of her work, Rooks has been featured in Sports Illustrated: “100 Influential Black Women in Sports,” Esquire has named her “the most in-demand sideline reporter across the NBA and NFL,” and she is considered one of the most influential figures in sports media today.

2025 Brand Partners

• Ad Results Media (ARM) is the leading agency empowering brands to engage audiences through the power of audio creators. With 20+ years of experience across radio, podcasts, streaming audio and YouTube, including placing the very first podcast ad in 2010, ARM now stands among the world’s largest buyers of podcast media. ARM leverages its expertise and trusted, actionable intelligence across platforms to connect brands—such as MolsonCoors, BetterHelp, FanDuel, Wayfair and ZipRecruiter—with consumers. ARM delivers value and impact through unparalleled industry knowledge and relationships to drive results for brands and agencies. To learn more about ARM, visit adresultsmedia.com.
• The Athletic, a returning partner, founded in 2016 and acquired by The New York Times in 2022, is the world’s leading direct-to-consumer digital sports media company committed to elevated sports storytelling. The Athletic has the world’s largest sports newsroom, with 500 full-time employees covering more than 250 professional sports and collegiate teams in the US and globally. Through a personalized subscriber experience built around the teams and leagues that fans follow, The Athletic delivers content and insight across a range of formats from written to audio, video and social – delivering powerful stories and smart analysis that bring sports fans closer to the heart of the game. From breaking news and live commentary to deeply reported long reads and exclusive interviews, subscribers rely on The Athletic for every sports story that matters.
• Channel Factory, a returning partner, is a global technology and data platform that optimizes business performance and enhances brand reputation ethical and effective contextual targeting. Utilizing proprietary AI and brand suitability technologies, Channel Factory ensures ads are placed on brand-safe, contextually relevant content across YouTube, CTV platforms, and social media, including Meta and TikTok. Through its conscious media planning, Channel Factory is committed to promoting sustainability, diversity, and positive content, helping brands achieve their goals while fostering a healthier digital ecosystem. Channel Factory has a presence in 31 countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and ANZ, providing advertisers with IAB standard category lists and customized content options in 49+ languages.
• The Chicago Bulls, a returning partner, is a global sports and entertainment organization that is part of the National Basketball Association. Founded in 1966, the Bulls have won six NBA championships and become an iconic brand with a worldwide fan base, including more than 45 million followers across multiple social media platforms. The Bulls take pride in championing inclusivity within the workplace and have a longstanding history of giving back to underserved communities across Chicago.
• Clio Sports, which celebrates creativity in sports advertising and marketing around the world, returns as a partner this year. Clio Sports will host an exclusive Awards Dinner to recognize a select group of athletes with Clio Sports Honorary Awards, a special recognition given to athletes who are shaping sports culture through ingenuity and innovation. Clio Sports Honorary Awards were awarded to Carmelo Anthony at SPORT BEACH 2023 and to Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, Mikaela Shiffrin and Shawn White at SPORT BEACH 2024.
• Microsoft Advertising wants to make delivering hyper-personalized advertising powered by generative AI simple. Their end-to-end advertising solutions include AI-powered tools for buying and selling advertising against any objective and format. Across Copilot, Bing, MSN, Outlook.com, Xbox, Edge, and more, they’re reimagining advertising for the future with a goal is to create hyper-personalized connections between brands and consumers throughout their decision journey—whether they’re watching, browsing, playing, or shopping. With generative AI, Microsoft Advertising empowers publishers and advertisers to increase engagement, simplify their work, and achieve better results.
• NBCUniversal returns as the exclusive Platinum Media Partner of SPORT BEACH. As one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies, NBCUniversal creates worldclass content that is distributed across its portfolio of film, television and streaming, and brought to life in its theme parks. A subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, NBCUniversal owns and operates an expansive portfolio of news, entertainment, film, streaming, and television brands, and will be home to the biggest sporting events over the next two years, including the Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games, Super Bowl LX, the return of the NBA and WNBA and the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Telemundo.
• Scripps Sports, a returning partner, serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach so they have the ability to reach up to 100% of their fan bases. Scripps Sports currently has partnerships with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the National Hockey League’s (NHL) 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the 2023 Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, NHL’s new Utah Hockey Club, and the NCAA’s Big Sky Conference. Scripps Sports is a division of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), a Fortune 1000 American media company.
• VII(N) The Seventh Estate, the global wine estate brand founded by 10X NBA All-Star and entrepreneur, Carmelo Anthony, and his longtime business partner, Asani Swann, returns via an expanded partnership. Carmelo and Asani approached the launch of VII(N) The Seventh Estate with the utmost sincerity and respect for wine both as an art form and as an industry. The wines within VII(N) invoke the heritage of the old world while committing to modern philosophies of winemaking for the next generation of wine lovers. Anthony and Swann are constantly breaking barriers in an effort to achieve equal representation across all sectors of the Black community, and with this venture, they aim to expand the presence of people of color within the wine space. Swann is a seasoned sports business executive, vintner, and producer with over 20 years of experience partnering with global brands in entertainment, sports, and wine.

Learn about Cannes Lions:
LIONS, the Home of Creativity, is the destination for those in the business of creativity. As the definitive benchmark of creative excellence and with unparalleled access to insight on how it works, LIONS provides those on the journey to creative excellence all they need, at whatever stage they are at and wherever they are. The annual five-day Festival, Cannes Lions, is the meeting place for the global creative marketing community and a celebration of the world’s most excellent and effective work. For more information about how to get involved at Cannes Lions, please reach out to partnerships@canneslions.com.

Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. 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 35+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.    

Contact:
Kara Gelber
PR@stagwellglobal.com 

Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

Ben Allanson ir@stagwellglobal.com 

NEW YORK, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, today announced Chairman and CEO Mark Penn will attend the 27^th Annual Needham Growth Conference in New York City.

Penn will participate in a fireside chat on January 15, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. ET. Penn will also be available for 1×1 meetings with investors.

The fireside chat will be webcast and can be accessed here. The recording will be available for 90 days following the event.

Visit this page to view upcoming investor events and programming from Stagwell. Reach out to ir@stagwellglobal.com with questions.

About Stagwell 
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. 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 35+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com. 

IR Contact
Ben Allanson
ir@stagwellglobal.com

Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

Shannon Pruitt
Stagwell Brand Performance Network (BxP)
shannon.pruitt@bxpnetwork.com

The new partnership creates the most advanced audio marketing capability within a global marketing network by allowing any Stagwell agency, including Assembly, Assembly Digital Commerce, Business Traveller Media, CPB Group LATAM, Forsman & Bodenfors, INK-Media, Goodstuff, Locaria, Multiview and Vitro, to seamlessly tap into ARM’s industry-leading intelligence, specialized services, expansive network of audio and creator partners, and 360-degree solutions spanning podcast, streaming, radio, YouTube, and extensions across live experiences and social. It builds on ARM’s track record for delivering audio media strategy, creative, planning and buying for leading brands including Molson Coors, BetterHelp, ZipRecruiter and Liquid Death.

“Our media network partners are advancing Stagwell clients into the future, and ARM brings deep specialization and unique advantages in harnessing the power and impact of the audio landscape,” said Jon Schaaf, Global Chief Investment Officer, Stagwell Brand Performance Network. “This industry-first collaboration will help us challenge legacy investment models, educate marketers and elevate the untapped power of audio in the consumer journey.”

According to Edison Research, 135 million people now listen to a podcast monthly, with IAB reporting a large share of Gen Z and Millennials now spend more time with audio content than streaming TV. With audio consumption representing 25 percent of ad-supported media time but only eight percent of advertiser budgets, more marketers stand to benefit from right-sizing their media mix, based on a newly released report from WARC Advisory and Audacy.

“Audio and audio-first creators have earned even more relevance amidst ongoing mass media fragmentation, offering brands mass reach, deep, authentic audience engagement and performance unparalleled by other channels,” said Jordan Fox, CEO of ARM. “Stagwell is a powerhouse in building agile partnerships and specialized solutions that take brands into the next frontiers of marketing innovation, and together we are elevating audio as a potent vehicle of business and cultural impact.”

About ARM
Ad Results Media (ARM) is the leading agency empowering brands to engage audiences through the power of audio creators. With 20+ years of experience across radio, podcasts, streaming audio and YouTube, including placing the very first podcast ad in 2010, ARM now stands among the world’s largest buyers of podcast media. ARM leverages its expertise and trusted, actionable intelligence across platforms to connect brands—such as MolsonCoors, BetterHelp, FanDuel, Wayfair and ZipRecruiter—with consumers. ARM delivers value and impact through unparalleled industry knowledge and relationships to drive results for brands and agencies. To learn more about ARM, visit adresultsmedia.com.

About Stagwell Brand Performance Network
The Brand Performance Network (BxP) is a collection of Stagwell agencies providing B2B and B2C marketers with connected global solutions in data-driven and technology-enabled creative, media, commerce and B2B Publishing. BxP has over 5,000 experts across 60 offices in 20 countries, collectively handling over $6 billion in media. Learn more at https://www.bxpnetwork.com

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. 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 35+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

Contact
Shannon Pruitt
Stagwell Brand Performance Network (BxP)
shannon.pruitt@bxpnetwork.com

Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

Kara Gelber  
Stagwell   
pr@stagwellglobal.com 

Kenneth Hein
Code and Theory 
kenneth.hein@codeandtheory.com 

With 15 years of expertise in digital strategy, products, content and innovation, Create. Group provides digital strategies that empower clients such as the Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), Dubai Department of Economy (DET) and Tourism, Sony Pictures, Volkswagen Middle East, COP29, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and NEOM. Create. Group is headquartered in the UAE with additional offices in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

This deal comes as Stagwell cements its presence in MENA with recent acquisitions of Consulum and LEADERS, and on the heels of Create. Group winning Campaign’s Middle East Digital Agency of the Year in 2022, 2023 and 2024, Campaign’s Middle East Independent Agency of the Year 2023 and Adweek’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Agencies in 2022 and 2023.  Create. Group joins Stagwell’s Code and Theory Network alongside their flagship namesake agency who was named Ad Age Business Transformation Agency of the Year in 2024 for leading transformation through technology. Code and Theory Network is the first of its kind with a balance of 50% creative and 50% engineers at scale.

“As a digital leader in the region, Create. Group is a strong addition for Stagwell in the Middle East as we pursue global digital transformation for our clients. Create. Group and the Code and Theory Network share the same digital-led vision and together, we’re the right size to produce quality, game-changing work that will drive growth at-scale for brands,” shared Chairman and CEO of Stagwell Mark Penn.

Dan Gardner, Founder and Executive Chairman of Stagwell’s Code and Theory Network added, “Create. Group is at the epicenter of a powerful emerging market with huge ambitions. The projects in the Middle East are some of the biggest projects in the world. And Create. Group excels at delivering them having just won its third digital agency of the year award. They will now be able to expand their capabilities within Code and Theory Network to deliver best-in-class results locally and beyond.”

“Joining the Code and Theory and wider Stagwell network allows us to access world-class talent, cutting-edge technology, and a truly global footprint. This step fuels our growth, empowers our teams, and ensures we’re ideally positioned to help deliver for the region’s most ambitious brands,” states Tom Otton, Founder and CEO of Create. Group.

Otton will continue to lead Create. Group and will be integrated into Stagwell’s Code and Theory Network, now boasting 2,000 team members worldwide, under Dan Gardner and CEO Michael Treff’s leadership.

The acquisition comes as Stagwell expands its global footprint and invests further in strategy and communications at the forefront of digital transformation. Create. Group is Stagwell’s eleventh acquisition of 2024, following UNICEPTA (Germany), Consulum (MENA), LEADERS (MENA), Business Traveller (Global), BERA (U.S.), Luxine Relations Publiques (Canada), PROS (Brazil), What’s Next Partners (France), Sidekick (U.K.) and Team Epiphany (U.S.).

About Stagwell 
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. 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 35+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

About Code and Theory Network
Code and Theory Network is the only network with a balance of 50% creative and 50% engineers at scale. The technology-first group within Stagwell is built to partner with businesses to navigate the complexity of changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies and AI. With a global footprint and the capabilities to work across the entire consumer journey, we crave the hardest problems to solve. The network includes the flagship agency Code and Theory as well as Kettle, Instrument, Left Field Labs, Truelogic, Rhythm, and Mediacurrent. Code and Theory clients include Amazon, JPMorganChase, Microsoft, NBC, NFL and Yeti. For more, visit codeandtheory.com.
 
About Create. Group
Create. Group is the Middle East’s leading strategic digital communications group, with a team of 150+ across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The group consists of Create., the strategic digital communications agency, and Create. Production, the content production studio, under one shared mission: to partner with nation builders and visionary brands to drive positive cultural and economic transformation. Together, they deliver award-winning digital strategy, products, content, and innovation through a culture focused on driving impact with award-winning quality, at speed.  For more information visit www.creategroup.me or contact tala.mukaddam@creategroup.me.

Contacts: 
Kara Gelber  
Stagwell   
pr@stagwellglobal.com

Kenneth Hein
Code and Theory 
kenneth.hein@codeandtheory.com