By: Ray Day
CONTACT:
We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

TARIFF WORRIES:
Most American consumers are worried about the impact of President Trump’s tariffs, according to our Harris Poll research with Bloomberg News.
- 59% expect Trump’s tariffs to lead to higher prices.
- 44% say tariffs are likely to be bad for the U.S. economy – compared to 31% who say they would be a boost.
- 61% say they already have noticed an increase in grocery prices in the last month.
- 59% believe tariffs will raise the cost of everyday goods further.
- Only 31% say the U.S. economy is working.
- Being able to comfortably afford monthly expenses (40%) is more important to Americans than a strong job market (26%), producing more of what we buy in the U.S. (13%), growth in innovation and new industries (11%) and a rising stock market and strong corporate performance (10%).
ECONOMIC PESSIMISM:
Most Americans believe the economy is getting worse rather than improving or staying the same, based to our Harris Poll research with The Guardian.
- 51% of Americans believe the U.S. economy is worsening.
- 20% say the economy is improving.
- More Republicans believe the U.S. economy is improving compared to the past (39% today versus 8% last May).
- More Democrats think it’s worsening today (69% today versus 36% last May).
- 47% of Americans believe the U.S. is currently in a recession (53% of Democrats, 46% of Independents and 43% of Republicans).
- Democrats (69%) and Independents (66%) believe the economy is worse than the media describe it.
- Republicans think the economy is better than media reports (56%).
U.S. EXODUS?:
Rising rent, healthcare and education costs are causing more Americans to consider moving overseas, according to our Harris Poll research with Fast Company.
- 42% of Americans have considered or plan to move abroad to improve their happiness.
- 19% of young people say they are seriously considering an imminent move.
- 52% believe they would have a higher quality of life living abroad.
- Lower cost of living (49%) is the top reason for considering a move, followed by dissatisfaction with the current political leadership (48%).
- The top five countries Americans would consider moving to are Canada, the UK, Australia, France and Italy.
ICYMI: In case you missed it, check out the thought-leadership and happenings around Stagwell making news:
![Risk and Reputation Unit Webinar March 7 2025 v2[8]](https://www.stagwellglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Risk-and-Reputation-Unit-Webinar-March-7-2025-v28-scaled.jpg)
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Noel and Zhang will co-lead the Stagwell (STGW) agency’s strategic direction, doubling down on its award-winning Business Agency approach
NEW YORK, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Business Agency GALE has announced new leadership, elevating two of its long-time senior executives, Andrew Noel and Sophia Zhang, to CEO of Global and CEO of North America, respectively. The new appointments come after GALE’s founding CEO Brad Simms announced his retirement last month.

“Brad was integral to GALE’s success and we wish him well in this next chapter,” said Noel, one of GALE’s co-founders. “As we take the baton, Sophia and I are excited to build on the agency’s well-established legacy, emphasizing the disruptive approach and innovations that have made it one of the industry’s most-awarded agencies.”
Noel and Zhang, who have been with GALE for a decade, will continue driving the agency’s status as a leader in modern marketing, doubling down on its strategic advisory offering, further enhancing its industry-leading technology, Alchemy.Ai, and fostering a continued emphasis on driving real business growth for its clients.
“GALE’s culture of great people, great clients, and great work is one that we care about deeply,” said Zhang. “The value we bring as a Business Agency is more critical than ever and will define our future success as we set the standard for excellence across creativity, strategy, and technology.”
As Global and North America CEOs, Noel and Zhang will co-lead the agency’s strategic vision and direction, expanding on a close partnership established in their previously held roles of Managing Partners. Both will maintain close oversight of client services and advisory, and have been integral in agency, client, and employee decision-making for several years.
Over the past few years, GALE has experienced unprecedented growth, earning accolades including Ad Age‘s A-List, Ad Age‘s Data & Analytics Agency of the Year, Adweek‘s Fastest Growing Agencies, Adweek‘s Breakthrough Media Agency of the Year, and Campaign US‘ Advertising Agency of the Year. It is also currently shortlisted for Campaign US‘ Digital Innovation Agency of the Year.
“I see a bright future for GALE’s next chapter under Sophia and Andrew’s leadership,” shared Chairman and CEO of Stagwell Mark Penn. “GALE sits at the forefront of modern marketing, and I feel confident the agency will continue to drive strong client outcomes across creative and media ecosystems under their leadership.”
About GALE
GALE is a Business Agency. We bring business insights to brand storytelling and activate across every channel. With expertise in business strategy, CRM, loyalty, brand storytelling, integrated, performance, creative, and content marketing, experience design and media, GALE creates marketing systems and communications that grow businesses. GALE delivers strong business outcomes for its partners in automotive, QSR, retail, gaming, entertainment, telecom and more. Founded in 2014, the agency currently has offices in New York, Singapore, Toronto, Denver, Los Angeles, London, Austin, Kansas City and Bengaluru. GALE has received top industry awards including Ad Age‘s A-List, Ad Age‘s Data & Analytics Agency of the Year, Adweek‘s Fastest Growing Agencies and Adweek‘s Breakthrough Media Agency of the Year.
Contact:
Mary Moczula
mary.moczula@galepartners.com
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NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, today announced the acquisition of Gold Rabbit Sports, a global sport marketing agency that helps brands and rightsholders unlock the communications and commercial potential of sports and entertainment. Gold Rabbit Sports will become a subsidiary of Stagwell’s integrated experiential agency TEAM, who Gold Rabbit Sports previously collaborated with on several client initiatives.
Gold Rabbit Sports helps brands, rightsholders, media companies, and startups achieve measurable and memorable sponsorships, deals, and activations. Launched in 2020 by André Schunk, a Sports Business Journal ‘Forty under 40’ honoree and now including Managing Partner Carter Carnegie of Metrical Inc, Gold Rabbit Sports has worked with renowned brands on a global scale including the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kentucky Derby, Red Bull, Athleta, Grubhub, Sentient Jet, FanDuel TV, FIFA World Cup and the Olympics.
Gold Rabbit Sports will offer clients strategic counsel and campaign support across the sports marketing ecosystem, from strategy to deals to big ideas. This acquisition builds on Stagwell’s commitment to engaging in conversations about sports’ importance for marketers. The acquisition also bolsters TEAM’s ability to service their clients’ growing desire to integrate their brands within communities in a meaningful way through sports partnerships and properties.
“Gold Rabbit Sports perfectly complements the Stagwell network and its traction in harnessing the power of sports marketing,” said Dan Gregory CEO of TEAM. “We’ve seen quite an uptick in clients who want to not just be involved with a sports property but truly create and deliver unique and impactful ways to show up. The Gold Rabbit team is top notch at doing just that.”
“We’re excited to join Stagwell and build out the network’s offering in the world of sports and entertainment marketing,” said André Schunk, CEO of Gold Rabbit Sports. “Stagwell’s entrepreneurial mindset mirrors our own and we look forward to helping clients intrigued by sports and entertainment navigate the landscape and craft cost-effective partnerships that deliver measurable returns.”
The addition of Gold Rabbit Sports follows Stagwell’s announcement of its intent to acquire ADK GLOBAL in January 2025, and a total of 11 acquisitions throughout 2024.
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 40+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.
About TEAM
TEAM is an agency dedicated to making impactful brand experiences. We bring big ideas to life in ways that are not just seen and heard but truly felt. Every year, we design and deliver over 100,000 brand activations and events across the globe. Our brand playbooks merge commercial success with creative brilliance, creating meaningful connections and nurturing community spirit. Whether building brands from scratch or revitalizing existing ones, we infuse them with vitality, authenticity, and tangible platforms for interaction. By prioritizing scaled experiences at the core of brand strategy, we empower brands to build deeper relationships, share compelling stories, and engage with audiences authentically. Visit www.weareteam.com to learn more.
About Gold Rabbit Sports
Gold Rabbit Sports is a big idea incubator that unlocks the communications and commercial potential of sports and entertainment platforms. We guide brands to measurable and memorable partnerships and rightsholders to unexpected and delightful collaborations. In just 5 years, our entrepreneurial mindset, creativity, optimism, tempo, and 100+ combined years of global experience has already helped over 30 clients around the world meet business goals by designing best-in-class deals and activations connected to FIFA World Cup, the Olympic movement, major sporting leagues, championship teams, top-tier athletes, marquee sporting events, cultural moments, music platforms, and more. Visit www.goldrabbitsports.com to learn more.
Contact:
Maggie Axford
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Originally Released On
Revenue Growth of 8%, Led by 13% Growth from Performance Media & Data
Net Loss Attributable to Stagwell Inc. Common Shareholders of $1.3 million
Adjusted EBITDA of $90 million, An Increase of 25% Year-Over-Year
Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 17%, An Increase of 320 Basis Points Year-Over-Year
EPS of $(0.01); Adjusted EPS of $0.16, An Increase of 14% Year-Over-Year
Net New Business of $66 million in Q1; LTM Net New Business of $284 million
Reaffirm Guidance for 2024 of Organic Net Revenue Growth of 5% to 7%; Adjusted EBITDA of $400 million to $450 million; Free Cash Flow Conversion of ~50%
NEW YORK, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — (NASDAQ: STGW) – Stagwell Inc. (“Stagwell”) today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
FIRST QUARTER RESULTS:
- Q1 Revenue of $670 million, an increase of 8% versus the prior year period.
- Q1 Net Loss attributable to Stagwell Inc. Common Shareholders of $1.3 million versus Income of $1.4 million in the prior year period.
- Q1 Adjusted EBITDA of $90 million, an increase of 25% versus the prior year period.
- Q1 Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 17% on net revenue, an improvement of 320 basis points versus the prior year period.
- Q1 Earnings Per Share Attributable to Stagwell Inc. Common Shareholders of $(0.01) versus $0.00 in the prior year period.
- Q1 Adjusted Earnings Per Share attributable to Stagwell Inc. Common Shareholders of $0.16 versus $0.14 in the prior year period.
- Net new business wins of $66 million in the first quarter, last twelve-month net new business wins of $284 million.
- Q1 Net Revenue of $532 million, an increase of 2% versus the prior year period.
- Q1 Organic Net Revenue increased 2% versus the prior year period, led by 54% increase in Advocacy.
Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO, said, “We are on target for 2024 with a return to growth and strong margin expansion led by the double-digit growth of the Performance Media & Data Capability. We see tailwinds of record new business, growth in advertising generally, and a strengthened market position given growing industry accolades for our work.”
“We continue to invest in technology with the Stagwell Marketing Cloud setting the pace for innovation and we believe that we will see growth in AI-related digital transformation assignments building in the second half of the year along with a strong advocacy season. At the same time, we are successfully expanding our global presence, and we are seeing that pay dividends with enhanced growth.”
Frank Lanuto, Chief Financial Officer, commented: “Revenue in Q1 grew by 8% year-over-year to $670 million. Cost actions taken in 2023 contributed to 25% growth in adjusted EBITDA or $90 million, representing a 17% adjusted EBITDA margin, an improvement of 320 basis points over the prior year. We are well positioned to achieve our 2024 targets, as we continue to focus on efficiency, especially through the implementation of AI on our shared services platform.”
Financial Outlook
2024 financial guidance is reiterated as follows:
- Organic Net Revenue growth of 5% to 7%
- Organic Net Revenue excluding Advocacy growth of 4% to 5%
- Adjusted EBITDA of $400 million to $450 million
- Free Cash Flow Conversion of approximately 50%
- Adjusted EPS of $0.75 – $0.88
- Guidance assumes no impact from foreign exchange, acquisitions or dispositions.
* The Company has excluded a quantitative reconciliation with respect to the Company’s 2024 guidance under the “unreasonable efforts” exception in Item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for additional information.
Video Webcast
Management will host a video webcast on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. (ET) to discuss results for Stagwell Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The video webcast will be accessible at https://stgw.io/Earnings. An investor presentation has been posted on our website at www.stagwellglobal.com and may be referred to during the webcast.
A recording of the webcast will be accessible one hour after the webcast and available for ninety days at www.stagwellglobal.com.
Stagwell Inc.
Stagwell is the challenger network 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 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.
Contacts
For Investors:
Ben Allanson
IR@stagwellglobal.com
For Press:
Beth Sidhu
PR@stagwellglobal.com
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to its reported results, Stagwell Inc. has included in this earnings release certain financial results that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines as “non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Management believes that such non-GAAP financial measures, when read in conjunction with the Company’s reported results, can provide useful supplemental information for investors analyzing period to period comparisons of the Company’s results. Such non-GAAP financial measures include the following:
(1) Organic Revenue: “Organic revenue growth” and “Organic revenue decline” reflects the year-over-year change in the Company’s reported net revenue attributable to the Company’s management of the entities it owns. We calculate organic net revenue growth (decline) by subtracting the net impact of acquisitions (divestitures) and the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations from the aggregate year-over-year increase or decrease in the Company’s reported net revenue. The net impact of acquisitions (divestitures) reflects the year-over-year change in the Company’s reported net revenue attributable to the impact of all individual entities that were acquired or divested in the current and prior year. We calculate impact of an acquisition as follows: (a) for an entity acquired during the current year, we present the entity’s prior year net revenue for the same period during which we owned it in the current year as impact of the acquisition in the current year; and (b) for an entity acquired in the prior year, we present the entity’s prior year net revenue for the period during which we did not own the entity in the prior year as impact of the acquisition in the current year. We calculate impact of a divestiture as follows: (a) for a divestiture in the current year, we present the entity’s prior year net revenue for the same period during which we no longer owned it in the current year as impact of the divestiture in the current year; and (b) for a divestiture in the prior year, we present the entity’s prior year net revenue for the period during which we owned it in the prior year as impact of the divestiture in the current year. We calculate the impact of any acquisition or divestiture without adjusting for foreign currency exchange fluctuations. The impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations reflects the year-over-year change in the Company’s reported net revenue attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We calculate the impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations for the portion of the reporting period in which we recognized revenue from a foreign entity in both the current year and the prior year. The impact is calculated as the difference between (1) reported prior period net revenue (converted to U.S. dollars at historical foreign currency exchange rates) and (2) prior period net revenue converted to U.S. dollars at current period foreign exchange rates.
(2) Net New Business: Estimate of annualized revenue for new wins less annualized revenue for losses incurred in the period.
(3) Adjusted EBITDA: defined as Net income excluding non-operating income or expense to achieve operating income, plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, deferred acquisition consideration adjustments, and other items. Other items include restructuring costs, acquisition-related expenses, and non-recurring items.
(4) Adjusted Diluted EPS is defined as (i) Net income (loss) attributable to Stagwell Inc. common shareholders, plus net income attributable to Class C shareholders, excluding amortization expense, impairment and other losses, stock-based compensation, deferred acquisition consideration adjustments, discrete tax items, and other items, divided by (ii) (a) the per weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus (b) the weighted average number of Class C shares outstanding, (if dilutive). Other items includes restructuring costs, acquisition-related expenses, and non-recurring items, and subject to the anti-dilution rules.
(5) Free Cash Flow: defined as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, change in net working capital, cash taxes, interest, and distributions to minority interests, but excludes contingent M&A payments. Free Cash Flow Conversion is the percentage of adjusted EBITDA.
Included in this earnings release are tables reconciling reported Stagwell Inc. results to arrive at certain of these non-GAAP financial measures.
This document contains forward-looking statements. within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company’s representatives may also make forward-looking statements orally or in writing from time to time. Statements in this document that are not historical facts, including, statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, future financial performance, growth, and future prospects, the Company’s strategy, business and economic trends and growth, technological leadership and differentiation, potential acquisitions, anticipated operating efficiencies and synergies and estimates of amounts for redeemable noncontrolling interests and deferred acquisition consideration, constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, which are generally denoted by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “create,” “estimate,” “expect,” “focus,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “future,” “goal,” “guidance,” “in development,” “intend,” “likely,” “look,” “maintain,” “may,” “ongoing,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” or the negative of such terms or other variations thereof and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of current plans, estimates and projections are subject to change based on a number of factors, including those outlined in this section.
Forward-looking statements in this document are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although the management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The material assumptions upon which such forward-looking statements are based include, among others, assumptions with respect to general business, economic and market conditions, the competitive environment, anticipated and unanticipated tax consequences and anticipated and unanticipated costs. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and are subject to change based on a number of factors, including those outlined in this section. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company’s control. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events, if any.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
- risks associated with international, national and regional unfavorable economic conditions that could affect the Company or its clients;
- and demand for the Company’s services, which may precipitate or exacerbate other risks and uncertainties;
- inflation and actions taken by central banks to counter inflation;
- the Company’s ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients;
- the impact of a reduction in client spending and changes in client advertising, marketing and corporate communications requirements;
- financial failure of the Company’s clients;
- the Company’s ability to retain and attract key employees;
- the Company’s ability to compete in the markets in which it operates;
- the Company’s ability to achieve its cost saving initiatives;
- the Company’s implementation of strategic initiatives;
- the Company’s ability to remain in compliance with its debt agreements and the Company’s ability to finance its contingent payment obligations when due and payable, including but not limited to those relating to redeemable noncontrolling interests and deferred acquisition consideration;
- the Company’s ability to manage its growth effectively, including the successful completion and integration of acquisitions that complement and expand the Company’s business capabilities;
- the Company’s ability to develop products incorporating new technologies, including augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, and realize benefits from such products;
- adverse tax consequences for the Company, its operations and its stockholders, that may differ from the expectations of the Company, including that future changes in tax laws, potential increases to corporate tax rates in the United States and disagreements with tax authorities on the Company’s determinations may result in increased tax costs;
- adverse tax consequences in connection with the Transactions, including the incurrence of material Canadian federal income tax (including material “emigration tax”);
- the Company’s unremediated material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and its ability to establish and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting;
- the Company’s ability to protect client data from security incidents or cyberattacks;
- economic disruptions resulting from war and other geopolitical tensions (such as the ongoing military conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in Israel and Gaza), terrorist activities and natural disasters;
- stock price volatility; and
- foreign currency fluctuations.
Investors should carefully consider these risk factors, other risk factors described herein, and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail in our 2023 Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 11, 2024, and accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, under the caption “Risk Factors,” and in the Company’s other SEC filings.
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Connect with Stagwell at CES 2024
Stagwell will return to Las Vegas for CES 2024, where we will host a series of conversations at the intersection of business, marketing and impactful technology. Join us for interactive briefings, hands on experiences, and shared discourse to level up your experience at the world’s biggest technology show.
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Boot up! The U.S.’ biggest technology show, CES, is just around the corner and Stagwell is headed to Vegas with our eyes peeled for the technology that will drive marketing and business transformation in 2024. CES is inspirational, no doubt. But for modern business leaders, finding focus on the convention floor can be tricky.
To help the C-Suite parse the fads from the frontiers at CES, Stagwell is launching the first edition of a new insights series, C [×] O. Across some of the biggest creative, technology, and marketing events this year, we’ll bring our brand of smart, quick insights to focus the C [×] O in your organization on the most valuable transformations to track. At CES, we’ll be looking out for trends for the CEOs, CMOs, CTOs, and C(Communications) Officers.
Still getting your plans together for Vegas? Meet our experts here and read on for their predictions of what to expect on the ground.
![C[ ]O graphics updated-02](https://www.stagwellglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/C-O-graphics-updated-02.png)
CEOs: Remember the VCR
David Sable, Vice Chair, Stagwell
CES can be the equivalent of watching a focus group with a loud and polarizing participant who creates a dynamic around one POV that suits their purpose. I refer you, with caution, to the years where we heard that drones would take over the world; AR/VR would change everything we did; Climate issues would be core to all that we buy: TV screens were dead and gone: and of course, AI will rule the world.
In 1970, at CES, Phillips introduced the consumer VCR, bringing a $50,000 TV studio product to our homes…which evolved to the Streaming we have today. Keep your eyes open and your minds free. Think about that VCR, ignore the group think, and see if you can spot what actually might be next. Contrarian thinking may unlock an unpopular or unexpected path to transforming your business. More to come from the floor.
CMOs: Look Out for The Age of Smarter Creativity
Maggie Malek, President, North America, Crispin Porter + Bogusky
CES 2024 will be another chapter in the narrative of finding the balance between technology and people. AI will, of course, be the champion as it’s top of mind for virtually everyone, but 2024 will be about how companies utilize the tech to enable even smarter marketing. CMOs will continue to have to find the right magic middle of leveraging AI for efficiencies while re-investing those savings into areas to drive their business. AI will allow dollars to be spent towards smarter creative; more access to creators as advertisers; reduced media waste with AI-enabled adtech; revitalizing purpose-driven investments from equity to sustainability; and stronger digital experiences to drive personalization in a cookieless world. Life post-pandemic has always been about efficiency, but we’re optimistic 2024 enables brand building to re-emerge even smarter than before.
CTOs: The Quantum Era Puts the CTO-CMO Partnership in Focus
Justin Lewis, Chair, Constellation
Technology transformation surged in 2023 with the adoption of consumer-friendly GenAI. This shift mirrored the early days of social media, swiftly evolving from initial skepticism to a rallying cry for global businesses and tech leaders. CES 2024 promises to chart AI’s continued trajectory as we are treated to tangible results from a year of experimentation across various sectors.
CES will be a pivotal moment for tech leaders, emphasizing the imperative collaboration between Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) and Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs). Expect organizations to rekindle focus on this partnership, which is essential for transforming innovation into category-defining opportunities. On the ground, I’ll be tracking how immersive tech like AR and VR gains traction, infiltrating education, fitness, and business applications; how industries expand blockchain’s applications, especially in healthcare; and how quantum computing, a game-changing tech, takes the spotlight for its problem-solving prowess and security enhancements, demanding collaboration between tech experts and the government to navigate associated risks.
CCOs: With Mis/Mal/Dis-Information Afoot, 2024 is the Year of Responsible Tech
Ray Day, Vice Chair, Stagwell
For Chief Communications Officers at this year’s CES, “responsible tech” needs to be a major theme. While AI was THE headline of 2023, adopting it – as well as other game-changing technologies – responsibly and ethically will be job one for those of us trusted with stewarding an organization’s reputation. Comms leaders need to be focused on technology and its role in misinformation – especially leading up to the U.S. General Election; polarization and how to use technology to bring people back together; and better anticipating the ever-increasing reputation risks technology will pose in the year ahead.
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Contact:
hello@stagwellglobal.com
Yesterday, August 23, marked the first major national moment of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Looking ahead, Stagwell’s Risk and Reputation Unit expects the next 18 months are going to be politically anti-business – compounded by a fraught calendar filled with potential flashpoints for brands. Ongoing reputational crises make it clear: you need to have your house in order, as your brand could be next on the attack list amongst a wide audience of engaged Americans.
THE MAJOR WEDGE ISSUES GOING INTO 2024
Americans Don’t Believe Economic Reporting
- 59% say current economic conditions are being misrepresented due to the upcoming election cycle
- 53% say the media and news sources discuss the economy inaccurately
- 60% say the economy isn’t as good as the new sources make it to be
(The Harris Poll, America This Week Wave 179)
Past Election Cycle Suggests Future Risk Ahead
- Disney’s trended average political split between Republicans and Democrats went from a nominal 2.6 points in 2019 to highly polarized 19.3 points in 2023 during its legal battle with Florida and Governor Ron DeSantis
- Nike’s political split went from 4.3 in 2019 to 16.3 in 2022 – the most divisive company that year – after the “Satan Shoes” controversy with their Lil Nas X partnership
- Twitter’s political split went from 13 points Democrat favor in 2022 to 11 points Republican favor in response to Musk’s takeover
(2023 Axios Harris Poll 100)
Politics Create Brand Dissonance
- 82% of all Americans say companies are becoming more political than ever
- 71% aren’t interested in supporting companies that have become too political, regardless if they agree with their stances
- 78% wish their preferred brands would stay out of politics
(The Harris Poll, July 2023)
HOW STAGWELL IS HELPING BUSINESS LEADERS SEE AROUND CORNERS
As featured this week in PRovoke, Stagwell’s Risk and Reputation Unit’s bipartisan team of political, financial, and public opinion specialists will prepare brands for the grueling ongoing political cycle and polarized society.
The Unit brings together experts from left-of-center strategic advisory SKDK, right-of-center digital-first agency Targeted Victory, financial communications firm Sloane & Company, insights and research firm The Harris Poll, and Stagwell’s corporate leadership.
This fall, we will host three in-person luncheon briefings for business leaders aimed at unpacking what the next 18 months hold and how brands should prepare themselves. Dates are as follows:
- NEW YORK: September 13, 2023
- WASHINGTON, D.C.: September 20, 2023
- CHICAGO: September 27, 2023
To request a seat at our events, receive a consultation about the risks your brand faces, or join the mailing list for future updates, please reach out to hello@stagwellglobal.com.
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As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, Stagwell is proud to lead the charge as the only digital-first marketing services network. Today, we’re excited to announce that 9 of our network agencies have been recognized by the prestigious Webby Awards for their outstanding work in pushing the boundaries of the internet. They include Anomaly, ARound, 72andSunny, Code and Theory, GALE, HUNTER, Instrument, Observatory, and YML.
With a total of 13 Webby Award nominations and 14 honors received to date this year, Stagwell’s agencies are shining bright on the shortlist. It’s a testament to the innovative and creative minds within our network who are driving forward the future of digital marketing. Join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement and cast your vote for Webby’s People Choice Award by Thursday, April 20th.

72andSunny
- Call of Duty Modern Warfare “Squad Up” – Nominee – Video > General Video > Trailer – VOTE HERE
- NFL “We See You” – Honoree – Advertising, Marketing & PR > Advertising Campaign > Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign – VIEW THE WORK
- HubSpot “Success Stories” – Honoree – Advertising, Marketing & PR > Craft > Best Copywriting – VIEW THE WORK
- Bumble “Fall in Love with Dating” – Honoree – Advertising, Marketing & PR > Individual > Video Ad Shortform > VIEW THE WORK
- Google “Helping You Help Them” – Honoree – Advertising, Media & PR – Advertising Campaigns – Best Partnership or Collaboration – VIEW THE WORK
Anomaly
- Make Time for the Life Artois – Nominee – Advertising, Media & PR > Craft > Best Video Editing – VOTE HERE
ARound
- ARound Stadium – Honoree – Apps, dApps and Software > App Features > Best Use of Augmented Reality – VIEW THE WORK
Code and Theory
- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill – Nominee – Websites and Mobile Sites > General Websites and Mobile Sites > Architecture, Art & Design – VOTE HERE
- Code and Theory Inclusive Design & Marketing – Honoree – Video > Branded Entertainment > Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – VIEW THE WORK
- Windows (Consumer) – Honoree – Websites and Mobile Sites > General Websites and Mobile Sites > Web Services & Applications – VIEW THE WORK
- Fatherly – Honoree – Websites and Mobiles Sites > General Websites and Mobile Sites > Travel & Lifestyle – VIEW THE WORK
- Amazon Ads – Honoree – Advertising, Media & PR > Branded Content > Products & Services – VIEW THE WORK
GALE
- 26.2 You’re Gonna Need Milk For That with MilkPEP – Nominee – Advertising, Media & PR > PR Campaigns > Best Event Activation > VOTE HERE
HUNTER
- Johnnie Walker and Lilly Singh Join Forces for Gender Parity in Leadership – Nominee – Video > Branded Entertainment > Corporate Social Responsibility – VOTE HERE
Instrument
Observatory
- “Live From The Upside Down” Netflix Stranger’s Things and Doritos from Observatory & Slap Global – Nominee – Advertising, Media & PR > Branded Content > Media & Entertainment – VOTE HERE
- “Live From The Upside Down” Netflix Stranger’s Things and Doritos from Observatory & Slap Global – Nominee – Video > Branded Entertainment > Media & Entertaniment – VOTE HERE
- “Live From The Upside Down” Netflix Stranger’s Things and Doritos from Observatory & Slap Global – Nominee – Metaverse, Immersive & Virtual > General Virtual Experiences > Entertainment, Sports & Music – VOTE HERE
YML
- YETI Year in Preview: Plan your wildest year yet – Nominee – Websites and Mobile Sites > General Websites and Mobile Sites > Events – VOTE HERE
- Albertsons: Simplifying Grovery Shopping for Millions – Nominee – Apps, dApps and Software > General Apps > Shopping & Retail – VOTE HERE
- Chopt: Building an End-to-End Experience for a Challenger Brand – Nominee – Apps, dApps and Software > General Apps > Food & Drink – VOTE HERE
- FIREWATCH: Using NFTs to Fight California Wildfires – Honoree -Websites and Mobile Sites – Responsible Innovation – VIEW THE WORK
- Albertsons: Simplifying Grocery Shopping for Millions in the Websites and Mobile Sites – Honoree – Best Mobile Visual Design – Function – VIEW THE WORK
- Champion: Evolving an Iconic Brand For a New Generation – Honoree – Websites and Mobile Sites > Shopping & Retail – VIEW THE WORK
- Chopt: Building an End-to-End Experience for a Challenger Brand – Honoree – Apps, dApps and Software > Technical Achievement – VIEW THE WORK
- FIREWATCH: Using NFTs to Fight California Wildfires – Honoree – Websites and Mobile Sites > Sustainable Technology: VIEW THE WORK
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Roving Video Content Studio Will Capture On-the-Ground Perspectives to be Shared via Stagwell’s Digital Channels
NEW YORK and AUSTIN, Texas, March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, is gearing up for its biggest South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) presence to date with programming ranging from official panels to side-stage conversations to special events. Stagwell network leaders from Assembly, Brand Performance Network, Code and Theory, GALE, KWT Global, MMI Agency, National Research Group (NRG), Stagwell Marketing Cloud, and YML will explore artificial intelligence, advertising, marketing, emerging tech, fandom, public relations and communications, sports innovation, sustainability, and other buzzing topics.
“SXSW sets the tone for the creative and cultural trends that define the year ahead,” said Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark Penn. “From the unifying power of sports and brand fandom to the next frontiers of AR and AI, Stagwell is headed to Austin to help drive – and learn from – the conversations that are top-of-mind right now for marketers, technologists, entrepreneurs and business leaders alike.”
Press or brand leaders interested in attending any of the below and/or connecting with Stagwell on the ground should contact sxsw2023@stagwellglobal.com.
Where Stagwell is Showing Up
Saturday, March 11
- 11:30AM: The Power of Fandom in the Metaverse: This session will explore how fandom is the forum for new immersive ways, spaces, and types of connection, and how the metaverse is changing the way audiences connect and interact with sports, entertainment, music, and gaming; featuring Infinite Reality CMO Hope Frank, NRG CMO Grady Miller, Lenovo CMO, North America Gerald Youngblood, and Brand Performance Network, Global Chief Content & Partnership Innovation Officer Shannon Pruitt.
- 11:50AM: Women in Marketing Leadership Forum: YML’s SVP of Growth Stephanie Wiseman will join Danone’s Head of Marketing Linda Bethea, Hyatt VP, Global Marketing Laurie Blair, MetLife SVP, Global Brand & Marketing Michelle Froah, and Visa Head of Corporate Marketing Alison Herzog in conversation at the Brand Innovators Leadership Summit.
- 4PM: Stagwell, in partnership with Sportico, will host cocktails to commemorate the kickoff of SXSW at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Sunday, March 12
- 11:15AM: Women in Marketing Leadership Forum: While an increasing number of female leadership appointments make headlines, progress still feels slow. Wells Enterprises Chief Commercial Officer Santhi Ramesh, Nature’s Sunshine VP, Marketing Stephanie O’Farrell, former P&G Beauty, Grooming & Health Chief Communications Officer Kelly Vanasse, and MMI Agency CEO Maggie Malek join Brand Innovators Leadership Summit to share lessons learned.
- 11:30AM-12:30PM: Anatomy of a Fan: Harnessing Loyalty, Insights, and Emerging Technology: Join ARound Founder and CEO Josh Beatty, NRG EVP, Strategy & Innovation Fotoulla Damaskos, Minnesota Twins Sr. Director, Innovation and Growth Chris Iles, and Sportico Sports Business Reporter Eben Novy-Williams in conversation on the power of sports, and creating and nurturing brand fandom.
- 2:20PM: Sustainability & Purpose-Driven Marketing: This Brand Innovators Leadership Summit session will feature YML CCO Stephen Clements in conversation with PepsiCo Senior Director, Creative & Digital Christian Hoyle, YETI Director, Creative Ginny Golden, Kickstarter VP, Brand Marketing Elyse Mallouk, and OkCupid Global Head of Communications Michael Kaye, moderated by Everfi VP, Enterprise Marketing Paula Cobb.
Monday, March 13
- 11AM-5PM: Driving the Transformation of Marketing: Stagwell at Circuit of the Americas: Brand leaders and Stagwell agencies will come together for a day at the Formula 1 racetrack, where they will learn how to drive like a pro from the Skip Barber Racing School. The day will include lunch, tactical driving, speed drills, time behind the wheel of an F4 car, and cocktails to wrap the day.
- 5:30-7:30PM: Axios and PRophet: The New Communications Engineer: Aaron Kwittken, founder and CEO of PRophet, the AI-driven predictive pitch platform for PR professionals, will join the Axios editorial team in conversation spotlighting how AI can revolutionize the way communicators work, create content and exchange ideas.
Tuesday, March 14
- 4-4:30PM: How Trust Impacts Fandom in Immersive Experiences: The immersive fan experience isn’t just a hype-cycle XR, VR, or the metaverse. It’s how sports, media, and entertainment companies are connecting with their audiences in ways we never imagined. The session will feature Infinite Reality President of Metaverse Operations Helix Wolfson, OpenWeb CMO Tiffany Xingyu Wang, COTY SVP, U.S. Marketing Kevin Shapiro, and Brand Performance Network, Global Chief Content & Partnership Innovation Officer Shannon Pruitt.
Wednesday, March 15
- Tune into the SXSW official podcast channel throughout the day for Stagwell and Infinite Reality’s 4-part series on trends in the metaverse. Guests will include executives from Napster, Afropunk, Obsesh, Animal Concerts and Let’s Get FR.EE, among others.
About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger network 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 13,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.
Media Contact
Sarah Arvizo
pr@stagwellglobal.com
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Originally Released On
CONTACT:
Alex Birmingham
KWT Global
abirmingham@kwtgloblal.com
Emily Falcone
Axios
emily.falcone@axios.com
The private event will feature discussions with prominent business leaders examining the role of AI for modern PR pros and communicators
NEW YORK and AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell Marketing Cloud’s PRophet, the first-ever generative AI PR pitch platform built by and for modern PR professionals that predicts media interest and sentiment, will sponsor an exclusive Axios panel discussion and private reception during the upcoming SXSW 2023 Conference to discuss the future of AI for PR professionals.
The March 13 invitation-only event will feature a panel discussion exploring the ways in which AI will transform how modern communicators work, create content and exchange ideas. Attendees will include prominent leaders across business, technology and media.
Discussions will be centered around the pros and cons of advanced AI tools and techniques across the media landscape, and the outsized role innovation plays in reaching various diverse audiences with trusted news and information. Axios Communicators newsletter author Eleanor Hawkins and Axios senior media reporter Sara Fischer will moderate the panel discussions.
PRophet Founder and CEO Aaron Kwittken will be featured during a sponsored “View From the Top” session. He will conduct a live demonstration of PRophet’s newly launched generative AI product feature designed to improve the productivity and performance of communications professionals via this rapidly evolving technology.
The event will take place alongside SXSW on Monday, March 13, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. CST at The Well, 440 W 2nd St., in Austin, Texas. Individuals interested in attending can request an invite by visiting the Axios website.
About PRophet
PRophet is the first-ever generative and predictive AI SaaS platform designed by and for the PR community. The platform uses AI to help modern PR professionals become more performative, productive and predictive by generating, analyzing and testing content that predicts earned media interest and sentiment.
PRophet was founded in 2020 by PR and marketing industry thought leader and entrepreneur Aaron Kwittken and is part of the Stagwell Marketing Cloud, a suite of SaaS and DaaS solutions that powers research, communications, and media activation for in-house marketers. To learn more, visit prprophet.ai.
About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger network 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 13,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com
About Axios
Axios is a digital media company delivering trustworthy breaking news and invaluable insights to help readers and viewers get smarter, faster across the topics reshaping our lives in politics, tech, business, media, science and the world. Axios was created around a simple proposition: deliver the cleanest, smartest, most efficient, and trust-worthy experience for readers and advertisers alike.
Media Contact
Alex Birmingham
KWT Global
abirmingham@kwtgloblal.com
Emily Falcone
Axios
emily.falcone@axios.com
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