ESPN Journalist Holly Rowe, Former Twitter Top Sports Exec TJ Adeshola to Join
NEW YORK and CANNES, France, May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, announced its second round of talent and brand partners joining programming at Sport Beach following the first announcement last month. The network’s flagship venue at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2023 (Cannes Lions), Sport Beach is built for brands, platforms and athletes to tap into the cultural zeitgeist of sport and explore the power of fandom.
Sport Beach partners will lead conversations to advance important topics across entrepreneurship, equity, emerging technology, community building, creativity in sport, and more, as well as participate in a number of formats, including:
- Morning workouts
- Pickleball tournament
- Coaching
- Pickup games
- Product integration
- Live interviews
Athletes
- 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 estate 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.
- Marko Cheseto (marathon) – Marko is a Kenyan All-American athlete in track and field and cross country running. In 2019, he set a world record for a marathon by a double amputee. Then he turned around and beat it in 2021. He is also the founder of the Alaskena Academy, a school in his hometown in Kapenguria, Kenya. The school is a home to 167 students and serves as a youth empowerment center. He currently lives in Orlando, Fla.
- Mack Hollins (football) – Mack is an NFL wide receiver who recently joined the Atlanta Falcons, and previously played with the Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles, including being a major part of the Eagles Super Bowl Championship team in 2018. He started “Mack Book Mondays” and “Fast Fact Fridays” to help drive accessibility to education, especially in underserved populations. A passionate advocate for inclusion, he was named a Special Olympics “Global Ambassador” in 2020.
- Vanita Krouch (flag football) – Vanita Krouch is a 2022 member of the U.S. Women’s Flag National Team. She has been a member of the national team since 2016, winning gold at the IFAF World Championships in 2018 and 2021 as starting quarterback and team captain. She was recently featured in in the NFL’s Super Bowl LVII advertisement, “Run With It,” the top 2 rated commercial by 2023 USA Today AdMeter.
- Brandon Marshall (football) – A top wide receiver in the NFL for 12 years, he is redefining what is means to be an athlete as the creator of the wildly successful podcast, I Am Athlete (IAA), which tackles essential and controversial topics around sports, culture, and society. Marshall is also the founder and CEO of lifestyle wellness brand, House of Athlete and HOA+, through which he continues to serve his community by raising awareness and providing access to mental and physical health resources.
- Paul and Mike Rabil (lacrosse) – Paul Rabil is a former professional lacrosse player and considered one of the best lacrosse players of all time. With his brother and Co-Founder Mike, the Rabils started the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). Over four years, they built a league, established a network partnership with ESPN, and struck deals with corporate partners that include Ticketmaster, Cash App, Adidas, BOSE, Progressive Insurance, Champion, Gatorade, Michelob Ultra and more. In 2022, the Rabils were executive producers on “Fate of a Sport,” an ESPN documentary about the building of the PLL.
- Annika Sörenstam (golf) – Often regarded as the greatest female golfer of her generation, Annika rewrote the LPGA and Ladies European Tour record books, won countless awards, and changed the way women’s golf was played, viewed, and covered during her 15-year, Hall-of-Fame career.
- Aly Wagner (soccer) – Aly is a co-founder of the National Women’s Soccer League’s San Francisco franchise, sports broadcaster, and retired soccer midfielder who last played for Los Angeles Sol of Women’s Professional Soccer and the United States women’s national soccer team. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup bronze medalist.
- James Worthy (basketball) – Is a celebrated former professional basketball player who played his entire professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Nicknamed “Big Game James,” today he is a sports commentator, television host, analyst, and philanthropist who speaks frequently about the value of teamwork.
Brand Partners
- Recess Pickleball – Bringing the Beach’s pickleball tournament to life – the first Recess Pickleball tournament to hit the Croisette on the French Riviera – Recess is a lifestyle brand that builds pickleball paddles that look as fun and approachable as the sport itself. Inspired by the founding partners’ elementary school roots – they used to play together at recess – Recess Pickleball was born in 2021 and brings that wholesome recess feeling to people of all ages, encouraging them to take a break, have fun, and play.
- USA Track & Field – Based in Indianapolis, USA Track & Field is the National Governing Body for track and field, long distance running, and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sports, the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the number one high school and junior high school participatory sport, and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
- Wilson – Chicago, USA-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co. will be the Beach’s “official ball of everything.” Wilson is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance sports equipment, apparel, footwear, and accessories. The company brings more than a century of innovation, history and heritage across many sports including racquet sports, baseball, softball, football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and golf. The brand also offers Wilson Sportswear inclusive of athletic lifestyle and performance apparel for all to live like an athlete.
Journalists, Commentators and Moderators
- TJ Adeshola – Will serve as a senior advisor and moderator on the Beach. He is a leader at the intersection of tech, media, and culture. Most recently, he led the Global Media Partnerships team at Twitter, providing strategic consulting for the world’s largest media properties across sports, gaming, entertainment and news. TJ has appeared on CNBC, Good Morning America, ESPN, NBA TV, NFL Network and more.
- Holly Rowe (ESPN) – An American sports telecaster, Rowe has worked for more than 20 years as one of ESPN’s most versatile commentators covering college basketball and football. Rowe won the 2022 Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality/Reporter and was the 2022 recipient of the Mel Greenberg National Media Award from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). She will enter the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as the Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Contributor for 2023, in August.
Previously announced talent and brand partners include Maria Sharapova, Allyson Felix, Spencer Dinwiddie, Erin Andrews, Axios, Diageo, Penske Media Corporation, United Airlines and more. Stagwell invites brands, athletes, sports leagues/teams, media platforms, journalists, and other interested parties who would like to partner on the ground to reach out to cannescomms@stagwellglobal.com for more information.
Sport Beach will be produced by TEAM Enterprises in partnership with Cheerful Twentyfirst. Stagwell’s 72andSunny, Anomaly, Allison+Partners, Assembly, Code and Theory, Colle McVoy, Doner, Forsman & Bodenfors, GALE, Instrument, National Research Group and Stagwell Marketing Cloud will drive the conversation.
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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– Agency pledges $1 million of pro bono services to nonprofit organizations –
MINNEAPOLIS, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — As part of the challenger network built to transform marketing, Minneapolis creative agency Colle McVoy today announced its certification as a B Corporation® from B Lab™, a nonprofit network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet. Colle McVoy is the first agency in the Stagwell network, as well as the largest Twin Cities creative agency, to join the global B Corp movement of more than 6,500 companies using business as a force for good.
“We believe a better future means we have a responsibility to use our expertise as a force for good and that all growth should be rooted in doing what’s best for people, the planet and the communities we operate in,” said Christine Fruechte, CEO, Colle McVoy. “Colle McVoy has embraced doing good and acting purposefully for nearly 90 years. Fortifying our commitment through B Corp Certification is vital as we work to create new futures for brands in our increasingly purpose-driven and values-based economy when consumer expectations are higher than ever.”
Becoming B Corp certified is a significant milestone in the agency’s ongoing transformation to build the agency of the future. With a sustainable and inclusive business model and its environmental stewardship, the agency embodies what it takes to build brands in the new ever-changing marketing landscape and to go beyond the way things have always been done.
“B Corp certification is a codification of our inherent commitment to be better tomorrow than we are today as we work to create real change for ourselves and our partners,” said Fruechte.
As an extension of its commitment, Colle McVoy is launching a program that provides pro bono branding support to national nonprofit organizations working to create a more inclusive and sustainable economy. The agency will be donating $1 million dollars in agency resources to advance the goals of organizations. A formal submission process to the program will launch this summer.
Certified B Corporations meet high verified standards of positive social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency, and aspire to use the power of markets to address social and environmental problems. Fellow B Corp certified companies include Athleta, Cotopaxi, Seventh Generation and Vermont Creamery, to name a few. Colle McVoy has met the rigorous standards of accountability and transparency in the five key areas of governance, workers, community, environment and customers by enacting policies that reduce carbon emissions, providing fair and living wages, meeting ethical supply chain practice standards, and giving back to the community. B Corp Certification is a long-term commitment to social good and requires an ongoing commitment with recertification every three years.
About Colle McVoy
Colle McVoy is a full-service creative agency that leads brands to their next. We combine purpose, innovation and experience in new ways to give businesses a competitive advantage. As a Certified B Corporation, we believe a better future means we have a responsibility to use our expertise as a force for good to benefit all people, communities and the planet. Our client list includes some of the world’s most recognized brands and our innovative culture has been named a Best Place to Work by Ad Age, Outside magazine and the Star Tribune. For more information, visit collemcvoy.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
About B Lab
B Lab is transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, tools, and programs for business, and we certify companies — known as B Corps — who are leading the way. To date, our community includes 500,000 workers in over 6,500 B Corps across 80 countries and 160 industries, and more than 200,000 companies manage their impact with the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager. B Lab has created and led efforts to pass over 50 corporate statutes globally that enable stakeholder governance, with over 10,000 companies using the legal framework. To learn more and join the movement, visit bcorporation.net.
CONTACT:
Jen Stack
jen.stack@collemcvoy.com
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Chairman and CEO Mark Penn, Code and Theory Network Executive Chairman Dan Gardner to Speak at Web Summit Rio
Penn to Visit Stagwell Brazil Headquarters in São Paulo for Regional Summit
RIO DE JANEIRO and SÃO PAULO, May 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, is coming together in Latin America for several events as it reaffirms its commitment to the region and its planned investment in global expansion efforts, following the launch of Stagwell Brazil in 2022. Network leaders, including Chairman and CEO Mark Penn, will deliver presentations at the inaugural Web Summit Rio, slated to be the largest tech event in Brazil. Stagwell leaders including Mark Penn; Julia Hammond, president, Global Solutions; and Vinicius Reis, president, Stagwell Brazil, will discuss the company’s vision and ambition for the region. Futurist and professor Leticia Setembro will attend Stagwell’s Client Summit as a guest speaker on the frontiers of marketing innovation.
“A year ago we announced our commitment to the Latin American market and, thanks to the groundwork laid by our agencies, combined with the incredible collaboration with our affiliate partners, Stagwell Brazil is growing into a regional force,” said Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark Penn. “I’m excited to share more about the technology we’ve been building – from SaaS tools to AI and AR platforms – that modern marketers can embrace to drive business, along with our vision for continued expansion in this burgeoning market.”
Web Summit Rio
Wednesday, May 3
- 14:30-14:45: Marketers need to have their heads in the cloud: Building on the momentum within the Stagwell Marketing Cloud, Penn will deliver a keynote on the SaaS Monster track on why the marketing cloud solutions will be 2023’s unsung hero of business transformation, helping brands across the spectrum of capabilities solve gaps in their ability to activate across media, insights, and specialty digital formats with DIY and scalable SaaS tools.
Thursday, May 4
Dan Gardner, co-founder of Code and Theory, and executive chairman of Stagwell’s Code and Theory Network, will speak on two sessions:
- 11:35-11:55AM: Facing the future: A guide to design transformation: Dan will explore a new paradigm of design transformation that addresses today’s challenges, increasing an organization’s readiness for change.
- 14:40-15:00PM: A design for life: Exploring the latest design trends: Dan joins COLLINS Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Brian Collins in conversation with Axios Senior Media Reporter Sara Fischer, as they discuss the key ingredients for creating a seamless, intuitive customer experience, and explore anticipated UI and UX trends for 2023 and beyond.
CP+B Brazil and Stagwell Host Inaugural Client Summit
Thursday, May 4
Hosting executive leaders, brands and journalists for breakfast, those invited will be included in thought leadership discussions and hear insights from Mark Penn on how brands can embrace SaaS tools, digital transformation, and emerging technologies to their advantage.
Guest Speaker Leticia Setembro: A notable futurist, speaker, and professor at SingularityU Brazil, and founder of Seek Futures, Leticia will present on “Understanding Futurism as a Science, Skill, and Tool, The Major Transformations Leaders Need to Tackle, and an Overview of Marketing Trends with Technology Insights.”
The presentation will be followed by a short panel and Q&A with the collective group. Brands and journalists interested in connecting with Stagwell on the ground should reach out to pr@stagwellglobal.com.
Stagwell formally established its LATAM headquarters in Brazil last year to foster collaboration between its portfolio agencies and Global Affiliate Partners in the region. Stagwell’s agency network in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Central America includes Allison+Partners, Assembly, Code and Theory’s Truelogic, CP+B, Ink, Locaria, and YML. Additionally, Stagwell has significantly expanded its footprint across LATAM over the past year via affiliate partnerships with recognized content and media agency networks Buentipo, Grupo Garnier and The Lab, with teams distributed across Argentina, Aruba, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Curacao, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru.
About Stagwell
Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) 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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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 (fielded Apr. 21-23):
WORRIES ABOUT ECONOMY GROW AGAIN
Today, 87% of Americans are concerned about the economy and inflation – up 3 points from last week and higher than December’s 82% rate.
- 81% worry about U.S. crime rates (up 2 points from last week)
- 80% about a potential U.S. recession (up 1 point)
- 74% about political divisiveness (up 5 points)
- 70% about affording my living expenses (up 2 points)
- 71% about the War on Ukraine (up 3 points)
- 55% about a new COVID-19 variant (up 1 point)
- 45% about losing their jobs (down 3 points)
WHERE ARE AMERICANS CUTTING BACK?
Is inflation moving sports fans from the stadium to the couch? A new survey from Stagwell’s National Research Group shows that 75% of Americans say they’ve had to cut household spending during the past six months due to inflation – a quarter cutting back “significantly” – yet sports seem to be somewhat insulated.
- Those in their late 20s and early 30s, as well as those with young children at home, are among the groups most likely to have been forced to make household cutbacks.
- Where are Americans cutting back? Top spending cuts include restaurant dining (41%), takeout (37%), travel (34%) and going to bars and clubs (27%). Much lower are cutbacks on tickets to live games (19%), sports merchandise (15%) and sports packages for TV or streaming services (12%).
- That said, 26% expect to watch more sports games at home during the next 12 months, compared with 10% who plan to watch fewer.
- 31% say that they plan to travel to fewer live sports games than they have in the past, while 18% expect to go to more of them.
- A worsening economic climate is making some fans more invested in sports: 81% of sports fans agree that “sports help bring people together in times of adversity.” 71% say that “no matter what’s going on in the world, sports help me feel better.”
RELYING ON LOTTERY TICKETS MORE THAN FINANCIAL PLANNING
We seem to rely on lottery tickets more than financial planning, according to our survey with Empower.
- 71% of Americans say they have purchased a lottery ticket, and 24% say they’ve spoken to a fortune teller.
- Yet only 33% have spoken with a financial planner.
- We also know as much about celebrities’ net worth as our family’s: 58% of Americans know their net worth, 37% understand their partner’s, 28% their family’s – and 28% know Elon Musk’s net worth.
MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM STRUGGLES WITH DEMAND
The vast majority (83%) of the nation’s behavioral health workforce believes that, without public policy changes, provider organizations won’t be able to meet the demand for mental health or substance use treatment and care in the U.S. The National Council for Wellbeing survey also warns of a potential exodus of behavioral health workers due to burnout.
- 65% report increased client caseload, and 72% reported increased client severity since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 90% of behavioral health workers are concerned about the ability for those not currently receiving care to gain access to care.
- 87% are concerned about the ability to provide care in the event of another health crisis in the future.
- 93% said they have experienced burnout, and 62% say they are suffering from moderate or severe levels of burnout.
- 48% of behavioral health workers say the impacts of workforce shortages have caused them to consider other employment options.
- Adding to the problem: 68% of those who provide care to patients say the amount of time spent on administrative tasks takes away from directly supporting clients.
ICYMI
In case you missed it, check out some of the thought-leadership and happenings around Stagwell making news:
- What brands can learn from Gen Z’s environmental awakening
- A new survey might be the first indication that economic woes are casting clouds over the push for climate action
- Unpacking travel privilege: Why Black representation matters in travel
- A.I. might resuscitate the 50-year-old e-mail technology and make it smarter
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Acquisition expands Forsman & Bodenfors into Ireland and strengthens strategic, creative and digital marketing services
NEW YORK and DUBLIN, April 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) the challenger network built to transform marketing, announced the acquisition of In the Company of Huskies (Huskies), a creative agency with digital DNA based in Ireland, to join the Forsman & Bodenfors Global Creative Collective. Huskies adds award-winning strategic, creative, and digital marketing capabilities, and further scales Forsman & Bodenfors’ footprint across Europe as the collective accelerates momentum with new client wins and service offerings.
“Huskies has built a powerful digital-first operation that we believe will complement the creativity and communications expertise at Forsman & Bodenfors at a time when the agency’s momentum is building worldwide,” said Mark Penn, chairman and CEO, Stagwell.
In addition to traditional omnichannel capabilities, Huskies blends behavioural science, and creativity, with social, search, technology and development services to help create pulling power for brands in the connected world, enabling a range of B2C and B2B International clients to deepen their connections with their customers.
In the Company of Huskies includes Allianz, Slack, Nissan, Smurfit Kappa, Guinness Storehouse, and Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, among its clients, and it is the recent recipient of AME and EPICA awards for Allianz Ireland and Women’s Aid for ‘The World’s Strongest Women.’
“We are delighted to welcome Huskies to the Forsman & Bodenfors Collective. Our mission is to make ideas that change things, and Huskies has deep digital DNA coupled with the big brand thinking and creative firepower that supports that goal,” said Toby Southgate, global CEO, Forsman & Bodenfors. “By joining forces, we all at Forsman can only benefit from access to their digital expertise and unique approach to helping brands drive attraction as well as attention in today’s crowded market. I’m excited to roll up our sleeves and get started with Jonathan and the team.”
“What an exciting next chapter for Huskies. Our ambition is to create the best work in the world for our clients, and if we are to achieve this, alignment with one of the top creative brands in Europe is a key next step in our journey,” said Jonathan Forrest, CEO, Huskies. “We’ve been hugely impressed by the vision and creative expertise of Toby and the Forsman & Bodenfors team, and look forward to the opportunities that working in a collaboration-focused network like Stagwell will open up for our people, our clients and the agency.”
In the coming months, Huskies will be renamed F&B Huskies. Jonathan Forrest will remain CEO of the agency. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
About In the Company of Huskies
In the Company of Huskies is an international award-winning creative agency with deep digital DNA based in Dublin, Ireland. The agency has a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions for clients in a range of industries, including Allianz, Slack, Nissan, Smurfit Kappa, Kerrygold, Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, the Guinness Storehouse, and Google.
About Forsman & Bodenfors
Forsman & Bodenfors is a global creative collective transforming our clients’ business with ideas that change things. We work with some of the world’s most human brands including Volvo, SK-II, Google, Goldman Sachs, Polestar, Diageo, P&G, Crocs, LG, General Mills and H&M. Forsman & Bodenfors is one of the most globally awarded agencies across creativity and innovation, with key accolades including Cannes Lions: Top 3 Independent Agency of the Decade; Contagious Pioneers; Fast Company: Most Innovative Companies; Digiday: Most Collaborative Culture. Forsman and Bodenfors is also the first and only global creative agency to receive both the global 3% Certification, and global certification from Fair Pay Workplace. We have 400 people across six offices in Gothenburg, Stockholm, New York, Singapore, Shanghai and Toronto.
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.
Contact:
Sarah Arvizo
pr@stagwellglobal.com
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Four award-winning agencies come together under the most iconic CP+B banner.
NEW YORK, April 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Today, four award-winning agencies within Stagwell (STGW) have combined forces under CP+B, accelerating its positioning as the agency for modern growth audiences. MMI, Vitro and Observatory will come together within the iconic CP+B banner across North America, adding a collection of new capabilities to create an integrated creative powerhouse.
The refreshed CP+B comes in response to the demands of modern marketers who are seeking simplicity, integration, and breakthrough creativity. The trio of agencies enhances CP+B’s ability to deliver on those needs through additional centers of excellence in paid and performance media and marketing, content and audience insight and analytics.
“For the past six months, we’ve been reviewing our portfolio of brands in response to the growing demand for integrated solutions that perform across creative, media, and communications,” Global CEO Brad Simms said, “This move reclaims CP+B’s transformational DNA, and integrates MMI’s media and performance marketing, Vitro’s boutique creative and Observatory’s branded entertainment capabilities.”
Under the leadership of Simms, CP+B has continued its growth trajectory since August 2022 with a suite of new client partners, including Dropbox, Old Dominion Freight Line, Plackers, Nasonex, adding to its existing portfolio anchored by Buchanan’s Scotch Whisky. The new 300+ strong agency brings media, creator and digital at scale to those brands and opens new avenues of growth and integrated storytelling for the existing roster of brands, including Amazon, Marriott, Procter & Gamble, and 19 Crimes.
Maggie Malek, formerly the CEO of MMI, has been appointed President, North America, reporting to Simms. Malek has held a number of progressive roles within MMI, most recently leading the agency as CEO since 2019. Under her leadership, the agency has achieved notable growth, client success, staff retention and repeated recognition as a best place to work.
“CP+B earned a reputation as an industry disruptor with iconic campaigns that redefined what ‘creative’ looked like,” Malek said. “As the forces around us spark new technologies, channels, and demand for integrated solutions, it’s invigorating to marry CP+B’s innovative creative spirit with complementary talent and capabilities across media, branded entertainment, content and creator marketing. Breaking through for brands requires the melding of performance and possibility. Our new CP+B team can do that like few others in the industry, and I’m eager to showcase what working with us can unlock for brands.”
“Maggie is the perfect partner for this next chapter for CP+B. Her ability to set a clear vision and drive it to fruition is one of her superpowers. She cares about her people and has a fearless drive to deliver measurable impact and value for her clients,” Simms added.
Rounding out the North American leadership team is:
Josh Braithwaite, Chief Creative Officer, North America (currently in this role)
Tom Sullivan, Chief Growth Officer, North America (formerly CEO of Vitro)
Brendan Shields-Shimizu, Chief Innovation Officer, North America (formerly CEO of Observatory)
Laura Eder, Chief Operating Officer, North America (formerly COO of MMI)
“CP+B is the original challenger brand and core to the fabric of Stagwell. I’ve said it before and will say it again: we believe in the CP+B brand and with talented leaders like Brad and Maggie at the helm, I’m confident the future of CP+B is bright,” Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark Penn said. “Throughout the network, we continue to find ways to support our agency brands in their growth trajectory while building more seamless solutions for clients to help the modern marketer win.”
About Crispin Porter + Bogusky
CP+B has offices in North America, London and São Paulo. CP+B has been named Agency of the Decade by Advertising Age and Agency of the Year 13 times in its history. CP+B is also the only agency to have won the Cannes Titanium Grand Prix three times. www.cpbgroup.com
For more information, contact: lindsay.bennett@galepartners.com
SOURCE Stagwell Inc.
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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 (fielded Apr. 14-16):
WORRIES ABOUT ECONOMY MODERATE
Today, 84% of Americans are concerned about the economy and inflation – down 4 points from last week and near December’s 82% rate.
- 79% worry about U.S. crime rates (down 4 points)
- 79% about a potential U.S. recession (down 3points)
- 69% about political divisiveness (down 7points)
- 68% about affording my living expenses (down 4 points)
- 68% about the War on Ukraine (down 4 points)
- 54% about a new COVID-19 variant (down 2 points)
- 48% about losing their jobs (down 2 points)
AMERICANS SOUR ON COUNTRY’S AND PERSONAL OUTLOOK
For the first time since last year, Americans’ overall view of the economy has declined, and 52% also believe their personal finances are suffering. That’s according to our latest poll with the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University.
- Partisanship determines Americans’ view of the economy: 30% overall say the economy on the right track, with 54% of Democrats thinking so compared with 12% of Republicans.
- 52% think their personal financial situation is getting worse.
- 66% think the U.S. government has too much debt, and 55% think the government is spending too much.
- When told the national debt is $31 trillion, 65% want Congress to raise the debt ceiling only with restraints on future spending.
- Crime is becoming a more universal concern – with 86% saying crime is a serious issue right now.
- 48% think crime and safety are getting worse in their own communities.
- Americans blame rising crime in cities on the worsening economy (23%) and prosecutors who don’t enforce the laws (22%).
ARE YOU WILLING TO POST YOUR SALARY ONLINE?
Most Americans are still hesitant to discuss money with others – except young people, according to our survey with Empower.
- 62% of Americans say they don’t talk about money, even though 66% believe more open conversations around it are key to achieving “financial freedom.”
- 34% of Americans surveyed say they’d be willing to post their salary information on LinkedIn.
- Younger professionals are even more willing to do so – with 53% of Gen Z and 58% of Millennials saying they would be okay posting how much money they make online.
- That said, 68% say they avoid uncomfortable money discussions at work.
- 56% of those surveyed say they wish discussing salaries wasn’t taboo.
- 67% of workers say they feel comfortable asking for a raise.
- 74% of men feel comfortable asking for a raise compared with 59% of women.
- 50% of men feel comfortable talking about salary with co-workers versus 36% of women.
GENERATIVE AI CHANGING THE WAY WE VIDEOGAME
Are players ready to embrace AI in gaming? Most believe generative AI is here to stay and that video games might never be the same, according to Stagwell’s National Research Group’s new report, “Pressing Play on AI: A Game-Changing Power-Up?”
- 77% of players say they’ve heard the term “generative AI.”
- 60% expect AI to have a net positive effect on the industry.
- 73% believe game developers are likely to play a major role in blazing a trail for the development of AI technology during the next five years.
- 80% say studios using AI-powered tools need to take steps to ensure that AI they use are not plagiarizing the work of artists, voice actors, writers or other creatives.
- 78% believe it’s important that the use of AI in game development doesn’t push out creativity from the process.
READY TO TRAVEL ABROAD – EXCEPT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE
Americans say they are increasingly looking to travel outside the U.S. Yet many are unprepared for a medical event during their trip, according to our survey with GeoBlue.
- 77% of travelers agree that affordable access to quality medical care abroad is just as important as booking a great place to stay or the best flights.
- 87% know a medical event is a realistic possibility, yet 52% have an “it-won’t-happen-to-me” attitude.
- 46% believe domestic health insurance would cover an international medical event.
- 76% say they likely don’t have adequate health insurance coverage for international trips.
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THE PUBLIC CONTINUES TO TAKE THE REPUBLICANS’ SIDE ON DEBT NEGOTIATIONS
INDICTMENT STRETCHES TRUMP’S PRIMARY LEAD BUT DESANTIS CONSIDERED A REAL CHALLENGE
NEW YORK and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the April Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.
The percentage of Americans who think the country is on the wrong track has ticked back up to 62% as President Biden’s approval remains at 43%. With default looming ever closer, 65% of voters want Congress to raise the debt ceiling only with restraints on future spending. The poll also includes public opinion on crime and ESG. Download key results here.
“Donald Trump has parlayed an unprecedented indictment into a consolidation of party support while Biden’s numbers remain weak, but many Americans are still very open to a moderate independent candidate,” said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard-CAPS Harris Poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. “As Americans get more pessimistic about the economy again, the 2024 election may hinge on which party can put cultural issues to the side and focus on the core economic issues.”
VIEWS OF THE ECONOMY WORSEN AFTER 3 MONTHS OF IMPROVEMENTS
- Partisanship determines Americans’ view of the economy: 30% of voters overall say the economy on the right track, but 54% of Democrats think so compared to 12% of Republicans.
- 52% of voters think their personal financial situation is getting worse.
INDICTMENT STRENGTHENS TRUMP WITH REPUBLICANS AS DESANTIS FADES BUT IS NOT OUT
- 50% of voters, up 4 points from last month, now think a Trump trial will help his candidacy.
- 61% of voters believe Trump will ultimately be acquitted.
- In an open GOP primary Trump extends his lead to 55% support, with DeSantis falling to 20% support. In a head-to-head primary against DeSantis, Trump extends his lead to 61%.
- But 58% of Republican voters say DeSantis is ready to give Trump a “real challenge” for the Republican nomination.
VOTERS THINK A BIDEN SECOND TERM MEANS PRESIDENT HARRIS
- 63% of voters think Biden would not be able to finish a second term if reelected.
THE PUBLIC CONTINUES TO TAKE THE REPUBLICANS’ SIDE ON DEBT NEGOTIATIONS
- 66% of voters think the U.S. government has too much debt and 55% think the government is spending too much.
- When told the national debt is $31 trillion, 65% of voters want Congress to raise the debt ceiling only with restraints on future spending.
- 81% of voters, including 81% of Democrats and 86% of Republicans, support returning the country to a balanced budget.
CRIME CONCERNS BECOME LESS PARTISAN AS VOTERS WANT STRICTER PROSECUTION
- 86% of voters think crime is a serious issue right now and 48% think crime and safety are getting worse in their own communities.
- 60% of voters, including 52% of Democrats, think police today are afraid of doing their jobs.
- 58% of Americans, including 43% of Democrats, think big city district attorneys are pulling back from prosecuting violent offenders sufficiently.
- Voters most blame rising crime in American cities on the worsening economy (23%) and prosecutors who don’t enforce the laws (22%).
REGULAR AMERICANS AREN’T FAMILIAR WITH ESG
- 64% of voters have not heard of ESG investing.
- Americans are split on ESG strategies: after being given the definition, 52% of voters think investment managers have a duty to prioritize returns above all else rather than the option to consider climate and ESG concerns.
The April Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll survey was conducted online within the United States from April 18-19, 2023, among 1,845 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS Harris Poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
About The Harris Poll & HarrisX
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.
HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics. Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.
SOURCE Stagwell Inc.
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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 (fielded Apr. 7-9):
WORRIES ABOUT ECONOMY UP AGAIN
Today, 88% of Americans are concerned about the economy and inflation – up 3 points from last week and up sharply from December’s 82% rate.
- 83% worry about U.S. crime rates (up 3 points)
- 82% about a potential U.S. recession (up 2 points)
- 76% about political divisiveness (up 2 points)
- 72% about affording my living expenses (up 2 points)
- 72% about the War on Ukraine (up 3 points)
- 56% about a new COVID-19 variant (up 1 point)
- 50% about losing their jobs (up 4 points)
ECONOMY, PUBLIC PRESSURE MAKE ESG LESS OF A PRIORITY
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts have slipped on corporate priority lists due to tougher economic conditions. That’s according to our annual sustainability survey of top-level executives in 16 countries with Google Cloud.
- ESG efforts fell from the top priority last year to third this year, with many business leaders claiming they were being pressured by “external parties” to de-prioritize sustainability.
- 45% of executives believe the current economic climate is regressing sustainability efforts.
- 85% of respondents acknowledge that customers want to engage with sustainable brands.
- Yet 78% are forced to achieve sustainability-based results with reduced budgets.
- 72% claim they wanted to advance sustainability initiatives but do not know how to do so – up from 65% in 2022.
- Corporate greenwashing is listed as a major concern, with 59% admitting to overstating – or inaccurately representing – their company’s sustainability activities.
- 9 in 10 organizations are talking publicly about sustainability commitments, but only 58% are moving programs into the implementation phase and even fewer (22%) are measuring against targets.
- 72% of respondents attend at least four sustainability-related meetings every quarter.
- 63% are willing to risk lower revenue in the short term to ensure sustainable development in the long term.
MILLENNIALS FINALLY ARE HOMEOWNERS, BUT IT’S A STRUGGLE
More Millennials finally own their homes than rent, a milestone that’s taken longer than previous generations. However, homeownership still feels out of reach for many, according to our survey with Fortune.
- 52% of Millennials owned a home by the end of 2022.
- Millennial renters have an appetite for homeownership, as 88% would like to own a home someday (versus 76% for all renters).
- 69% of Millennials feel priced out of the current real estate market.
- 56% of Millennial renters believe the dream of owning a home is dead.
- 78% are worried about affording their living expenses (versus 63% for Boomers).
- 60% are worried about losing their job.
PETS OVER PARTNERS
Whose happiness is more important: your pet’s or your partner’s? If you’re a member of Gen Z, you’re more likely to say your pet’s happiness is paramount, according to our survey with Zillow.
- 60% of Gen Z think pet-friendly features are essential for the home they buy.
- A majority of Gen Z pet owners say it’s more important to have a pet-friendly home (55%) than a kid-friendly home (45%).
- 48% think a fenced backyard is a must-have, but they aren’t so concerned about having a double sink in the bathroom (28%), a home office for their partner (35%), a playroom for kids (24%) or an outdoor play set (11%).
- 73% of home buyers have at least one pet at home.
- 22% of Gen Z pet owners would want to move out of their current home if it was no longer working for their pet. That compares to only 12% who would want to move if their home was no longer working for their partner.
- In fact, 13% of pet owners who live with a significant other would rather share their primary bedroom with their pet than with their partner.
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Cavaliers Partnership Brings ARound to Teams in Three Professional Sports Leagues
NEW YORK and CLEVELAND, April 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — ARound, a next-generation fan engagement platform designed to enhance gameday fun with live, real-world augmented reality (AR) experiences – part of the Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) Marketing Cloud – has partnered with its first NBA team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, to bring a shared AR experience called “Cavs ARcade” to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, kicking off during the 2023 NBA Playoffs. In Cavs ARcade, fans will be able to digitally interact with the basketball court, fellow fans in the FieldHouse, and witness real-time effects on the Cavs giant video screen through mass multi-user gaming, 3D player personalities, real-time effects and more.
“We’re seeing a growing appetite from sports teams to keep existing fans engaged and capture new, younger audiences, who are recognizing the ease in which ARound naturally integrates and complements the action of the game. So far, fans have responded very positively to these interactive experiences, with engagement times exceeding our expectations,” said ARound Founder and CEO Josh Beatty. “As the first team in the NBA to introduce shared AR, the Cavs are opening up an entirely new playing field for their 19,000+ fans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to feel closer to the game, the players, and the energy of the venue, especially in this notable return of the Cavs to the Playoffs.”
ARound first launched with the MLB’s Minnesota Twins in August 2022 and the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams in December 2022. The Cavaliers experience will include new, custom features and effects to enhance the gameday experience, such as:
- AR Chain-Shot Contest: Fans can embody the spirit of the Cavs Junkyard Chain tradition by showcasing their grit and determination in the thrilling AR Chain-shot basketball contest, with nightly points leaders awarded Cavs jerseys, autographed merchandise, and more as they compete with fellow fans in this interactive, skill-based challenge.
- Wine and Gold ‘Landslide’ Game: CAVS ARcade introduces a stadium-wide multiplayer Wine and Gold ‘Landslide’ game, allowing Cavs fans to rally behind their team colors in a high-energy blend of friendly competition and team spirit.
- Larger-than-Life Mascots and Effects: CAVS ARcade brings beloved mascots Sir CC and Moondog to life in stunning AR on fans’ phones and stadium videoboards, alongside captivating visual effects that transform the game atmosphere into an unforgettable, interactive experience.
- Extended Through Playoffs: The CAVS ARcade experience will persist throughout the Cleveland Cavaliers playoff journey both during home games as well as away game watch parties, ensuring fans can enjoy these groundbreaking AR experiences and heightened engagement for the entire season.
“From the play on the court, to the energy in the FieldHouse and across Cleveland, everything is amplified in the NBA Playoffs,” said Cleveland Cavaliers Vice President of Digital, Brandon Jirousek. “We knew we had to take our fan experience to another level as well, and we couldn’t be more excited to team up with ARound to help us do that with CAVS ARcade. Innovation is at the core of who we are and this is the latest example of how we strive to explore new ways to engage our fanbase and enhance their interactions with the team.”
Cavs ARcade is powered by the ARound Stadium app on iOS and Android. Journalists interested in covering the launch can access the press kit here.
About ARound
ARound is a first-of-its-kind stadium-level shared augmented reality platform and is part of the Stagwell Marketing Cloud, a proprietary suite of SaaS solutions built for the modern marketer. ARound keeps audiences engaged by capturing their attention through immersive, interactive and shared experiences with fellow fans across the venue. Where other AR products offer isolating, singular experiences, ARound’s massive multi-user AR – which uses 3D spatial computing to localize content – redefines what it means to be part of a connected fan experience. It was the winner of Stagwell’s annual innovation competition which invests in new product ideas proposed by the network’s 13,000+ employees. ARound and the Stagwell Marketing Cloud are a part of Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network build to transform marketing.
About Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Championship in 2016 while also taking the Eastern Conference crown in 2007, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The team plays at, and also operates, the transformed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse are part of Rock Entertainment Group. The Group also includes the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL, the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League, Cavs Legion of the NBA 2K League, Legion Lair Lit by TCP home of Cavs Legion in Cleveland, and Cleveland Clinic Courts – the Cavaliers’ training and development center in Independence, Ohio. The Cavaliers are regularly recognized for their extensive community support and engagement programs and contributions, workplace diversity and inclusion leadership, and an on-going economic impact that now registers in the billions of dollars locally. Dan Gilbert is Chairman of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Gilbert and his family of companies have now invested over $2.0 billion in Cleveland. Gilbert is also Founder and Chairman of Rocket Mortgage, the nation’s largest mortgage lender, and Founder and Chairman of Rock Ventures LLC, the umbrella entity for his portfolio of business and real estate investments. Nic Barlage is the Cavaliers, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Rock Entertainment Group CEO, and the Cavaliers team is led by President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman, General Manager Mike Gansey and Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff. The Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse provide fans the best experience in the NBA with its extensive and stunning array of amenities and technology and signature, electrifying game presentation.
Media Contacts
For ARound
Sarah Arvizo
pr@stagwellglobal.com
For Cleveland Cavaliers
Zack Yohman
Zyohman@cavs.com
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