Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

Sarah Schulze
UNICEPTA by PRophet
sarah.schulze@unicepta.com
+49 16090815945

Alyssa Bourne-Peters
PRophet
Alyssa.bourne-peters@prprophet.ai
+1 917 592 9795

UNICEPTA by PRophet’s integrated newsroom team will deliver comprehensive insights across all 27 EU member states in 32 languages

COLOGNE, Germany and BRUSSELS and NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — UNICEPTA by PRophet, part of Stagwell’s award-winning Comms Tech Unit, announced it has expanded its media intelligence partnership with the European Commission to now include global media analysis services. As the European Commission’s trusted provider of media monitoring for the past two years, UNICEPTA by PRophet will now also deliver comprehensive, multilingual media analysis for the Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM) of the European Commission.

With its expanded role, UNICEPTA by PRophet will provide real-time media insights across all 27 EU member states in 32 languages. By seamlessly combining media monitoring with in-depth analysis, UNICEPTA by PRophet will deliver high-quality intelligence on key political, economic, and social topics, supporting the European Commission track public sentiment across an increasingly complex global media landscape.

The success of the pitch process was driven by dedicated teamwork and expertise. “We are honored to have been selected as the media analysis partner for the European Commission,” said Sebastian Rohwer, Co-CEO of UNICEPTA by PRophet, emphasizing the significance of this achievement. As co-lead of the pitch process, Martin Schulze, Head of Analytics & Insights, added, “Our team presented an innovative proposal that demonstrated our capabilities in combining technological solutions with human expertise to meet the European Commission’s requirements.”

Thomas Haderer, Chief Business Development Officer, who led the pitch alongside Martin Schulze, added: “Expanding our services to include media analysis is an important step in strengthening our relationship with the European Commission and building on the trust we’ve established over the past two years. And it helps to strengthen our footprint in Brussels, a strategically important location for the company.”

This contract aligns with UNICEPTA by PRophet’s strategic focus on major institutional and corporate clients worldwide, underscoring its ability to deliver comprehensive media intelligence solutions at a global scale. “This win demonstrates that human-powered media intelligence is no longer a nice-to-have – it’s mission-critical,” said Aaron Kwittken, CEO and Founder of PRophet. “By pairing AI with human insight, UNICEPTA by PRophet is helping institutions move from reactive to predictive, turning complexity into clarity. That’s exactly the kind of strategic shift we’re driving at PRophet.”

For more information about UNICEPTA by PRophet and its media intelligence solutions, visit www.UNICEPTA.com and www.PRPRophet.ai.

About UNICEPTA
UNICEPTA, part of Stagwell’s PRophet comms tech suite, is a leading global media intelligence provider, combining advanced technologies, AI, and human expertise from over 500 specialists to deliver insights from vast media as well as numerous other data sources – in real-time and at any other desired time. This helps communicators and decision-makers spot trends early and make informed choices. Supporting global companies and organizations, UNICEPTA offers strategic insights and precise media monitoring to guide management, communication, and marketing. UNICEPTA’s offices are located in Berlin, Cologne (headquarters), Krakow, London, Paris, Shanghai, São Paulo, Washington DC, and Zurich.

About PRophet
PRophet is a comms tech suite of AI-powered SaaS tools and services designed to empower modern communicators. Purpose-built for PR and marketing professionals, PRophet harnesses predictive, cognitive and generative AI to help users discover, target and engage with high-authority journalists and leading influencers. The media relations solution creates and tests “mediable” PR content to predict journalist interest and sentiment. The influencer marketing solution, influencermarketing.ai, combines influencer discovery, analytics, brand safety and tracking technologies to inform and manage influencer campaigns with precision. The suite also features, UNICEPTA, the largest provider of global media, market intelligence and social listening tools, delivering unmatched insights and analysis to communicators worldwide.

PRophet was awarded PRovoke Media’s Innovation SABRE in 2023-2025, a 2024 Webby Award, and was included in PR News’ 2024 Tech Hotlist. PRophet is headquartered in New York City with offices in Washington DC, London, Cologne, Berlin, Zurich, São Paulo and Shanghai and is part of the Stagwell Marketing Cloud (SMC), a suite of data-driven SaaS solutions built for the modern marketer. Visit prprophet.ai to learn more.

Media Contacts:
Sarah Schulze
UNICEPTA by PRophet
sarah.schulze@unicepta.com
+49 16090815945

Alyssa Bourne-Peters
PRophet
Alyssa.bourne-peters@prprophet.ai
+1 917 592 9795

Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

Kara Gelber

pr@stagwellglobal.com

Bringing nearly four decades of experience in data and artificial intelligence, Kahan joins Stagwell at a pivotal time for growth at the challenger network

NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, today announced the appointment of John Kahan as the network’s inaugural Chief AI Officer. Reporting into Mark Penn, Stagwell Chairman and CEO, Kahan will spearhead the integration and development of artificial intelligence across Stagwell’s global network.

Kahan brings nearly four decades of experience in data and artificial intelligence, spanning product development, marketing, and sales, as well as strategic counsel to CEOs and senior executives from his tenure at Microsoft and IBM. Kahan most recently served as Vice President and Chief Data Analytics Officer at Microsoft where he played a fundamental role in the development of several key data platforms and insights that were integral to transforming Microsoft into the $3 trillion company it is today.

“Kahan’s leadership will be key in driving our AI initiatives forward, ensuring we continue to provide unparalleled value to our clients,” commented Penn. “His extensive background from Microsoft and IBM aligns perfectly with our vision to lead the industry in technological innovation.”

Kahan remarked on his new role: “I’m especially excited to be joining at such a pivotal time for the challenger network. The pace of innovation in AI and marketing technology is accelerating like never before, and Stagwell is committed to pushing boundaries that will drive meaningful transformation for the industry at large.”

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.   

Contact:
Kara Gelber
PR@stagwellglobal.com 

Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

For Investors:
Ben Allanson
IR@stagwellglobal.com 

For Press:
Kara Gelber 

PR@stagwellglobal.com  

NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 – Today, Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, will host its 2025 Investor Day virtually during which executives will outline the company’s vision and strategic priorities for its next phase of growth. In conjunction with Investor Day, Stagwell will announce initiatives targeting $5 billion in annual revenue by the end of 2029, a plan to implement $80 to $100 million of cost savings, and simplifying its capital structure. 

A livestream of the virtual Investor Day will be available starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) today (April 2, 2025). To register for or join the live broadcast, visit https://stagwellinvestorday2025.splashthat.com/. A recording will be available after the webcast at https://www.stagwellglobal.com.  

Today’s sessions will include presentations from Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark Penn, Chief Financial Officer Frank Lanuto, Chief Investment Officer Jason Reid, and additional leaders from across the diverse portfolio, as well as sessions on Stagwell’s growth drivers and a Q&A. 

“We are holding this Investor Day because I think Phase I of our growth is now complete and we are entering Phase II that will take us to the next level,” shared Penn. “Three years ago, many doubted we would be at this nearly $3B level. We proved them wrong. We are today the world’s fastest-growing major advertising holding company.” 

• $5 Billion Revenue Target by End of 2029: Stagwell will unveil its “5 x 5” initiative for its next phase of growth: $5 billion in revenue and $1 billion in adjusted EBITDA within the next five years. The company plans to achieve this ambitious goal without expanding debt ratios. 

• $80 to $100 Million of Cost Savings: Stagwell has identified approximately $80 to $100 million of cost-saving opportunities largely coming from the implementation of AI-driven technologies that it believes will allow employees to work more efficiently. These initiatives are expected to be fully implemented over the next 18 to 24 months, with $60 to $70 million of the cost saving steps completed by the end of 2025 and reflected in FY26 results. The company plans to implement the remainder of the savings by the end of 2026. These steps will have a meaningful impact on adjusted EBITDA. 

• Simplifying Capital Structure: The two-class share structure is being eliminated with conversion of all Class C shares to Class A publicly traded common stock. This change will result in a simplified capital structure with only a single class of outstanding common stock and that should make the stock more attractive to additional indexes and funds.  

• Restructuring of the Business Units: Stagwell is in the process of reorganizing its lines of business internally and externally to be more in line with how clients buy Stagwell’s services and products today. The adjusted reporting lines are expected to be: Marketing Services; Media and Commerce; Advocacy, which includes political and nonpolitical communications; Digital Transformation; and the Stagwell Marketing Cloud. It is anticipated that financial reporting will be streamlined under this new structure when the changes go into effect later this year. 

• Enhancing Data with Palantir: Stagwell is partnering with Palantir to combine the capabilities of the Stagwell ID Graph with Palantir’s tools to enhance performance media targeting using Palantir’s advanced data analysis and AI capabilities. This comes on top of the partnership with Adobe to deploy advanced content management that together will be part of the suite of new data and content services that will be offered to clients later this year. 

• Stagwell’s Inaugural Chief AI Officer: Stagwell will appoint John Kahan as the network’s inaugural Chief AI Officer. Reporting to Penn, Kahan will spearhead the integration and development of artificial intelligence across Stagwell’s global network. Kahan brings nearly four decades of experience in data and artificial intelligence from his tenure at Microsoft and IBM.  

• Affirming Full Year 2025 Guidance: Stagwell will reiterate guidance after encouraging data from the first two months of the year. Full year guidance for FY25 is: 

• • Approximately 8% total growth in net revenue;   

• • Adjusted EBITDA between $410 million to $460 million;   

• • Free cash flow conversion in excess of 45%;    

• • Adjusted earnings per share between $0.75 to $0.88.   

• • Guidance includes anticipated impact from acquisitions or dispositions. 

### 

Video Webcast 

Stagwell’s 2025 Virtual Investor Day broadcast will begin at 10 a.m. ET, and a recording will be available at www.stagwellglobal.com/investors after the conclusion of the livestream.  

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.     

Contacts: 

For Investors:  
Ben Allanson 
IR@stagwellglobal.com 

For Press: 
Kara Gelber 

PR@stagwellglobal.com  

 ### 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

Stagwell Inc. has included in this press release information regarding certain targeted financial figures 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. The non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company include the following: 

(1) Organic Net Revenue: “Organic net revenue growth” and “Organic net 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 Earnings per Share 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 include restructuring costs, acquisition-related expenses, and non-recurring items, and are 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 free cash flow as a percentage of adjusted EBITDA. 

Forward-Looking Statements 

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 constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, future financial performance, including its 2025 financial guidance, long-term financial targets and leverage, growth, and future prospects, the Company’s strategy, including with respect to artificial intelligence, business and economic trends and growth, technological leadership and differentiation, including the Company’s partnership with Palantir, potential and completed acquisitions, anticipated and actual cost saving opportunities (and the Company’s ability to achieve such cost savings), and changes in the Company’s capital structure. Forward-looking statements, which are generally denoted by words such as “ability,” “aim,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “build,” “consider,” “continue,” “could,” “create,” “develop,” “drive,” “estimate,” “expect,” “focus,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “future,” “goal,” “guidance,” “in development,” “intend,” “likely,” “look,” “maintain,” “may,” “ongoing,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “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; 

• 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; 

• the Company’s ability to identify and complete acquisitions or other strategic transactions that complement and expand the Company’s business capabilities and successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into the Company’s operations, retain key employees, and realize expected cost savings, synergies and other related anticipated benefits within the expected time period; 

• the Company’s ability to identify and complete divestitures and to achieve the anticipated benefits therefrom; 

• the Company’s ability to develop products incorporating new technologies, including augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, and realize benefits from such products; 

• the Company’s use of artificial intelligence, including generative artificial intelligence; 

• 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 that may result in increased tax costs; 

• adverse tax consequences in connection with the business combination that formed the Company in August 2021, including the incurrence of material Canadian federal income tax (including material “emigration tax”); 

• the Company’s ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, including the risk that the Company’s internal controls will fail to detect misstatements in its financial statements; 

• the Company’s ability to accurately forecast its future financial performance and provide accurate guidance; 

• 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 the Middle East), terrorist activities, natural disasters, and public health events; 

• stock price volatility; and 

• foreign currency fluctuations. 

Investors should carefully consider these risk factors and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 11, 2025, and accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, under the caption “Risk Factors,” and in the Company’s other SEC filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

Stagwell
Kara Gelber
PR@stagwellglobal.com

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

Stagwell’s Code and Theory accelerates the content supply chain for brands, driving innovation across customer experience to digital experience platforms.

NEW YORK and LAS VEGAS, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In an era where AI is fundamentally reshaping digital experiences, Code and Theory is boldly redefining industry boundaries with its new Enterprise Experience Transformation practice. Led by Chief Transformation Officer Cory Haldeman, this strategic expansion represents more than a new service offering — it’s a comprehensive response to the market’s evolving needs. The practice will launch at Adobe Summit, during which Code and Theory will showcase its value realization solutions to accelerate GenAI’s transformative impact on customer experience.

Drawing on over two decades of digital innovation, Code and Theory pioneers solutions that translate AI’s possibilities into measurable business outcomes and extraordinary customer experiences.

At Adobe Summit (March 18-20), Code and Theory will showcase its Enterprise Experience System (EXS) framework through the lens of a new sports team, show how the new system unlocks experiences at scale that go beyond traditional engagement, and explore how they can help accelerate client’s investments in Content Supply Chain and Generative AI programs.

In Code and Theory’s booth at Adobe Summit, attendees will see:

1. Enterprise Experience Systems | The Foundation of Real Personalization: The EXS framework unlocks experiences at scale that go beyond transactional engagement.
2. Exposing the Personalization Gap | Moving Beyond Industry Hype: We’ll address the tendency for personalization to be oversold yet underdelivered, emphasizing deeper relevance by unifying brand identity, user needs and technology.
3. Foundational First | Uncover How Brand Identity & CX Feeds AI: Before adopting advanced tech solutions, brands must define their core identity and the “jobs to be done” before activating the AI strategy — ensuring meaningful personalization at scale.

Stagwell’s Code and Theory Network is a first-time Diamond sponsor at Adobe Summit and will bring the flavor of SPORT BEACH, the premiere sports business destination Stagwell built for brands, platforms and athletes to tap into the cultural zeitgeist of sport and explore the power of fandom. At the summit, Stagwell and Code and Theory will host Carmelo Anthony, 10-time NBA All-Star, entrepreneur and philanthropist, and Kelsey Plum, a WNBA champion, for a series of brand marketer meetings and a public session on how creativity and technology are revolutionizing the way brands connect with audiences.

While AI dissolves the traditional lines between consulting, systems integration and creative agencies, Code and Theory’s practice doesn’t just bridge these artificial silos — it replaces them with a unified approach that seamlessly integrates strategic vision, technical implementation and creative innovation.

Cory Haldeman, Chief Transformation Officer at Code and Theory, says: “Most companies use AI like an intelligent spellcheck — focused on making incremental improvements to existing processes. But true transformation requires reevaluating what’s possible. Adobe’s approach with Firefly exemplifies this mindset by democratizing creativity. At Code and Theory, we’re applying this same transformative thinking across the entire enterprise experience, not just enhancing existing systems but fundamentally redefining how brands connect with customers through AI-powered customer experience.”

Dan Gardner, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Code and Theory, says: “Our relationship with Adobe spans more than a decade, and we look forward to continuing client success through this partnership. As enterprises grapple with unprecedented complexity in their digital ecosystems, we’re combining our deep expertise in brand experience with Adobe’s powerful technology stack to help unlock the potential of our clients’ investment. This isn’t just about better creative tools or more efficient content delivery — it’s about reimagining how enterprises operate in an AI-powered world and building the foundation for experiences that just weren’t possible before.”

“Successful digital transformations aren’t just about implementing technology—they’re about reimagining how businesses create value for their customers,” said Hannah Elsakr, President of New Business at Adobe. “Code and Theory and the Stagwell network have holistic vision, combining strategic insight with technical and creative excellence. Their expanded focus perfectly complements Adobe’s mission to change the world through digital experiences, and we look forward to the continued evolution of our partnership.”

If you’ll be at Adobe Summit and wish to set up a meeting with Cory Haldeman, Chief Transformation Officer at Code and Theory, email meetings@codeandtheory.com.

About The Code and Theory Network
The Code and Theory Network is the only technology and creative network with a balance of 50% creative and 50% engineers. Our unique makeup makes us the place where CMOs, CTOs and CIOs come together to drive results for their businesses. We partner with our clients to redefine what is possible to create lasting impact and drive long-term growth. Part of Stagwell, Code and Theory offers a global footprint and the capabilities to work across the entirety of the customer-facing journey, and implement the technology that powers it. The network includes the flagship agency Code and Theory as well as Kettle, Instrument, Left Field Labs, Truelogic, Create. Group, Rhythm and Mediacurrent. Code and Theory clients include Amazon, JPMorganChase, Microsoft, NBC, NFL and Yeti. For more, visit codeandtheory.com

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 40+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.   

Contacts:

Stagwell
Kara Gelber
PR@stagwellglobal.com 

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

Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

Kenneth Hein
kenneth.hein@codeandtheory.com

The creative and technology network was honored twice based upon its transformational work for NBC, NFL, Minnesota Star Tribune and other top clients.

NEW YORK, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Code and Theory, part of Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2025, twice. The only technology and creative network with a balance of 50% creative and 50% engineers, Code and Theory partners with its clients to redefine what is possible to create lasting impact and drive long-term growth.

Code and Theory was honored within both Fast Company’s Design and Teamwork categories. Fast Company created the special Teamwork list this year to honor the most innovative companies that demonstrated a high degree of collaboration in developing new products, ideas and strategies, either by bringing together internal teams or partnering with outside organizations to realize their innovations. Code and Theory was recognized for its partnership with The Minnesota Star Tribune for transforming the news experience.

This recognition places Code and Theory among industry giants like Waymo, Nvidia, Duolingo — companies that are driving innovation, redefining industry standards and reaching remarkable milestones. 

Code and Theory is reshaping industries, including finance, publishing, sports and government, setting new standards for innovation. In 2024 alone, the network’s creative work drove bold, measurable results for its clients. For example, Code and Theory:

• Amid widespread misinformation, cyber threats and political polarization, Code and Theory rebuilt NBC’s Big Board from the ground up, ensuring it delivered meticulously verified, real-time election data and transformed complex statistics into clear, engaging narratives. The Big Board (and on-air data analyst Steve Kornacki) propelled MSNBC to its most viewers in network history surpassing rival CNN. See the case study.
• Transformed the NFL app from a static tool into a dynamic, fan-first experience that reflects the league’s energy and boldness. The relaunched app drives over 5 million weekly users, and fans streamed more than 2.3 billion minutes worth of games last year (that’s more than 10x the Netflix catalog). Explore the case study.
• In less than six months, Code and Theory delivered a comprehensive transformation for the Minnesota Star Tribune: a modern digital experience that’s more accessible for younger readers, created new premium opportunities for advertisers, and leveraged best-in-class technology to build the system so it can all flex for the future. Less than 24 hours after launch, The Minnesota Star Tribune hit 32% of its monthly subscriber goal. Read all about it here.
• Built, designed and launched YETI’s newest brand experience, Plan Your Wildest Year Yet. This interactive platform empowers adventure seekers everywhere to generate their very own custom calendar of global outdoor events to kick off 2025 right. The 28% “Add to Calendar” rate was 25% over the industry benchmark for campaign website engagement and made for hundreds of thousands of events added, proving YETI tapped into real outdoor demand. See the award-winning work.

Code and Theory continues to drive impact with the launch of its new Enterprise Experience Transformation (EXT) practice. Debuting at Adobe Summit today, this strategic initiative will solve a critically overlooked market challenge: the siloed consulting ecosystem, leaving businesses dangerously unprepared for AI disruption. Adriana Rubio, who built the world’s largest Adobe practice during her tenure at Accenture, joined Code and Theory as managing director of the EXT practice earlier this month.

Code and Theory Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Dan Gardner says, “Being recognized for our teamwork with the Minnesota Star Tribune is a particular honor. We’ve built Code and Theory around talent with different skill sets from Deloitte to Cosmopolitan to the White House. Our leaders thrive at bringing our clients’ entire C-suite together. This is the secret to our innovative culture, which is obsessively focused on solving for tomorrow’s opportunities.” 

Code and Theory was named Ad Age’s B2B Agency of the Year last week and has also been named Digiday’s Most Innovative Company among other honors.

Code and Theory CEO Michael Treff says, “Innovation isn’t just about the big ideas. It’s about executing them in ways that drive measurable impact. Our ability to merge design and technology has delivered tangible outcomes for our clients, helping them solve complex challenges and achieve long-term growth. By always focusing on the customer experience first, we can unlock innovation that drives business results.”

Fast Company Editor-in-Chief Brendan Vaughan says, “Our list of the Most Innovative Companies offers both a comprehensive look at innovation today and a playbook for the future. This year, we recognize companies that are harnessing AI in deep and meaningful ways, brands that are turning customers into superfans by overdelivering for them and challengers that are introducing bold ideas and vital competition to their industries. At a time when the world is rapidly shifting, these companies are charting the way forward.”

About The Code and Theory Network
The Code and Theory Network is the only technology and creative network with a balance of 50% creative and 50% engineers. Our unique makeup makes us the place where CMOs, CTOs and CIOs come together to drive results for their businesses. We partner with our clients to redefine what is possible to create lasting impact and drive long-term growth. Part of Stagwell, Code and Theory offers a global footprint and the capabilities to work across the entirety of the customer-facing journey and implement the technology that powers it. The network includes the flagship agency Code and Theory as well as Kettle, Instrument, Left Field Labs, Truelogic, Create. Group, Rhythm and Mediacurrent. Code and Theory clients include Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, NBC, NFL and Yeti. For more, visit codeandtheory.com

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 40+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

CONTACT:
Kenneth Hein
kenneth.hein@codeandtheory.com

Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

Brandon Dixon
brandondixon@dcspr.co  

From its beginnings as a three-person startup in Venice Beach, CA, to a 100+-strong global team, Left Field Labs has consistently pushed the boundaries of emerging technology, creativity, and brand strategy. Its work has driven transformation across industries—from pioneering 5G applications with Verizon, developing early electric vehicle prototypes with Ford, launching over 3,000 products and experiences with Google, and driving the first interactive genAI advertising campaign for a major global technology company in 2024. 

Now part of the Code and Theory Network, Stagwell’s digital transformation unit, Left Field Labs is accelerating. Left Field Labs closed 2024 with its strongest year yet—marking three consecutive years of double-digit growth and a 27 percent revenue increase. Long-standing partnerships with industry giants like Google, Amazon, and Meta were joined by a wave of new clients in 2024, including Salesforce, Qualcomm, Bloomberg, Oath Soil Life, Viasat, and myCOI. Today, Fortune 100 companies account for more than half of the firm’s revenue.

“Our growth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about the lasting trust we build with our clients. More companies are moving away from traditional agencies and looking for true partners, and that’s a role we take seriously,” said Sarah Mehler, Founder and CEO of Left Field Labs. “Companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon come to us to solve complex challenges and deliver results. Every year, we push ourselves to go further – creatively and technically – to transform ambitious ideas into tangible solutions.”

Driving the Future of AI and Immersive Experiences

With decades of experience in emerging technologies and applied AI, Left Field Labs rapidly prototypes, scales and launches technology-driven experiences that enhance human connection—often within weeks. In recent years, Left Field Labs has led its clients in high-profile experiences and product innovation powered by AI and immersive technologies, some of which include:

• Qualcomm’s “Snapdragon City” – Left Field Labs made on-device AI tangible for Qualcomm at Snapdragon 2024 by blending physical and digital elements into an interactive storytelling experience. This was the first real-time implementation of Snapdragon’s on-device generative AI in an interactive XR environment, demonstrating next-generation computing technology can be both groundbreaking and approachable. 
• Hasbro’s “Toy of the Year” AR Experience – Reinventing a classic, Left Field Labs infused augmented reality and AI into Twister to create “Twister Air,” a fun new way for families to play and connect across generations. This innovation earned Twister Air the prestigious Game of the Year prize at the Toy Industry Awards.
• DNA3: Built to power personalized avatars across a network of Web3 experiences, DNA3 leverages generative AI to create diverse 2D and 3D digital assets with precision control and seamless customization. Its adaptability spans gaming, product interfaces, and beyond, allowing users to own their identity across a range of digital experiences.
• Aveda’s Retail Beauty Lab: Aveda has always been rooted in nature, but embracing machine learning opened a new chapter in immersive personalized beauty. Partnering with Left Field Labs, they launched their first ever digital-to-physical integrated experience in flagship stores, allowing users to get personalized hair assessments and product recommendations. 

Left Field Labs leveraged its deep expertise in applied AI, product innovation, experiential, and immersive technologies to deliver these groundbreaking experiences.

“Technology needs to go beyond just working properly – it should actually improve people’s lives,” said Eric Lee, Partner and CTO, LFL. “We’re grateful to work with partners who trust us to help them navigate the AI landscape and develop practical applications that genuinely enhance human capabilities. By strengthening our expertise in applied AI and immersive technologies, we’re helping our clients achieve results they hadn’t previously thought possible.”

Discover more of Left Field Labs’ groundbreaking innovations or explore partnership opportunities at www.leftfieldlabs.com

About Left Field Labs
Left Field Labs is a creative technology company that partners with the world’s most ambitious brands to build innovative digital experiences. With 17 years of expertise in emerging technologies, design, and strategy, the firm specializes in crafting transformative solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible. A proud member of the Stagwell network, Left Field Labs continues to lead at the intersection of creativity and technology. Learn more at https://www.leftfieldlabs.com/.

About The Code and Theory Network
The Code and Theory Network is the only technology and creative network with a balance of 50% creative and 50% engineers. Our unique makeup makes us the place where CMOs, CTOs and CIOs come together to drive results for their businesses. We partner with our clients to redefine what is possible to create lasting impact and drive long-term growth. Part of Stagwell, Code and Theory offers a global footprint and the capabilities to work across the entirety of the customer-facing journey, and implement the technology that powers it. The network includes the flagship agency Code and Theory as well as Kettle, Instrument, Left Field Labs, Truelogic, Create. Group, Rhythm and Mediacurrent. Code and Theory clients include Amazon, JPMorganChase, Microsoft, NBC, NFL and Yeti. For more, visit codeandtheory.com

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 40+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.  

Media Contact:
Brandon Dixon
brandondixon@dcspr.co  

ABOUT THE AGENCIES BEHIND THE WORK

Left Field Labs is a team of engineers, designers, strategists, information architects and creative technologists who thrive at the intersection of imagination and scientific rigor. Together we aim to inspire a more positive world by being a driving force for culture, innovation and invention.

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Left Field Labs partnered with Hasbro to bring the classic game of Twister into the digital age with Twister AIR, an AR-based game powered by AI, and built for iOS and Android.

Advanced AI and Machine Learning Integration

Skeletal and Color Tracking

Left Field Labs employed sophisticated AI and machine learning algorithms to enable reliable tracking of players’ movements and their colored bands in varied lighting conditions. This technology ensured accurate detection and response, regardless of skin tones and clothing variations. Its custom skeletal tracking monitors up to four players on a wide range of hardware, both Android and iOS devices, enhancing the versatility and accessibility of the game. 

AI-First UX Design

The app’s user experience was designed with an AI-first approach, focusing on players’ gestures, positions, and movements to create a smooth, intuitive interface. This design approach, which prioritizes AI driven interactions, enabled players to interact with the app and navigate game levels effortlessly, using natural motions for a more immersive and engaging experience.

Innovative AR gameplay experience

Gameplay mechanics

Players followed movement cues from the app, similar to games like Just Dance and Beat Saber. The game features 16 music tracks, including an original song “Twist in the Air,” and challenges players to match colored bands with on-screen dots, perform specific poses, and execute complex movements. The game also included a level editor to design levels synchronized with music, providing varying levels of difficulty and enhancing replay value.

User feedback

The innovative gameplay received positive reviews from both children and adults. “Twister Air is a great way to close those Apple Watch rings,” noted one user, highlighting the physical activity aspect of the game. The app also creates highlight reels of players’ key moments, making it easy to share social assets and elevate the social aspect of the game.

Modern twist on a classic game

Twister AIR reimagined the classic game of Twister for the digital age. The AR app transformed the traditional mat game into a dynamic, music-focused experience without being restricted to a surface. Players wear colored wrist and ankle bands, and the app uses the device’s camera to track their movements, creating an immersive and  interactive gameplay environment.

Industry recognition

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ABOUT GALE

GALE is a Business Agency. 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 Agency, the Grand Effie and Adweek’s Breakthrough Media Agency of the Year. 

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Bomb Pop is the most popular ice pop that nobody can remember. GALE’s mission was simple: get tweens to remember the brand’s name. The team brought the favorite summertime snack into the virtual world of Restaurant Tycoon 2 in Roblox, where Roblox restaurant owners could serve eight virtual Bomb Pop flavors to their customers. Gamers served 48.5 million Bomb Pops — making it the #1 selling food item in Roblox history. 

Our Approach to Transformation

Introducing the Bomb Pop Update in Restaurant Tycoon 2. For two weeks, Roblox restaurant owners could serve virtual bomb pops to their hungry customers and earn limited edition gear to upgrade their restaurants – turning Restaurant Tycoon into a red, white, and blue bonanza, and making restaurant owners within the platform our very own virtual brand ambassadors, interior designers, and architects. In the process, using our limited-edition items, players completely transformed the restaurants into gaming lounges, family style buffets, and even high-end beach clubs with an average of 28 minutes engaged across the experience.  

Our Impact

Time spent was 133% beyond Roblox branded experience benchmarks. We also had over 500,000 unique users enlist as virtual bomb pop distributors who sold over 48.5 million bomb pops, making it the most sold food item in Roblox ever. Even more significantly, sales in the real world were also up with an immediate 28.6% increase. We proved that the virtual world can spur epic real world business results.

Wondering where to begin with immersive experience implementation in your organization?

Email Beth Sidhu, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Stagwell, to discuss how we can support your organization’s digital goals. 

ABOUT COLLE MCVOY

Colle McVoy (CM) is a full-service creative agency that builds enduring relationships between forward-thinking brands and people. We believe this time of rapid change is filled with opportunities, so we constantly strive to push the boundaries of creativity, pressure-test best practices and create new brand futures. 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.

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We’re sure you’ve heard about JOMO (the joy of missing out). Here’s the reality: It’s one thing to miss out, it’s an entirely different thing to find the joy in it. 

To reinforce La-Z-Boy’s new platform, Long Live the Lazy, Colle McVoy’s creative technology team designed and fabricated “The Decliner,” a first-of-its-kind recliner allowing owners to AI-generate a cancellation excuse via SMS simply by pulling the handle. 36,000+ people signed up for a chance to win their own Decliner just in time for National Lazy Day as part of the earned creative brand act. 

Our Approach to Transformation

For a chance to put their feet up with AI assistance and La-Z-Boy style, people were asked to submit the most creative excuses they’ve ever used to protect their JOMO. And, influencers created content to amplify attention to the contest. The innovation was a technological hack—with 225 lines of code directing the AI server and 344 lines for each fabricated chair. An indicator of sorts had to be fashioned to let people know requests were processing, which took the form of an LED-lined puck at the handle base. The tech choices needed to be as reliable as the chairs themselves and couldn’t disrupt La-Z-Boy’s comfort and durability standards.

Our Impact

Colle McVoy drove 1.1B media impressions across 317 placements in the likes of USA Today, Better Homes & Gardens, Architectural Digest and more. People definitely put their feet up, juicing La-Z-Boy’s website traffic by 200% and increasing brand sales by 50% during the first weekend of the campaign.

The La-Z-Boy Decliner has gone on to win several awards, including Best in Technology at the 2023 PRWeek Awards and Best in Research & Consumer Insights in MediaPost’s Planning & Buying Awards. Nearly 13,000 cancellations have been sent by Decliner owners, giddy with AI-assisted JOMO. 

Wondering where to begin with AI implementation in your organization?

Email Beth Sidhu, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Stagwell, to discuss how we can support your organization’s digital goals. 

ABOUT LEFT FIELD LABS

Left Field Labs is a digital agency dedicated to solving our common challenges through uncommon creativity. Our team of over 100 designers, developers, and strategists has launched hundreds of digital products and experiences – from VR and websites to apps and experiential installations – for clients, such as Google, Discovery, Android, Estée Lauder, Uber, and Disney.  

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Google set out to create a 360° event-scale augmented reality (AR) experience at CES that would help attendees experience its presence in a whole new dimension. Google partnered with Left Field Labs to blend its physical booth location with a digital overlay, focused on bringing helpful and contextual information to attendees, as well as delightful moments.  

Our Approach to Transformation

LFL leveraged Google’s latest AR technologies in partnership with Adobe to inspire developers, creators, and brands at Google’s CES booth. The team aimed to demonstrate how AR has the potential to solve everyday challenges, whether orienting yourself around a busy environment, getting the scoop on more demos to see, finding transportation, or helping with decision making. 

First, LFL used Google’s Geospatial Creator, powered by ARCore and Google Maps Platform, in Adobe Aero to create an effective storyboard that integrated physical and digital elements seamlessly for the AR experience. LFL then built Google’s beloved Android Bot into the AR experience as a guiding figure with simple yet richly expressive interactions. Taking an agile approach, LFL iterated and tested on a wide range of Android and iOS mobile devices to ensure smooth performance for attendees.  

Our Impact

The AR guide to Google on Android at CES 2024 was a successful “show rather than tell” experience that helped attendees enjoy the space with immersive surprises along the way. The experience was activated nearly 9,000 times over the four-day event.  

Wondering where to begin with immersive experience implementation in your organization?

Email Beth Sidhu, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Stagwell, to discuss how we can support your organization’s digital goals.