Stagwell Inc. (NASDAQ: STGW) Reports Results for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2022

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Delivers Double-Digit 2Q 2022 Revenue Growth; Reiterates guidance driven by global media performance and continued digital acceleration

• 2Q GAAP Revenue grew 221.1% and 21.2% on a Pro Forma basis; YTD Pro Forma growth of 26.0%
• Pro-Forma Organic Net Revenue grew 16.0% in 2Q and 19.1% YTD
• Net Income of $24.5M in 2Q and Diluted EPS of $0.08 per share
• Net Income attributable to Stagwell of $10.5M in 2Q
• Adjusted EBITDA of $111.3M in 2Q representing a 20.0% margin on Net Revenue
• 57% of 2Q Net Revenue came from high-growth digital services
• Reaffirming 2022 full-year organic net revenue growth outlook of 18%-22%

New York, NY, August 4, 2022 (NASDAQ: STGW) – Stagwell Inc. (“Stagwell”) today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.

SECOND QUARTER AND YTD HIGHLIGHTS:

• Second quarter revenue of $672.9 million, an increase of 221.1% versus the prior year period; YTD revenue of $1,315.8 million, an increase of 236.7% versus the prior year period.
• Second quarter Pro Forma GAAP revenue growth of 21.2% versus the prior year period and 19.3% ex-Advocacy; YTD Pro Forma GAAP revenue growth of 26.0% versus the prior year period and 24.4% ex-Advocacy
• Second quarter net revenue of $556.3 million, an increase of 205.9% versus the prior period; YTD net revenue of $1,083.0 million, an increase of 218.6% versus the prior year period.
• Second quarter Pro Forma net revenue growth of 15.8% versus the prior year period and 14.6% ex-Advocacy; YTD Pro Forma net revenue growth of 19.1% versus the prior year period and 18.3% ex-Advocacy
• Second quarter Pro Forma organic net revenue growth of 16.0% versus the prior year period and 14.8% ex-Advocacy; YTD Pro Forma organic net revenue growth of 19.6% versus the prior year period and 18.8% ex-Advocacy.
• Second quarter net income of $24.5 million versus $18.7 million in the prior year period; YTD net income of $58.1 million versus $23.3 million in the prior year period.
• Second quarter net income attributable to Stagwell Inc. common shareholders of $10.5 million versus $17.3 million in the prior year period; YTD net income attributable to Stagwell Inc. common shareholders of $23.1 million versus $21.7 million in the prior year period.
• Second quarter adjusted EBITDA of $111.3 million, an increase of 187.5% versus the prior year period; YTD adjusted EBITDA of $212.7 million, an increase of 240.0% versus the prior year period.
• Pro Forma adjusted EBITDA growth of 13.0% versus the prior period and 11.4% ex-Advocacy; YTD adjusted EBITDA growth of 22.0% versus the prior period and 20.5% ex-Advocacy.
• Second quarter Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 20.0% of net revenue; YTD Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 19.6% of net revenue.
• Net New Business wins totaled $31 million in the quarter.

“Stagwell is executing exactly as we said we would, and doing so profitably. We delivered significant organic net revenue growth of 16% in the second quarter, which has the toughest comparisons of the year. Our high-growth digital capabilities expanded to 57% of net revenue and grew 28% organically versus the prior year period. Due to our unique mix of digital and creative capabilities, clients now recognize Stagwell as a serious alternative to legacy incumbents – and we are now a regular contender in many of the largest global pitches,” said Mark Penn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stagwell. “Our disciplined financial management and strong cost controls allow us to maintain leading margins, even while making smart investments in our corporate infrastructure to scale the network. We are optimistic about the back half of the year as our world-class advocacy businesses prepare for a record cycle of US political advertising spend and our year-over-year comparisons ease. We remain very confident in our full-year guidance of 18-22% organic net revenue growth and $450-$480 million of adjusted EBITDA.”

Frank Lanuto, Chief Financial Officer, commented: “The Company reported strong second quarter results with GAAP revenue of $673 million, net revenue of $556 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $111 million. Pro forma organic net revenue increased 16% over the prior period and Adjusted EBITDA margins remained strong at 20% of net revenue as we remain diligent around cost controls. Our balance sheet is in a good position and should benefit as we head into the seasonally strong back half of the year when we expect cash flow to increase significantly.”

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK

2022 financial guidance is as follows:

• Pro Forma Organic Net Revenue growth of 18% – 22%

• Pro Forma Organic Net Revenue growth ex-Advocacy of 13% – 17%

• Adjusted EBITDA of $450 million – $480 million, excluding the contribution from 2022 acquisitions

• Pro Forma Free Cash Flow growth of approximately 30%

• Guidance assumes no impact from foreign exchange, acquisitions or dispositions.

CONFERENCE CALL

Management will host a video webcast and conference call on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. (ET) to discuss results for Stagwell Inc. for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.  The video webcast will be accessible at https://bit.ly/STGWEarningsQ2. An investor presentation has been posted on our website at www.stagwellglobal.com and may be referred to during the conference call.

A recording of the conference call will be accessible one hour after the call and available for ninety days at www.stagwellglobal.com.

STAGWELL INC.

Stagwell is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing.  Led by entrepreneurs, our 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.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The acquisition of MDC Partners (MDC) by Stagwell Marketing Group (SMG) was completed on August 2, 2021. The results of MDC are included within the Statements of Operations for the period beginning on the date of the acquisition through the end of the respective period presented and the results of SMG are included for the entirety of all periods presented.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to its reported results, Stagwell Inc. has included in this earnings release certain financial results that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines as “non-GAAP Financial Measures.”  Management believes that such non-GAAP financial measures, when read in conjunction with the Company’s reported results, can provide useful supplemental information for investors analyzing period to period comparisons of the Company’s results. Such non-GAAP financial measures include the following:

Pro Forma Results: The Pro Forma amounts presented for each period were prepared by combining the historical standalone statements of operations for each of legacy MDC and SMG. The unaudited pro forma results are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not purport to represent what the actual consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial condition would have been had the combination actually occurred on the date indicated, nor do they purport to project the future consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial condition for any future period or as of any future date. The Company has excluded a quantitative reconciliation of adjusted Pro Forma EBITDA to net income under the “unreasonable efforts” exception in Item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K.

(1) Organic Revenue: “Organic revenue growth” and “organic revenue decline” refer to the positive or negative results, respectively, of subtracting both the foreign exchange and acquisition (disposition) components from total revenue growth. The acquisition (disposition) component is calculated by aggregating prior period revenue for any acquired businesses, less the prior period revenue of any businesses that were disposed of during the current period. The organic revenue growth (decline) component reflects the constant currency impact of (a) the change in revenue of the partner firms that the Company has held throughout each of the comparable periods presented, and (b) “non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net”. Non-GAAP acquisitions (dispositions), net consists of (i) for acquisitions during the current year, the revenue effect from such acquisition as if the acquisition had been owned during the equivalent period in the prior year and (ii) for acquisitions during the previous year, the revenue effect from such acquisitions as if they had been owned during that entire year (or same period as the current reportable period), taking into account their respective pre-acquisition revenues for the applicable periods, and (iii) for dispositions, the revenue effect from such disposition as if they had been disposed of during the equivalent period in the prior year.

(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) 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.

(5) Financial Guidance:  The Company provides guidance on a non-GAAP basis as it cannot predict certain elements which are included in reported GAAP results.

Included in this earnings release are tables reconciling reported Stagwell Inc. results to arrive at certain of these non-GAAP financial measures.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including without limitation the information under the heading “Financial Outlook” and statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, earnings (loss) guidance, recent business and economic trends, potential acquisitions, and estimates of amounts for redeemable noncontrolling interests and deferred acquisition consideration, constitute forward-looking statements. Words such as “estimates”, “expects”, “contemplates”, “will”, “anticipates”, “projects”, “plans”, “intends”, “believes”, “forecasts”, “may”, “should”, and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These 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.  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.

Some of the factors that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows 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;
• the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”), and evolving strains of COVID-19 on the economy and demand for the Company’s services, which may precipitate or exacerbate other risks and uncertainties;
• an inability to realize expected benefits of the combination of the Company’s business with the business of MDC (the “Business Combination” and, together with the related transactions, the “Transactions”);
• adverse tax consequences in connection with the Transactions for the Company, its operations and its shareholders, that may differ from the expectations of the Company, including that future changes in tax law, potential increases to corporate tax rates in the United States and disagreements with the tax authorities on the Company’s determination of value and computations of its attributes may result in increased tax costs;
• the occurrence of material Canadian federal income tax (including material “emigration tax”) as a result of the Transactions;
• the Company’s ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients;
• the impact of a reduction in client spending and changes in client advertising, marketing and corporate communications requirements;
• financial failure of the Company’s clients;
• the Company’s ability to retain and attract key employees;
• the Company’s ability to compete in the markets in which it operates;
• the Company’s ability to achieve its cost saving initiatives;
• the Company’s implementation of strategic initiatives;
• the Company’s ability to remain in compliance with its debt agreements and the Company’s ability to finance its contingent payment obligations when due and payable, including but not limited to those relating to redeemable noncontrolling interests and deferred acquisition consideration;
• the Company’s ability to manage its growth effectively, including the successful completion and integration of acquisitions which complement and expand the Company’s business capabilities;
• the Company’s material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and its ability to establish and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting;
• the Company’s ability to protect client data from security incidents or cyberattacks;
• economic disruptions resulting from war and other geopolitical tensions (such as the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine), terrorist activities and natural disasters;
• stock price volatility; and
• foreign currency fluctuations.

Investors should carefully consider these risk factors, other risk factors described herein, and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail in our 2021 Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 17, 2022, and accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, under the caption “Risk Factors,” and in the Company’s other SEC filings.