NEW YORK and OXFORD, England – June 7, 2022 – Stagwell (Nasdaq: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, today announced Chairman and CEO Mark Penn will join The Oxford Union, the world’s most prestigious debating society, to debate the promises and pitfalls of the metaverse. The debate, “This House Would Live in the Metaverse,” will explore the future of Web3 and the metaverse in the context of data and privacy, brand marketing, and ultimately, how the metaverse will transform the way people, countries, and communities connect. Stagwell invites press to attend the debate at 8:30 p.m. GMT+1 on Thursday, June 16; details to RSVP are below.

Penn will argue on behalf of the metaverse as a platform that can transform how brands relate – and market – to consumers. Stagwell is excited about the potential of Web3 and currently counsels multinational brands on whether and how to enter the metaverse, including areas of investment to consider within augmented reality (AR), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the creator economy, and other areas of opportunity.

“We’ve only just scratched the surface of AR, VR, NFTs and other emerging technologies in the metaverse, and I’m excited to join this expert group as we debate the possibilities,” said Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark Penn. “The metaverse provides an entirely new canvas for brands to build creative, digital experiences that connect consumers around the world.”

Current confirmed debaters include:

Proposition Side

• Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark Penn
• AGT International Chairman & Owner Mati Kochavi

Opposition Side

• University of Birmingham Professor Sylvie Delacroix
• Bloomberg and Techworld journalist Margi Murphy
• TechCrunch Editor-at-Large Mike Butcher

Journalists interested in attending the debate and/or connecting with Penn for an interview, please contact Beth Sidhu at beth.sidhu@stagwellglobal.com.

About 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 10,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

 About The Oxford Union

Founded in 1823, the Oxford Union is a forward-thinking institution at Oxford University that strives to strengthen democratic values through free and fair discussion. Having invited illustrious guests from the Dalai Lama to Presidents Carter, Nixon, and Reagan, the Oxford Union allows its members to debate and question the modern thinkers of our time. Diversity, not only of opinion or politics but of all types, remains the lifeblood of the Union today, and continues to be so for as long as we are visited by the greatest and most knowledgeable speakers in the world. 

Contact: Beth Sidhu
beth.sidhu@stagwellglobal.com 
+1. 202.423.4414