HUNTER AND KWT GLOBAL COME TOGETHER TO FORM INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS POWERHOUSE UNDER THE HUNTER BANNER
HUNTER and KWT Global are merging to form an integrated communications firm under the HUNTER banner, as announced by Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW). The combined agency will have nearly 400 people across offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and London.
The merger strengthens HUNTER's consumer verticals in financial services, travel, and hospitality while expanding its corporate, crisis, and B2B capabilities. HUNTER has shown double-digit growth for five consecutive years, while KWT Global has doubled in size over the past three years.
The combined entity will be led by an all-female C-Suite, with Grace Leong as CEO, Gigi García Russo as Chief Transformation Officer, Gabrielle Zucker as Global Chief Client Officer, and Samantha Turtle as Chief Operating Officer. The executive leadership team is 90% female.
HUNTER e KWT Global si stanno fondendo per formare un'agenzia di comunicazione integrata sotto il marchio HUNTER, come annunciato da Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW). L'agenzia combinata avrà quasi 400 persone distribuite negli uffici di New York, Los Angeles, Chicago e Londra.
La fusione rafforza i verticali consumer di HUNTER nei settori dei servizi finanziari, dei viaggi e dell'ospitalità, espandendo nel contempo le sue capacità corporate, di crisi e B2B. HUNTER ha registrato una crescita a doppia cifra per cinque anni consecutivi, mentre KWT Global ha raddoppiato le sue dimensioni negli ultimi tre anni.
L'entità combinata sarà guidata da un C-Suite completamente femminile, con Grace Leong come CEO, Gigi García Russo come Chief Transformation Officer, Gabrielle Zucker come Global Chief Client Officer e Samantha Turtle come Chief Operating Officer. Il team dirigenziale è composto per il 90% da donne.
HUNTER y KWT Global se están fusionando para formar una agencia de comunicación integrada bajo la marca HUNTER, tal como anunció Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW). La agencia combinada tendrá casi 400 personas en oficinas en Nueva York, Los Ángeles, Chicago y Londres.
La fusión fortalece los sectores de consumo de HUNTER en servicios financieros, viajes y hospitalidad, mientras expande sus capacidades corporativas, de crisis y B2B. HUNTER ha mostrado un crecimiento de dos dígitos durante cinco años consecutivos, mientras que KWT Global ha duplicado su tamaño en los últimos tres años.
La entidad combinada será liderada por un C-Suite completamente femenino, con Grace Leong como CEO, Gigi García Russo como Chief Transformation Officer, Gabrielle Zucker como Global Chief Client Officer y Samantha Turtle como Chief Operating Officer. El equipo de liderazgo ejecutivo es 90% femenino.
헌터(HUNTER)와 KWT 글로벌(KWT Global)이 헌터 브랜드 하에 통합 커뮤니케이션 회사를 설립하기 위해 합병한다고 스테그웰(Stagwell)(NASDAQ: STGW)이 발표했습니다. 통합된 에이전시는 뉴욕, 로스앤젤레스, 시카고, 런던에 걸쳐 거의 400명의 직원을 두게 됩니다.
이번 합병은 헌터의 금융 서비스, 여행 및 환대 분야의 소비자 수직을 강화하고 기업, 위기 및 B2B 역량을 확장하는 데 기여합니다. 헌터는 5년 연속으로 두 자릿수 성장률을 보여주었고, KWT 글로벌은 지난 3년 동안 두 배로 성장했습니다.
통합 법인은 여성만으로 구성된 C-스위트에 의해 이끌어질 것이며, Grace Leong이 CEO, Gigi García Russo가 Chief Transformation Officer, Gabrielle Zucker가 Global Chief Client Officer 그리고 Samantha Turtle이 Chief Operating Officer를 맡습니다. 경영진 팀의 90%가 여성으로 구성되어 있습니다.
HUNTER et KWT Global fusionnent pour former une entreprise de communication intégrée sous la bannière HUNTER, comme l’a annoncé Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW). L'agence combinée comptera près de 400 personnes dans des bureaux situés à New York, Los Angeles, Chicago et Londres.
La fusion renforce les verticales de consommation de HUNTER dans les secteurs des services financiers, des voyages et de l'hôtellerie tout en élargissant ses capacités en matière d'entreprise, de crise et de B2B. HUNTER a affiché une croissance à deux chiffres pendant cinq années consécutives, tandis que KWT Global a doublé de taille au cours des trois dernières années.
L'entité combinée sera dirigée par une direction entièrement féminine, avec Grace Leong comme PDG, Gigi García Russo comme Chief Transformation Officer, Gabrielle Zucker comme Global Chief Client Officer et Samantha Turtle comme Chief Operating Officer. L'équipe de direction est composée à 90 % de femmes.
HUNTER und KWT Global fusionieren, um eine integrierte Kommunikationsfirma unter dem Banner von HUNTER zu bilden, wie von Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) angekündigt. Die fusionierte Agentur wird fast 400 Mitarbeiter in Büros in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago und London haben.
Die Fusion stärkt die Verbrauchersektoren von HUNTER in den Bereichen Finanzdienstleistungen, Reisen und Gastgewerbe und erweitert gleichzeitig die Fähigkeiten in den Bereichen Corporate, Krisenmanagement und B2B. HUNTER verzeichnet seit fünf aufeinander folgenden Jahren ein zweistelliges Wachstum, während KWT Global in den letzten drei Jahren seine Größe verdoppelt hat.
Das kombinierte Unternehmen wird von einem auxiliarischen Vorstand, der ausschließlich aus Frauen besteht, geleitet, mit Grace Leong als CEO, Gigi García Russo als Chief Transformation Officer, Gabrielle Zucker als Global Chief Client Officer und Samantha Turtle als Chief Operating Officer. Das Führungsteam besteht zu 90% aus Frauen.
- HUNTER has achieved double-digit growth for five consecutive years
- KWT Global has doubled in size over the past three years
- Merger expands service offerings and geographical presence
- Combined agency will have nearly 400 employees across major markets
- None.
Insights
This strategic merger represents a significant move in Stagwell's evolution as a challenger network in the marketing services industry. The combination of HUNTER and KWT Global creates several compelling value propositions:
- Market Consolidation Benefits: The merger strengthens Stagwell's competitive position against larger holding companies by creating a more comprehensive service offering. This consolidation should lead to operational efficiencies and cost synergies through shared resources and elimination of duplicate functions.
- Revenue Growth Potential: The complementary client portfolios - HUNTER's strength in consumer brands (Amazon, Reckitt, Danone) and KWT's expertise in sectors like financial services and technology - create significant cross-selling opportunities. The combined entity can leverage these relationships to drive organic growth.
- Geographic Expansion: The enhanced presence across major markets (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London) positions the company to better serve global clients and capture new business opportunities in key markets.
- Digital Transformation: The integration of KWT's future-forward solutions like KWT xVoice with HUNTER's cultural marketing expertise creates a more competitive digital-first offering, addressing the growing demand for integrated communications solutions.
The merger's timing aligns with broader industry trends toward consolidation and integrated service offerings. The all-female C-suite, while notable for industry representation, also reflects a strategic advantage in understanding and connecting with key consumer demographics, particularly given that women influence approximately 85% of consumer purchases.
For Stagwell shareholders, this consolidation should drive value through improved operational efficiency, enhanced service capabilities and stronger competitive positioning in the rapidly evolving marketing services landscape.
Combined Agency Within Stagwell (STGW) Helmed by All-Female C-Suite
"This combination is yet another step in making Stagwell the right size to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions for modern brands," said Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell. "By bringing together KWT Global and HUNTER, we're not just combining two award-winning agencies – we're creating a unified, modern communications solution well positioned to help brands navigate today's complex media landscape."
Frequently recognized as a "Best Place to Work," "Mid-Sized Agency of the Year" and "Consumer Agency of the Year," HUNTER has grown by double digits for five consecutive years. KWT Global, named a "PR Daily Top Agency" and an "Agency of the Future in 2024" has doubled in size over the past three years and is frequently recognized for its industry innovating product offerings, thought leadership and employee development programs alongside its impactful and award-winning client work.
"This is the logical next step in our ambitions to better serve our clients' needs with integrated, culturally relevant, digital-first solutions and foster an environment where our staff are inspired to employ cutting edge communications technology," said Grace Leong, CEO of HUNTER. "HUNTER and KWT Global are already frequent collaborators. By combining resources, we will rally the power of both agencies toward a common goal: to craft, place, share and amplify the narratives of the world's best companies and brands while maintaining our hallmark focus on exceptional client service and our creative, inclusive, and supportive company culture."
"This comes at a time of significant transformation in the communications industry, as clients increasingly seek comprehensive solutions to their marketing challenges," said Gabrielle Zucker, CEO of KWT Global. "Our clients and staff will benefit from HUNTER's award-winning consumer expertise, ability to tap into cultural conversations, and creative prowess while leveraging KWT's ability to create future-forward solutions for communications challenges such as KWT xVoice. By integrating talent across agencies, we'll be able to bring our clients more ideas, more specialized thinking, and more comprehensive solutions."
HUNTER drives growth and earns valuable attention and reputation for clients across food & beverage, travel, home, fashion & lifestyle, technology, retail, health and beauty sectors, including Amazon, Reckitt, Benjamin Moore, Vera Bradley, Danone North America, and TABASCO® Brand Pepper Sauce—the agency's first client 35 years ago and still a client today. KWT Global, known for operating at the intersection of precision and possibility, works across a portfolio of clients spanning travel & hospitality, financial services, health, wellness, luxury, lifestyle, fashion, retail and technology brands, including Tanger, Fairmont, PODS, Technogym, Tommy John, IRONMAN, Lovesac, L'Oreal, Liquid I.V., Experian and Laurel Road.
A collective of female leaders with a long history of driving innovation and growth will be at the helm of HUNTER's evolution:
- Grace Leong will continue to serve as CEO.
- Gigi García Russo continues as HUNTER's Chief Transformation Officer.
- Gabrielle Zucker, KWT Global CEO, has been named Global Chief Client Officer with oversight of
U.S. andLondon client experience. - Samantha Turtle, who leads HUNTER's
Los Angeles office and Entertainment Marketing practice, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer.
Together they represent an all-female C-Suite and a collective executive leadership team that is
About HUNTER:
Founded in 1989, HUNTER is an award-winning consumer marketing communications firm with offices in
About KWT Global:
At KWT Global, we believe creativity with intention resonates. As an integrated communications agency operating at the intersection of precision and possibility, we empower brands to navigate ever-evolving landscapes with confidence and clarity, blending art and science to create precise programming that captures imaginations, evolves perceptions and drives change. Our team of strategists, marketers, designers, creators, communicators and connectors collaborate across vertical, industry and expertise to build curated programs that address unique business challenges. We are the partner that helps brands evolve to meet their moment, time and time again. The agency is a member of Stagwell Inc. (NASDAQ:STGW).
About Stagwell Inc.
Stagwell (NASDAQ:STGW). 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 35+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.
Contact:
HUNTER
Samara Farber Mormar
smormar@hunterpr.com
Stagwell
Kara Gelber
kara.gelber@stagwellglobal.com
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SOURCE Stagwell Inc.
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