Stagwell has announced the appointment of Meredith Aronson as Vice President, Corporate Affairs. In her new role, Aronson will contribute to the expansion of the firm’s Corporate Affairs practice, with responsibilities spanning reputation management, integrated marketing and communications, research, and stakeholder engagement.Aronson brings over 14 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors. She previously held senior leadership roles at JPMorganChase, where she led brand, product, and purpose-driven marketing initiatives. Earlier in her career, she served in the Obama administration, working on initiatives under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign.At Stagwell, Aronson will focus on developing integrated communications and reputation strategies for clients across industries, while also contributing to the network’s thought leadership on reputation and the evolving media landscape.

Edelman Middle East has announced the expansion of its leadership team with two significant appointments: David Kingsmill-Moore as Managing Director for the UAE and Marta Guasch as the Regional Head of Technology.Kingsmill-Moore brings 13 years of experience working across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, where he has collaborated with both government and private sector clients. Previously a partner at Consulum, which was recently acquired by Stagwell, he led key accounts including the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) and the Public Investment Fund (PIF). In his new role at Edelman, he will provide strategic counsel to corporate and energy clients and serve as a regional crisis advisor for complex issues and reputational challenges.Guasch joins Edelman from the firm?ÇÖs London office, tasked with developing and leading the technology practice in the Middle East. With eight years of public relations and communications experience in the technology sector, she is poised to strengthen Edelman?ÇÖs presence in this vital area.These appointments reflect Edelman?ÇÖs commitment to enhancing client advisory services in the region. Kingsmill-Moore and Guasch will report to Omar Qirem, CEO of Edelman Middle East, who expressed his enthusiasm for the new additions, stating: ?Ç£I am delighted to welcome both David and Marta to the team. This leadership expansion reflects our continued focus on growing our presence in the region and strengthening our senior bench of experienced advisors.?Ç¥The announcement follows the recent appointment of Nidaa Lone as head of Edelman?ÇÖs Abu Dhabi office, underscoring the agency's strategic growth. Additionally, Edelman has hired Zoe Audibert as the regional marketing lead for the Middle East, further bolstering its team with talent relocated from the UK.Edelman has been operating in the UAE since 2008 and has seen significant growth in recent years, with its team tripling in size over the past three years. The agency reported a revenue increase of 23.7% in its Middle East business in 2023, making it one of the fastest-growing regions within the firm.

Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing, has appointed Sunil John as Senior Advisor, Stagwell MENA. John will head Stagwell's forthcoming MENA office, spearheading growth and enhancing collaboration among local agencies and partners. He will also develop new client solutions, utilizing his extensive regional network to support brands aiming for both regional expansion and global reach.John, named the Best PR Professional in the Middle East by PRWeek in 2023 and 2020, brings over three decades of regional experience to Stagwell, having founded ASDA'A BCW, the region's leading PR consultancy and been instrumental in shaping the public relations landscape in the Arab world. During his time at ASDA'A he launched Proof Communications, a specialist digital and design firm, OnePoint5, an ESG advisory and led the annual Arab Youth Survey, the groundbreaking thought leadership platform capturing the hopes and aspirations of the 200 million Arab youth.Additionally, as an Advisory Board Member of the Dubai International Chamber since July 2021, John has been influential in reinforcing Dubai's status as a global trade hub."Marketers who miss out on MENA will miss out on one of the biggest consumer growth stories of our decade," said Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO, Stagwell. "As we focus on becoming more competitive internationally, Sunil's unparalleled experience in MENA and his leadership are what Stagwell needs to deepen our presence and help our clients succeed in this crucial market.""I am excited to join Stagwell and contribute to its unique technology-driven offering in the marketing services landscape," said Sunil John. "The opportunity to integrate my experience, my love of research and insights, and my focus on digital transformation and technology with Stagwell's innovative approach will bring value to a region that is one of the fastest growing in the world. As a challenger network, I believe Stagwell will be the company that creates significant impact for our clients in the MENA region."John's appointment comes at a time when Stagwell is opening a new chapter in the region after recently announcing its intent to acquire Consulum, a leading government advisory firm that specializes in strategic communications, public policy and leadership support in the MENA and other global markets.Stagwell's footprint across MENA includes its omnichannel media agency Assembly and global creative collective Forsman and Bodenfors. Additionally, Stagwell counts marketing and talent management agency FLC and strategic growth advisory firm Phronesis Group among its global affiliate partners in the region. With offices across Dubai, Cairo, and Riyadh, Stagwell is positioned to serve clients in a range of industries in MENA, including retail, automotive, crypto, real estate, tech and finance sectors.The MENA region is a key growth market for Stagwell as the company pursues its goal of doubling revenue at the Company beyond North America by 2025. In 2024 to date, Stagwell has acquired seven firms, including LEADERS (Israel), Team Epiphany (US), Sidekick (UK), What's Next Partners (France), PROS (Brazil), Business Traveller (Global), and BERA (US).

Stagwell, a US digital-first marketing communication network, has entered into an agreement to acquire Consulum, a pan-MENA government advisory consultancy.The acquisition ?Çö Stagwell's second in MENA in 2024 ?Çö establishes a robust foothold for Stagwell in the Middle East, enriched by Consulum's tested expertise in strategic communications, public policy, leadership support, and diplomatic outcomes.Founded in 2012, Consulum has grown to a team of approximately 160 professionals specializing in strategic communications, public policy, and leadership support.Founded in 2012, Consulum has grown to a team of approximately 160 professionals specializing in strategic communications, public policy, and leadership support.Founded in 2012, Consulum has grown to a team of approximately 160 professionals specializing in strategic communications, public policy, and leadership support, with offices in Riyadh, Manama, Dubai, London, Cape Town, and Kuala Lumpur. The consultancy is a trusted partner to a range of high-profile government clients."Our acquisition of Consulum marks a significant step in expanding Stagwell's influence and capabilities in MENA as the region's strategic importance to global marketers continues to grow," said Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell. "With Consulum's expertise and established government relationships, we are poised to offer unparalleled strategic communications services to our clients worldwide while bolstering our unique capabilities in advocacy beyond the U.S."Consulum Chairman and co-founder, Tim Ryan said: "Consulum was formed 12 years ago to answer a clear need for governments, heads of state and their institutions to have access to a dedicated consultancy focused on strategy, communications and policy. As a result of that singular focus and mission, Consulum is now a market leader and something I and co-founder Matthew Gunther-Bushell are rightly proud of. "Consulum CEO, Ryan Coetzee, and Consulum Managing Partner, James Davies said: "We are delighted to be joining the Stagwell Group's impressive network. It marks a pivotal moment as we move to our next phase of growth.The combination of Consulum's leading government advisory services with Stagwell's renowned innovation and cutting-edge technologies will significantly enhance our ability to offer clients a wider range of world-class services."The addition of Consulum enhances Stagwell's presence in the Middle East, complementing the recently-acquired influencer marketing agency and technology platform LEADERS/Influencer Marketing.AI, as well as Stagwell's omnichannel media agency Assembly Global, global communications agency Allison, and creative collective Forsman & Bodenfors.Consulum joins Stagwell as the challenger network seeks expansion into 10 new markets in 2024 alone, and follows the acquisitions of LEADERS (MENA), BERA (Global), Business Traveler (Global), Luxine Publique Relations (Canada), What's Next Partners (France), Sidekick (UK), and Team Epiphany (US).

 Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, has acquired Tel Aviv-based LEADERS, a world-class digital agency specializing in influencer marketing and social commerce and the development of InfluencerMarketing.AI (IMAI), a global influencer marketing SaaS platform. The company joins Stagwell Marketing Cloud's PRophet Comms Tech Suite of AI-powered offerings purpose-built for modern PR and marketing professionals.Founded by Eran Nizri and Yehonatan Arami in 2017, LEADERS and IMAI combine high-value digital and influencer marketing strategy with a cutting-edge, AI-powered SaaS influencer marketing platform. IMAI leverages advanced AI technologies to connect brands with over 300 million creators worldwide. The platform allows users from anywhere in the world to launch campaigns in just a few clicks, offering robust analytics, sales prediction models, and campaign management tools. Clients include Nespresso, Samsung, and Colgate-Palmolive; notable SaaS clients include Coca-Cola, Playtika, Est??e Lauder, and Superdry. IMAI will supplement the bench of influencer marketing platforms currently in use by Stagwell's agencies around the world, including existing tools in the PRophet Comms Tech Suite."We are excited to welcome LEADERS to the Stagwell family. This acquisition strengthens our Stagwell Marketing Cloud offering with cutting-edge AI solutions for influencer marketing while marking our first agency in Israel amid a substantial global expansion push from Stagwell this year," said Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO, Stagwell. "Eran and his team share our vision of transforming marketing with technology, and we look forward to working together to deliver value to our clients across the globe.""Combining with Eran and the LEADERS team is a force multiplier for PRophet and Stagwell to expand global reach, integrate advanced AI technologies and leverage domain expertise around high performance digital and influencer marketing strategy for customers," said Aaron Kwittken, Founder and CEO of SMC's Comms Tech Suite."This acquisition marks a transformative milestone for LEADERS and InfluencerMarketing.AI," added Nizri. "With Stagwell's extensive network and resources, we are set to redefine the landscape of influencer marketing. Our goal is to become the world's leading influencer and digital marketing powerhouse, delivering unparalleled value and innovation to our clients. We look forward to integrating our capabilities into Stagwell's Comms Tech Unit and leading the industry into a new era of excellence."LEADERS' and IMAI's success is driven by a strong leadership team. Eran Nizri will continue to serve as Group CEO, reporting into Aaron Kwittken, Founder and CEO of Stagwell Marketing Cloud's PRophet Comms Tech Suite. Itamar Gonsherovitz will continue to spearhead LEADERS' digital agency operations as CEO. Yehonatan Arami, will continue to lead business development, expanding the company's reach within the Stagwell network.The acquisition comes as Stagwell expands its global footprint and invests further in AI-enabled solutions at the forefront of digital marketing. LEADERS is Stagwell's seventh acquisition of 2024, following Team Epiphany (U.S.), Sidekick (U.K.), What's Next Partners (France), PROS (Brazil), Business Traveller (Global), and BERA (U.S.).