Stagwell, the challenger network transforming marketing, announced that two of its award-winning public relations and communications firms, HUNTER and KWT Global, are joining forces as one firm. Operating as HUNTER, the nearly 400-person, full-service global consultancy will expand its offices across New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and London. The alliance strengthens HUNTER’s consumer verticals in financial services, travel, and hospitality while expanding its corporate, crisis, and B2B capabilities. The combined agency will leverage its complementary expertise to deliver integrated marketing communications solutions driving cultural relevance and positive corporate reputation across PR, social media, influencer and talent engagement, content, and experiential services.
“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. and London client experience.
- Samantha Turtle, who leads HUNTER’s Los Angeles office and Entertainment Marketing practice, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer.
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