Stagwell (STGW) Consolidates Assembly and ForwardPMX into Powerhouse Global Agency Network

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) has completed a strategic organizational realignment, bringing its Assembly and ForwardPMX agencies under a unified global operating structure. The consolidated entity will function as Assembly worldwide, positioning itself as a comprehensive omnichannel media platform backed by technology, data and strategic advisory services.

Scale and Reach

The merged operation represents significant market scale: 1,500 professionals distributed across more than 20 countries and 30 global locations, collectively serving marquee clients such as Nike, Adobe, Ralph Lauren, Con Edison and Red Robin. As a component of the broader Stagwell Media Network, Assembly joins a constellation of seven agencies managing approximately $5 billion in annual media spend. This integration directly addresses the demand from chief marketing officers seeking partners capable of orchestrating complex, multi-channel campaigns with integrated data and creative resources.

Leadership Structure

James Townsend, who serves as Global CEO of the Stagwell Media Network and previously led ForwardPMX internationally, assumes leadership of the consolidated Assembly operation. The management framework incorporates talent from both organizations: Valerie Davis, former ForwardPMX Managing Director, steps into the North American President role, while Assembly’s Kim Sivillo and Kendra Mazey advance to senior US leadership positions. Shannon Pruitt and Jon Schaaf transition into expanded responsibilities across the broader Stagwell Media Network ecosystem.

Strategic Rationale

Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark Penn characterized the combination as convergence of complementary capabilities: “This brings together advanced offline media expertise with performance marketing technology. Assembly and ForwardPMX have collaborated successfully for two years, demonstrating cultural alignment and proven client results.”

Townsend elaborated on the operational vision: “Combining Assembly’s omnichannel media scale and buying power with ForwardPMX’s digital-first innovation and international presence creates something genuinely differentiated—a platform capable of delivering transformative growth for marketing leaders across global markets. This represents two momentum-driven organizations that logically belong together.”

Competitive Positioning

Assembly has established credentials as an industry leader, including Ad Age’s 2018 Media Agency of the Year designation and Adweek’s 2019 Media Plan of the Year recognition. ForwardPMX contributes global infrastructure spanning 20+ countries alongside specialized expertise in data, technology and digital performance marketing—capabilities that extend Assembly’s historical strength in traditional and integrated omnichannel approaches.

This consolidation reflects Stagwell’s broader mission to equip brands with innovation-driven partners capable of business transformation through integrated creative and technological excellence.