Stagwell Appoints Slavi Samardzija as New Chief Data Officer to Enhance Digital Strategy

Stagwell's New Chief Data and Platforms Officer

On September 4, 2025, Stagwell Inc. (NASDAQ: STGW), a leading challenger network in the marketing landscape, announced the appointment of Slavi Samardzija as its Chief Data and Platforms Officer. This newly created role aims to advance Stagwell's data and platform strategy, particularly incorporating innovations through the company's ID Graph and The Machine initiatives.

Samardzija brings with him over 25 years of experience in the data and technology sectors. He has a proven history of working with Fortune 500 companies to enhance their marketing capabilities, leveraging data in both business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) contexts. His extensive expertise will be pivotal for Stagwell as it embarks on a mission to streamline its operations and deliver optimized results for its clients.

Mark Penn, the Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, expressed optimism about Samardzija's leadership. He believes that Samardzija will be instrumental in reinforcing the company's commitment to digital transformation and for actualizing innovative strategies tailored for each client. The focus will particularly fall on furthering the capabilities of Stagwell's new AI-powered orchestration operating system, known as The Machine.

Prior to his appointment at Stagwell, Samardzija held numerous executive positions during his extensive career, which included 15 years at WPP and over a decade at Omnicom. His most recent position was as Global CEO at Annalect, a company under the Omnicom Media Group. Not only is Samardzija recognized for his ability to build successful teams, but he is also celebrated for his skills in utilizing data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to achieve enhanced business outcomes for companies.

In reaction to his new appointment, Samardzija stated, "Joining a company that has woven digital transformation and proprietary data into its very fabric presents an intriguing challenge. I'm eager to accelerate Stagwell's growth and lead the development of a cutting-edge data and platform strategy that sets new industry standards."

Stagwell’s Vision for the Future

Stagwell Inc. aims to revolutionize marketing by creating an integrated approach that combines creativity with technology. With an unparalleled network of specialists across more than 45 countries, the company is purpose-driven to enhance their clients' business results through innovative strategies that blend the art and science of marketing. With Samardzija at the helm of their data initiatives, Stagwell is poised to push boundaries further than ever before.

The insights generated through solid data strategies are critical for businesses looking to thrive in today’s digital-first environment. By tapping into extensive resources and technologies, Stagwell is determined to craft effective marketing solutions that respond to the evolving demands of consumers.

In conclusion, Slavi Samardzija's leadership marks a significant addition to Stagwell’s ambitions in the digital marketing ecosystem. This strategic move is expected to yield fruitful results, positioning Stagwell as a pioneer in harnessing technology for superior customer engagement and marketing effectiveness.