#USA #New York #Stagwell #Code and Theory #Innovation Agency

Code and Theory Crowned Adweek's Inaugural Innovation Agency of the Year

In a groundbreaking recognition, Code and Theory, an influential creative and technology network within Stagwell, has been awarded Adweek’s first-ever Innovation Agency of the Year title. This achievement underscores a significant transformation in the business landscape as marketing shifts from a purely functional role to becoming the vital link connecting customer experience with technology and data-driven decision-making.

A Shift in Marketing Dynamics

A recent survey by WSJ Intelligence, partnered with Code and Theory, found that a staggering 93% of executives believe their customer experiences to be "broken." The changing demands highlight that businesses are no longer satisfied with traditional agency roles that focus solely on ad creation. Instead, they are looking for comprehensive partnerships that help forge cohesive systems connecting marketing, product, and service functionalities.

Code and Theory has positioned itself uniquely in the industry by maintaining a balanced workforce of 50% engineers and 50% creatives. This blend fosters innovative solutions that transform conventional marketing practices into integrated experiences.

Innovations Leading the Charge

Highlighted among the various offerings by Code and Theory are cutting-edge capabilities:

1. The Machine - An AI-powered orchestration platform that consolidates resources, tools, and data throughout the marketing organization, revamping operational paradigms.
2. Experience Transformation Practice (EXT) - This initiative is designed to maximize existing technological investments by bridging the gap between technology and tangible outcomes, enhancing efficiency and value.
3. Engine - A pioneering studio model that leverages AI to deliver rapid prototyping and production, fundamentally changing client engagement from concept to rollout.

These innovations have borne fruit, driving significant growth and transformative results for high-profile clients like Microsoft, TIME, and JPMorgan Chase. In just one year, Code and Theory boasted a revenue growth of 17%, expanded its workforce by 33%, and achieved a remarkable 88% talent retention rate.

A Leading Force in Creativity

As Code and Theory strides into 2026, it does so with a vision of a new creative era that emphasizes collaboration and innovation. With the critical 50/50 engineer-creative model, Code and Theory attracts key figures in the corporate world — from CMOs to CTOs — who seek to implement meaningful change.

Their recent initiatives represent impressive success stories:

• - Qualcomm - A transition from B2B to B2D resulted in a jaw-dropping 540% increase in developer engagement alongside an 18x boost in software downloads.
• - Amazon Ads - The campaign "Matches Are Made With Amazon Ads" achieved a 33% rise in unaided awareness and enhanced advertiser growth by 10%.
• - Henry Schein - The revised e-commerce platform optimized operations for healthcare providers, reducing purchase times by 46% and boosting spending per visit by 23%.

Recognition and Future Potential

Winning the Adweek Innovation Agency of the Year title marks another milestone in a year filled with accolades for Code and Theory themselves; it remains their seventh Agency of the Year title for 2025, complemented by multiple distinctions from respected organizations like Ad Age and the Shorty Awards.

Dan Gardner, Co-Founder of Code and Theory, eloquently stated, "Creativity is not defined by how you do things, but by how you think. We believe that innovation arises where imagination meets technology. We owe this recognition to the exceptional teams dedicated to driving our ethos forward and our clients who trust us to pioneer change."

Adding to this sentiment, CEO Michael Treff highlighted the collaborative approach with clients, stating that true innovation yields measurable results, propelling the company into this envisioned golden age of creativity.

The Code and Theory Network, featuring a diverse roster of distinguished clients such as Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, and NBC, continues to lead the market with their innovative solutions and impactful strategies in the customer-facing journey.

For further details about their offerings, explore Code and Theory.