STAGWELL APPOINTS NICOLE SOUZA AS CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER FOR NORTH AMERICA

Stagwell has named Nicole Souza, former CMO of Publicis Groupe’s creative division, as chief growth officer for North America. The appointment comes after a 25% rise in new business in 2025, with major brands added to its roster. Stagwell expects 2026 to deliver record growth and further senior hires.  

Stagwell has announced the appointment of Nicole Souza as its new chief growth officer for North America, marking a significant step in the agency network’s ambition to expand its partnerships with large-scale clients. Souza, who previously served as chief marketing officer for Publicis Groupe’s creative division, brings extensive experience in driving growth strategies across diverse markets and sectors.  

Her arrival follows a strong year for Stagwell, which reported a 25% increase in new business in 2025. The company added several marquee names to its client roster, including Starbucks, PepsiCo and Target, underscoring its ability to compete at the highest level of global marketing services. In its fourth-quarter results, chief executive Mark Penn highlighted the momentum, predicting a 10% revenue rise in 2026 and describing the first quarter as poised to deliver the strongest net new business in the company’s history.  

Souza’s appointment is positioned as the first in a series of senior hires planned for 2026, aimed at strengthening Stagwell’s growth leadership team. The company has signalled that these moves are designed to consolidate its reputation as a challenger network capable of winning major accounts and delivering integrated solutions across creative, media, and technology.  

For Stagwell, the decision reflects both confidence in its trajectory and recognition of the need to deepen leadership capacity as it scales. Souza’s track record in shaping client relationships and building growth strategies is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring the company sustains its momentum in a competitive marketplace.  

As the industry braces for another year of transformation, Stagwell’s investment in leadership talent highlights its intent to seize opportunities and reinforce its standing among global networks. With Souza at the helm of growth in North America, the company is positioning itself to deliver on its ambitious targets and further expand its influence across the marketing landscape.