Stagwell to Boost 2025 News Ad Spend by 22%, Reinforcing Commitment to Trusted Journalism
Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) has announced a 22% year-over-year increase in its 2025 advertising spend in news media, reinforcing its commitment to supporting trusted journalism. The announcement aligns with Stagwell’s second annual Future of News UK Summit and the release of a new study highlighting the importance of news as an advertising platform for EMEA CEOs and Board Directors. “At Stagwell, we believe supporting trusted journalism isn’t just good for society — it’s smart business,” said Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell. The Future of News initiative, launched by Stagwell, aims to strengthen the relationship between news and marketing through research, events, and discussions around brand safety. According to a study conducted by Stagwell’s research consultancy HarrisX, business leaders across the UK, France, Germany, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) see news media as a vital advertising platform: 🔹 80% believe news media is a powerful medium to reach stakeholders. 🔹 85% view advertising on news platforms as a good investment. 🔹 73% of UK and 82% of GCC CEOs believe news media is critical to democracy. 🔹 92% of GCC executives say advertising in news is a strong investment. Despite the increasing emphasis on brand safety protocols, 71% of executives believe these measures are overapplied, hurting media outlets and advertisers. James Townsend, Stagwell EMEA CEO, emphasized that while AI, politics, and brand safety remain hot topics, business leaders still recognize the power of news media in driving effective advertising. Stagwell will host panel discussions at its EMEA headquarters in London with industry leaders from CNN International, Newsquest, and The Sunday Times, focusing on journalism’s role in truth and transparency. Source: prnewswire
