Data strategy will be led by Annalect Global CEO Slavi Samardzija at Stagwell, following his move from his previous position.
Stagwell Bolsters Data and AI Capabilities with Senior Hires
Stagwell, the marketing services firm, has announced several key hires to strengthen its data and technology strategy, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and marketing technology innovation.
Leading the charge is Slavi Samardzija, a data and technology veteran who previously served as the global CEO of Omnicom's Annalect for nearly a decade. Samardzija will join Stagwell in the fall of 2025 to spearhead the company's forward-looking data and technology strategy. He will work alongside a star-studded team of executives from major tech firms such as IBM, Accenture, Microsoft, and Uber to deepen Stagwell's marketing technology capabilities and expand its AI-powered platforms like Stagwell Marketing Cloud and The Machine.
Samardzija's role at Stagwell is to shape and advance the company's data strategy, with a focus on AI integration across its advertising and marketing operations. This includes deploying AI to streamline tasks, enhance targeted media deployment, automate influencer campaign assembly, and develop more effective creative advertising tools. His extensive experience building platforms for Fortune 500 marketers and leading AI-powered marketing technologies positions him as a key figure in Stagwell's push to outpace larger competitors by leveraging data and technology.
In addition to Samardzija, Stagwell has also hired Mansoor Basha as the Chief Technology Officer of Stagwell Marketing Cloud. Basha, who previously worked at Accenture, will focus on the technology of Stagwell Marketing Cloud. Meanwhile, John Kahan, who has a background in executive roles at Microsoft and IBM, has been appointed as the first Chief AI Officer at Stagwell. Kahan's role at Stagwell is to drive the company's AI capabilities.
Elspeth Rollert, who now leads Stagwell Marketing Cloud as its CEO, will also play a crucial role in these efforts. The exact titles of Samardzija's and Kahan's positions will be announced later this year.
With these strategic hires, Stagwell is positioning itself to lead the way in marketing technology and AI-powered solutions, aiming to drive more business through its platforms like Stagwell Marketing Cloud and The Machine. As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, Stagwell's focus on innovation and cutting-edge technology is sure to keep the company at the forefront of the industry.
[1] Slavi Samardzija Joins Stagwell as Team Leader for Data and Technology Strategy
[2] Stagwell Bolsters Marketing Technology Capabilities with Key Hires
[3] Stagwell Announces Slavi Samardzija as Team Leader for Data and Technology Strategy
- Slavi Samardzija's extensive experience in data and technology strategy, particularly in AI and marketing technology innovation, positions him to shape Stagwell's future business position within the industry.
- With the addition of data veterans like Slavi Samardzija, Mansoor Basha, and John Kahan to bolster its marketing technology capabilities, Stagwell aims to improve its finance-driven business performance through advanced technology solutions.
