- Stagwell acquires Tel Aviv-based LEADERS, a leading digital agency specializing in influencer marketing and social commerce.
- LEADERS brings InfluencerMarketing.AI (IMAI), a global SaaS platform, into Stagwell’s Marketing Cloud’s PRophet Comms Tech Suite.
- IMAI connects brands with over 300 million creators and provides tools for global campaign launches, analytics, sales prediction, and management.
- Clients of IMAI include major brands like Nespresso, Samsung, Colgate-Palmolive, and SaaS companies such as Coca-Cola and Estée Lauder.
- This acquisition marks Stagwell’s first agency in Israel and is part of its broader global expansion strategy.
- Eran Nizri, LEADERS’ CEO, will continue in his role, while Itamar Gonsherovitz and Yehonatan Arami will oversee digital operations and business development, respectively.
- This is Stagwell’s seventh acquisition in 2024, reflecting its commitment to expanding its global presence and investing in AI-driven marketing solutions.
Main AI News:
Stagwell, a prominent challenger network dedicated to revolutionizing marketing, has significantly strengthened its global influencer marketing capabilities with the acquisition of Tel Aviv-based LEADERS. Renowned for its cutting-edge digital strategies and expertise in influencer marketing and social commerce, LEADERS also brings with it the InfluencerMarketing.AI (IMAI) platform, a sophisticated SaaS solution designed to elevate influencer marketing on a global scale. This acquisition integrates LEADERS into the Stagwell Marketing Cloud’s PRophet Comms Tech Suite, further enhancing its suite of AI-powered tools tailored for modern PR and marketing professionals.
Founded in 2017 by Eran Nizri and Yehonatan Arami, LEADERS has emerged as a leader in digital and influencer marketing, leveraging its proprietary platform, IMAI, to connect brands with over 300 million creators worldwide. This platform facilitates seamless campaign launches globally, with advanced features such as robust analytics, sales prediction models, and comprehensive campaign management tools. The IMAI platform serves a diverse client base, including major brands like Nespresso, Samsung, and Colgate-Palmolive, as well as SaaS giants such as Coca-Cola, Playtika, Estée Lauder, and Superdry. By incorporating IMAI into Stagwell’s existing suite of influencer marketing tools, Stagwell aims to enhance its capabilities and offer even greater value to its global client base.
Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, expressed his excitement about the acquisition, noting its strategic importance. “We are thrilled to welcome LEADERS into the Stagwell family. This acquisition not only strengthens our Stagwell Marketing Cloud offerings with advanced AI solutions for influencer marketing but also marks our first venture into Israel as part of our significant global expansion efforts this year,” Penn said. He further highlighted the alignment of LEADERS’ vision with Stagwell’s commitment to transforming marketing through technological innovation.
Aaron Kwittken, Founder and CEO of Stagwell Marketing Cloud’s PRophet Comms Tech Suite, also commented on the strategic impact of the acquisition. “Integrating LEADERS with PRophet represents a powerful enhancement of our global reach and the integration of state-of-the-art AI technologies. This move is crucial for expanding our expertise in digital and influencer marketing strategies, delivering unparalleled performance and results for our customers.”
Eran Nizri, Group CEO of LEADERS, expressed his enthusiasm about the merger. “This acquisition marks a transformative milestone for LEADERS and IMAI. By joining forces with Stagwell, we are positioned to redefine the influencer marketing landscape. Stagwell’s extensive network and resources will enable us to drive innovation and deliver exceptional value to our clients, setting new standards in the industry.”
As part of the new organizational structure, Nizri will continue in his role as Group CEO, reporting to Aaron Kwittken. Itamar Gonsherovitz will remain at the helm of LEADERS’ digital agency operations as CEO, while Yehonatan Arami will focus on expanding business development efforts within the Stagwell network.
This acquisition is Stagwell’s seventh in 2024, following previous acquisitions including Team Epiphany (U.S.), Sidekick (U.K.), What’s Next Partners (France), PROS (Brazil), Business Traveller (Global), and BERA (U.S.). It underscores Stagwell’s commitment to broadening its global footprint and investing in AI-driven solutions at the forefront of digital marketing innovation.
Conclusion:
Stagwell’s acquisition of LEADERS significantly strengthens its position in the global influencer marketing landscape by integrating advanced AI technologies and a robust SaaS platform. This strategic move not only enhances Stagwell’s influencer marketing capabilities but also broadens its reach into new markets, including Israel. The addition of LEADERS’ extensive network and technological expertise positions Stagwell to offer more sophisticated and impactful marketing solutions, further solidifying its competitive edge in the digital marketing industry. The acquisition underscores Stagwell’s commitment to leveraging AI-driven innovations to drive global growth and deliver superior value to clients.
