Stagwell Launches Risk and Reputation Division

In the US, marcoms network Stagwell has launched a Risk and Reputation business unit, to help business leaders audit the issues most important to their stakeholders, develop proactive and reactive strategies, and monitor and measure the impact of positions on business reputation.

Formed in 2015 by pollster Mark Penn (pictured), co-founder of consultancy Penn Schoen Berland, Stagwell's portfolio includes research and analytics firms Harris Insights & Analytics; Nielsen Mobile Insights Survey and Total Communications Survey, now known as HarrisX; and former Nielsen entertainment research subsidiary NRG. The new Risk and Reputation unit, which will be led by Penn, has been set up to provide executives with insight into issues relating to emerging policy, political and social issues, and help them understand how their clients and the public feel about those issues.

The unit comprises financial communicators, and campaign strategists from Stagwell, from Democratic strategic communications firm SKDK, Republican political and communication agency Targeted Victory, and financial communications firm Sloane and Company. Penn comments: 'Today's CEOs are under more pressure than ever to mix business and politics - but one misstep can wipe out a year of marketing and corporate reputation building and billions in shareholder value. Our team goes beyond the purpose-marketing units in today's landscape to bring true, bipartisan political insights and tested business acumen closer to the war room'.

Web site: www.stagwellglobal.com .