Stagwell deepens Real Clear stake, adds two senior leaders

What's the deal? StagwellDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → (NASDAQ: STGW) has increased its investment in Real Clear Holdings (RCH)Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the publisher of Real Clear Politics and creator of the RCP Poll Average. As part of the expanded partnership, RCH has appointed Jared Smith as president and Kristen Elliott as head of commercial.

Who are the hires? Smith previously held senior roles at Yahoo, AOLDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, WWEDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and HuffPost. Elliott led revenue and brand partnerships for Vogue.com at Condé NastDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and later served as head of revenue at Kargo.

What's the endgame? Stagwell said the funding will support hiring of digital media talent and expand the Real Clear portfolio. Plans include growing audio and video content, expanding events, developing subscription products, and launching a new vertical, Real Clear AI, focused on artificial intelligence policy and regulation.

RCH already publishes verticals including Real Clear Defense, Real Clear Energy, and Real Clear Health, and produces podcasts, radio and television programming, and conferences.

What they're saying: "Over the past 25 years, Real Clear has built an incredible track record as a go-to source for political decision-makers and influencers," said Ben Berentson, chief executive officer of owned media at Stagwell. John McIntyre, chief executive officer of RCH, said the investment and new leadership "will empower us to accelerate our plans to reach new audiences with innovative products and content."

The signal: The move ties a publicly traded marketing group closer to a politics and policy media brand, betting on subscriptions, events, and AI coverage as growth areas for niche news verticals.

Read more: streetinsider.com

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