Stagwell, the holding company started nine years ago by chairman and CEO Mark Penn, has announced the appointment of John Kahan as its inaugural chief AI officer.
Kahan brings nearly four decades of experience in data and artificial intelligence, spanning product development, marketing, and sales at Microsoft and IBM.
“I’m especially excited to be joining at such a pivotal time for the challenger network,” Kahan said of Stagwell. “The pace of innovation in AI and marketing technology is accelerating like never before, and Stagwell is committed to pushing boundaries that will drive meaningful transformation for the industry at large.”
At Microsoft, Kahan most recently served as vice president and chief data analytics officer, where he helped develop data platforms and AI initiatives under CEOs Steve Ballmer and then Satya Nadella.
Kahan’s work at Microsoft also included spearheading AI for Good initiatives, where he worked closely with world-leading data scientists to address pressing global challenges. From the COVID crisis to projects focused on AI for health, humanitarian action, cultural heritage, and sustainability, Kahan has worked to make AI a force for societal benefit.
At IBM, Kahan held roles including vice president of integrated marketing communications and architect and CTO of the IBM Software Group’s Enterprise Integration division. Kahan was also a certified consultant and an active member of the IBM Academy of Technology.
As Stagwell’s first chief AI officer, he will oversee AI integration across the company’s global network, working with Penn to drive AI-driven marketing solutions like the Stagwell Marketing Cloud—a suite of AI-powered tools introduced in 2022 that optimizes marketing research, communications, and media strategies.
Kahan’s AI leadership will also help Stagwell further scale the company’s digital transformation efforts.
“Kahan’s leadership will be key in driving our AI initiatives forward, ensuring we continue to provide unparalleled value to our clients,” Stagwell’s chairman and CEO, Mark Penn, said in a statement. “His extensive background from Microsoft and IBM aligns perfectly with our vision to lead the industry in technological innovation.”
