Basis of Presentation and Recent Developments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Recent Developments

1. Business and Basis of Presentation

Stagwell Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” or “Stagwell”), incorporated under the laws of Delaware, conducts its business through its networks and its portfolio of marketing services firms (“Brands”), which provide marketing and business solutions that realize the potential of combining data and creativity. Stagwell’s strategy is to build, grow and acquire market-leading businesses that deliver the modern suite of services that marketers need to thrive in a rapidly evolving business environment.

The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Stagwell and its subsidiaries. Stagwell has prepared the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements included herein in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for reporting interim financial information on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, pursuant to these rules, the footnotes do not include certain information and disclosures. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates about current and future results of operations and cash flows that affect the amounts reported and disclosed. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. The consolidated reports for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (“2023 Form 10-K”).

The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair statement, in all material respects, of the information contained therein. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial information to conform to the current year presentation.

Revision of Previously Issued Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

In connection with the preparation of the consolidated financial statements during 2023, the Company identified the following errors in the areas of income taxes, noncontrolling interests, and accumulated other comprehensive loss related to its previously filed 2022 annual consolidated financial statements.

•In the first quarter of 2023, we identified an error related to foreign currency gains and losses not being allocated from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to noncontrolling interest shareholders. Noncontrolling interests and Accumulated other comprehensive loss was overstated by $23.5 million. There was no impact to Total Shareholders’ Equity as of December 31, 2022. Also, we identified a $2.1 million understatement of income tax expense, and overstatement to income tax payable (Accruals and Other Liabilities) and deferred tax asset (Other Current Assets) of $2.4 million and $4.5 million, respectively, relating to an error in the calculation of valuation allowances. These errors were originally corrected within the first quarter of 2023 as management determined the errors were not material to the quarterly financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

•In the second quarter of 2023, we identified an error related to an understatement of income tax expense and income tax payable (Accruals and Other Liabilities) by $5.3 million due to incorrect applications of tax payments. The Company also identified a misclassification of $12.9 million as a result of improper netting of income tax receivables (Other Current Assets) and payables (Accruals and Other Liabilities). This error resulted in an incremental $7.3 million misclassification of income tax receivables and payables as of March 31, 2023, which was originally corrected within the second quarter of 2023 as management determined the errors were not material to the quarterly financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.

•In the fourth quarter of 2023, we identified an incremental $10.4 million understatement of tax expense as well as balance sheet misclassification between income tax accounts included within Other Current Assets, Other Assets, Accruals and Other Liabilities, and Deferred Tax Liabilities. These errors were related to the incorrect applications of tax payments, and the incorrect calculation of deferred tax balances for items mainly associated with interest expense, intangible assets, fixed assets, state tax, basis adjustment for partnership, and the related valuation allowance. We also identified an error in our tax receivable agreement (“TRA”) liability calculation which resulted in a $2.1 million overstatement of other expenses and of Other Liabilities.

As a result of the above, the Company’s previously filed third quarter of 2023 interim consolidated financial statements have been revised. See Note 17 of the Notes included herein for additional information.

Recent Developments

On November 6, 2024, the Board authorized an extension and a $125.0 million increase in the size of our previously approved stock repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”). Under the Repurchase Program, as amended, we may repurchase up to an aggregate of $375.0 million of shares of our outstanding Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), with any previous purchases under the Repurchase Program continuing to count against that limit. The Repurchase Program will expire on November 6, 2027.

On October 1, 2024, the Company acquired Consulum (Cayman) Limited (“Consulum”), a government advisory firm in the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) region that provides public relations management and media and marketing services, for $71.2 million, of which $58.3 million was paid in cash and $12.9 million in 1,810,274 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock subject to post-closing adjustments. In connection with the acquisition, the sellers are entitled to contingent consideration up to a maximum value of $90.0 million, partially subject to continued employment and meeting certain future earnings targets, of which a portion may be settled in shares of Class A Common Stock at the Company’s discretion. Due to the timing of the closing of the acquisition and delivery of related data, there was insufficient time to incorporate additional disclosures related to the preliminary purchase price allocation and fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.