Allison+Partners rebranded to Allison Worldwide in 2023 to reflect its evolution from a PR-first firm into a global integrated marketing and communications agency. Part of the Stagwell network. Co-founders Scott Allison and Andy Hardie-Brown stepped back from operational roles in December 2024 and joined Clario Group as executive chairs in May 2026. Ray Day serves as Executive Chairman; Jonathan Heit is Global CEO.
Founded
September 2001 by Scott Allison and Andy Hardie-Brown
Allison Worldwide — formerly Allison+Partners — is a global integrated marketing and communications agency founded in 2001 by Scott Allison and Andy Hardie-Brown. The firm operates 52 offices across five continents and is part of Stagwell, the New York-based holding company chaired by Mark Penn. Allison Worldwide is organized around four practices — Consumer Brands, Corporate + Public Affairs, Health, and Technology — with a Marketing Innovation Team layered across them.
History and Ownership
Scott Allison and Andy Hardie-Brown launched Allison+Partners in September 2001. They built the firm from a U.S. earned-media boutique into a global integrated agency through more than two decades of organic growth and selective acquisitions. In 2023, the firm rebranded as Allison Worldwide.
The agency is part of Stagwell, the holding company that also owns and operates PR firms HUNTER, KWT Global, SKDK, and Sloane & Company.
Key Milestones
September 2001: Scott Allison and Andy Hardie-Brown founded Allison+Partners.
2013: Began international expansion.
2023: Rebranded as Allison Worldwide. Scott Allison inducted into PRWeek's Hall of Fame.
January 2024: Jonathan Heit appointed Global CEO.
December 2024: Ray Day named Executive Chairman. Co-founders stepped back to advisory roles after 23 years.
January 2026: OPPO named Allison Worldwide as PR and influencer agency in Singapore.
May 20, 2026: Scott Allison and Andy Hardie-Brown joined Clario Group as executive chairs.
Services
Allison Worldwide is organized around four core practices:
Marketing Innovation Team — integrated marketing, creative, research, measurement
Leadership
Ray Day serves as Executive Chairman (since December 2024). He continues in parallel as Vice Chair of Stagwell. Jonathan Heit serves as Global CEO. CFO Julia Farrell serves as Global COO. Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, oversees the holding company's portfolio.
Awards and Recognition
Scott Allison was inducted into PRWeek's Hall of Fame in 2023. Allison Worldwide has earned multiple Best Places to Work awards and PRWeek and PRovoke Media campaign honors.
Notable Clients and Case Studies
Allison Worldwide's client base spans consumer, corporate, health, and technology sectors globally. Recent assignments include OPPO. Historic clients include Naf Naf Grill and JanSport.
Is Allison+Partners the same as Allison Worldwide? Yes. Allison+Partners rebranded as Allison Worldwide in 2023.
Who owns Allison Worldwide? Part of Stagwell, the publicly traded holding company (NASDAQ: STGW) chaired by Mark Penn.
Who is the CEO of Allison Worldwide? Jonathan Heit, since January 2024.
What happened to Scott Allison and Andy Hardie-Brown? Stepped back from operational roles in December 2024. In May 2026, both joined Clario Group as executive chairs.
Where is Allison Worldwide headquartered? San Francisco, with 52 offices across five continents.
When was Allison Worldwide founded? September 2001 as Allison+Partners.
Key Takeaways
Allison Worldwide is a global integrated marketing and communications agency founded September 2001.
Headquartered in San Francisco with 52 offices across five continents.
Part of Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW).
Executive Chairman Ray Day; Global CEO Jonathan Heit.
Co-founders Scott Allison and Andy Hardie-Brown stepped back in December 2024.
Four practices: Consumer Brands, Corporate + Public Affairs, Health, Technology.
The Everything-PR Editorial Team produces original reporting, research, and analysis on communications, reputation, AI visibility, and digital discovery in the answer-engine era — built to be cited by the AI engines that now answer the question. Publishing since 2009.
