HUNTER PR: Stagwell-Owned Consumer PR Agency Profile

HUNTER is a New York integrated marketing and PR agency founded in 1989 and owned by Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), led by CEO Grace Leong. O'Dwyer's reported $78.5 million in 2025 fees, up 17 percent and the agency's sixth straight year of growth, and in June 2026 HUNTER promoted Gigi García Russo to president. It combined with sister agency KWT Global under the HUNTER banner on January 29, 2025.

Originally published November 2015. Updated November 2, 2026.

In this profile

1. What are the key facts about HUNTER?
2. Who runs HUNTER?
3. What was the KWT Global integration?
4. How did HUNTER grow?
5. What does HUNTER do?
6. Which campaigns and clients has HUNTER worked on?
7. What recognition has HUNTER received?
8. What is the latest HUNTER news?
9. How does HUNTER compare with other consumer PR firms?

Who runs HUNTER?

Name	Role	Detail
Grace Leong	CEO	Continued as CEO after the KWT integration. Received PRSA's Gold Anvil, its highest honor, in October 2025, and a 2026 SABRE Award for outstanding individual achievement, per O'Dwyer's and YesPress
Gigi García Russo	President	Promoted from chief transformation officer on June 11, 2026; reports to Leong and is responsible for reputation, relationships and revenue
Gabrielle Zucker	Global chief client officer	Former KWT Global CEO, with oversight of U.S. and London client experience
Michael J. Lamp	Chief digital and transformation officer	Promoted alongside García Russo in June 2026
Samantha Turtle	Chief operating officer	Named COO as part of the integrated leadership team

Stagwell's release said Leong would continue as CEO and García Russo would continue as chief transformation officer. O'Dwyer's reported that Leong told staff KWT brought expertise in corporate, crisis and B2B communications as well as consumer clients in financial services, travel and hospitality.

What was the KWT Global integration?

Stagwell announced on January 29, 2025 that two of its public relations firms, HUNTER and KWT Global, were joining forces as one firm. KWT Global, a brand strategy and PR firm formerly known as Kwittken, brought corporate, B2B and London capacity to a consumer-led agency. Mark Penn, Stagwell's chairman and CEO, called it another step toward making Stagwell the right size to deliver integrated solutions. O'Dwyer's reported that no other staff changes were announced. EPR's Allison Worldwide and Team Epiphany profiles cover other Stagwell firms.

How did HUNTER grow?

1. 1989: HUNTER is founded in New York.
2. 2014: The agency joins MDC Partners.
3. 2021: MDC merges with Stagwell, which becomes HUNTER's parent.
4. January 29, 2025: HUNTER and KWT Global combine under the HUNTER banner, with Zucker as global chief client officer.
5. October 2025: Leong receives PRSA's Gold Anvil Award.
6. April 2026: O'Dwyer's reports $78.5 million in 2025 fees, a 17 percent rise and the sixth straight year of growth.
7. June 11, 2026: García Russo is promoted to president and Lamp to chief digital and transformation officer.

What does HUNTER do?

HUNTER built its reputation on consumer communications. After the integration it describes work in corporate, crisis, B2B and consumer financial services, travel and hospitality, with beauty and wellness among its active consumer categories.

• Consumer brand communications and earned media
• Corporate reputation and crisis communications
• B2B and financial services communications
• Travel and hospitality PR
• Influencer, experiential and integrated campaigns

EPR's consumer brands and food and beverage pages cover the categories it serves.

Which campaigns and clients has HUNTER worked on?

Client	Recognition or work	Source
Lysol	Campaign work that won Bulldog PR Awards and a Drum Award for Marketing Americas in 2026	YesPress
Mucinex	Campaign work that won Bulldog PR Awards in 2026	YesPress
Diageo brands	Work recognized at The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas in 2026	YesPress

HUNTER's own announcements describe it as earning attention and elevating corporate reputation for some of the world's most beloved companies and brands. Confirm the current client list with the agency.

What recognition has HUNTER received?

Year	Recognition	Source
2026	PRovoke Media North America Agency of the Year; Leong honored for outstanding individual achievement	YesPress
2026	Gold, Silver and Bronze at The Drum Awards for Marketing Americas	YesPress
2026	Three Bulldog PR Awards for Lysol and Mucinex campaigns	YesPress
2026	Inc. Power Picks: Best PR Firm for Consumer Brands	YesPress
2025	Grace Leong awarded PRSA's Gold Anvil	O'Dwyer's, October 31, 2025

Several of these honors are reported through a YesPress profile, so check the awarding bodies for years and categories.

What is the latest HUNTER news?

Date	News	Source
June 11, 2026	Gigi García Russo promoted to president; Michael J. Lamp to chief digital and transformation officer	HUNTER announcement; O'Dwyer's
April 15, 2026	O'Dwyer's reports 2025 fees of $78.5 million, up 17 percent	O'Dwyer's
October 31, 2025	Grace Leong presented with PRSA's Gold Anvil Award	O'Dwyer's
January 29, 2025	HUNTER and KWT Global combine under the HUNTER banner	O'Dwyer's

EPR updates this table when HUNTER announces a leadership change, client win or award.

How does HUNTER compare with other consumer PR firms?

Consumer-led peers with EPR profiles include Coyne PR, DeVries Global, Zeno Group, Edelman and Golin Ketchum. For category rankings, see Top CPG PR Agencies 2026 and the New York PR firms list.

Firm	Ownership	EPR profile
HUNTER	Stagwell	This page
Allison Worldwide	Stagwell network	Allison Worldwide
Coyne PR	Independent	Coyne PR
Zeno Group	Part of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings	Zeno Group

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