London-based global marketing and technology services group MSQ has named James Townsend CEO succeeding Peter Reid, who becomes executive chairman of the organization.  

Townsend joins from Stagwell where he most recently served as CEO of Stagwell EMEA and Global CEO of Stagwell’s Brand Performance Network. Earlier he led Stagwell media agency Assembly (recently rebranded to Stagwell Media) and served as European CEO at Dentsu’s 360i. 

MSQ has been expanding aggressively in the US market, most recently with its purchase earlier this month of agency January Digital.  

Other recent acquisitions by MSQ in the US include Big Spaceship in New York and Atlanta-based digital agency Arke (rebranded MSQ DX).  

Earlier this year it launched MSQ Intelligence, a global unit that is developing AI-powered products, services, platforms, and data capabilities for its agencies. It also expanded its sports and entertainment unit to the US in March.  

The Group now has around 2,000 people working across 25 offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.