Stagwell unifies Assembly and ADK Global in major APAC expansion move

Global media agency Assembly has announced a formal merger with ADK Global, creating Asia-Pacific’s largest full-service challenger agency. The move follows Stagwell’s acquisition of ADK Global earlier this year and marks a major shift in the region’s marketing landscape.

The combined business, now operating as ADK Global Powered by Assembly, merges ADK’s creative legacy and deep cultural fluency with Assembly’s omnichannel media and technology capabilities. The result is a network designed to offer clients in APAC integrated brand experiences powered by creative, media, commerce, and data – all delivered through a single, scaled partner.

“ADK Global joining forces with Assembly gives clients unparalleled access to creativity, brand performance, and regional depth – all in one partner,” said Rick Acampora, Global CEO of Assembly. “This isn’t just about scale. It’s about delivering smarter, more connected omni experiences to make brands perform amidst the region’s most complex marketing challenges.”

The integration preserves ADK Global’s local leadership and client relationships, ensuring continuity while expanding access to a broader range of tools and expertise. Together, the unified entity boasts more than 800 professionals across 12 APAC markets—including Japan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, and Australia—supported by Assembly’s global network of over 3,000 specialists.

Assembly’s proprietary experience engine, STAGE, will now be accessible across the expanded network. The platform delivers predictive AI, advanced media planning and optimisation, scaled creative, and digital commerce capabilities to help brands grow at pace.

“This isn’t just a regional expansion—it’s a redefinition of what full-service, integrated marketing means in APAC,” said Richard Brosgill, CEO of Assembly APAC. “We’re bringing together the best of both worlds: ADK Global’s creative heritage and cultural fluency with Assembly’s global scale and connected media expertise. We’re not just responding to market demand—we’re setting the pace of change.”

The merger also signals a strategic leap forward for Stagwell’s ambitions in Asia-Pacific, positioning Assembly as the network’s lead agency brand across the region. With AI-driven solutions and a focus on measurable brand performance, the agency aims to deliver a new level of marketing impact for brands navigating APAC’s fragmented and fast-evolving consumer landscape.

“ADK Global has a proud legacy of creative leadership in Asia,” said Yasuyuki Katagi, former CEO of ADK Global and now Chief Integration Officer, APAC. “Now, with Assembly, we’re not just preserving that legacy—we’re elevating it. Our clients will continue receiving the same high-impact creative and content, now backed by deeper media expertise, tools, and technology.”

With the merger, Stagwell doubles down on its challenger positioning—bringing together creativity, media, commerce, and AI-powered data solutions under one roof. The group says the expanded Assembly is engineered to turn disruption into competitive advantage.

Pictured above left and above right is Yasuyuki Katagi (ADK Global Powered by Assembly) and Richard Brosgill (CEO of Assembly APAC). With them is Nguyễn Hữu Hạnh (CEO of ADK Vietnam Powered by Assembly).