Fast Company Names Code and Theory One of the World's Most Innovative Companies for Second Consecutive Year
Stagwell’s digital transformation network was recognized in the Advertising and Marketing category for building the infrastructure that turns AI ambition into business transformation.
NEW YORK - Code and Theory, the digital transformation network within Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), has been named to Fast Company's prestigious list of the World's Most Innovative Companies for 2026, the second consecutive year the company has earned the distinction. Code and Theory was recognized in the Advertising and Marketing category alongside Google, Nvidia, Adidas and Walmart.
The recognition arrives at a decisive moment. AI has moved from conversation to infrastructure, and the gap between companies that are genuinely restructuring around it and those still piloting around the edges is becoming visible. Code and Theory has spent the past year not just advising clients on AI strategy, but building the systems that make AI-driven marketing and experience work at scale.
Central to that work is The Machine, the industry’s first agentic marketing operating system, built by Code and Theory in conjunction with Stagwell. The Machine connects people, data and tools to drive better outcomes. What differentiates The Machine is that it works in our clients’ tools and on top of their stack to maximize adoption and interoperability. It enables organizations to move at AI speed without surrendering the brand judgment and human instinct that make experiences worth having.
Over the past year, some of the most complex organizations in the world have looked to Code and Theory, leveraging its differentiated balance of 50% engineers and 50% creatives to solve some of the industry’s toughest challenges, including:
TIME to reimagine its digital flagship and reignite a 100+ year-old media brand.
Amazon Ads to inspire and convert millions of small businesses through an award-winning B2B campaign.
Henry Schein to reinvent healthcare commerce at global scale.
Microsoft to reimagine how it engages with developers and earns their trust.
Stanley Black & Decker to lead a global digital transformation across 30+ brands and 55+ markets.
NFL to build a connected digital ecosystem across broadcast, social, web, app and stadium experiences.
About the Code and Theory Network
The Code and Theory Network is the only network with a balance of 50% creative and 50% engineers at scale. The technology and creative network within Stagwell Group is built to experience change for businesses that need to navigate the complexity of changing consumer behaviors, emerging technologies and AI. With a global footprint and the capabilities to work across the entire consumer journey, we crave the hardest problems to solve. The network includes the flagship agency Code and Theory as well as Kettle, instrument, Left Field Labs, Mediacurrent, Rhythm and Truelogic. Code and Theory clients include Amazon, Apple, JPMorgan Chase, Mayo Clinic, Microsoft, NFL, Pfizer and Yeti.
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newbiz@codeandtheory.comCode and Theory is a proud member of Stagwell Group. Stagwell is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 13,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com
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