Milwaukee’s agency scene has a notable leadership move to start 2026: STIR Advertising & Integrated Messaging announced that Rick Stoner has been named President and new owner. He succeeds Brian Bennett, who founded STIR in 2000 and will remain involved as a strategic planner and advisor during the transition.
The quick rundown
- New President + Owner: Rick Stoner (effective Jan. 5, 2026)
- Outgoing President: Brian Bennett (founder; shifting into strategic planning/advisor role)
- Agency: STIR Advertising & Integrated Messaging (Milwaukee-based)
- What stays the same: The agency will continue operating under the STIR name
Rick Stoner's strategic background
Stoner brings 20+ years of B2B and consumer marketing experience, with leadership and practitioner roles across full-service, digital, and experiential agencies in Milwaukee and Chicago. The announcement notes eight-year tenures at Bader Rutter and Derse, Inc. and a skill set spanning strategy, brand development, PR, digital, social, and event marketing.
He’s also a University of Wisconsin–Madison alum and has served as a seven-year member of the alumni board Communication Arts Partners (CAPS).
What's next for STIR
Stoner will lead the team and guide the agency’s next phase, with an emphasis on:
- Strengthening STIR’s fully integrated capabilities across B2B and consumer work
- Building on long-standing client relationships
- Expanding new business development efforts
- Creating innovative partnerships to broaden services and deepen local presence
Stoner summed up his approach as stabilizing what’s worked, then growing through innovation, especially around revenue strategy and business development while keeping STIR positioned as a long-term, trusted integrated partner.
Bennett shared that he’s proud of the work STIR has done and excited about what’s ahead for the agency, staff, and clients.
New ownership structure
The release also notes that Stoner—founder of the acquisition investment partnership Glancey Holdings—has acquired the agency. Joining him are six minority investors, selected for their business and marketing expertise. Those investors are:
- Kelly Kahl, television and film executive; former President of CBS Entertainment
- Kyle Nakatusji, CEO & Co-Founder of insurtech company Clearcover
- Dr. Moira Kyweluk, PhD, MPH; Founder of Third Space Research
- Dru Korab, Principal of Best Efforts Inc. (multi-media production)
- Rebecca Cenni-Leventhal, Founder & CEO of Atrium Global
- Bernie Caputo, President of Atrium Global
About STIR
STIR Advertising & Integrated Messaging is a full-service advertising agency developing integrated marketing campaigns across advertising, public relations, social media, content marketing, and digital marketing.
