WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — National Research Group (NRG), a leader in global entertainment research and strategy, announced today that Jon Penn will serve as its new Chief Executive Officer. This news follows Stagwell Media’s acquisition of NRG on November 30 from Nielsen. NRG was Stagwell’s second acquisition in the marketing services industry this year, following strategic communications firm, SKDKnickerbocker LLC.

Penn joins NRG after spending nearly two decades establishing and leading the Media and Entertainment Practice at Penn Schoen Berland, most recently serving as the practice’s Global Chief Executive Officer. He is an award-winning entertainment consultant who serves as a contributor and pollster to The Hollywood Reporter.

In his new role, Penn will lead NRG as it deepens its relationships with clients in Hollywood and the entertainment sector. Penn will oversee the firm’s growth blueprint by modernizing existing products, developing new digital offerings and expanding the firm’s global capabilities. Howard Ballon, the interim CEO, will continue on at NRG as Executive Vice President and work with Stagwell on acquisitions when the transition is complete.

“The Stagwell Group is pleased to have Jon coming to lead NRG at this critical juncture,” said Mark Penn, Managing Partner and President of The Stagwell Group. “He is an accomplished leader in entertainment market research. He is uniquely qualified to help us grow NRG with a strong focus on innovation and strategic thinking on behalf of our clients. “

“I am excited about the opportunity to strengthen and grow NRG, long an industry leader, and to work alongside the company’s deep and talented team,” said Jon Penn, incoming CEO of NRG. “During this period of immense industry change, our vision is to infuse NRG with added innovation, expanded talent and widened global reach across all phases of the production and marketing lifecycle around the world.”

NRG has more than 100 employees across two offices located in Los Angeles, California and London, United Kingdom. NRG is best known for giving Hollywood studios critical metrics in the weeks leading up to the release of their movies through its global tracking product.

The Stagwell Group LLC is a registered investment advisory company founded by Mark Penn. Its fund, Stagwell Media LLC, invests in: advertising, research, data analytics, public relations, and digital design and marketing services.

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SOURCE The Stagwell Group LLC