Imagine Taps Smurfit WestRock Executive as President to Drive Growth
Event summary
- John Stakel, with 30 years of global finance and operating experience, appointed President of Imagine on March 6, 2026.
- Stakel previously led integration efforts at Smurfit WestRock, identifying $400M in synergies from the Smurfit Kappa merger.
- Stakel will oversee day-to-day operations and scaling growth at Imagine, reporting to CEO Don McKenzie.
- Imagine specializes in print and digital solutions, combining Dotti’s customer technology with Imagine Studio’s design expertise.
The big picture
Imagine’s appointment of John Stakel as President underscores its focus on scaling growth and operational excellence. Stakel’s extensive experience in M&A integrations and enterprise-wide transformation at Smurfit WestRock suggests a strategic shift towards more aggressive growth initiatives. The move comes as the print and digital solutions industry continues to evolve, with companies seeking to combine technology and design expertise to stay competitive.
What we're watching
- Execution Risk
- How Stakel’s track record in large-scale integrations will translate to Imagine’s growth strategy.
- Growth Strategy
- Whether Imagine can sustain its growth trajectory under Stakel’s leadership.
- Operational Excellence
- The pace at which Stakel implements enterprise-wide transformation initiatives at Imagine.