Shook CEO Tells Advisors Rankings Will Resume in 2027 Under New Brand

While some top advisors were left abruptly cancelling their tickets to Las Vegas next month after Shook Research suspended upcoming events this year, the company’s chief executive reached out on Tuesday to explain its path forward. Shook has paused its rankings and conferences for the remainder of 2026 to consult with firms, compliance officials, sponsors and advisors as it considers adjustments to its methodology, CEO Molly Bennard wrote in a memo viewed by AdvisorHub. It expects to resume the rankings and events under a new brand next year, Bennard said, echoing a separate, similar memo Tuesday from Forbes CEO Sherry Phillips. “We recognize that trust is about more than the integrity of the methodology, it’s about the confidence of the community that supports the rankings,” Bennard wrote. “We agree that now is the right moment to take the steps that will strengthen that confidence.” Bennard did not provide an outline of any specific changes or a timeline for return. Shook’s website no longer mentions its top advisors conference, which as of Tuesday showed that and other events scheduled for October as well as several regional events slated for the remainder of the year. The company would provide “additional communication” regarding cancellations to advisors already registered for events, including the top advisor summit. The memo acknowledged the “extraordinarily challenging” period for Shook Research and thanked advisors for their “continued partnership and support.” “While your perspectives have varied, a common theme has emerged: a desire for greater transparency and dialogue in the face of the recent controversy,” Bennard wrote. “We’ve listened carefully, and it’s shaped what comes next.” Last week, Morgan Stanley told its advisors that it would halt its participation in the conferences and rankings following news that Shook Research founder RJ Shook had made an undisclosed $6 million payment to former top Forbes editor Randall Lane. Wells Fargo followed suit, a spokesperson confirmed. References to the Forbes/Shook rankings, which had been a prominent feature on advisor websites, were scrubbed from Morgan Stanley websites. An awards page referred only to 2024 rankings from Barron’s, which had partnered with Shook until shifting to Forbes in 2016. Citizens Financial Group had just decided to participate in Shook Research’s awards but is now “reassessing,” according to a spokesperson and Head of Wealth Management Paul Casey. The awards were important to large wirehouse advisors that Citizens has been recruiting, the spokesperson said. “We’re interested to see how that evolves,” said Casey, who joined Citizens from Morgan Stanley two years ago. While some advisors did not care about the lists, others, particularly those outside of major cities, found them “really important,” and valued conference networking, Casey said. “If you’re in a big city like New York it’s one thing, but if you’re in Syracuse, Rochester or Pittsburgh leading and building a great business, those things are helpful.” The payment followed Shook’s sale of his company to private equity firm PPC Enterprises one year ago. Shook said in a statement on Monday that the payments were made in recognition of Lane’s “services and guidance” since the two met in 2011. Shook and his wife, Liz Shook, have relinquished all ownership in Shook Research and reached a settlement with PPC, according to the founder’s statement. Shook Research and Forbes have maintained that the payment did not affect any of their rankings or methodology. “Our goal is straightforward: we will deliver research, rankings, and industry engagement programs that are stronger, more transparent, and more valuable than ever,” Bennard promised. too late. everyone’s now aware of the fact these “Best” advisor lists are total crap. Purely based on revenue generated by the brokers. Zero due diligence. Basically a participation trophy paid for by the wire houses. Look no further than Tom Buck (Merrill)