The 10 Largest PR Firms in the U.S. (2026)

Edelman is the largest independent PR firm in the U.S., and among holding-company networks, Weber Shandwick, FleishmanHillard, and Burson rank largest by headcount and office count. By 2025 fee income, O'Dwyer's ranks Edelman #1 at roughly $950 million globally, with Real Chemistry, Ruder Finn, Finn Partners, ICR, and Prosek Partners rounding out the fastest-growing tier. This page summarizes the ten largest and most influential firms; for the complete, current 26-firm ranking across all four tiers, see EPR's 2026 Leading PR Firms index.

Edelman

Independent, family-owned since 1952. The world's largest independent communications firm, with approximately 6,000 employees across 66 offices in 28 countries. Richard Edelman is in his 30th year as CEO. O'Dwyer's ranked the firm #1 for 2025 at roughly $950M globally, down 3.6%, with the U.S. region off 8.1%. Publishes the Edelman Trust Barometer, now in its 26th year, the industry's most-cited proprietary research instrument. Full profile: Edelman.

Weber Shandwick

Owned by Omnicom following the November 2025 IPG acquisition. Approximately 5,000 employees across 65+ offices. Named PRWeek Corporate Agency of the Year 2026. Deep bench in corporate reputation, healthcare, technology, and consumer categories.

FleishmanHillard

Omnicom-owned, founded 1946 in St. Louis. Nearly 80 offices across 30-plus countries. Corporate reputation, healthcare, and public affairs are the core specialties.

Burson

WPP-owned, formed July 2024 from the merger of BCW and Hill+Knowlton. More than 6,000 professionals across 43-plus markets. WPP confirmed in April 2026 it had hired Goldman Sachs to explore a sale of the firm.

We. Communications

Independent and founder-led since 1983 (formerly Waggener Edstrom Communications). Approximately 1,500 employees across 100-plus markets, with a technology heritage anchored by a long-running Microsoft relationship and unusual Asia-Pacific depth for a U.S.-origin independent. Full profile: We. Communications.

APCO Worldwide

Independent, Washington, D.C.-headquartered, founded 1984. Majority employee-owned via ESOP since 2003, the largest employee-owned independent in global public affairs. More than 1,200 employees across 80-plus markets, with a specialty in public affairs, government relations, and geopolitical advisory. Full profile: APCO Worldwide.

Real Chemistry (formerly W2O Group)

Majority-owned by New Mountain Capital, founded 2001 by Jim Weiss as W2O Group and rebranded in 2021. Approximately $560 million in 2025 revenue, up 14%, with roughly 2,110 employees. The largest healthcare-focused communications firm in the U.S. by a wide margin. Full profile: Real Chemistry.

MikeWorldWide (MWW)

Independent, founded 1986 by Michael Kempner, and never acquired in 40 years. Anchored in New Jersey and New York, with additional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., and London. Consumer, corporate, healthcare, and technology practices. Full profile: MikeWorldWide.

ICR

Independent and founder-led since 1998, founded by former Wall Street analysts. More than 400 professionals. Posted 20.5% fee income growth in 2025, the fastest in O'Dwyer's top tier, and advises on roughly 25% of all U.S. IPOs over $100 million since 2019.

Finn Partners

Independent, founded December 2011 by Peter Finn. Approximately $200 million in revenue (flat in 2025), 1,300 colleagues, and 35 offices. Healthcare is the largest practice. Built through 27 acquisitions in 14 years. Full profile: Finn Partners.

Ruder Finn

Independent and family-led since 1948. Approximately $203 million in net income in 2025, up 7.2%, at a firm 78 years old. Named PRWeek Outstanding Large Agency 2026. Full profile: Ruder Finn.

Full agency index: PR Agency Profiles Directory.