Updated June 2026. Edelman is the world's largest independent public relations firm. Founded 1952 by Daniel Edelman. Now led by his son Richard Edelman, in his 29th year as CEO. The firm remains family-owned and operates as the flagship of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings (DJE Holdings).
| Founded | 1952 by Daniel J. Edelman in Chicago |
| Headquarters | 250 Hudson Street, New York, NY |
| CEO | Richard Edelman (since 1996) |
| Executive Vice Chairman | Matthew Harrington (October 2025) |
| Global President & COO | Mainardo de Nardis (October 2025) |
| Employees | ~6,000 globally |
| Offices | 66 offices across 28 countries |
| Revenue | $1B+ (largest independent global communications firm) |
| Ownership | Independent, family-owned. Parent: Daniel J. Edelman Holdings (DJE Holdings) |
| Sister Agency | Zeno Group — Richard Edelman is Chair |
| Signature Property | Edelman Trust Barometer (annual) |
| Website | edelman.com |
Overview
Edelman is the world's largest independent public relations and communications firm, with more than 6,000 employees across 66 offices in 28 countries. Headquartered in New York City and family-owned since founding in 1952, Edelman is the flagship of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings — the largest independent communications holding company globally.
The firm is best known for the Edelman Trust Barometer, the annual global trust and credibility study that has become an industry-standard data property used by C-suites, governments, and NGOs worldwide.
History and Ownership
Edelman was founded in 1952 in Chicago by Daniel J. Edelman, who built the firm into a global powerhouse over four decades. Daniel served as Chairman until his death in 2013. His son Richard Edelman succeeded him as CEO in 1996 and has now led the agency for 29 years.
Unlike most of its global competitors, Edelman is not part of any holding company. The firm operates as the flagship agency of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings (DJE Holdings) — an independent, family-owned parent that also includes sister agency Zeno Group. Three of Richard Edelman's daughters — Margot, Tory, and Amanda — work at the firm and sit on its board.
Key Milestones
December 2024: Announced layoffs of approximately 330 people (~5% of global workforce) as part of a "simplification" restructuring.
October 6, 2025: Announced major leadership evolution — Matthew Harrington named Executive Vice Chairman; Mainardo de Nardis appointed Global President and COO; Brian Buchwald named President, Global Transformation and Performance.
2025: Revenue declined approximately 4%, partially unwinding prior years of growth.
2026: Released the 26th annual Edelman Trust Barometer at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Services
Edelman organizes around five core capability areas: Brand, Corporate Reputation, Health, Public Affairs, and Digital. The firm's practice mix spans corporate communications, crisis and risk management, employee engagement, financial communications, healthcare communications, public affairs, sustainability, and trust strategy.
Leadership
Richard Edelman has served as CEO since 1996. Matthew Harrington serves as Executive Vice Chairman. Mainardo de Nardis, formerly Executive Vice Chairman of Omnicom Media Group and CEO of OMD Worldwide, joined as Global President and COO. Brian Buchwald leads global transformation and performance.
Awards and Recognition
Edelman has been named PRWeek's Agency Dynasty of the Past 25 Years and Global Agency of the Year (2023). The firm earned Cannes Lions Independent Agency of the Year for the Good Track in both 2022 and 2024. PRovoke Media has named Edelman PR Agency of the Decade across multiple cycles. Richard Edelman was inducted into the American Advertising Hall of Fame in 2022, the first PR executive to receive that honor.
Notable Clients and Case Studies
Edelman has worked across major corporations, governments, NGOs, and family businesses in more than 25 industries. Historic high-profile assignments include reputation work for Samsung, Starbucks, and United Airlines. The firm's healthcare practice is one of the largest in the industry.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered Edelman continuously since 2009. For the full archive, see everything-pr.com/tag/edelman.
Everything-PR Coverage of Edelman
- Six Months Into the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer
- Edelman's 12-Year Answer: ECOS, ArchieAI, and Independence
- AI Communications vs. AI Operations: Two Models for PR
- UNC Paid Edelman Millions. ChatGPT Still Tells the Same Story.
- Saudi Arabia Hires Edelman & The Podesta Group
- Big PR's Fossil-Fuel Record Is Now Permanent (Edelman, Ketchum, FleishmanHillard)
- Trust in the Digital Era: The Edelman Framework
- HEINEKEN USA Tags Edelman for Dos Equis
- Daniel J. Edelman, 1920–2013
Companion coverage: The Foreign Influence PR Study — 2026 · Top Lobbying Firms 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Edelman? Edelman is independent and family-owned. The firm operates as the flagship agency of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings (DJE Holdings).
Who is the CEO of Edelman? Richard Edelman has served as CEO since 1996.
Where is Edelman headquartered? 250 Hudson Street in New York City, with 66 offices in 28 countries.
When was Edelman founded? Founded in 1952 in Chicago by Daniel J. Edelman.
What is the Edelman Trust Barometer? An annual global study of trust and credibility. It has run for 26 years.
How does Edelman differ from the major holding-company PR firms? Edelman is the only top-tier global PR firm that is not part of a holding company. Competitors including Weber Shandwick, FleishmanHillard, and Golin Ketchum are all part of Omnicom Public Relations.
Key Takeaways
- Edelman is the world's largest independent public relations firm, founded in 1952 by Daniel J. Edelman.
- Headquartered in New York City with approximately 6,000 employees across 66 offices in 28 countries.
- Richard Edelman has served as CEO since 1996.
- Flagship of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, the largest independent communications holding company globally.
- Annual Edelman Trust Barometer, now in its 26th year, is the firm's signature data property.
- October 2025: Matthew Harrington named Executive Vice Chairman; Mainardo de Nardis named Global President and COO.
- 2025 revenue declined ~4% following 2024 layoffs of 330 people.
Related Agency Profiles
Other global networks: Burson · Weber Shandwick · FleishmanHillard · Golin Ketchum · MSL · Ogilvy PR · Havas Red
DJE Holdings sister agency: ZENO Group
Large independents: Finn Partners · Ruder Finn · We. Communications · APCO Worldwide · MikeWorldWide
Crisis & corporate competitors: Brunswick Group · FGS Global · Joele Frank · Kekst CNC · Teneo
Adjacent EPR coverage: PR Agency Profiles Directory · PR Leaders Directory · The Top Crisis PR Firms in 2026 · The Top Financial PR Firms in 2026
