Hot Paper Lantern: NYC PR Agency Launched in 2018

Hot Paper Lantern is a New York marketing and public relations agency launched in July 2018 by Peppercomm co-founder Ed Moed, who is CEO, and partner Ted Birkhahn. It began as an affiliate brand of Peppercomm with about 50 employees in New York and London. Birkhahn moved to Vested as a managing director in February 2024, and the firm runs a sports division, Digital Sport by HPL.

Originally published September 2020. Updated October 22, 2026.

How did Hot Paper Lantern start?

PRWeek reported on June 12, 2018 that Peppercomm co-founder and CEO Ed Moed was leaving the firm the following month to launch an affiliate brand called Hot Paper Lantern, with Peppercomm president Ted Birkhahn and other leaders moving over. Birkhahn said the two firms would remain "part of the same family" while operating independently, sharing clients, services and office space, and that Hot Paper Lantern would have 50 employees across New York and London. PRWeek said it was not focused on specific industries and was more of a solutions play. For Peppercomm itself, see its agency profile.

Who leads Hot Paper Lantern?

Ed Moed is CEO and co-founder, per Crunchbase and the firm's April 2024 release, which quotes him as CEO. O'Dwyer's reported in February 2024 that Birkhahn, then Hot Paper Lantern's president, joined Vested as a managing director. EPR profiles that firm at Vested.

What does Hot Paper Lantern do?

The firm says it helps clients reach, engage and influence their audiences through strategic communications, brand development and growth marketing, with campaigns tailored to each audience. CommunicationsMatch lists public relations, branding, content marketing, corporate communications, analytics and digital advertising. In April 2024 its specialty division Digital Sport by Hot Paper Lantern was named public relations agency of record for the Responsible Gambling Affiliates Association.

What recognition has Hot Paper Lantern received?

The firm's About page lists a New PR Agency of the Year win in the North America PR Agencies of the Year and an Innovation SABRE Award for digital marketing and advertising for Fantasy Life. These are the firm's own listings.

How does Hot Paper Lantern compare with other agencies?

Hot Paper Lantern is a small, senior-led agency that competes in B2B and technology PR. See EPR's best B2B PR agencies, top technology PR agencies, New York PR firms and the PR agency profiles directory.

Related: PR agency profiles, Best B2B PR agencies, Technology PR agencies, Peppercomm, 5W Public Relations