The Lede Company: PR Firm Founded 2018 by Ex-42West Trio

The Lede Company is a strategic communications and public relations firm headquartered in Los Angeles and New York, with international offices in London and Paris. Sarah Rothman, Amanda Silverman and Meredith O'Sullivan founded it in 2018 after leaving 42West. Christine Su, formerly CEO of Heir Agency in New York, joined in late 2018 as a fourth co-founder and co-CEO, bringing fashion and lifestyle brand work alongside the firm's entertainment practice. The firm focuses on entertainment talent, brand communications and social impact.

Updated October 17, 2026.

Related: PR Firms · PR Leaders · Entertainment & Media PR

Origins and growth

Lede's founders launched the firm in June 2018 without bringing clients with them, following the industry's standard non-solicitation conventions on departure. Within days of the news breaking, talent the founders had previously worked with at 42West began calling. Lede's early client roster came to include Pharrell, Lady Gaga, Shawn Mendes, Reese Witherspoon, Rami Malek, Jennifer Garner, Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, Will Smith, theSkimm, and Illumination Entertainment. By the end of 2018, Observer placed Lede at number two on its Most Powerful PR Firms list.

International expansion

Lede opened its London office in October 2022, the firm's first international expansion. In June 2023, Lede acquired Paris-based Olivier Bourgis Communication and Marketing (OBCM), rebranding the operation as Lede Paris under managing director Olivier Bourgis. The Paris acquisition extended the firm's European footprint into fashion, hospitality, and luxury brand work.

Element Brand Group acquisition

In June 2025, Lede completed an LBO acquisition of Element Brand Group, expanding the firm's brand strategy and integrated marketing capabilities. The transaction added consumer brand strategy, creative, and culture practices to the firm's existing entertainment, fashion, and social impact bench.

Specialization

Strategic counsel and communications, public relations, social impact campaigns, talent representation, brand building, and partnerships. The firm combines entertainment talent representation with cause and social-impact communications, including the founders' signed New York Times advocacy on reproductive rights and ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

Related agency profiles

Entertainment, talent & culture: Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis · 42West · Polk & Co. · DKC · Team Epiphany · Judge Public Relations

Fashion & luxury adjacency: Purple PR · HL Group · The Krupp Group · FITZ & CO

Adjacent EPR coverage: PR Firms Directory · Entertainment & Media PR

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