Kempner Runs MikeWorldWide 40 Years Independent

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MikeWorldWide (MWW) is an independent public relations and integrated communications firm founded in 1986 by Michael Kempner. The firm has operated continuously for nearly four decades under founder ownership — never acquired by WPP, IPG, Omnicom, Publicis, or Stagwell. MWW competes across corporate reputation, crisis, public affairs, sports and entertainment, healthcare, and technology, serving clients from offices in New York, Hasbrouck Heights NJ, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., and London.

History and Ownership

Michael Kempner founded MWW in New Jersey in 1986. The firm scaled across consumer, technology, and healthcare, then expanded into corporate reputation, crisis, and public affairs. In April 2021, MWWPR rebranded to MikeWorldWide and acquired London-based Chameleon. Kempner was inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame in 2020.

Key Milestones

• 1986: Michael Kempner founds the firm in New Jersey.
• 2020: Kempner inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame.
• April 2021: Rebrands from MWWPR to MikeWorldWide. Acquires Chameleon (London).
• February 2025: Acquires Berk Communications (sports / entertainment / lifestyle).
• September 2025: Named Agency of Record for OCVIBE / Anaheim Entertainment District.
• January 2026: Launches Supply Chain, Logistics, and Infrastructure practice. Signs SailGP as US PR partner.
• May 2026: Acquires HudsonLake (change management).
• 2026: Wins PR Agency of the Year at the American Business Awards.

Services

• Corporate communications and reputation
• Consumer brand marketing
• Technology — enterprise, consumer, emerging-tech
• Healthcare — pharma, biotech, health policy
• Public affairs — federal, state, grassroots
• Sports and entertainment
• Issues and crisis
• Supply chain, logistics, infrastructure
• Workforce communications and change management

Leadership

Michael Kempner — Founder and CEO. Founded MWW in 1986 and continues to lead the firm 40 years later. PRWeek Hall of Fame (2020). Senior leadership includes Abraham Espinosa (EVP Strategy, December 2025).

Notable Clients

SailGP (US PR partner, January 2026), OCVIBE / Anaheim Entertainment District (September 2025), and Fortune 1000 corporate reputation accounts. Historical clients include Nikon, Red Lobster, Tidal, Atkins, and Metrex.

Related Agency Profiles

NJ neighbors: Coyne PR

Other large US independents: Finn Partners · Ruder Finn · Teneo

More from EPR's New Jersey coverage

• NJ Communications State Pillar — the $700B pharma-finance corridor.
• Best PR Firms in New Jersey — 2026 — the ranked NJ directory.
• Atlantic City PR Firms — the Southern NJ regional companion.
• Best PR Firms in New York — 2026 — the NY companion directory.
• PR Firms Directory — EPR's full global directory organized by specialty.

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