Related: PR Firms · PR Leaders · MWW / MikeWorldWide
MikeWorldWide (MWW) is an independent public relations and integrated communications firm founded in 1986 by Michael Kempner. The firm operates across corporate communications, crisis management, public affairs, sports and entertainment, and technology, serving clients from offices in New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., and London. MWW has remained independent throughout its history — it has never been acquired by a major holding company. Recent moves include the 2025 acquisitions of Berk Communications (sports/entertainment/lifestyle PR) and HudsonLake (change management), and the May 2025 launch of PRISMA Labs.ai — a proprietary platform combining PR analytics, AI analysis, and strategic marketing intelligence. The firm won PR Agency of the Year at the 2026 American Business Awards.
| Founded | 1986 by Michael Kempner |
| Headquarters | New York, NY; Hasbrouck Heights, NJ |
| Additional Offices | Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., London |
| Founder & CEO | Michael Kempner (PRWeek Hall of Fame, 2020) |
| Former Name | MWWPR (rebranded April 2021) |
| Ownership | Independent, founder-led |
| Employees | ~230 across North America, EMEA, and Latin America |
| 2024 Fee Income | $57.1M global (+16% YoY); $55.5M US (+19% YoY) |
| Proprietary Platform | PRISMA Labs.ai (launched May 2025) |
| Recent Acquisitions | Berk Communications (February 2025); HudsonLake (May 2026); Chameleon, London (April 2021) |
| Recent Recognition | 2026 American Business Awards PR Agency of the Year; Top U.S. PR Agency per O'Dwyer's |
| Specialties | Corporate reputation, consumer brand marketing, technology, healthcare, public affairs, sports & entertainment, crisis, supply chain communications, workforce communications |
| Website | mww.com |
Overview: What MWW Does
MikeWorldWide — known across the industry as MWW — is an independent public relations firm founded in 1986 by Michael Kempner. The firm competes across earned media, corporate communications, public affairs, crisis management, sports and entertainment, and integrated marketing. MWW rebranded from MWWPR to MikeWorldWide in April 2021, reflecting an expanded service model and broader integrated communications offering.
Why It Matters
Three things to know about MWW. First, the firm has operated continuously for nearly four decades under founder Michael Kempner without ever being acquired — long-term client and staff decisions are made without holding-company quotas. Second, the 2025 Berk Communications and 2026 HudsonLake acquisitions reflect a deliberate strategy of building integrated capabilities under the same independent ownership. Third, the May 2025 launch of PRISMA Labs.ai brings AI-driven analytics in-house — placing MWW among the independents now building proprietary AI capability.
The PRISMA Labs.ai Platform
PRISMA Labs.ai is MWW's proprietary in-house platform, launched in May 2025. It combines three layers: public relations analytics, AI analysis (LLM-driven coverage and narrative synthesis), and strategic marketing intelligence linking communications performance to business outcomes. The platform serves as MWW's internal capability across corporate communications, crisis management, public affairs, sports and entertainment, health and wellness, and technology.
History and Ownership
Michael Kempner founded the firm in 1986 in New Jersey. The firm expanded into consumer, technology, and healthcare work, opened a network of US and UK offices, and built a senior-led integrated model. In April 2021, the firm rebranded from MWWPR to MikeWorldWide. The same month, MWW acquired London-based Chameleon. MWW has remained independent throughout its history — never acquired by WPP, IPG, Omnicom, or Publicis. Kempner was inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame in 2020.
Key Milestones
1986: Michael Kempner founds the firm in New Jersey.
2020: Michael Kempner inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame.
April 2021: Rebrands from MWWPR to MikeWorldWide. Acquires London-based Chameleon.
January 2024: Hasbrouck Heights NJ office opened.
February 2025: Acquires longtime 10-year affiliate Berk Communications.
May 2025: Launches PRISMA Labs.ai.
September 2025: Named Agency of Record for OCVIBE Anaheim entertainment district.
January 2026: Launches Supply Chain, Logistics, and Infrastructure Communications practice. US PR partner for SailGP.
May 2026: Acquires HudsonLake.
2026: Wins PR Agency of the Year at the American Business Awards.
Services
- Corporate communications and reputation
- Consumer brand marketing
- Technology — enterprise, consumer, and emerging-tech
- Healthcare — pharma, biotech, health policy
- Public affairs — federal, state, grassroots
- Sports and entertainment (Berk Communications)
- Issues and crisis
- Supply chain, logistics, and infrastructure
- Workforce communications and change management (HudsonLake)
Leadership
Michael Kempner — Founder and CEO. Kempner founded MWW in 1986 and continues to lead the firm 40 years later. PRWeek Hall of Fame (2020). Known for pioneering the single-P&L operating model, unlimited PTO, and flexible work policies in the PR industry. Senior leadership includes Abraham Espinosa (EVP Strategy, December 2025).
Awards and Recognition
2026 American Business Awards PR Agency of the Year. Top U.S. PR Agency per O'Dwyer's. PRovoke Media Best Agencies in North America. Michael Kempner inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame in 2020.
Notable Clients
SailGP (US PR partner, January 2026), OCVIBE / Anaheim Entertainment District (September 2025), Fortune 1000 corporate reputation accounts. Historical clients include Nikon, Red Lobster, Tidal, Atkins, and Metrex.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered MWWPR and MikeWorldWide since 2009. For the full archive see everything-pr.com/tag/mwwpr.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MikeWorldWide independent? Yes. Independent for nearly four decades. Never acquired by WPP, IPG, Omnicom, Publicis, or Stagwell.
Who is the CEO of MikeWorldWide? Michael Kempner — Founder and CEO since 1986. PRWeek Hall of Fame 2020.
Where is MikeWorldWide headquartered? New York City, with offices in Hasbrouck Heights NJ, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., and London.
What were MikeWorldWide's recent acquisitions? Berk Communications (February 2025), HudsonLake (May 2026), Chameleon London (April 2021).
What is PRISMA Labs.ai? MWW's proprietary in-house AI platform launched May 2025. Combines PR analytics, AI-driven coverage analysis, and strategic marketing intelligence.
What does MWW stand for? Originally the initials of founder Michael Kempner's surname-based agency name. Rebranded April 2021 as MikeWorldWide — making the previously private meaning explicit.
Key Takeaways
- MikeWorldWide (MWW) is the new name for MWWPR — rebranded April 2021.
- Founded 1986 by Michael Kempner, who remains Founder and CEO 40 years later.
- Independent and founder-led — never acquired.
- ~230 colleagues; $57.1M global fee income in 2024.
- Recent acquisitions: Berk Communications, HudsonLake, Chameleon London.
- Launched PRISMA Labs.ai in May 2025.
- Won PR Agency of the Year at the 2026 American Business Awards.
- Michael Kempner inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame in 2020.
- Notable recent clients: SailGP and OCVIBE / Anaheim Entertainment District.
Related Agency Profiles
Other large independents: Finn Partners · Ruder Finn · We. Communications · APCO Worldwide · Allison Worldwide · Coyne PR · DKC · Teneo
Sports & entertainment competitors: Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis · Team Epiphany · Judge Public Relations · DKC
Public affairs competitors: BerlinRosen · Merritt Group · Rational 360 · Portland Communications
Adjacent EPR coverage: PR Agency Profiles Directory · PR Leaders Directory · The Top Crisis PR Firms in 2026
