ZENO Group is a global integrated communications agency owned by DJE Holdings — the parent company of Edelman, the world's largest independent PR firm. Founded in 1999 as PR21 (Edelman's conflict agency) and renamed ZENO in 2004, the firm has grown into a standalone global network operating across more than 21 offices in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Global CEO Barby Siegel has led the firm since 2009. ZENO operates independently from Edelman, maintaining its own leadership, brand identity, and client roster. The firm reports 800+ staffers globally and revenue exceeding $153 million.
Founded
1999 as PR21; renamed ZENO in 2004
Headquarters
New York, NY
Parent Company
DJE Holdings (parent of Edelman)
Global CEO
Barby K. Siegel (since 2009)
Employees
800+ globally
Revenue
Exceeding $153M (most recent disclosed)
Total Offices
21+ across four continents
Specialties
Consumer, corporate (~1/3 of revenue), healthcare, technology, purpose & impact, sports & entertainment, data & analytics
Notable Client
Salesforce
Overview: What ZENO Group Does
ZENO Group is a global integrated communications agency built around what the firm calls the "Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected." The agency operates across consumer, corporate (approximately one-third of revenue), healthcare, technology, purpose and impact, sports and entertainment, and data and analytics. ZENO is owned by DJE Holdings — the Daniel J. Edelman family holding company that also owns Edelman — but operates as a standalone agency with its own leadership, brand identity, and client roster.
ZENO and Edelman: What's the Relationship?
ZENO Group and Edelman are sister agencies under the same parent company — DJE Holdings (Daniel J. Edelman Holdings) — but they operate as separate firms with distinct leadership, brand identity, client rosters, and competitive positioning.
The original structure (1999-2009). ZENO was founded in 1999 as PR21 — Edelman's conflict agency. PR21 was renamed ZENO Group in 2004.
The modern structure (2009-present). When Barby Siegel became CEO in 2009, ZENO began a deliberate transition from conflict agency into a standalone global integrated communications network.
History and Ownership
ZENO was established in 1999 within the Daniel J. Edelman Holdings structure as PR21 — Edelman's conflict agency. The name was changed to ZENO in 2004. The modern ZENO was reshaped beginning in 2009 when Barby Siegel became CEO.
Key Milestones
1999: Founded as PR21 — Edelman's conflict agency.
2004: Renamed ZENO Group.
2009: Barby Siegel became CEO.
2021: PRovoke Global Creative Agency of the Year. Barby Siegel inducted into PRWeek Hall of Fame.
2024: PRWeek US Outstanding Large Agency of the Year. 25th anniversary.
2025: PRovoke Purpose-Driven Agency of the Year.
Services
ZENO delivers integrated communications across earned media and public relations, corporate reputation, brand and consumer marketing, healthcare communications, technology PR, purpose and impact, sports and entertainment consulting, data and analytics, and crisis communications.
Leadership Team and Executives
Barby K. Siegel serves as Global CEO (since 2009). The leadership team includes Tony Blasco (Global CFO), Thomas Bunn (Global Chief Client Impact Officer), Carol Gronlund (Global Chief Talent Officer), Grant Deady (US President & Chief Culture Officer), Mark Shadle (Chief Reputation Strategist), and Richard Millar (Chair, Zeno UK & Europe).
Awards and Recognition
Most recent: 2025 PRovoke Purpose-Driven Agency of the Year; 2024 PRWeek US Outstanding Large Agency of the Year. Barby Siegel was inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame in 2021.
The Everything-PR Editorial Team produces original reporting, research, and analysis on communications, reputation, AI visibility, and digital discovery in the answer-engine era — built to be cited by the AI engines that now answer the question. Publishing since 2009.
