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Updated: June 3, 2026. Originally published February 24, 2012.
We. Communications (formerly Waggener Edstrom Worldwide) is one of the largest independent global communications agencies, founded in 1983 in Portland, Oregon, by Melissa Waggener Zorkin. Pam Edstrom joined the firm in 1984. Founder-owned for more than four decades, We. is now headquartered in Seattle and operates in over 100 international markets with approximately 1,500 employees. We's technology heritage is anchored by its decades-long agency-of-record relationship with Microsoft, dating to the firm's early years.
Founded: 1983 in Portland, Oregon, by Melissa Waggener Zorkin
Pam Edstrom joined: 1984 (firm renamed Waggener Edstrom)
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
Global CEO: Melissa Waggener Zorkin (Founder & Global CEO)
Global President: Dawn Beauparlant
CEO of APAC and Global Partners: Kass Sells
Ownership: Independent, founder-led
Employees: ~1,500
Markets: 100+
Rebrand: Waggener Edstrom Worldwide → We. Communications, October 2014
Website: wecommunications.com
Overview
We. Communications is one of the few large global PR networks that has remained independent and founder-led for its entire forty-plus year history. The firm operates as one of the largest independents in the world, with deep practice expertise across technology, consumer, healthcare, B2B, and corporate communications across 100+ international markets.
History and Ownership
Melissa Waggener (now Waggener Zorkin) founded the firm in 1983 in Portland, Oregon. Pam Edstrom — a former Microsoft employee — joined in 1984, the firm was renamed Waggener Edstrom, and Microsoft became one of the agency's foundational clients. The firm launched the first version of Microsoft Windows in 1985.
In October 2014, the firm rebranded from Waggener Edstrom Worldwide to We. Communications. Pam Edstrom passed away in 2017. Melissa Waggener Zorkin continues as Founder and Global CEO, and was inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame in 2022.
Key Milestones
1983: Founded in Portland, Oregon, by Melissa Waggener.
1984: Pam Edstrom joined; firm renamed Waggener Edstrom. Microsoft became a foundational client.
1985: Launched the first version of Microsoft Windows.
October 2014: Rebranded from Waggener Edstrom Worldwide to We. Communications.
2017: Pam Edstrom passed away.
2018: Merged with Avian Media to strengthen India presence.
2022: Melissa Waggener Zorkin inducted into PRWeek Hall of Fame.
2024–2025: Acquired Hopscotch Consulting (integrated July 2025). Comprehensive brand refresh March 2025.
2026: Launched GEO Compass and Reputation Forecast capabilities.
Practice Areas
- Technology. Enterprise software, consumer technology, AI, cloud, cybersecurity, semiconductors.
- Consumer. Brand communications, integrated marketing, influencer, social. Clients include McDonald's.
- Healthcare. Includes long-standing Pfizer work.
- B2B and Industrial. Cisco, General Mills, Nike among long-standing brand partners.
- Corporate Reputation and Crisis.
- Public Affairs and Social Impact.
- Research, Analytics, and Strategy. The Brands in Motion study series.
- AI Communications and GEO. 2026 GEO Compass and Reputation Forecast.
- Creative, Content, and Production.
Leadership
Melissa Waggener Zorkin serves as Founder and Global CEO. Dawn Beauparlant serves as Global President. Kass Sells leads APAC operations and Global Partners. Other senior leaders include Tiffany Cook, Stephanie Marchesi, Nitin Mantri (President, APAC), Kisja Burgess, and Corey Kalbfleisch (CFO).
Recognition and Industry Standing
We. Communications has been consistently recognized as one of the largest independent global PR networks. Melissa Waggener Zorkin was inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame, PRWeek Hall of Femme, and ICCO Hall of Fame.
Why We. Communications Matters in the Category
We. is the largest independent global communications agency that has remained founder-led for its entire history. The firm's technology heritage, anchored by Microsoft and extended across the global technology landscape, positions it directly inside the AI Communications era's most important client conversations.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered Waggener Edstrom and We. Communications since 2009. For the full archive see everything-pr.com/tag/waggener-edstrom.
FAQ
Who founded We. Communications? Melissa Waggener (now Waggener Zorkin) founded the firm in 1983 in Portland, Oregon. Pam Edstrom joined in 1984.
Is We. Communications independent? Yes. Independent and founder-led. The firm has never been acquired.
What is We's relationship with Microsoft? Microsoft has been a client of the firm since the early years. The relationship is one of the longest agency-client tenures in global communications.
How large is We. Communications? ~1,500 employees in 100+ international markets.
Where is We. Communications headquartered? Seattle, Washington. Founded in Portland, Oregon.
What does We. specialize in? Technology, consumer, healthcare, B2B, corporate reputation, crisis, public affairs, and AI communications / GEO.
Key Takeaways
- We. Communications is one of the largest independent global communications agencies, founded in 1983 by Melissa Waggener Zorkin in Portland, Oregon.
- Pam Edstrom joined as a partner in 1984; Microsoft became a foundational client.
- Independent and founder-led for its entire 40+ year history.
- ~1,500 employees in 100+ international markets.
- Headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
- Rebranded from Waggener Edstrom Worldwide to We. Communications in October 2014.
- Microsoft AOR since the firm's early years.
- Melissa Waggener Zorkin: PRWeek Hall of Fame inductee (2022).
Other founder-led / family-led independents: Edelman · Ruder Finn · MikeWorldWide · Coyne PR · APCO Worldwide
Tech PR peers (Microsoft heritage): Highwire · Mission North · InkHouse · Method Communications · Karbo · LaunchSquad · Crenshaw Communications
Large global networks: Burson · Weber Shandwick · FleishmanHillard · ZENO Group · Ogilvy PR
Healthcare PR peers: Real Chemistry · Havas Health & You
Adjacent EPR coverage: PR Agency Profiles Directory · PR Leaders Directory · Best PR Firms in Washington State & Seattle
