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Weber Shandwick: Company Profile and Ownership

Weber Shandwick is a New York global PR agency formed in 2001 and part of Omnicom Public Relations since November 2025, with Karen Pugliese named CEO.

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Profiled

Jun 15, 2026

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EPR Editorial Team

Firm summary

Weber Shandwick is a New York global PR agency formed from the merger of Shandwick and the Weber Group, which Interpublic announced in September 2000, per Wikipedia. It became part of Omnicom Public Relations when Omnicom completed its acquisition of Interpublic on November 26, 2025, per Omnicom's SEC-filed announcement. Susan Howe has been CEO since 2024, and a May 14, 2026 release said Global President Karen Pugliese would succeed her effective September 1, 2026.

Originally published June 2026. Updated October 18, 2026.

Who owns Weber Shandwick?

Omnicom Group owns Weber Shandwick through Omnicom Public Relations. Omnicom and Interpublic Group announced their combination on December 9, 2024 as an all-stock transaction, and it closed on November 26, 2025, according to Omnicom's announcement filed with the SEC. Before that, Weber Shandwick was Interpublic's flagship PR agency. The May 2026 release describes Weber Shandwick as part of Omnicom Public Relations, which it calls the global public relations capability of Omnicom Group and one of its Connected Capabilities. EPR's profile of the parent division is Omnicom Public Relations Group.

Who leads Weber Shandwick?

The May 14, 2026 release said Susan Howe, CEO since 2024, would retire on September 1, 2026 after a career spanning nearly three decades, and that Karen Pugliese, then Global President, would succeed her as CEO on that date. It said Pugliese had been at the agency for more than 15 years in roles including executive vice president of the consumer practice, chief of staff to the CEO, global chief growth officer and global president. Foster said Howe leaves the agency exceptionally well positioned. Howe and Pugliese would work closely on the transition, per the release. StockTitan's summary of the release says it also announced Jim O'Leary's departure. Wikipedia says the agency announced senior leadership changes in July 2026 ahead of Pugliese becoming CEO in September.

LeaderRoleSource
Susan HoweCEO since 2024; retiring September 1, 2026May 2026 release
Karen PuglieseGlobal President; CEO from September 1, 2026May 2026 release
Jim O'LearyNorth America CEO and global president; departure announcedWikipedia; StockTitan
Chris FosterCEO, Omnicom Public RelationsMay 2026 release

What is Weber Shandwick's leadership history?

Wikipedia says BSMG chairman Jack Leslie was named chairman of the new combined group in 2000 and Harris Diamond became its CEO. Andy Polansky was named CEO in November 2012, and Gail Heimann was named president and CEO in July 2019 with Polansky becoming executive chairman. In January 2022 it was announced that Polansky, also Interpublic's DXTRA CEO, would retire in June 2022. Howe, who had been president, became CEO in 2024, per the 2026 release.

DateEventSource
September 2000Interpublic announces the Shandwick and Weber Group mergerWikipedia
November 2012Andy Polansky named CEOWikipedia
July 2019Gail Heimann named president and CEOWikipedia
2024Susan Howe becomes CEOMay 2026 release
November 26, 2025Omnicom completes its Interpublic acquisitionOmnicom via SEC
May 14, 2026Howe retirement and Pugliese succession announcedPR Newswire

How did Omnicom's 2026 restructuring affect Weber Shandwick?

Exchange4media reported in February 2026 that, while Omnicom folded Porter Novelli into FleishmanHillard and merged Golin and Ketchum, Interpublic's Weber Shandwick would continue as a standalone brand for now. EPR's FleishmanHillard and Golin Ketchum profiles cover the other changes.

What does Weber Shandwick do?

Omnicom Public Relations describes its agencies as advising and activating for clients across corporate and brand communications, health, public affairs and social impact. Wikipedia lists Weber Shandwick research topics including consumer activism, leadership and corporate risk, a November 2018 study of CEO activism, and a Women's Health Center of Excellence launched in 2023.

How does Weber Shandwick compare with other global PR networks?

Weber Shandwick is one of the largest PR networks, so compare it with Edelman, Burson, FleishmanHillard and MSL.

Related: Edelman · Burson · FleishmanHillard · Golin Ketchum · MSL · Omnicom Public Relations Group · PR agency profiles directory · 5W Public Relations

Weber Shandwick: Company Profile and Ownership FAQ

Who owns Weber Shandwick?

Omnicom Group, through Omnicom Public Relations, since the Interpublic acquisition closed on November 26, 2025.

Who is the CEO of Weber Shandwick?

Susan Howe has been CEO since 2024. The May 14, 2026 release said Karen Pugliese would become CEO on September 1, 2026, when Howe retires.

When was Weber Shandwick formed?

Interpublic announced the merger of Shandwick and the Weber Group in September 2000, per Wikipedia.

Where is Weber Shandwick based?

New York, per the agency's May 2026 release.

What awards has Weber Shandwick won?

PRWeek Global Agency of the Year, PRovoke Global Agency of the Decade and more than 250 Cannes Lions, per its 2026 release.

Was Weber Shandwick affected by Omnicom's 2026 PR restructuring?

Exchange4media reported it would continue as a standalone brand for now.

Editorial assessment by Everything-PR, based on public record and archive coverage. No firm-supplied marketing copy, no paid placement.

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