Updated June 2026. Edelman is the world's largest independent public relations firm. Founded 1952 by Daniel Edelman. Now led by his son Richard Edelman, in his 29th year as CEO. The firm remains family-owned and operates as the flagship of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings (DJE Holdings).
| Founded | 1952 by Daniel J. Edelman in Chicago |
| Headquarters | 250 Hudson Street, New York, NY |
| CEO | Richard Edelman (since 1996) |
| Executive Vice Chairman | Matthew Harrington (October 2025) |
| Global President & COO | Mainardo de Nardis (October 2025) |
| Employees | ~6,000 globally |
| Offices | 66 offices across 28 countries |
| Revenue | $1B+ (largest independent global communications firm) |
| Ownership | Independent, family-owned. Parent: Daniel J. Edelman Holdings (DJE Holdings) |
| Sister Agency | Zeno Group (730+ people, 18 offices) — Richard Edelman is Chair |
| Signature Property | Edelman Trust Barometer (annual) |
| Website | edelman.com |
Overview
Edelman is the world's largest independent public relations and communications firm, with more than 6,000 employees across 66 offices in 28 countries. Headquartered in New York City and family-owned since founding in 1952, Edelman is the flagship of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings — the largest independent communications holding company globally.
The firm is best known for the Edelman Trust Barometer, the annual global trust and credibility study that has become an industry-standard data property used by C-suites, governments, and NGOs worldwide.
History and Ownership
Edelman was founded in 1952 in Chicago by Daniel J. Edelman, who built the firm into a global powerhouse over four decades. Daniel served as Chairman until his death in 2013. His son Richard Edelman succeeded him as CEO in 1996 and has now led the agency for 29 years, making him one of the longest-tenured leaders in the marketing services industry.
Unlike most of its global competitors, Edelman is not part of any holding company. The firm operates as the flagship agency of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings (DJE Holdings) — an independent, family-owned parent that also includes sister agency Zeno Group. Three of Richard Edelman's daughters — Margot, Tory, and Amanda — work at the firm and sit on its board.
Key Milestones
December 2024: Announced layoffs of approximately 330 people (~5% of global workforce) as part of a "simplification" restructuring. The firm discontinued specialist units including Edible (food), Revere (startup/innovation), Salutem (health), Mustache (creative), EGA (government affairs), and Delta (brand consulting).
October 6, 2025: Announced major leadership evolution — Matthew Harrington named Executive Vice Chairman; Mainardo de Nardis appointed Global President and COO; Brian Buchwald named President, Global Transformation and Performance.
2025: Revenue declined approximately 4%, partially unwinding prior years of growth as the firm absorbed restructuring costs and broader industry headwinds.
2026: Released the 26th annual Edelman Trust Barometer at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Continued expansion of Advisory practice including dedicated services for India's Global Capability Center (GCC) sector.
Services
Edelman organizes around five core capability areas: Brand, Corporate Reputation, Health, Public Affairs, and Digital. The firm's practice mix spans corporate communications, crisis and risk management, employee engagement, financial communications, healthcare communications, public affairs, sustainability, and trust strategy. Edelman has also built out Digital, Creative, Performance Marketing, and Advisory services under Richard Edelman's leadership.
Leadership
Richard Edelman has served as CEO since 1996. Following the October 2025 leadership evolution, Matthew Harrington serves as Executive Vice Chairman after years as President and COO. Mainardo de Nardis, formerly Executive Vice Chairman of Omnicom Media Group and CEO of OMD Worldwide, joined as Global President and COO. Brian Buchwald leads global transformation and performance.
The Edelman family remains central to firm governance — Richard's daughters Margot, Tory, and Amanda all work at the firm and sit on the board.
Awards and Recognition
Edelman has been named PRWeek's Agency Dynasty of the Past 25 Years and Global Agency of the Year (2023). The firm earned Cannes Lions Independent Agency of the Year for the Good Track in both 2022 and 2024, alongside Titanium and Grand Prix wins and eight Gold Lions since 2021. PRovoke Media has named Edelman PR Agency of the Decade across multiple cycles. Richard Edelman was inducted into the American Advertising Hall of Fame in 2022, the first PR executive to receive that honor.
Notable Clients and Case Studies
Edelman has worked across major corporations, governments, NGOs, and family businesses in more than 25 industries. Historic high-profile assignments include reputation work for Samsung, Starbucks, and United Airlines, and communications for the largest professional services merger in history (Ernst & Whinney with Arthur Young & Co.). The firm's healthcare practice is one of the largest in the industry and the Trust Barometer franchise is regularly cited by Fortune 500 chief executives, heads of state, and academic institutions.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered Edelman continuously since 2009. For the full archive of leadership moves, account wins, restructurings, and analysis, see everything-pr.com/tag/edelman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Edelman?
Edelman is independent and family-owned. The firm operates as the flagship agency of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings (DJE Holdings), the largest independent communications holding company in the world. The Edelman family — including Richard Edelman and his three daughters — controls the company.
Who is the CEO of Edelman?
Richard Edelman has served as CEO since 1996, succeeding his father Daniel Edelman. He is one of the longest-tenured CEOs in marketing services, now in his 29th year leading the firm.
Where is Edelman headquartered?
Edelman is headquartered at 250 Hudson Street in New York City, with 66 offices in 28 countries.
When was Edelman founded?
The firm was founded in 1952 in Chicago by Daniel J. Edelman. His son Richard Edelman took over as CEO in 1996.
What is the Edelman Trust Barometer?
The Edelman Trust Barometer is an annual global study of trust and credibility, surveying tens of thousands of respondents across multiple countries on their trust in business, government, NGOs, and media. It has run for 26 years and is one of the most cited data properties in the communications industry.
How does Edelman differ from the major holding-company PR firms?
Edelman is the only top-tier global PR firm that is not part of a holding company. Competitors including Weber Shandwick, FleishmanHillard, Ketchum, and Golin are all part of Omnicom Public Relations following the November 2025 Omnicom–IPG merger. Edelman remains independent and family-owned.
Key Takeaways
- Edelman is the world's largest independent public relations firm, founded in 1952 by Daniel J. Edelman.
- Headquartered in New York City with approximately 6,000 employees across 66 offices in 28 countries.
- Richard Edelman has served as CEO since 1996 — one of the longest tenures in the marketing services industry.
- The firm is the flagship of Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, the largest independent communications holding company globally.
- The annual Edelman Trust Barometer, now in its 26th year, is the firm's signature data property and industry-standard trust study.
- In October 2025, Edelman named Matthew Harrington Executive Vice Chairman and Mainardo de Nardis Global President and COO as part of a major leadership evolution.
- 2025 revenue declined approximately 4% following 2024 layoffs of 330 people in a strategic simplification.
