Related: PR Firms Directory · Industry Leaders · MikeWorldWide (MWW) Firm Profile · Kempner Was Right
Updated: June 3, 2026. Originally published January 6, 2011.
In January 2011, Michael W. Kempner closed a management-led buyout of MWW Group from Interpublic Group (IPG) — ten years after the original sale. The move re-established MWW as one of the largest independent public relations agencies in the United States and included the firm's Financial Relations Board, the investor relations and financial communications specialist with more than 45 years of history.
Kempner framed the move as a return to first principles. "This is a time of unrivaled opportunity for MWW Group and for the public relations industry as a whole," he said at the time. "The media and business landscape is continuing to rapidly change and PR is at the forefront of the revolution… We've decided to regain our independence by purchasing back MWW and unleashing the talent, creativity and spirit of this great organization."
The deal capped a year in which MWW had been named Strategic Firm of the Year by The Holmes Report and Digital Firm of the Year by PR News. Kempner himself was named PR Professional of the Year. MWW was also listed among PR News' Top Places to Work in PR.
What it meant
The 2011 buyout was the structural moment that made MWW the firm it is today. Independence gave Kempner the runway to make the long-horizon bets that came next — the 2012 "Matter More" rebrand, the build-out of integrated practice areas across consumer, corporate, and crisis, and the eventual 2021 rebrand to MikeWorldWide. The Financial Relations Board remained a core component of the offering through that arc.
Fifteen years on, the bet looks early rather than late. Independent agencies have become some of the most aggressive movers on AI Communications and Generative Engine Optimization — the disciplines holdcos are still trying to integrate at scale.
FAQ
When did Kempner buy MWW back from IPG?
The management-led buyout was completed in January 2011, ten years after the original sale to Interpublic Group.
What did the buyout include?
MWW Group and its Financial Relations Board, the investor relations and financial communications specialist.
What happened to MWW after the buyout?
The firm rebranded as "Matter More" in 2012 and rebranded again as MikeWorldWide in 2021. It remains one of the largest independent PR firms in the U.S.
