Edelman
PR & Communications AgencyWorld's largest independent communications firm
About Edelman
Edelman is the world's largest independent public relations and communications firm, advising companies and organisations on brand strategy, corporate communications, crisis management, and earned media.
Editorial Assessment
Edelman is the world's largest independent public relations and communications firm, founded in 1952 by Daniel J. Edelman in Chicago. Today led by Richard Edelman, the firm has grown from a regional PR shop into a global communications powerhouse with offices in more than 60 countries and thousands of employees worldwide. Edelman's work spans crisis communications, brand strategy, corporate reputation management, media relations, digital communications, and public affairs. The firm is perhaps best known for its annual Edelman Trust Barometer, a landmark survey of institutional trust across governments, businesses, media, and NGOs that has become a widely cited benchmark in the communications industry. Edelman serves a broad portfolio of Fortune 500 clients across sectors including technology, healthcare, consumer goods, energy, and financial services. Unlike most large PR firms, Edelman has remained privately held, which the firm credits as a source of independence and long-term thinking. The agency has made significant investments in data and analytics capabilities, earned media intelligence, and digital strategy over the past decade, allowing it to position itself as a strategic communications consultancy rather than a traditional media-relations shop. The firm's integrated offerings include earned media, paid media, owned content, social media management, influencer marketing, and stakeholder engagement. Edelman operates specialized practice groups in areas such as health, technology, government relations, and corporate communications, making it a full-service partner for complex, multi-market communications campaigns. Its scale, global footprint, and independent ownership distinguish it from agency-network competitors.
- Global reach with offices in 60+ countries
- Annual Trust Barometer providing proprietary data and thought leadership
- Deep expertise in crisis communications and reputation management
- Integrated earned, paid, and owned media capabilities
- Privately held — enables long-term client relationships without shareholder pressure
- Pricing is enterprise-level, inaccessible to SMBs
- Large agency can feel bureaucratic for clients seeking agility
- Primarily serves large multinationals, limited focus on mid-market
- Premium retainer costs without guaranteed media coverage outcomes
Best For
Not Ideal For
Key Features
Who It's For
Platforms
Founders
- Daniel J. Edelman
Products & Tools
Full-service communications consulting covering earned media, crisis management, public affairs, digital strategy, and brand reputation across global markets.
Annual global survey measuring trust in institutions — government, business, media, and NGOs — across 28 countries, providing benchmark data for communications strategy.
Sources & Verification
- Edelman Official WebsiteOfficial Website
- Edelman Services OverviewOfficial Product Page
Last reviewed September 2026
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