In 1952, Daniel J. Edelman opened a small public relations agency in Chicago with one simple conviction: he could do better than the competition. At the time, public relations was a rudimentary practice, dominated by a handful of firms employed primarily as press agents and publicists. Dan, a former journalist and World War II public information officer, had a greater vision. He dreamed of offering clients a range of superior PR services that had never been seen before. Today, Edelman is the leading global strategic communications firm powered by data, innovation and creativity. Our 6,000 people in more than 60 offices deliver communications strategies that give our clients the confidence to lead and act with certainty, earning the trust of their stakeholders. We help organizations establish the trust, credibility and resonance that defines reputation and fuels growth. Since our founding in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business. Edelman owns specialty companies Edelman Data x Intelligence (research, data), Edelman Smithfield (financial communications), and UEG (entertainment, sports and lifestyle).

We are the world's leading independent communications firm, and it is our people that drive our success and make us uniquely One Edelman team across the globe. Every day, we strive to live and work by a long-held set of core values: the pursuit of excellence, the freedom to be curious, the courage to do the right thing, and a commitment to improving society. We use our profits to strengthen our business, provide our employees with opportunities to grow, advance our industry, and serve as a responsible citizen of the world. The firm boasts an array of accolades, including PRWeek's Agency Dynasty of the Past 25 Years and Global Agency of the Year (2023) and Cannes Lions Independent Agency of the Year for the Good Track (2024 & 2022). Recognized as a standout agency by Ad Age (2023) and honored with multiple Cannes Lions, including Titanium, Grand Prix and eight Gold Lions since 2021, Edelman consistently sets the industry standard.

Edelman partners with businesses and organizations to evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. We develop powerful ideas and tell magnetic stories that move at the speed of news, make an immediate impact, transform culture and spark movements. Our approach combines experience with a data-based understanding of audiences, leveraging partnerships and research to understand what platforms and channels people use and why. We work seamlessly across our global network to integrate public and media relations, brand, crisis, digital advocacy, data analytics, and more—to add value in building client confidence and stakeholder trust.

For almost 25 years, we have studied the influence of trust across society — government, media, business, and NGOs — to shape conversation, drive results and earn action. Our research is published year-round, covering geopolitics, health, brand, employee and work, and climate. Trust is now the defining element of corporate purpose and performance. In addition to our unrivaled expertise on trust, we regularly host perspectives from experts across the Edelman network to offer insights and observations on issues affecting the industry and beyond.

Every day, we strive to live and work by a long-held set of core values: the pursuit of excellence, the freedom to be curious, the courage to do the right thing, and a commitment to improving society. These values touch every part of our organization and contribute to building stakeholder trust. Our own citizenship journey since 2010 underscores this commitment and explains why citizenship and sustainability increasingly permeate every aspect of our operation.

As the largest independent communications firm, we offer clients a truly integrated network and global approach without the constraints of holding company structures. Our independence means we use our profits to strengthen our business, provide our employees with opportunities to grow, advance our industry, and serve as a responsible citizen of the world. We have the largest global crisis network in the industry, reflecting Edelman's unparalleled size and scale. Our 300-strong Public & Government Affairs team works seamlessly with Edelman's 6,000+ other world-class communications professionals to integrate our unparalleled suite of services. We're powered by proprietary tools like Archie, our Large Language Model trained on over 20 years of Trust Barometer research, and Trust Stream, our real-time intelligence platform.

We believe climate change is the biggest crisis we face as a society, but it can also be an opportunity for creative solutions, unprecedented collaboration and innovation to drive positive change. Edelman has been certified to the Carbon Trust 'Route to Net Zero' standard's advancing tier and received EcoVadis' Gold Medal rating that signals our sustainability management system ranks among the top 5% of rated companies. We're using climate scenario analysis and climate models to inform strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change. We will not take on any work that maintains the status quo, or is focused on delaying progress towards a net-zero carbon future. We support companies that are committed to the Paris Agreement and transparent in reporting their progress in accelerating their transition to net-zero emissions. Edelman launched the first mandatory, all-staff climate change and communications training in partnership with Columbia University's Climate School.

Citizenship is like any other business strategy. It touches every part of the organization and contributes to building stakeholder trust. Our citizenship journey, as documented in our annual reports, underscores our commitment and our efforts to shape a better future for society. Partnerships drive our global citizenship program, playing a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitious sustainability and societal goals. By fostering strong partnerships both externally with local organizations, businesses, and community leaders, and internally within our company, we create a powerful network that amplifies our efforts and resources. Buoyed by our Community Investment Grants, we pair with community leaders and groups to make a difference where we live and work.

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our clients, and our communities, and propel us forward as a company. By recognizing, valuing, and maintaining diversity of all types— gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, background, experience and more —we create an environment where individual authenticity can power collective progress. At Edelman, we are in relentless pursuit of a fair and inspiring workplace that is respectful to all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust and collaboration. Each day and on each project, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel a sense of true inclusion and belonging and can bring their best to their work. Our Employee Network Groups include Boundless (Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander cultures), Equal (LGBTQ+ employees), Forward (military veterans and families), and Uplift (diverse faith communities).