Jump to content

Edelman (firm)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Edelman
FormerlyDaniel J. Edelman and Associates
Company typePrivate
IndustryPublic relations
Founded1952; 72 years ago (1952)
FounderDaniel Edelman
Headquarters
Number of locations
60
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Richard Edelman
(CEO)
Matthew Harrington
(President and COO)
RevenueUS$1,079m (2022)
Number of employees
6,433[when?][citation needed]
Websiteedelman.com

Edelman is a multinational American public relations and marketing consultancy firm. The company was founded in 1952 and named after its founder, Daniel Edelman.[2] Since 1996 and as of November 2023, Edelman has been run by his son Richard Edelman, from its primary headquarters in New York City.[1][3][4] As of 2022, it is the largest public relations firm in the world by revenue,[5] with around 6,000 employees[6] across 60 global offices.[7]

Edelman has been accused of establishing astroturf campaigns (seemingly grassroots groups that are fronts for industry) for its clients.[8][9][10] The company has provided services for the fossil fuel industry, which includes earning hundreds of millions of dollars to advocate on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute, a fossil fuel industry group dedicated to the advancement of climate change denial and blocking of climate legislation.[10][11] It is a partner organization of the World Economic Forum.[12]

History

[edit]

In the beginning: 1952–1960s

[edit]

Edelman public relations was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1952 by former journalist Daniel J. Edelman,[2] as Daniel J. Edelman and Associates.[13][14] The company started with three employees[15][16][17][18] and grew to serve 25 accounts by 1960.[19]

Edelman's founder, Daniel Edelman, is credited with inventing the corporate media tour for his work with his previous employer, Toni Home Permanent Co. He toured the country with "The Toni Twins", a set of twins, where one used a professional salon and the other used Toni's home hair-care products.[2][13][20] When Edelman started his own firm, Toni became Edelman's first client.[21] Toni was followed by Sara Lee, a small cheesecake company at the time,[22][23] and a bowling equipment manufacturer, Brunswick Corporation.[24]

Edelman opened the Manhattan office in 1960.[25] In 1966, it promoted Californian wine for the California Wine Institute.[14]

1970–1980

[edit]

In 1977 Edelman secured the landing rights for Concorde.[14] The New York office grew from $1 million to $20 million in revenues from 1979 to the late 1980s under the leadership of Daniel Edelman's son, Richard Edelman.[26]

By 1981, Edelman had five international offices and it opened six more over the following decade.[27] Some former employees and industry experts said its focus on financial growth led to high turnover and client service issues as a result.[26] There was also an unsuccessful attempt by some employees to start their own firm with some of Edelman's clients.[21]

1990–2000

[edit]

Richard Edelman was named Global CEO of the eponymous firm in 1996.[13] He took over for his father Daniel J. Edelman, who remained Chairman of Edelman until he died in 2013 at the age of 92.[28] In the 1990s, offices were opened in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain, South Korea, China, and Belgium. In the United States, a Silicon Valley office was opened in 1992 to serve technology clients, and in Sacramento, California, in 1994. It also opened offices in Florida, Georgia, and Washington.[27] The firm grew to $70 million in revenues by 1994.[26]

In 1995, Edelman was the first public relations firm to have a website and began web-based projects for its clients.[27][14] By the early 2000s it grew to $210 million with about 25% of revenues coming from Europe.[27] In September 2010, Edelman acquired a Houston-based firm, Vollmer public relations.[29]

2000–present

[edit]

In 2000, Edelman published its first edition of Trust Barometer.[30] In 2002, the firm shortened its name from Edelman Public Relations Worldwide to Edelman.[14]

By 2012, it had established the Edelman Digital division with about 600 staff and about half of its work was social media-related.[31] That same year, the firm introduced its Business and Social Purpose division.[32] It also introduced the Employee Engagement Connections Index.[33] In October 2012, the firm opened an office in Turkey.[34]

In January 2013, the firm launched The Daniel J. Edelman China Group.[35] In May 2013, Edelman expanded into South Africa by acquiring Baird's Renaissance, which had previously been affiliated with Edelman for 20 years.[36]

Edelman launched a joint venture with United Talent Agency in 2014 that resulted in the formation of a unit called United Entertainment Group (UEG).[37] In 2015, the firm moved into Colombia by acquiring Position Comunicaciones.[38]

In 2022, Edelman surpassed $1 billion in global annual revenue for the first time.[39] That year also marked the firm's 70th anniversary.[40] On October 1, 2022, it inaugurated the Edelman Museum, a space within its Chicago offices.[41][42]

People and governance

[edit]

The firm is led by Richard Edelman, who assumed the CEO role in 1996.[43] Victor Malanga has been Edelman's global CFO since 2007.[44]

Matthew Harrington, a 35-year Edelman veteran and then Chief Operating Officer, was named Global President of the firm in 2019.[45] Judy John was named Edelman's first-ever Global Chief Creative Officer in February 2019.[46]

Lisa Osborne Ross was named CEO of Edelman's U.S. operation in April 2021. Ross became the first Black woman to run a PR operation of that size.[47] Ross announced in October 2023 that she was leaving the firm.[48] In January 2024, Kirsty Graham took over as Edelman's U.S. CEO.[49]

In May 2022, Soni Basi joined the firm as its Chief People Officer.[50] In May 2023, Edelman named Ed Williams its first international president, overseeing its APAC, EMEA, Canadian and Latin American operations.[51]

Clients

[edit]

Clients over the years not included in History above have included: Heineken,[52] Vidal Sassoon, Red Cross, Cantor Fitzgerald,[27] Royal Dutch Shell,[53] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,[54] and Starbucks.[55]

From 1962, Edelman worked with Finland to improve its image, in part through the Finnfacts Institute founded by the company.[27]

It promoted wine for the California Wine Institute, and promoted bowling for the National Bowling Council by emphasizing it as a way to stay in shape.[27][56]

Edelman provided crisis communication services to News Corporation during the phone hacking scandal that was exposed in 2011.[57]

From June 2012, the firm worked with Symantec to promote the Norton brand of antivirus software.[58]

Equifax hired Edelman for crisis control after the October 2017 privacy breach.[59][60]


Products and services

[edit]

Edelman's most well-known product is the Trust Barometer, a survey designed to measure the public's level of trust in business, government, media, and NGOs.[61] Its findings have been cited in publications such as the New York Times,[62] Financial Times,[63] and Economist.[64] The firm has published the Trust Barometer on an annual basis since 2000.[65] The 2024 edition polled approximately 32,000 people living in 28 different countries.[66]

In 2021, Edelman launched Edelman Global Advisory, a public affairs firm that counsels businesses on government relations, crisis management, and social justice matters.[67] EGA has expanded since 2021 by acquiring public affairs firms with offices in Brazil, Belgium, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.[68][69]

In 2015, Edelman acquired the UK-based investor relations firm Smithfield.[70] This acquisition led to the creation of Edelman Smithfield, a financial communications team that operated within the agency.[71] In 2022, Edelman Smithfield was launched globally as its own boutique firm.[72] Also in 2022, Edelman created the Gen Z Lab, an arm of the firm that advises businesses on marketing to Generation Z. The lab is led by fashion designer Harris Reed and Edelman chief brand officer Jackie Cooper.[73]

Controversies

[edit]

Edelman has a history of establishing astroturf campaigns (seemingly grassroots groups that are fronts for industry) for its clients.[8][9][10] The company has created front groups and advised clients to plant articles, letters and opinion pieces that appear to be spontaneous testimonials.[8][9][10]

Microsoft antitrust

[edit]

In April 1998, the Los Angeles Times reported that Edelman had drafted a campaign plan to ensure that state attorneys general did not join antitrust legal actions against Microsoft.[8] Documents obtained by the LA Times revealed that the plan included generating supportive letters to the editor, opinion pieces, and articles by freelance writers.[74] The LA Times said the plan included, "unusual and some say unethical tactics, including the planting of articles, letters to the editor and opinion pieces to be commissioned by Microsoft's top media handlers but presented by local firms as spontaneous testimonials".[8][9]

Working Families for Wal-Mart front group

[edit]

In the 2000s, Edelman created a front group called the Working Families for Wal-Mart, which said it was a grassroots organization, but was actually funded by Wal-Mart. It paid two bloggers to travel the country interviewing Wal-Mart employees, one of whom was a senior Edelman employee's sister. According to The New Yorker, "everyone she talked to was delighted with Wal-Mart". In 2006, BusinessWeek reported that the public relations effort, which was positioned as a grassroots blog, was actually paid for by Wal-Mart. The New Yorker called it a "blatant example of astroturfing".[10]

In 2007, it was reported that Wal-Mart paid Edelman approximately $10 million annually.[10]

Fossil fuel companies and climate change deniers

[edit]

According to The Washington Post, Edelman's "work with the fossil fuel industry has been under scrutiny for years."[11] According to a 2021 study, Edelman is a major factor in the climate issue arena.[75]

In 2008 Edelman's work with E.ON, which planned to build a coal power station at Kingsnorth attracted protests at Edelman's UK headquarters.[76] In 2009, to coincide with the weeklong "Climate Camp" range of protests, a group of naked protestors occupied Edelman's reception.[77]

From 2008 to 2011, Edelman was paid an average of $68.9 million a year by the American Petroleum Institute, which has been dedicated to the advancement of climate change denial and blocking of climate legislation.[11] Analysts estimate that Edelman earned at least $100 million more from the organization. Edelman used front groups to help the American Petroleum Institute reduce the perceived environmental damage caused by oil companies.[10]

In the 2010s, Edelman was commissioned by TransCanada Corporation to run campaigns supporting the Keystone XL pipeline, a proposed (but eventually canceled in 2021[78][79]) pipeline to carry crude from Canada's oil sands to refineries on the Gulf coast of Texas.[80] Edelman also developed a strategy for the proposed Energy East pipeline intended to carry oil through Québec, en route to a deep water harbor at Cacouna, Quebec for export abroad in supertankers and to refineries in New Brunswick. This resulted in a major controversy when documents leaked to Greenpeace revealed that Edelman had made some unethical proposals to sway public opinion in favor of its client. TransCanada distanced itself from those proposals as soon as the "dirty tricks" were published in the press.[81][82][83][84][85] In 2015, the firm said that it would cease work for coal producers and climate change deniers.[86]

In June 2016, Edelman was hired by the International Centre for Legal Protection (ICLP), led by Andrey Kondakov, former director in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The company was hired to "turn the tide of public opinion" and "help influence U.S. opinion on a massive court verdict involving the oil giant Yukos."[87]

The company was still working for oil and gas companies in 2022.[11]

In 2024 it was revealed that Edelman was working with the Koch network, despite Edelman making climate pledges.[88]

Private prison industry

[edit]

Edelman supported private prison company GEO Group and helped in "laundering the reputation of private US concentration camps" in July 2019.[89] In May 2019, executives from the Washington, D.C. office, including office president Lisa Ross and former Trump White House deputy press secretary Lindsay Walters, went to Florida to present the pitch.[90] In June, when word spread across the company that the work was being pursued, debate sprang up on networking app Fishbowl. The work was resigned by Edelman in July 2019 and announced during an all-hands meeting in Washington.[citation needed] On Fishbowl, an employee commented that the executives "took the opportunity to basically shame us for ruining the work for the company because they couldn't trust us not to leak it to the press."[90] Other employees on Fishbowl made similar comments.[90]

The company's official response was that "Edelman takes on complex and diverse clients ... and ultimately decided not to proceed with this work."[90] Edelman also refused to confirm they did similar work for another major private prison company, CoreCivic.[90]

Saudi PR

[edit]

The firm has provided services to the government of Saudi Arabia.[91] Edelman and Saudi Arabia have contracts worth about $9.6 million (£7.9m) signed over the four years up to 2022. Freedom House has named the Kingdom as one of the "worst of the worst" countries globally as far as human rights, political and civil liberties are concerned. During the time of Jamal Khashoggi's murder, Edelman was one of the many PR firms to help Saudi Arabia work on its global reputation. The firm received or contracted $9.6 million in fees from the agencies and companies controlled by the Gulf regime, according to US Department of Justice filing documents published by watchdog group OpenSecrets.[92]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Edelman". leadiQ. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Miller, Stephen (January 15, 2013). "Daniel Edelman 1920-2013; Public-Relations Pioneer Began with 'Toni Twins' Stunt". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  3. ^ "Claudia González Romo, Richard Edelman". The New York Times. September 17, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  4. ^ "Richard Edelman". Edelman. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  5. ^ "Top 10". PRovoke Media. May 16, 2022. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  6. ^ "About Us". Edelman. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  7. ^ "How Edelman kept 6,000 remote employees connected". Axios. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e GREG MILLER and LESLIE HELM (April 10, 1998). "Microsoft Plans Stealth Media Blitz". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ^ a b c d Jim Drinkard; Owen Ullmann (May 30, 2000). "Microsoft leans creatively on levers of political power as breakup decision looms, 'stealth' lobbying efforts aim for survival". USA Today.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Goldberg, Jeffrey (April 2, 2007). "Selling Wal-Mart". The New Yorker.
  11. ^ a b c d "More than 450 scientists call on PR and ad firms to cut their ties with fossil fuel clients". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  12. ^ "Edelman". World Economic Forum. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  13. ^ a b c Wisner, Franz (2012), Edelman and the Rise of Public Relations, Edelman, ISBN 978-0978752200
  14. ^ a b c d e "History of Edelman – FundingUniverse". www.fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  15. ^ Channick, Robert (November 7, 2012). "Public relations scion Richard Edelman, subject of an upcoming book, shares his take on the business in the digital age". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  16. ^ "Richard Edelman, CEO, Edelman Inc". North of Neutral. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  17. ^ Kirk, Jim (June 18, 2002). "Edelman savors nearly 50 years of independence". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  18. ^ "Ruth Edelman, behind scenes force at PR firm, 1929-2013". Chicago Tribune. October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  19. ^ Bertagnoli, Lisa (January 30, 2012). "PR firm Edelman rises to No. 1 under second generation". Crain's Business. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  20. ^ Krishnamurthy Sriramesh; Dejan Vercic (September 10, 2012). The Global Public Relations Handbook, Revised Edition. Routledge. pp. 994–. ISBN 978-1-135-84554-4. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  21. ^ a b Tina Gant (June 25, 2004). International Directory of Company Histories. Gale. ISBN 9781558625075.
  22. ^ Crain, R. (2010). Industry legend Dan Edelman reflects on the birth of a public-relations giant. Advertising Age, 81(27), 15.
  23. ^ Emily, L. (1). Pioneer revolutionized public relations. Washington Post, The.
  24. ^ Boorstin, Daniel J. (May 9, 2012). The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. p. 189. ISBN 9780307819161.
  25. ^ O'Brien, Kyle (September 28, 2022). "Edelman celebrates PR and 70 years with new museum". Adweek. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  26. ^ a b c Feder, Barnaby (August 17, 1994). "A family-run public relations firm in transition keeps its place near the top of the industry heap". The New York Times. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g "Company Histories & Profiles: Edelman". Funding Universe. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  28. ^ "PR Pioneer Dan Edelman Dies at 92". Ad Age. January 15, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  29. ^ Kaplan, David (September 27, 2010). "Vollmer Public Relations acquired by Edelman". The Chron. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  30. ^ Lowenstein, Adam (January 15, 2023). "The world's biggest PR firm claims to be an expert on trust – but is it?". The Guardian. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  31. ^ "Media Agency of the Year: PR, Edelman: Focus on international, digital puts world's largest PR agency at the center of the social buzz". AdWeek. January 23, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  32. ^ Elliott, Stuart (April 26, 2012). "At Edelman P.R. Agency, 'Purpose' Gets Put Into Practice". The New York Times. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  33. ^ Kiefer, Brittaney (October 30, 2012). "Edelman unveils employee engagement tool". PRWeek. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  34. ^ Sudhaman, Arun (October 30, 2012). "Edelman Launches In Turkey". The Holmes Report. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  35. ^ "Edelman to expand in China|Economy|chinadaily.com.cn". Usa.chinadaily.com.cn. October 12, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  36. ^ Sudhaman, Arun (May 5, 2013). "Edelman Enters Africa With Baird's Renaissance Acquisition". PRovoke Media. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  37. ^ "Edelman Launches Joint Venture with United Talent Agency". Ad Age. October 7, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  38. ^ Shah, Aarti (May 13, 2015). "Edelman Moves Into Colombia With Position Acquisition". PRovoke Media. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  39. ^ Bradley, Diana (February 14, 2023). "Edelman global revenue up 12.8% in 2022 to $1.1 billion". PR Week. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  40. ^ Marszalek, Diana (February 14, 2023). "Edelman Reports 12.8% Revenue Increase To Surpass $1 Billion". PRovoke Media. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  41. ^ Sudhama, Arun (June 22, 2022). "Richard Edelman On Crossing The $1bn Barrier: "It's An Out Of Body Experience"". PRovoke Media. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  42. ^ Fielding, Lisa (September 29, 2022). "Iconic Chicago-based PR firm behind ads for KFC, Sara Lee, celebrates 70 years of business". WBBM. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  43. ^ Cohen, Anne (January 15, 2013). "Daniel Edelman, PR Pioneer, Dies at 92". Forward. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  44. ^ "Malanga appointed as worldwide CFO of Edelman and Zeno". PR Week. February 20, 2007. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  45. ^ "Edelman Elevates Matt Harrington to Global President". PRovoke Media. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  46. ^ "Edelman taps #LikeAGirl creator Judy John as its first global chief creative officer". Ad Age. February 11, 2019.
  47. ^ "LISA OSBORNE ROSS TAKES REINS AS CEO OF EDELMAN U.S." Ad Age. April 6, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  48. ^ "US CEO Lisa Osborne Ross exits Edelman". www.prweek.com. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  49. ^ Marszalek, Diana (January 4, 2024). "Edelman Promotes Kirsty Graham To US CEO". PRovoke Media. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  50. ^ Stam, Aleda (May 3, 2022). "Edelman appoints AIG's Soni Basi as global chief people officer". PR Week. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  51. ^ Pawinska Sims, Maja (May 23, 2023). "Edelman Names Ed Williams International President & AJ Hesselink EMEA CEO". PRovoke Media. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  52. ^ Bruell, Alexandra (July 19, 2012). "Heineken USA Makes PR Agency Changes". AdAge. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  53. ^ Ian Hall, "Edelman, Burson Land Global Deals With Unified Shell", PRWeek
  54. ^ "Public relations: Dan the (Not Mad) Man", The Economist
  55. ^ Bruell, Alexandra (January 23, 2012). "Edelman Is No. 8 on the Ad Age Agency A-List". AdAge. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  56. ^ Dobnik, Verena (January 15, 2013). "NY Public Relations Pioneer Edelman dies in II". The Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  57. ^ "Phone hacking: Rupert Murdoch calls in PR firm Edelman". The Guardian. July 14, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  58. ^ Kiefer, Brittaney (June 27, 2012). "Symantec picks Edelman as global consumer AOR". PRWeek. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  59. ^ "Equifax Picks DLA Piper", Kevin McCauley, O'Dwyer's, October 23, 2017
  60. ^ "Equifax Breach Response Turns Dumpster Fire". Krebs on Security. September 18, 2017.
  61. ^ Brady, Diane (January 16, 2023). "Edelman Trust Barometer Says We Only Trust Business—And Democrats Trust It More Than GOP". Forbes. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  62. ^ Sorkin, Andrew Ross (May 1, 2018). "C.E.O.s Should Lead on Addressing Social Issues, Poll Finds". New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  63. ^ Edgecliff-Johnson, Andrew; Braithwaite, Tom (January 20, 2013). "Trust in executives and politicians falls". Financial Times. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  64. ^ Bishop, Matthew (November 18, 2013). "On top of the world again". The Economist. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  65. ^ Dumas, Breck (January 15, 2023). "Economic optimism has 'collapsed' globally, survey finds". Fox Business. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  66. ^ Murray, Alan; Gordon, Nicholas (January 15, 2024). "Business is again more trusted than government or the media as companies embrace stakeholder capitalism". Fortune. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  67. ^ Bruell, Alexandra (August 3, 2021). "Edelman Bolsters Public-Affairs Unit as Companies Cater to Consumers". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  68. ^ Larkin, Ewan (February 15, 2023). "Edelman Global Advisory acquires Brazilian government relations firm Distrito". PR Week. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  69. ^ Marszalek, Diana (March 15, 2023). "Edelman Global Advisory Buys Landmark Public Affairs". PRokoke Media. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  70. ^ "EMEA News In Brief (September 28, 2015)". PRovoke Media. September 27, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  71. ^ Sims, Maja Pawinska. "Edelman Smithfield Shakes Up Leadership". PRokoke Media. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  72. ^ "Edelman launches financial comms boutique Edelman Smithfield globally". Marketing Interactive. July 27, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  73. ^ Mondalek, Alexandra (June 16, 2022). "Here Come the 'ZEOs': Inside Edelman PR's New Gen-Z Project with Harris Reed". Business of Fashion. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  74. ^ "DOJ/Antitrust" (PDF). Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  75. ^ Brulle, Robert J.; Werthman, Carter (November 30, 2021). "The role of public relations firms in climate change politics". Climatic Change. 169 (1): 8. Bibcode:2021ClCh..169....8B. doi:10.1007/s10584-021-03244-4. ISSN 1573-1480. S2CID 244716294.
  76. ^ "Activists target Edelman in climate change protest". PR Week. July 17, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  77. ^ "Edelman discovers the naked truth". Communicate magazine. September 2009. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  78. ^ Puko, Timothy (June 9, 2021). "Keystone XL Oil Project Abandoned by Developer". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  79. ^ Brown, Matthew (June 9, 2021). "Keystone XL pipeline nixed after Biden stands firm on permit". AP News. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  80. ^ Goldenberg, Suzanne (August 2014). "World's top PR companies rule out working with climate deniers". The Guardian. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  81. ^ Energy East pipeline 'advocates' targeted in TransCanada PR move. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, article on CBC website dated 18 November 2014, retrieved 22 November 2014.
  82. ^ Greenpeace sees ‘dirty tricks’ in PR firm’s TransCanada plan Article published in The Globe and Mail on 17 November 2014, retrieved 22 November 2014.
  83. ^ Strategic Plan:Québec 46-page English-language PDF document available in extenso at the end of this Radio-Canada article published on 18 November 2014, retrieved 22 November 2014.
  84. ^ Leaked documents show TransCanada planning “dirty tricks” campaign to support Energy East pipeline Archived November 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Greenpeace Canada article published 18 November 2014, retrieved 22 November 2014.
  85. ^ Aulakh, Raveena (November 18, 2014). "TransCanada pressuring opponents of Energy East pipeline, documents show". The Toronto Star. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  86. ^ Goldenberg, Suzanne (September 15, 2015). "Edelman ends work with coal producers and climate change deniers". The Guardian.
  87. ^ "Russia hired Edelman in 2016 to help deal with Yukos fallout". OpenSecrets. March 13, 2017.
  88. ^ Noor, Dharna (January 14, 2024). "PR giant Edelman worked with Koch network, despite climate pledges". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  89. ^ Doctorow, Cory (August 4, 2019). "Edelman PR drops GEO Group after employee revolt at the prospect of laundering the reputation of private US concentration camps". Boing Boing. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  90. ^ a b c d e Hsu, Tiffany (July 30, 2019). "Edelman, Public Relations Giant, Drops Client Over Border Detention Centers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  91. ^ "Edelman Reps Saudi Arabia". Odwyerpr. March 20, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  92. ^ "The American PR firm helping Saudi Arabia clean up its image". The Guardian. December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.