Edelman Merges Three Digital Businesses; Stakes Its Claim in ‘Authentic Communications‘
March 04, 2008, New York -- Today Edelman announced that it has consolidated its three digital entities into one global operating unit now known as Edelman Digital. The new unit is comprised of more than 120 people, drawn from the firm’s three primary digital assets: EIS (the digital strategy, design and production team known as Edelman Interactive Solutions), me2revolution (the firm’s global social media lab) and Edelman Mobile, launched in fall 2007.
Edelman Digital will be led by Chicago-based Rick Murray as president and New York-based David Dunne as chief operating officer. Murray is the founder of me2revolution and Dunne has led EIS for more than a decade. Both will report to Nancy Ruscheinski, who founded EIS in 1995 and has been named chairman, Edelman Digital. Jared Hendler was hired as worldwide executive creative director of the new operating unit.
According to Murray, Edelman Digital’s mission is to create authentic communications programs that enable conversation and collaboration between companies, brands and their audiences across an increasingly complex digital landscape. He sees the challenge as twofold: “First, we’ll strive to out-innovate our competitors with new products and methodologies, like Edelman’s online advocacy work and holistic approach to mobile communications.” Murray notes that Edelman’s Washington, D.C.-based online advocacy work under the leadership of Mike Krempasky already represents 15% of the firm’s business in that market, and credits the firm’s recent foray into mobile communications business under the stewardship of Dan Cornell with significant new assignments from Unilever and Motorola. “And second, we’ll continue to cultivate a digitally savvy culture across the entire Edelman organization, instilling smart digital strategy and execution across every practice area.”
David Dunne notes Edelman’s heritage of leadership in digital communications: “We plan to capitalize on the strength and momentum of our core EIS business to create a world-class digital ‘agency within an agency,’ expanding our digital strategy and production work into new markets.” He cites Edelman’s award winning online campaigns for clients like Microsoft, Wrigley and the American Heart Association, asserting that “we will continue to grow this business as we have for more than a decade by maintaining a steadfast commitment to authentic digital communications."
Edelman Digital’s chairman Nancy Ruscheinski signaled an intent to further expand its global digital footprint. “We’re already being recognized for digital leadership and effective social media programs around the world, from China and London to Milan and Chicago,” she says. “We’re aggressively investing in digital, and will continue to do so via acquisitions and strategic hires in order to accelerate our innovation, expand our bandwidth and ensure consistency of effort worldwide.”
One such investment is the hiring of Hendler as worldwide executive creative director. Hendler, a South Africa native, brings an accomplished background in digital branding, design, advertising and technology, cultivated during a decade at WPP’s Grey Advertising, where he co-founded G2 and led the development of more than a dozen international offices. Most recently, Hendler founded digital agency SmashTube and created a pair of Web platforms (MyAdGuys and MarketingForce) that were acquired by Conclusive Marketing in 2006. His “SmashBlog” is read by more than 1,000 decision-makers in the digital media and marketing world.
In further moves designed to expand Edelman Digital outside the U.S., the firm has installed Marshall Manson as head of Digital Strategy in London, the firm’s second largest market outside the U.S. Manson has been a leader in the company’s Washington, D.C.-based online advocacy team. Wolfgang Luenenbuerger, based in Hamburg, has been appointed Head of Social Media in Europe; and John Kerr, a Director based in Singapore and a leader in the firm’s technology practice, will lead Edelman Digital operations in Asia.
Eight other executives were named to director and managing director roles for Edelman Digital: at a global level: Dan Cornell (MD, Mobile), Michael Wiley (MD, Digital Integration), Steve Rubel (Director, Insights) and Ming Yee (Director, Technology); and for North America, Kevin King (MD, Client Services), Mathias Lanni (MD, Operations), Dina George (MD, Brand Strategy and Planning), and Sylvain Perron (MD, Canada).
About Edelman
Edelman is the world’s leading independent public relations firm, with 3,100 employees in 51 offices worldwide. Edelman was named a top-10 firm in Advertising Age’s “2007 Agency A-List,” the first and only PR firm to receive this recognition, and CEO Richard Edelman was honored as " 2007 Agency Executive of the Year" by both Advertising Age and PRWeek. PRWeek named Edelman Large Agency of the Year in 2006 and awarded the firm its “Editor’s Choice” distinction. For more information, visit www.edelman.com.
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Rick Murray 312-240-2822 847-721-0424 rick.murray@edelman.com |
Laura Deal 212-704-4424 917-442-1329 laura.deal@edelman.com |