Leading global communications marketing firm making push in nation’s capital
Edelman Canada announced today the opening of an Ottawa office under the leadership of Senior Vice President and Ottawa General Manager Darcy Walsh. The office is yet another step forward in the company’s strategy to provide leading-edge public affairs and communications services to clients across the country. Edelman acquired Toronto-based public affairs firm Devon Group in July 2014.
“Edelman is setting new standards in the industry, helping clients promote, protect and evolve their brands,” said Bob Richardson, executive vice president and national practice lead, public affairs, for Edelman Canada. “For Ottawa, that means building a practice that goes beyond traditional government relations and lobbying. We are integrating public affairs with communications, creative and digital specialties to help clients take a more holistic approach to relationships with their audiences and stakeholders.”
Walsh joins Edelman after an eight-year career with Hill + Knowlton Ottawa, where he served most recently as national director of business development, leading business opportunities across all lines of service. Walsh also built and led the procurement group, helping clients realize government procurement opportunities. Previously, Walsh worked as director of parliamentary affairs in the Office of the Minister of Public Works.
“We live in an age where policy debates have become political campaigns,” said Walsh. “Edelman’s deep Canadian public affairs experience and wealth of expertise across the firm’s global network bring fresh thinking and a new way of doing business to the Ottawa market. We’re proud to offer clients the insights and capabilities needed to participate in today’s public dialogue.”
Edelman also announced that it has hired Courtney Glen as vice president, public affairs, in Toronto. Glen brings more than 10 years of experience in communications and public affairs to Edelman. She has served diverse clients in the public, corporate and not-for-profit sectors, and has expertise in a range of functions including issues management, crisis communications, media relations, public affairs and campaign planning and execution. She has extensive knowledge of municipal government policy files, as well as experience in managing high-profile issues and providing media relations support to senior officials.
Glen joins Cameron MacKay, senior vice president, Toronto public affairs, and Erin Jacobson, vice president, digital public affairs, as part of the senior team managing Edelman Public Affairs across Canada.
“The current federal election speaks to a country split in its points of view,” said Richardson. “Clients need a team that understands government, understands policy and understands the changed political reality in Canada. We have that team.”
About Edelman
Edelman is a leading global communications marketing firm that partners with many of the world’s largest and emerging businesses and organizations, helping them evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations.
Our Canadian business has matured from one that has been primarily geography and practice-focused to one that is also specialty-focused. Our offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal offer several specialized areas of expertise — including creative, crisis & risk, public affairs, insights & analytics, paid media and digital — to deliver best-in-class work to our clients in today’s complex media landscape.
Edelman was named one of Advertising Age’s “Agency to Watch” in 2014; one of Forbes’ “14 Most Influential Agencies of 2014”; The Holmes Report’s “2013 Global Agency of the Year”; and was awarded the Grand Prix Cannes Lion for PR in 2014. In Canada, Edelman was among the top three finalists for Marketing Magazine’s 2014 Agency of the Year and has been named one of the Great Place to Work® Best Workplaces in Canada and Best Workplaces for Women.
For more information contact
Bob Richardson
bob.richardson@edelman.com