Stories
Stories
Richard Edelman
Edelman Photo by Katherine Lambert |
Whether it is dolphin-rights advocates and tuna producers, or insurance companies and victims of the 9/11 tragedy, Richard W. Edelman is interested in bringing different worlds together. He is comfortable with conflict, and his 25 years in the family firm Edelman PR Worldwide have suited him well. Appointed the firms CEO in 1997, he believes that there is usually an intersection of corporate and public interest. Change is rarely revolutionary, he says cheerfully. You do better by being inside the tent.
Since earning his MBA, Edelman has been busy building the PR business his father founded just over fifty years ago, from $6 million in fees in 1978 to $230 million today. Now the largest independently owned PR firm in the world, the company has offices in 38 cities and an account list that includes UPS, Swiss Re, and Microsoft.
Having grown up watching his parents support their Chicago community, Edelman finds it natural to give back to society. A Civil War buff, he is an active board member of the New-York Historical Society. His interest in fitness and fighting obesity attracted him to the board of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation. Edelman is also a member of the World Economic Forum and frequently shares his market research and branding expertise with this group.
While Edelman does not wish to pressure his three daughters into joining the family business, his hopes for them are simple, but high: I want them to make a contribution to the world.
SY
Post a Comment
Related Stories
-
- 25 Feb 2020
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
Gotta Dance
Re: Evan Horowitz (MBA 2008); By: Julia Hanna -
- 01 Sep 2017
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
3-Minute Briefing: Jeetendr Sehdev (MBA 2004)
Re: Jeetendr Sehdev (MBA 2004); By: Julia Hanna -
- 01 Sep 2017
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
In My Humble Opinion: Career Peak
Re: Suz Stroeer (MBA 2011); By: April White -
- 06 Feb 2015
- Fast Company
The Billion-Dollar E-commerce Company You Know Nothing About
Re: Bob Spieth (MBA 1990); Diane Escher (MBA 2009)
Stories Featuring Rich Edelman
-
- 01 Mar 2019
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
3-Minute Briefing: Richard Edelman (MBA 1978)
Re: Rich Edelman (MBA 1978); By: Julia Hanna -
- 06 Mar 2015
- HBS Newsroom
The Truth About Trust
Re: Rich Edelman (MBA 1978) -
- 02 May 2011
- Alumni Stories
Family Business on a Global Stage
Re: Rich Edelman (MBA 1978)