Deborah Lehr to Lead Edelman Global Advisory as CEO and Managing Partner
Edelman is planning to invest at least $10 million to bolster its public affairs business, the public-relations giant said, as businesses increasingly seek support in government relations, crisis management and social responsibility work, reports the Wall Street Journal.
According to WSJ, “Edelman is spinning off its public affairs function to launch a “boutique” called the Edelman Global Advisory, or EGA, the company said. Daniel J. Edelman Holdings Inc.—the holding company that encompasses the namesake PR agency—has acquired the small, D.C.-based public affairs shop Basilinna to jump-start the effort. Basilinna’s co-founder and CEO, Deborah Lehr, (shown above) will lead EGA as CEO and managing partner.
“Companies for many years could focus their public affairs efforts on communicating with shareholders and government stakeholders in contained interactions, with customers last on the list of priorities, but that model has flipped, said Richard Edelman, chief executive officer of the PR agency group.”
WSJ stated that Edelman said there has been a “redefinition” of public affairs.
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