abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

8 Jul 2015

Author:
Marc Gunther, Guardian (UK)

Edelman loses executives & clients "by trying to play both sides" of climate debate, says Marc Gunther

"Edelman loses executives and clients over climate change stance", 7 July 2015

Edelman, which calls itself the world’s largest public relations firm, has lost four executives who lead its corporate-responsibility practice – at least in part because of the company’s unwillingness to take a strong stand on climate change. Two influential clients have also left the firm over the climate issue [Nike, Unilever]... We Mean Business, a coalition of more than 100 companies advocating bold action on climate change, terminated a contract with Edelman last fall... 

None of this will have much immediate financial impact on Edelman...[but] the loss of the executives, who are well known in the world of corporate responsibility, could impact client business – and, at minimum, dent Edelman’s reputation...

Edelman executives declined to elaborate on the firm’s climate position...[A] spokesman, Chris Allieri,...[said] Edelman does not currently represent coal-industry clients. 

[also refers to Shell, Chevron, Burson-Marsteller (part of WPP), Peabody Coal, FleishmanHillard (part of Omnicom), Walmart, CVS, General Electric, TransCanada]