Richard Edelman

“We believe in a best-in-class vertical strategy, with PR at the center as its operating ethos of earned at the core, social by design.”

“The separation of audience into tribes preferring to reinforce their own views with media of similar ideological stripe makes true debate impossible.”

“We have seen an unprecedented dispersion of authority, such that 'a person like you' is now one of the most credible spokespersons on business, along with technical and academic experts.”

“The best creative no longer has to originate in Chicago or London; it will be coming from Stockholm, Tokyo, and Seoul as well.”

“I went to every sports contest for my kids. I turned off my cell phone at 8 P.M. I did have to travel relentlessly and had some nights at black tie events. But when I was home, I was home.”

“I think that the direct conversation is exactly what companies need to earn trust of customers. Admit an error. Fix a problem. Commit to doing better. That is only human.”

“We have moved beyond the point of trust being simply a key factor in product purchase or selection of employment opportunity; it is now the deciding factor in whether a society can function.”

“We aim to be the primary creative partner, digital channel implementer, and relationship builder with influencers.”

“There is a fear of innovation because people are afraid of job loss.”

“Institutions are better served by going direct to end users, establishing a channel for direct dialogue and feedback. It is a world of many to one, not one to many.”

“I love playing tennis. I am an exercise freak.”

“It may be fine for an artist to be indifferent to the reaction of the viewer to a work of art. A vigorous debate on issues is also beneficial. But the dark vision of a world without truth cannot be our future.”

“When we were doing the launch of Kinect for Xbox, it was very much about getting sort of young blogger-influencer types to try this thing well in advance - a year before launch.”

“Edelman diversified into public affairs in the late '60s with important programs for the Concorde SST, gaining landing rights at JFK Airport in New York, and in the late '70s generating public approval for the building of the very stark Vietnam Veterans War Memorial in Washington, D.C., from a design by the very young architect Maya Lin.”

“Great women, in partnership with great men, will continue to take us forward.”

“I think PR people are caught in this mindset of 'control of the message.' There's a lot more freedom if you give up control. If you allow people to say things that are genuine and admit mistakes and get on.”

“We win with facts that are well expressed and frequently communicated; we lose with silence and indifference to the broader social context.”

“The best tech companies are led by founders with entrepreneurial zeal and strong egos. They consistently deliver what we want and what we need, at prices that decrease over time. The Wall Street firm is a long-standing institution with a more established hierarchy.”

“CEOs who boldly lean into fulfilling the dual mandate of earning profits and providing societal benefits will find a receptive public.”

“The problems of the world, from immigration to populism to income inequality to sustainability to peacekeeping, require a well-functioning supranational body.”