Edelman

Background

Edelman is the largest public relations and marketing company in the world by revenues. In 2021, the company had $1 billion in fee income and more than 6,000 employees.¹“O’D 2022 Directory of Public Relations Firms,” O’Dwyers, July 15, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. It was also the top firm in 2020, with around $800,000,000 in fee income and more than 5,000 full-time employees.²“O’D 2021 Directory of Public Relations Firms,” O’Dwyer’s, July 15, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

The Climate Investigations Center has described Edelman as “the dominant PR firm for trade associations that promote an anti-environmental agenda,” with clients such as the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), National Mining Association (NMA), and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), the American Petroleum Institute (API), and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI).³“Edelman PR,” Climate Investigations Center. Accessed February 2023.

The company was founded by Daniel J. Edelman in Chicago in 1952, originally under the name Daniel J. Edelman and Associates.⁴“A Storied History,” Edelman. Archived February 9, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CGJqx Its early clients included Roche, Nestle, Dow Chemical, S.C. Johnson, and Mobil. By 1975 Edelman’s client list included more than 100 organizations.⁵Franz Wisner. “Edelman and The Rise of Public Relations” (PDF), Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., 2012. Retrieved from Scribd. ⁶Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Edelman presently has more than 60 offices around the world.⁷“Global Network,” Edelman. Archived February 9, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aAo30

Edelman & the American Petroleum Institute

In 2005, the American Petroleum Institute (API) hired Edelman for what would go on to be a decade of “advertising and PR efforts to build public support for such initiatives as the Keystone XL pipeline; tax deductions for the oil industry; and, expanded access for drilling on public lands,” according to the trade publication PRovoke Media.⁸Arun Sudhaman. “Edelman’s American Petroleum Institute Assignment Ends,” PRovoke Media, February 13, 2015. Archived June 9, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XLDz4

In 2009, API led a coalition called “Energy Citizens.”⁹Ian Talley, “Lobby Groups to Use Town Hall Tactics to Oppose Climate Bill,” Wall Street Journal “Washington Wire” blog, August 11, 2009. Energy Citizens was created to block Senate passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, after the House of Representatives passed it in June.¹⁰“Letter from Greenpeace US Executive Director Phil Radford to Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, dated August 12, 2009.” Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Also known as the Waxman-Markey bill (for its co-sponsors Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA)), the legislation would have established a carbon cap-and-trade system in the U.S., and set targets for reducing carbon emissions by 83 percent of 2005 levels by 2050, as well as a number of energy-efficiency standards.

In a 2023 Guardian article, a former Edelman employee was quoted as saying that “Edelman helped launch” Energy Citizens for API.¹¹Adam Lowerstein. “The world’s biggest PR firm claims to be an expert on trust – but is it?” The Guardian, January 15, 2023.

At the time API funded creation of Energy Citizens, Edelman was its leading PR contractor. In a 2014 campaign proposal for TransCanada, Edelman noted — next to an image of the Energy Citizens logo — that API had used “digital grassroots tools” since 2007 to “organize and mobilize industry employees.”¹²“Grassroots Advocacy Vision Document,” Edelman, May 15, 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

The ‘Vote 4 Energy’ Campaign

Ahead of the 2012 U.S. elections, Blue Advertising, an Edelman subsidiary, created the “Vote 4 Energy” campaign under the branding of Energy Citizens.¹³“American Petroleum Institute: Vote 4 Energy campaign,” Blue Advertising. Archived May 2, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.li/wSduX

In December 2011, Blue Advertising began producing Vote 4 Energy ads. They were set to air on CNN, alongside full-page ads in the Washington Post, in January 2012.¹⁴Kert Davies. “Upcoming American Petroleum Institute ‘Vote 4 Energy’ TV campaign disrupted by undercover activists,” Greenpeace, December 20, 2011. Archived June 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vrPrJ 

A Greenpeace activist attended and surreptitiously recorded a casting call for volunteers to appear in the ads, and then shared the recordings with Yahoo! News. The recordings revealed that rather than expressing support for fossil fuels in their own words, as claimed by the campaign, the volunteers were being fed lines by a director.¹⁵Zachary Roth. “Oil industry lobbyists punked by environmental activists,” Yahoo! News. December 20, 2011. Archived August 18, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.li/aM0Ch  Greenpeace then created a spoof video of the campaign, and released it on the day the TV ads started to air.¹⁶Connor Gibson, “Four Years After Greenpeace Sting: PR Firm Dumps Oil Lobbyists,” DeSmog, February 20, 2015. ¹⁷James Gerken. “‘I Vote 4 Energy’ Video Spoofs American Petroleum Institute Ad Campaign (VIDEO),” Huffpost, January 5, 2012.

Greenpeace also crashed a January 4, 2012 event at which API CEO Jack Gerard announced the Vote 4 Energy campaign and described it as a “conversation with the American people.”¹⁸Philip Radford. “Trimming astroturf from the American Petroleum Institute’s Vote 4 Energy ad,” Grist, January 10, 2012. Archived December 1, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.li/WjbCD Greenpeace activists rolled out an astroturf carpet for attendees entering the event.¹⁹“Flickr photo album: API Astroturf,” Greenpeace USA, January 4, 2012. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

As part of the Vote 4 Energy campaign, Edelman assisted API in organizing a speech and panel discussion aimed at “key influencers” in government, think tanks, and the media.²⁰Erin Quinn And Chris Young. “D.C. Influencers Spend More on Advertising and PR Than Lobbying,” TIME, January 15, 2015. Archived March 3, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.li/6Y408

Blue Advertising won a number of trade industry awards for the Vote 4 Energy campaign, also known by its tagline “I’m One.” One print ad with the stated “Who are the 9.2 Americans whose jobs are supported by the oil and natural gas industry? I’m One.²¹”Blue Advertising. “American Petroleum Institute”, Blue Advertising, c. 2012. Archived May 27, 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.  These awards included a Silver SABRE Award in a regional TV and cable markets category,²²“Holmes Group Announces Silver SABRE Winners,” PRovoke Media, March 25, 2012. Archived September 26, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0rGUD  a 2012 Telly award for the “API Lady-in-Black Literacy TV Campaign,”²³“Awards nominated and won by Blue,” The Telly Awards, 2012. Archived August 18, 2023.  and a 2012 Communicator Award in the “Integrated Campaign — Political” category.²⁴“2012 Award of Excellence: API “I’m One” Campaign,” The Communicator Awards. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Edelman & Masdar

From 2007 to 2009, Masdar, also known as Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, a renewable energy initiative of the United Arab Emirates, contracted Edelman²⁵“OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending March 31, 2009, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3657, received May 7, 2009, p. 134,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. to promote the UAE’s investments in renewable energy, and position the UAE as a clean energy pioneer.²⁶“OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending September 30, 2009, received October 30, 2009 p. 3,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Sultan Ahmend Al Jaber had been named Masdar’s CEO in 2006.²⁷(Press Release). “HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar,” c. March 2023. Archived April 27, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/c8Hpy

During this engagement, as DeSmog has reported, Edelman worked to raise Al Jaber’s profile as a renewable energy leader. In 2007, Edelman began writing speeches for Al Jaber about the importance of renewable energy. Over the course of 2008, Edelman’s team arranged several meetings between Al Jaber and U.S. politicians, including President George W. Bush, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Reps. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Greg Walden (D-OR), and Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT); and secured an invitation for Al Jaber to testify before the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming that June.²⁸Cartie Werthman. “American PR Firm Edelman Enabled Oil Baron Al Jaber’s Ascention to Lead COP28 Climate Conference,” DeSmog, September 13, 2023.

As part of this Masdar engagement, Edelman developed and executed a campaign to bring the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to Masdar City, an urban development near the Abu Dhabi airport. The campaign was ultimately successful.²⁹“OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending September 30, 2009, received October 30, 2009. p. 3,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Initially touted as a “zero carbon city,” as of May 2023 Masdar City’s plans for a sustainable city have been significantly reduced. It is expected to be finished in 2030, 15 years later than scheduled.³⁰Patricia Peiro. “Un paseo por la desértica Masdar, la ciudad que estaba llamada a ser la primera con emisiones cero,” El País, February 23, 2020. Archived November 18, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Hbfeg

Gökçe Günel, a Rice University anthropology professor who has written a book about Masdar City, has noted that one of the city’s shortcomings was its focus on marketing itself, rather than on securing financing.³¹Ellen Grover. “We Were Promised Smart Cities. What Happened?” Built In, November 15, 2022. Archived November 3, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Or3mn 

Edelman & Masdar: COP28 Public Relations

In January 2023, Masdar engaged Edelman to provide public relations services ahead of and during COP28, the United Nations climate summit beginning on November 30, 2023 in the UAE.³²“OMB No. 1124-004; Expires July 31, 2023, Exhibits A and B to Registration Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3634, received January 17, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. As part of this contract, Edelman ran the “COP28 UAE” Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, the “cop28uaeofficial” Instagram account, and the “@COP28_UAE” Twitter account; ³³“Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company Pjsc – Masdar Social Media Posts Thru 1/31/2023, Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit March 2, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. did outreach to U.S. media regarding Masdar’s role in COP28; and helped draft speeches.“³⁴OMB No. 1124-00002; Expires July 31, 2023, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3634, received March 2, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 

This contract ended prematurely in April 2023.³⁵Corbin Hiar and Zack Colman. “An oil state hired the biggest PR firms to buff its climate image. It didn’t help,” POLITICO, June 7, 2023. Archived June 7, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/5W3eT

Edelman & Tobacco

The Tobacco Tactics project at the University of Bath has profiled Edelman’s involvement with the tobacco industry from the 1970s into the 1990s.³⁶“Edelman,” Tobacco Tactics, February 4, 2020. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kfiPk

There are more than 11,000 results for a text search of “Edelman” in the Truth Tobacco Industry Documents archive at the University of California, San Francisco library.

One 1993 communications plan drawn up by Edelman for the Tobacco Advisory Council (TAC) outlined a strategy for “Communicating the Case for Tobacco“:³⁷“Communicating the Case for Tobacco: Review and Forward Planning for TAC,” Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, March 27, 1993. Retrieved from UCSF Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Library Bates No. 304043541-304043562.

“The message that the smoker needs to hear is that smoking is a normal and rational activity. We must seek to replace the image of smokers as an embattled minority on the defensive by the recognition that smokers are a significant body of people who choose to smoke and whose wishes should therefore be taken into account.” (Emphasis in original).

View some key documents referenced by Tobacco Tactics below:

The Tobacco Alliance

One of Edelman’s key activities fwas running the day-to-day operations of the Tobacco Alliance in the U.K., as part of a contract with the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association. A summary by the Tobacco Advisory Council (TAC) in a 1983 workshop outlined Edelman’s involvement:³⁸“How to set up a Tobacco Alliance,” Tobacco Alliance, September 20, 1983. Retrieved from UCSF Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Library Bates No. 2501021530-2501021532.

“Early on we decided that it would be preferable to keep the Alliance at arms length from TAC and the industry and with its own identity and address, to emphasize to supporters, as far as is practical, that it had a degree of independence. thus while the industry determines policy and provides the funds, the day to day management is the responsibility of our P.R. agents Daniel J. Edelman.”

That document outlined “precise objectives” of the Alliance:

“To inform and draw together all those who depend on tobacco products for their livelihood.

“To help put forward the case for individual freedom to counter any moves that might further restrict the right of individuals to enjoy smoking.

“To help put the record straight by providing facts and figures, devoid of emotional comment, to Alliance supporters.”

In January 1983, Edelman prepared a storyboard for the Tobacco Alliance that opposed tax increases on cigarettes and framed arguments by the “anti-smoking movement” as a threat to freedom.³⁹“Tobacco Alliance Audio-Visual,” Daniel J Edelman Limited. Retrieved from UCSF Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Library Bates No. 303706484-303706506.

“Freedom is based on the right to choose – and that includes whether or not to smoke. To have such rights eroded is to hasten the day when all our freedoms are threatened,” one slide suggested. “The anti-smokers also seem blind to the serious consequences for jobs if their movement succeeds,” another slide added.

The contract was taken over by a different PR firm on January 15, 2001.⁴⁰“Tobacco Alliance Account,” Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association, December 19, 2001. Retrieved from UCSF Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Library Bates No. 325133651.

Second Hand Smoke

In the late 1980s, Edelman helped produce a booklet that claimed environmental tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) was not a proven health hazard.⁴¹“Smoking at Work,” Daniel J Edelman Incorporated. 1987. Retrieved from UCSF Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Library Bates No. 500889783-500889789.

“There is no scientific consensus that tobacco smoke in the air (environmental tobacco smoke or ETS for short) is harmful to health,” the document claimed. “In the workplace, where smoking prevalence is likely to mirror that of the population as a whole, anti-smokers are presenting smoking as a minority practice, allegedly hazardous to non-smokers. Anti-smokers hold that the solutions to non-smokers’ exposure to ETS are bans on smoking, restrictions or segregation. This is not so; the issue is not clear-cut and there are insufficient scientific data to justify restrictive measures.”

It concluded: “Environmental tobacco smoke is not a proven health hazard: it may be presented as one by anti-smoking activists whose motives are questionable.”

Steve Lombardo

A representative with Edelman subsidiary StrategyOne, Steve Lombardo’s name appears in an number of contracts and communications with Philip Morris Tobacco.

Stance on Climate Change

Edelman has lost clients and executives in the past for what the Guardian described as its “unwillingness to take a strong stand on climate change” and having fossil fuel industry clients.⁴²Marc Gunther. “Edelman loses executives and clients over climate change stance,” The Guardian, July 7, 2015. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vVE4a

On climate, “Edelman resembles most global PR companies who want to play on both sides of the debate over what to do about carbon emissions,” Marc Gunther wrote in The Guardian.

The New York Times reported in 2021 that Edelman was not willing to walk away from its fossil fuel clients, such as ExxonMobil.⁴³“A P. R. Giant Is Caught Between Climate Pledges and Fossil Fuel Clients,” The New York Times, December 10, 2021. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ID4w9

In January 2022, Edelman was among the PR firms⁴⁴Steven Mufson. “More than 450 scientists call on PR and ad firms to cut their ties with fossil fuel clients,” The Washington Post, January 19, 2022. Archive URL:https://archive.ph/V1e3O named in a letter signed by 450 scientists that called on public relations and advertising firms to stop working with oil and gas companies. These campaigns “represent one of the biggest barriers to the government action science shows is necessary to mitigate the ongoing climate emergency,” the letter stated.⁴⁵“450+ Scientists’ Letter to Agencies: Drop Fossil Fuel Clients,” Clean Creatives. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/rX58B

In an August 3, 2023 version of its public position statement on climate change, Edelman states:⁴⁶“Edelman’s Climate Position.” Archived February 9, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/g4su4

“We believe that climate change is the biggest crisis we face as a society…[T]rust is the key to progress and is premised on action. Edelman partners with diverse clients committed to helping drive the transition to a net-zero future, helping them act and communicate in more meaningful ways.

[…]

“We recognize that urgent action is needed to mitigate the most dangerous impacts of climate change on both people and the planet. This requires the rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and an orderly global transition to a net-zero-carbon economy.

“We are committed to creating a ‘Trusted Transition,’ where we guide ourselves and genuinely committed clients to action and transformation, built on a foundation of trusted communication.”

In 2014, Edelman had declared that it would not take on climate denial campaigns. ⁴⁷Suzanne Goldenberg. “Edelman formally declares it will not accept climate denial campaigns,” The Guardian, August 7, 2014. In a 2015 version of its public climate stance, Edelman stated that “we do not accept client assignments that aim to deny climate change.”

Below are examples of public climate change positions from some of Edelman’s past clients:

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

“The NAM believes that mitigating the impact of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a significant and important goal for all nations. Any initiatives to achieve this goal, however, must not put American manufacturers at a relative competitive disadvantage. If actions are not taken by all significant emitters, there is substantial risk of carbon leakage that could nullify the effects of unilateral domestic action.”⁴⁸“NAM POLICY POSITIONS” (PDF), National Association of Manufacturers, February 2016.

NAM helped launch the Global Climate Coalition (GCC) in 1989, which went on to represent 40 fossil fuel corporations and associations. ⁴⁹Andrew Revkin. “Industry Ignored Its Scientists on Climate,” The New York Times, April 23, 2009. Archived September 22, 2009. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/LSWKm

A 1996 “Overview” document outlining the GCC‘s position on climate change said:

“The GCC believes that the preponderance of the evidence indicates that most, if not all, of the observed warming is part of a natural warming trend which began approximately 400 years ago. If there is an anthropogenic component to this observed warming, the GCC believes that it must be very small and must be superimposed on a much larger natural warming trend.”⁵⁰“Global Climate Coalition: An Overview,” Global Climate Coalition, November 11, 1996. Archived April 25, 2019. Archive.fo URL: http://archive.fo/txH8X

American Petroleum Institute (API)

Edelman’s contract with the American Petroleum Institute (API) made up a significant portion of its revenues until 2016. In 2010, Edelman’s contract with API constituted over 10 percent of its total revenues. 

A 1998 communications plan suggested API was actively working to promote “uncertainty” about climate change science, including its links to the burning of fossil fuels.⁵¹“1998 American Petroleum Institute Global Climate Science Communications Team Action Plan,” ClimateFiles.

According to the document, “victory will be achieved when…[A]verage citizens ‘understand’ (recognize) uncertainties in climate science; recognition of uncertainties becomes part of the ‘conventional wisdom.’”

Climate Files reported the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) was among the funding sources identified for the plan. EEI has been a client of Edelman.

Edison Electric Institute (EEI)

EEI’s former chairman, Tom Fanning, previously declared that it was not proven that CO2 was the primary driver of climate change:

“Has it been proven that carbon dioxide is the primary cause of climate change?” Fanning was asked on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” in 2017.⁵²Matthew J. Belvedere. “Like the new EPA chief, Southern Company’s CEO doesn’t see CO2 as main reason for climate change,” CNBC, March 28, 2017. Archived April 28, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/E8CMO

“No, certainly not. Is climate change happening? Certainly. It has been happening for millennia,” Fanning replied.

At the time, EEI’s official stance on climate change said the following: “Global climate change presents one of the biggest energy and environmental policy challenges this country has ever faced. EEI member companies are committed to addressing the challenge of climate change and have undertaken a wide range of initiatives over the last 30 years to reduce, avoid or sequester GHG emissions.”

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)

AFPM has fought against the regulation of greenhouse gases:

“Greenhouse gases are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act, even though the Clean Air Act never authorized such regulation. AFPM believes that using this 40-year-old law to control of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions threatens our nation’s economic and energy security,” AFPM wrote in its former “policy position” on greenhouse gas regulations.⁵³“GREENHOUSE GAS REGULATIONS,” AFPM. Archived October 11, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/6hOia

Its revised statement on climate claims “AFPM is committed to engaging in the discussion and development of sound climate change policies.”⁵⁴“Climate,” AFPM. Archived February 10, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FSMtn

National Mining Association (NMA)

NMA, a former Edelman client, once released a “Crisis Communications Template” that emphasized climate change as a “natural phenomenon.”⁵⁵“Media and Community Crisis Communication Planning Template” (PDF), NMA, August 2016.

In a climate change statement on its website, as of 2023, NMA positioned the mining industry as part of a “low-carbon future” yet also promoted coal as “a significant portion of reliable and affordable baseload energy in the U.S. and across the globe, ensuring energy access and security in support of global sustainable and economic development goals.”⁵⁶“NMA Climate Change Position,” NMA. Archived February 10, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9b07k

Funding

The information below was collected from publicly available 990 tax forms.

Blue Advertising & Fossil Fuel Industry

Edelman subsidiary Blue Advertising was responsible for much of Edelman’s work with the American Petroleum Institute (API). 2013 was the first year Blue Advertising appeared on API’s tax forms, while according to Greenpeace, Blue Advertising was managing the API account as early as 2012. Blue Advertising reportedly divested from Edelman in 2015.⁵⁷“DC-Based Blue Advertising Divests from Edelman; Edelman’s Relationship with API is Set to End, Reports the Holmes Report,” Capitol Communicator, February 20, 2015. Archived February 14, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FlDhU

Key People

Edelman Leadership

The following data is also available as a spreadsheet outlining key Edelman people year over year (.xlsx).

Actions

April 21, 2023

Edelman emailed more than four U.S. journalists, including a CNBC reporter, to offer the opportunity to interview Masdar CEO Sultan Al Jaber about a recent renewable energy deal in Africa.⁵⁸“CNBC Africa CEO interview offer – What next after signing Africa’s biggest renewable energy deal?, Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit April 25, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

April 2023

Edelman and Masdar ended a contract for public relations services related to the upcoming United Nations climate summit in Abu Dhabi, known as COP28. Edelman “supported the announcement of [Sultan Al Jabar’s] COP28 presidency and initial rollout; however, this engagement has concluded,” an Edelman representative would go on to tell Politico the following month.⁵⁹Corbin Hiar and Zack Colman. “An oil state hired the biggest PR firms to buff its climate image. It didn’t help,” POLITICO, June 7, 2023. Archived June 7, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/5W3eT 

Edelman continued to work with Masdar on a public relations project to increase U.S. awareness of Masdar’s clean energy initiatives, scheduled to run through November 20th, 2023.⁶⁰“OMB No. 1124-004; Expires July 31, 2023, Exhibit B to Registration Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3634, received March 8, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

March 7, 2023

As part of its COP28 public relations services for Masdar, Edelman wrote a post for the COP28 UAE Facebook account that read: “’Houston… we have a problem…’ And the energy industry is part of the solution. During #CERAWeek, #COP28UAE President-Designate #DrSultanAlJaber challenges the energy industry to develop solutions that cut emissions and keep 1.5 alive in order to address climate change.”⁶¹“Informational Materials: Masdar social media posts in March 2023, Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit March 31, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

January 16, 2023

Masdar hired Edelman to “[position] the Company and its Chairman, CEO, and executive directors responsible for the company’s business units as sustainability leaders with key stakeholders in [the] US.” ⁶²“OMB No. 1124-004; Expires July 31, 2023, Exhibit B to Registration Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3634, received March 8, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Masdar also hired Edelman to promote several events: Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week; Women in Sustainability, Environment, and Renewable Energy; and Youth 4 Sustainability. During Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which started on January 16, Masdar tasked Edelman with positioning Abu Dhabi as a “sustainability hub.”⁶³“OMB No. 1124-004; Expires July 31, 2023, Exhibit B to Registration Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3634, received March 8, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

January 9, 2023

Masdar hired Edelman to provide public relations services ahead of and during COP28, the United Nations climate summit beginning on November 30, 2023.⁶⁴“OMB No. 1124-004; Expires July 31, 2023, Exhibits A and B to Registration Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3634, received January 17, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

This contract would go on to end prematurely in April 2023.⁶⁵Corbin Hiar and Zack Colman. “An oil state hired the biggest PR firms to buff its climate image. It didn’t help,” POLITICO, June 7, 2023. Archived June 7, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/5W3eT 

As part of this contract, Edelman ran the “COP28 UAE” Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, the “cop28uaeofficial” Instagram account, and the “@COP28_UAE” Twitter account;⁶⁶“Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company Pjsc – Masdar Social Media Posts Thru 1/31/2023, Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit March 2, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.did outreach to U.S. media regarding Masdar’s role in COP28; and helped draft speeches.⁶⁷“OMB No. 1124-00002; Expires July 31, 2023, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3634, received March 2, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 

December 2022

The Guardian reported on Edelman’s work for the Saudi Arabian government and state-controlled companies.⁶⁸Adam Lowerstein. “The American PR firm helping Saudi Arabia clean up its image,” The Guardian, December 22, 2022. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GbF6i

“[T]he powerful PR firm has received or is contracted to receive $9.6m (£7.9m) in fees from Saudi government agencies and companies controlled by the regime, according to a Guardian analysis of US Department of Justice documents made available by the watchdog group OpenSecrets,” The Guardian reported.

Records show that Edelman had registered with the U.S. Department of Justice as a foreign agent for chemicals manufacturer Saudi Basic Industries Corporation in 2020, as well as registering to assist the city of Neom with “strategic counsel,” “media relations,” and “stakeholder identification and engagement,” among other work in the U.S.

November 17, 2014

Greenpeace leaked Energy East pipeline campaign documents created by Edelman for TransCanada.

August 7, 2014 

CEO Richard Edelman published a blog post on Edelman’s website in response to articles in The Guardian⁶⁹Suzanne Goldenberg and Nishad Karim. “World’s top PR companies rule out working with climate deniers,” The Guardian, August 4, 2014. Archived November 19, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.li/jlnTL and Vice Media’s Motherboard blog⁷⁰Brian Merchant. “The World’s Biggest PR Firm Is In Denial About Its Climate Change Denial,” VICE Motherboard, August 12, 2014. Archived September 8, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.li/AQtwe ⁷¹Brian Merchant. “How the World’s Biggest PR Firm Helps Promote Climate Change Denial,” VICE Motherboard, August 5, 2015. noting Edelman’s ongoing work for climate-denying clients.

Richard Edelman wrote that the company “recognizes the reality of climate change and accepts the science behind the claim. We do not accept clients that seek to deny climate change.” He also pushed back against Motherboard’s characterization of Edelman’s work for fossil fuel clients such as the American Petroleum Institute: “We do not work with astroturf groups and we have never created a website for a client with the intent to deny climate change.”⁷²Richard Edelman. “Edelman’s Position on Climate Change,” Edelman 6 A.M., August 7, 2014. Archived August 10, 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

August 5, 2014

Edelman prepared a campaign strategy document for TransCanada, which had hired Edelman to increase public support for its Energy East tar sands pipeline. TransCanada intended Energy East to be an alternative to its proposed  Keystone XL pipeline,⁷³“Energy East Campaign Organization: Promote, Respond, Pressure,” Edelman & TransCanada, August 5, 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. which had been awaiting U.S. approval for years amid an outcry from environmental activists. 

The strategy document, titled “Promote, Respond, Pressure,” outlined a “perpetual campaign” to shield Energy East from criticism by working with third party groups to attack the opposition. Edelman suggested that a key effort in this strategy would be to “add layers of difficulty for our opponents, distracting them from their mission and causing them to redirect their resources.”⁷⁴“Energy East Campaign Organization: Promote, Respond, Pressure,” Edelman & TransCanada, August 5, 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 

In the strategy document, Edelman also outlined an extensive plan for researching opposition groups, which would eventually be presented to TransCanada as a report.⁷⁵“Energy East Campaign Organization: Promote, Respond, Pressure,” Edelman & TransCanada, August 5, 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 

May 20, 2014

Edelman created two documents for TransCanada, titled “Digital Grassroots Advocacy Implementation Plan” and “Strategic Plan: Quebec.”⁷⁶“Energy East Pipeline: Strategic Plan: Quebec,” (PDF), Edelman strategy document for TransCanada, May 20, 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. These documents outlined the public relations strategy for a campaign to increase public support for the Energy East pipeline from Canada to the U.S. TransCanada had proposed Energy East as an alternative to the Keystone XL pipeline,⁷⁷Brad Plumer. “Energy East is Canada’s alternative to Keystone XL. And it’s in trouble,” Vox, November 25, 2014. Archived December 07, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.li/whuJS which had been awaiting U.S. approval for years amid opposition by  environmental activists. 

The digital strategy document outlined a “grassroots” strategy to build support for the pipeline through a website and a social media campaign, while identifying existing TransCanada employees and suppliers who could support the campaign. 

The “Strategic Plan: Quebec” document noted that other players in the energy industry had already used digital “grassroots” campaigns to build U.S. support for the industry, as well as the Keystone XL pipeline. “For example, API has been using digital grassroots tools to organize and mobilize industry employees and other concerned Americans since 2007,” the report noted, with pictures of the Energy Citizens and Energy Nation logos below the text.⁷⁸“Energy East Pipeline: Strategic Plan: Quebec,” (PDF),Edelman strategy document for TransCanada, May 20, 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

April 23, 2014

Edelman announced that Mark Hass Edelman U.S. president and CEO, would be leaving the company in July.⁷⁹Alexandra Bruell. “Edelman U.S. President-Ceo Mark Hass To Step Down,” Ad Age, April 23, 2014. Archived September 25, 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Richard Edelman would go on to tell VICE Motherboard’s Brian Merchant a few months later, “We fired the head of our US [division] in part because of that stupid note he wrote about, you know, how we don’t answer these kinds of things,” referring to an email Hass had accidentally sent to the Climate Investigations Center on April 4.⁸⁰Brian Merchant. “The World’s Biggest PR Firm Is In Denial About Its Climate Change Denial,” VICE Motherboard, August 12, 2014. Archived September 8, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.li/AQtwe

April 4, 2014

Edelman U.S. President and CEO Mark Hass accidentally included the Climate Investigations Center in an email sent to Edelman employees.⁸¹Suzanne Goldenberg and Nishad Karim. “World’s top PR companies rule out working with climate deniers,” The Guardian, August 4, 2014. Archived November 19, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.li/jlnTL The Climate Investigations Center had emailed Edelman requesting clarification on the company’s position on climate change. Hass’s response stated, “I don’t believe we are obligated in any way to respond. There are only wrong answers for this guy.”⁸²Kert Davies. “PR Industry Climate Change Survey,” Climate Investigations Center, August 5, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.li/tSEqE

Screenshot of Mark Hass’ email regarding an information request from the Climate Investigations Center.

May 10, 2012

PR Week reported that the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) had hired Edelman to “help it deal with recent corporate fallout and opposition to its legislative positions.”⁸³“Under-fire advocacy group ALEC works with Edelman,” PR Week, May 10, 2012. Archived February 9, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xJ2qt

A source told PR Week that ALEC hired Edelman on the recommendation of one of its clients and did not search out other PR firms. The hiring followed complaints with the Internal Revenue Service alleging ALEC had violated laws in lobbying state lawmakers.⁸⁴“Under-fire advocacy group ALEC works with Edelman,” PR Week, May 10, 2012. Archived February 9, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xJ2qt

January 4, 2012
Greenpeace crashed an event at which API CEO Jack Gerard announced the Vote 4 Energy campaign, describing it as a “conversation with the American people.”⁸⁵Philip Radford. “Trimming astroturf from the American Petroleum Institute’s Vote 4 Energy ad,” Grist, January 10, 2012. Archived December 1, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.li/WjbCD Greenpeace activists rolled out an astroturf carpet for attendees entering the event.⁸⁶“Flickr photo album: API Astroturf,” Greenpeace USA, January 4, 2012. Archived November 13, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

January 2012

As part of the American Petroleum Institute’s “Vote 4 Energy” campaign, Edelman assisted the API in organizing a speech and panel discussion aimed at “key influencers” in government, think tanks, and the media.⁸⁷Erin Quinn And Chris Young. “D.C. Influencers Spend More on Advertising and PR Than Lobbying,” TIME, January 15, 2015. Archived March 3, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.li/6Y408

December 2011

Ahead of the 2012 U.S. elections, Blue Advertising, a subsidiary of Edelman, was hired to create the Vote 4 Energy campaign for the American Petroleum Institute under the Energy Citizens brand.⁸⁸“American Petroleum Institute: Vote 4 Energy campaign,” Blue Advertising. Archived May 2, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.li/wSduX 

March 2010

Edelman was a finalist for the Public Relations Society of America’s Silver Anvil award for its work on the “IRENA@UAE: Realizing a Renewable Energy Future for the Middle East” campaign, which ran during the first half of 2009.⁸⁹Public Relations Society of America. “2010 Silver Anvil Finalists,” PRSA.org Yumpu account, February 6, 2014. Archived August 17, 2023. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

October 2009

Edelman won a Platinum PR Award from PR News for its work on the “online advocacy program” Energy Tomorrow, which featured the website EnergyTomorrow.org, a weekly podcast series, and videos of influencers touring oil and gas facilities. Edelman reported that the website, which had been launched in 2007, had received more than 500,000 visits.⁹⁰“2009 Platinum PR Awards: Online Communications,” PRNews, October 26, 2009. Archived August 18, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.li/hMQ88 

August 2009

Edelman helped the American Petroleum Institute set up an astroturf organization called “Energy Citizens.”⁹¹Adam Lowenstein. “The world’s biggest PR firm claims to be an expert on trust – but is it?” The Guardian, January 15, 2023. Archived January 19, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.li/pEE3n

A memo from API President Jack Gerard, leaked to the public by Greenpeace, outlined a plan to hold rallies against recent federal climate legislation under the Energy Citizens banner, while Congress was on its August recess.  ⁹²Jack Gerard. “Copy Of Email From American Petroleum Institute To Its Membership – Obtained By Greenpeace – August 2009,” (PDF), Greenpeace, August 12, 2009. Archived June 19, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. In the memo, Gerard asked oil and gas companies to send their employees to the rallies, noting  that API would coordinate their transportation to the events.⁹³Kevin Grandia. “Texas and New Mexico ‘Energy Citizens’ Events Are Really ‘Energy Employees’ Rallies,” DeSmog, August 20, 2009. 

Of the 21 so-called “grassroots” rallies, 15 were organized by oil industry lobbyists.⁹⁴Brendan DeMelle. “Lobbyists for Big Oil Organizing Most “Grassroots” ‘Energy Citizens’ Rallies,” DeSmog, August 24, 2009. For instance, a rally in Roswell, New Mexico was organized by DW Turner, a public relations firm which represented BP and Chevron, according to a local New Mexico blogger.⁹⁵Kevin Grandia. “Texas and New Mexico ‘Energy Citizens’ Events Are Really ‘Energy Employees’ Rallies,” DeSmog, August 20, 2009. 

June 2009

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) announced that it would site its headquarters in Masdar City. In the months prior, Edelman had conducted a political influence and public relations campaign on Masdar’s behalf to secure the IRENA headquarters in UAE, with support from ad agencies GMMB and Unkommon LLC. GMMB hired Unkommon to write speeches, develop presentations, and create the “bid book” distributed to voting members of IRENA who were tasked with selecting the winning bid for  IRENA’s headquarters. The United Arab Emirates’ bid defeated competing bids from Germany and Austria.⁹⁶“IRENA@UAE (gmmb),” (PDF), Unkommon, c. August 2014. Archived January 19, 2023. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

February 2009
As part of its contract with Masdar, Edelman began a political influence and public relations campaign  to secure the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Masdar City, United Arab Emirates. As part of the campaign, Edelman drafted letters to heads of state around the world for Masdar CEO Dr. Sultan Al Jaber extolling the environmental virtues of Masdar City, and coordinated meetings with government officials around the world to gain their support for Masdar City’s bid.⁹⁷“OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending March 31, 2009, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3657, p. 25,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

January 21, 2009

Edelman wrote and distributed for Masdar announcing that the Masdar Institute had joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative.⁹⁸“OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending March 31, 2009, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3657, received May 7, 2009, p. 108,” U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. In its subsequent work promoting  Masdar, Edelman would often highlight the connections between MIT and the Masdar Institute, which had been conceived as a research center focused on renewable energy. 

January 19, 2009

The World Future Energy Summit, a gathering of government and business officials organized by Edelman, began in Abu Dhabi.⁹⁹“OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending March 31, 2009, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3657, received May 7, 2009,  p. 90,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Edelman coordinated travel for journalists to attend and cover the summit. Featured speakers included Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Chairman R.K. Pachauri, former U.K. prime minister Tony Blair, Andris Piebalgs, commissioner for energy at the European Commission, and MIT President Susan Hockfield. 

Edelman helped draft Sultan Al Jaber’s keynote address, during which Al Jaber announced that Abu Dhabi would commit to have 7 percent of its power generation capacity from renewable sources by 2020.¹⁰⁰(Press Release). “Abu Dhabi Department of Energy Issues ‘2020 Annual Technical Report for the Water, Wastewater, and Electricity Sectors in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’ Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, December 29, 2021. Archived January 26, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/EFraq  This commitment was referenced often in the Edelman-coordinated campaign to bring IRENA’s headquarters to Masdar City.¹⁰¹“OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending September 30, 2009, Registrant: Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3657, received October 30, 2009,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. At the time of the announcement, Abu Dhabi did not have any power generation capacity from renewable sources, unlike other countries which also bid for IRENA’s headquarters. ¹⁰²Edelman and Public Relations Society of America. “Public Relations Society of America Records, 1938-2014: ‘IRENA@UAE: Realizing a renewable energy future for the Middle East,’ Masdar/Edelman and Boos and GMMB,” Public Relations Society of America archives at the Wisconsin Historical Society, 2010.

December 11, 2008

As part of its work for Masdar, Edelman organized a Masdar-hosted cocktail reception at the COP14 climate summit  in Poznan, Poland. The event featured a conversation between Sam Nader, a director at Masdar, and Marc Gunther of Fortune Magazine. Edelman invited journalists from major international newspapers as well as dozens of key influencers to the event.¹⁰³“OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending March 31, 2009, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3657, received May 7, 2009,  p. 20,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 

December 2008

Edelman coordinated interviews  of Khaled Awad, a director at Masdar, with two news outlets: The New York Times and The Sunday Times. The New York Times would subsequently quote Awad in a January 2009 article on clean energy development in Gulf states, which included photos of solar panels being tested in the “zero carbon city” of Masdar.¹⁰⁴Elisabeth Rosenthal. “Gulf Oil States Seeking a Lead in Clean Energy,” The New York Times, January 12, 2009. Archived October 7, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.is/V70Pa

November 18, 2008

Edelman drafted and distributed a Masdar press release applauding Masdar’s partnership with Mustang Advanced Engineering to develop carbon capture and storage systems.¹⁰⁵“OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending March 31, 2009, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3657, received May 7, 2009,  pp. 52, 73,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

October 28, 2008

Edelman drafted an op-ed to be published in university student publications which positioned Abu Dhabi as a leader in sustainability. The op-ed, attributed to United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Chairman R. K. Pachauri, began by evoking the “Change,” slogan from Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, then positioned the oil-rich United Arab Emirates as an unprecedented investor in renewable energy.¹⁰⁶“OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Secton 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending March 31, 2009, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3657, received May 7, 2009,  pp. 17, 51,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

January 15, 2008

Edelman and  Masdar, the United Arab Emirates renewable energy company also known as Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, signed an agreement  for public relations services and communications support. The contract noted that Edelman’s public affairs team in London would facilitate meetings between Masdar and “UK political elites.”¹⁰⁷“OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Secton 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending March 31, 2009, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3657, received May 7, 2009,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

June 2007
Edelman-created radio ads began running in Houston, Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. The ads criticized legislative proposals  to tax windfall profits by the fossil fuel industry.  The ads warned that if these bills — responses to recent gasoline price gouging — passed, they  would lead to gas shortages. An API spokesperson confirmed that the radio ads, as well as related print ads in major newspapers, were part of a “multi-year, multi-million dollar effort” to boost the industry’s image. The ads did not mention that API had sponsored them. Instead, they were attributed to  “the People of America’s Oil and Natural Gas Industry.”¹⁰⁸David Ivanovich. “Energy ads beat up on the ’70s,” Houston Chronicle, June 1, 2007. Archived December 5, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/urYaN

January 2007

Edelman began working on a campaign for the American Petroleum Institute to boost the oil and gas industry’s image amid growing public concern about the environment and high gas prices. Reuters reported that the campaign would spend $100 million over several years and involve TV advertising as well as newspaper print ads.¹⁰⁹Chris Baltimore. “Big Oil seeks to burnish U.S. image in 2007,” Reuters, January 20, 2007. Archived August 17, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.li/Nlkdk Edelman launched EnergyTomorrow.org with API for the campaign.¹¹⁰“2009 Platinum PR Awards: Online Communications,” PRNews, October 26, 2009. Archived August 18, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.li/hMQ88

Related Organizations

Daniel J Edelman Holdings (DJEH)

The companies noted below have been listed as part of DJEH¹¹¹“The DJEH Family of Companies’ Code of Conduct” DJE Holdings, October 2020. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

• Daniel J. Edelman, Inc.
• StrategyOne, Inc. d/b/a Edelman Data & Intelligence*
• Zeno Group, Inc.
• Assembly Media, Inc.
• Matter, Inc.
• United Entertainment Group Holdings, LLC
• Edible, Inc.
• Edelman Miami Latin America Corp.
• The H & W Group, Inc. d/b/a Salutem
• The R Group Public Relations Company, Inc. d/b/a Revere
• First & 42nd, Inc.
• First@Edifi
• BioScience Communications
• DJEScience

* StrategyOne, Inc. has appeared in the Truth Tobacco Industry Documents archive as a contractor to Phillip Morris, according to a June 2000 document.¹¹²“STRATEGY1 – MEDIA MONITOR INFOFLOW.DOC,” June 13, 2000. Retrieved from the Truth Tobacco Industry Documents archive at the University of California, San Francisco library. Bates no. 5000967780-5000967784.

As of 2022, PR Week in partnership with PRTalent released a map of PR Industry ownership that listed the following companies under DJE Holdings:¹¹³“Agency Business Report 2022. Agency family tree,” PRWeek. Archived image on file at DeSmog.

Edelman Clients

In addition to the data available in 900 tax forms, O’Dwyer’s magazine used to display a number of Edelman’s clients until 2010:

Sources:

• ^{O’Dywer’s 2010 Internet Archive}
• ^{O’Dywer’s 2009 Internet Archive}
• ^{O’Dywer’s 2008 Internet Archive}
• ^{O’Dywer’s 2007 Internet Archive}
• ^{O’Dywer’s 2006 Internet Archive}

Contact & Address

Edelman maintains offices in Canada, the US, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific.¹¹⁴“GLOBAL NETWORK,” Edelman. Accessed February 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YncNG

Social Media

Edelman US

• Edelman on Facebook
• @EdelmanPR on X (formerly Twitter)
• Edelman on LinkedIn
• Edelman on Instagram

Edelman Canada

• Edelman on Facebook
• @EdelmanCanada on Twitter
• Edelman Canada on LinkedIn
• Edelman Canada on Instagram

Other Resources

• “Edelman PR,” Climate Investigations Center.
• “D.C. Influencers Spend More on Advertising and PR Than Lobbying,” Time / Center for Public Integrity.
• “Edelman (firm)” on Wikipedia.

Resources

• 1
  “O’D 2022 Directory of Public Relations Firms,” O’Dwyers, July 15, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 2
  “O’D 2021 Directory of Public Relations Firms,” O’Dwyer’s, July 15, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 3
  “Edelman PR,” Climate Investigations Center. Accessed February 2023.
• 4
  “A Storied History,” Edelman. Archived February 9, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CGJqx
• 5
  Franz Wisner. “Edelman and The Rise of Public Relations” (PDF), Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., 2012. Retrieved from Scribd.
• 6
  Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 7
  “Global Network,” Edelman. Archived February 9, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aAo30
• 8
  Arun Sudhaman. “Edelman’s American Petroleum Institute Assignment Ends,” PRovoke Media, February 13, 2015. Archived June 9, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XLDz4
• 9
  Ian Talley, “Lobby Groups to Use Town Hall Tactics to Oppose Climate Bill,” Wall Street Journal “Washington Wire” blog, August 11, 2009.
• 10
  “Letter from Greenpeace US Executive Director Phil Radford to Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, dated August 12, 2009.” Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 11
  Adam Lowerstein. “The world’s biggest PR firm claims to be an expert on trust – but is it?” The Guardian, January 15, 2023.
• 12
  “Grassroots Advocacy Vision Document,” Edelman, May 15, 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 13
  “American Petroleum Institute: Vote 4 Energy campaign,” Blue Advertising. Archived May 2, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.li/wSduX
• 14
  Kert Davies. “Upcoming American Petroleum Institute ‘Vote 4 Energy’ TV campaign disrupted by undercover activists,” Greenpeace, December 20, 2011. Archived June 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vrPrJ 
• 15
  Zachary Roth. “Oil industry lobbyists punked by environmental activists,” Yahoo! News. December 20, 2011. Archived August 18, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.li/aM0Ch 
• 16
  Connor Gibson, “Four Years After Greenpeace Sting: PR Firm Dumps Oil Lobbyists,” DeSmog, February 20, 2015.
• 17
  James Gerken. “‘I Vote 4 Energy’ Video Spoofs American Petroleum Institute Ad Campaign (VIDEO),” Huffpost, January 5, 2012.
• 18
  Philip Radford. “Trimming astroturf from the American Petroleum Institute’s Vote 4 Energy ad,” Grist, January 10, 2012. Archived December 1, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.li/WjbCD
• 19
  “Flickr photo album: API Astroturf,” Greenpeace USA, January 4, 2012. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 20
  Erin Quinn And Chris Young. “D.C. Influencers Spend More on Advertising and PR Than Lobbying,” TIME, January 15, 2015. Archived March 3, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.li/6Y408
• 21
  ”Blue Advertising. “American Petroleum Institute”, Blue Advertising, c. 2012. Archived May 27, 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 22
  “Holmes Group Announces Silver SABRE Winners,” PRovoke Media, March 25, 2012. Archived September 26, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0rGUD
• 23
  “Awards nominated and won by Blue,” The Telly Awards, 2012. Archived August 18, 2023.
• 24
  “2012 Award of Excellence: API “I’m One” Campaign,” The Communicator Awards. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 25
  “OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending March 31, 2009, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3657, received May 7, 2009, p. 134,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 26
  “OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending September 30, 2009, received October 30, 2009 p. 3,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 27
  (Press Release). “HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar,” c. March 2023. Archived April 27, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/c8Hpy
• 28
  Cartie Werthman. “American PR Firm Edelman Enabled Oil Baron Al Jaber’s Ascention to Lead COP28 Climate Conference,” DeSmog, September 13, 2023.
• 29
  “OMB No. 1124-0002, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to Section 2 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, For Six Month Period Ending September 30, 2009, received October 30, 2009. p. 3,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 30
  Patricia Peiro. “Un paseo por la desértica Masdar, la ciudad que estaba llamada a ser la primera con emisiones cero,” El País, February 23, 2020. Archived November 18, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Hbfeg
• 31
  Ellen Grover. “We Were Promised Smart Cities. What Happened?” Built In, November 15, 2022. Archived November 3, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Or3mn 
• 32
  “OMB No. 1124-004; Expires July 31, 2023, Exhibits A and B to Registration Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3634, received January 17, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 33
  “Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company Pjsc – Masdar Social Media Posts Thru 1/31/2023, Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit March 2, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
• 34
  OMB No. 1124-00002; Expires July 31, 2023, Supplemental Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, Registrant Daniel J. Edelman, Inc., Registration No. 3634, received March 2, 2023,” (PDF), U.S. Department of Justice, Foreign Agents Registration Act. Retrieved from USDOJ FARA efile. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 
• 35
  Corbin Hiar and Zack Colman. “An oil state hired the biggest PR firms to buff its climate image. It didn’t help,” POLITICO, June 7, 2023. Archived June 7, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.fo/5W3eT
• 36
  “Edelman,” Tobacco Tactics, February 4, 2020. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kfiPk
• 37
  “Communicating the Case for Tobacco: Review and Forward Planning for TAC,” Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, March 27, 1993. Retrieved from UCSF Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Library Bates No. 304043541-304043562.
• 38
  “How to set up a Tobacco Alliance,” Tobacco Alliance, September 20, 1983. Retrieved from UCSF Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Library Bates No. 2501021530-2501021532.
• 39
  “Tobacco Alliance Audio-Visual,” Daniel J Edelman Limited. Retrieved from UCSF Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Library Bates No. 303706484-303706506.
• 40
  “Tobacco Alliance Account,” Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association, December 19, 2001. Retrieved from UCSF Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Library Bates No. 325133651.
• 41
  “Smoking at Work,” Daniel J Edelman Incorporated. 1987. Retrieved from UCSF Truth Tobacco Industry Documents Library Bates No. 500889783-500889789.
• 42
  Marc Gunther. “Edelman loses executives and clients over climate change stance,” The Guardian, July 7, 2015. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vVE4a
• 43
  “A P. R. Giant Is Caught Between Climate Pledges and Fossil Fuel Clients,” The New York Times, December 10, 2021. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ID4w9
• 44
  Steven Mufson. “More than 450 scientists call on PR and ad firms to cut their ties with fossil fuel clients,” The Washington Post, January 19, 2022. Archive URL:https://archive.ph/V1e3O
• 45
  “450+ Scientists’ Letter to Agencies: Drop Fossil Fuel Clients,” Clean Creatives. Archived February 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/rX58B
• 46
  “Edelman’s Climate Position.” Archived February 9, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/g4su4
• 47
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