FleishmanHillard

FleishmanHillard is a global public relations and strategic communications consultancy headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The firm advises companies, governments, public institutions, associations and nonprofit organizations on reputation, public affairs, corporate communications, brand marketing, crisis response, employee engagement and digital communications. Its work typically combines research, stakeholder analysis, media relations, content, creative development, social and digital programs, executive positioning and issues management rather than treating public relations as a narrowly defined press-office function. The company was established in 1946 by Alfred Fleishman and Bob Hillard. Its name reflects the surnames of the two founders, and the business developed from a United States public relations practice into an international consultancy serving clients across multiple industries and regions. Over time, the firm expanded both organically and through the development of international offices and specialist capabilities. Its scope has included corporate and financial communications, consumer and lifestyle campaigns, healthcare communications, technology communications, public affairs, sustainability and environmental issues, employee and change communications, and crisis and risk management. FleishmanHillard became part of Omnicom Group in 1997. Within Omnicom, it operates as one of the principal agencies in the Omnicom Public Relations Group, alongside other communications businesses. The relationship gives the agency access to a broader marketing-services network while retaining FleishmanHillard as a distinct brand and operating platform. Omnicom's ownership also places the agency within a publicly reported holding-company structure, although FleishmanHillard does not have a separate public stock listing. The firm's international footprint has included offices and affiliates in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Its work is organized around client challenges and stakeholder groups, with practices addressing corporate reputation, public affairs, health, technology, consumer brands, financial services, energy, food and agriculture, and other regulated or high-attention sectors. The agency also provides communications support during litigation, product problems, regulatory scrutiny, organizational change and other events that may affect trust. FleishmanHillard is best understood as a full-service communications consultancy rather than a consumer product brand. Its positioning emphasizes strategic counsel, integrated communications and the management of reputation across traditional media, owned channels, social platforms, employees, investors, policymakers and communities. Public information about individual client engagements is uneven because many assignments are confidential, and the company does not publish a complete client or campaign archive. Its current business remains active under Omnicom ownership.

FleishmanHillard traces its origins to 1946, when Alfred Fleishman and Bob Hillard established a public relations firm in the United States. The founders' surnames became the agency's enduring name. From its early base in St. Louis, the firm developed a reputation for advising organizations on media relations, public reputation and communications strategy. As public relations became more closely connected with corporate affairs, public policy, marketing and crisis management, FleishmanHillard broadened its capabilities beyond traditional press outreach. During the second half of the twentieth century, the agency expanded its geographic reach and sector expertise. Its work came to encompass corporate communications, consumer marketing, financial communications, healthcare, technology, public affairs and government relations. The development of offices and international partnerships enabled the firm to serve clients whose operations and reputational issues crossed national boundaries. This international expansion also reflected a broader change in the communications industry: multinational clients increasingly sought coordinated advice on media, policymakers, employees, investors, customers and communities. A major structural change occurred in 1997, when FleishmanHillard was acquired by Omnicom Group. The transaction made the agency part of one of the world's large marketing and communications holding companies. Under Omnicom ownership, FleishmanHillard continued to operate under its own name while participating in the wider Omnicom network. It became a key agency within Omnicom's public relations group, with access to complementary capabilities and international resources. The agency's separate identity remained important because clients continued to engage FleishmanHillard as a specialist communications consultancy. In the twenty-first century, the firm adapted its offer to a communications environment shaped by digital publishing, social media, online communities, employee advocacy, rapid news cycles and heightened scrutiny of corporate conduct. Reputation work increasingly required coordination across earned, owned, shared and paid channels. FleishmanHillard consequently positioned itself around integrated communications, combining strategic counsel with content, creative, digital, social, research, public affairs and crisis capabilities. Its specialist practices also addressed issues such as sustainability, health policy, technology governance, organizational change and stakeholder trust. The agency has continued to operate internationally, with activities spanning North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and other markets through offices, affiliates and network relationships. Its clients have included private companies, public corporations, government bodies, nonprofit organizations and industry associations, although many individual engagements are not publicly disclosed. Campaign recognition and public announcements provide only a partial view of its work because communications consultancies commonly protect client confidentiality. Leadership has included John Saunders, who served as global chief executive officer from 2012 until 2022, followed by Jim Donaldson. The firm's present identity combines the heritage of a long-established American public relations agency with the resources of Omnicom Group. It remains active as a global strategic communications and public relations consultancy, advising organizations on reputation, corporate affairs, public policy, brand communications, crisis preparedness and stakeholder engagement.

1. 2022Jim Donaldson becomes global CEO

   Jim Donaldson succeeds John Saunders as global chief executive officer.

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2. 1997Acquisition by Omnicom Group

   FleishmanHillard becomes part of Omnicom Group and its public relations network.

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3. 1946FleishmanHillard is founded

   Alfred Fleishman and Bob Hillard establish the public relations firm that bears their surnames.

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A global, integrated communications consultancy focused on reputation, stakeholder engagement, public affairs and issues management.

• Corporate communicationsProfessional services

  Counsel on corporate reputation, executive visibility, organizational announcements, financial communications, stakeholder relations and communications during periods of change. The work may include messaging, media engagement, thought leadership, internal communications and preparation for high-profile corporate events.

• Public affairsProfessional services

  Policy and government-relations communications designed to help organizations understand and engage policymakers, regulators, coalitions, communities and other public stakeholders. Services can include issue research, coalition communications, advocacy campaigns and regulatory communications.

• Crisis and issues managementProfessional services

  Preparation and response support for reputational threats, product or operational incidents, litigation, regulatory attention and other fast-moving issues. The offering commonly covers scenario planning, response protocols, stakeholder messaging, media handling and post-incident reputation work.

• Brand marketing and consumer communicationsProfessional services

  Integrated communications for consumer-facing brands, combining public relations, earned media, content, creative, social engagement, influencer activity and experiential or cultural programs where appropriate. The work is intended to build awareness, participation and brand preference.

• Digital and social communicationsProfessional services

  Digital strategy, content development, social-channel management, online community engagement, analytics and reputation monitoring. These services extend communications beyond conventional media and support rapid engagement with customers, employees and other online stakeholders.

• 1997Join Omnicom GroupM&A

  FleishmanHillard was operating in a communications sector undergoing international consolidation and increasing demand for multinational service delivery.

  What changed. The agency was acquired by Omnicom Group and incorporated into Omnicom's public relations portfolio while retaining its established brand.

  Aftermath. The transaction gave FleishmanHillard the backing of a major publicly listed marketing-services group and a place within Omnicom's international communications network.

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• 2022FleishmanHillard appoints Jim Donaldson as global chief executive officer

  FleishmanHillard announced Jim Donaldson as the successor to John Saunders in the agency's global chief executive role.

  Leadership change
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• 1997FleishmanHillard remains part of Omnicom Public Relations Group

  Omnicom Group acquired FleishmanHillard, bringing the agency into its public relations and marketing-services portfolio.

  M&A
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1. FleishmanHillard — About
2. FleishmanHillard — Jim Donaldson named global CEO
3. Omnicom Group — About Us
4. Omnicom Group — Annual Reports