Trisch Smith, executive VP at Edelman/DC, has been named managing director for diversity and inclusion to handle recruitment, training and engagement at the No. 1 independent firm.
The 15-year Edelman veteran of reputational management, crisis and corporate/non-profit client work will cultivate relationship with thought leaders, educational institutions and private/public organizations.
Her goal is to help "create a diverse and rich workforce inclusive of all backgrounds, beliefs, skillsets and experiences" to have a meaningful impact on Edelman, clients and PR community.
A diversity and inclusion leadership team will be put into place during the next few months.
Smith serves on the board of the National Black Child Development Institute and ColorComm: Women of Color in Communications.
She reports to Julianna Richter, COO of Edelman/US.
DJE Holdings, parent of Edelman and Zeno, launches RUTH as an independent shop named after Ruth Edelman, mental health advocate, wife and longtime business partner of Dan Edelman.
New York City PR firms make up the largest slice of O'Dwyer's 147 firm overall ranking with 33 of 40 in the New York/New Jersey area either calling Manhattan their home or having a presence there.
Subject Matter+Kivvit, which joined forces in May, has rebranded as Avoq, an integrated shop with more than 200 professionals in Washington, New York, Asbury Park (NJ), Miami and Chicago.
While PR pros stationed at in-house comms. teams and those working for agencies share many of the same objectives, they also have markedly different top priorities, according to a recent report.
Edelman is cutting 240 employees or about four percent of its workforce to cope with the cooling down of the PR sector, according to a memo from CEO Richard Edelman.
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