joining edelman

In a few days, I'll be embarking on the next stage of my career by joining Edelman as Director of Digital in their London office.

I can't think of a more exciting time to be joining Edelman - Advertising Age’s top-ranked PR firm of the decade, Adweek’s “2009 PR Agency of the Year,” and Holmes Report’s “Agency of the Decade” and “2009 Best Large Agency to Work For”.

It's been a long courtship. I first met David Brain, President and CEO (EMEA), at an event about three years ago, whilst he was working on his book Crowdsurfing. I soon became, and continue to be, an avid reader of his blog SixtySecondView.

Not long after, I bumped into Marshall Manson , who immediately impressed me with his years of strategic and practical experience at the collision point between PR and social media, following his appointment as Director of Digital Strategy. Since then, the Edelman Digital team in London has grown significantly, particularly following Edelman's acquisition of Spook Media, an already successful digital design and development agency headed up by Marcus Dyer.

Then, early this year, Richard Sambrook, the BBC's former Director of Global Media and a friend, announced he was joining Edelman. Richard was, back when we were both at the BBC, a keen and invaluable supporter of the work I was doing to push boundaries in the way BBC journalists, editors and producers connect with audiences using social media.

Soon after, Marcus and Marshall invited me around to meet some members of the team, see some of the work they're doing, and to make an introduction to Robert Phillips, Edelman's UK CEO and co-author of Citizen Renaissance.

In addition to the stuff that David and Robert have been doing, if you're not familiar with the thought leadership coming out of Edelman Digital, or the Edelman Insights, Case Studies, or the Global Peace Index and the Edelman Trust Barometer, do take a look - Edelman's websites are a treasure trove of great content.

There's also an industry leading, and growing, Edelman Digital team in the US, some members of which you're bound to have read, seen or followed including Scott Wilder,  Steve Rubel and David Armano.

I'm obviously excited about joining Edelman's industry leading team, but I'm also conscious that I'm leaving behind some great people, projects and clients at Headshift, where I've been the Social Media Practice Lead for the last two years. It's been fun, but it's time to take on some new challenges, which my new role at Edelman will no doubt supply in abundance.

My first day at Edelman will be the 7th of June. Seat belts fastened...

Comments

[Paul Keers]

Interesting - is Edelman really following the publishing agency model for its clients? See http://www.axonpublish.com/blog/

[Craig McGinty]

Congrats Robin!!!

[Stuart Bruce]

Congratulations Richard. You're joining a very talented team that I've got lots of respect for. David and Marshall are two of the savviest public relations folk I know, very few PR people get 'social media' like they do.

[Simon Collister]

Wow! Great move - many congrats!

[neville]

Just seen a tweet about your news, Robin. Many congrats. Exciting times!

[Robin Hamman]

Thanks all. I look forward to the weeks and months ahead - should be great fun!

[Robert Phillips]

Welcome to Edelworld. Hope you enjoy the adventure!

[twitter.com/stevebridger]

Congrats Robin! I can't keep up with the goings on at Edelman and Dachis Group.

[Will O'Connor]

Welcome, sir. Interesting times ahead.

[david brain]

Robin....look forward to seeing you in Edel towers mate.