Industry Veteran to Provide Senior Counsel to CEO and COO
Edelman has named Ted Smyth vice chair and chief of staff to Richard Edelman, president & CEO of Edelman. Smyth, most recently executive vice president, Corporate Affairs, McGraw Hill Financial, will also work closely with global chief operating officer Matthew Harrington and the firm’s executive committee on coordinating company-wide goal setting and progress assessment. He will report to Richard Edelman.
Additionally, Smyth will serve as a senior strategist in the food/beverage and financial sectors, drive the risk and compliance program for the firm and will oversee Edelman’s global citizenship function.
“We are delighted that Ted is joining Edelman as vice chair and chief of staff to assist Edelman along its journey in becoming a leading communications marketing firm,” said Edelman. “Ted provides unique insights and expertise helping us to evolve, promote and protect our clients’ brands.”
Previously, at McGraw Hill Financial, Smyth’s leadership and strategic skills were instrumental in the company’s success, including in key business units like Standard & Poor’s and S&P Dow Jones Indices. He led the naming, rebranding and marketing campaign for McGraw Hill Financial after its successful sale of McGraw-Hill Education. Prior to that, he was chief administrative officer of H.J. Heinz, where he led the development of senior talent and communications plans as Heinz expanded globally. At both McGraw Hill and Heinz, Smyth helped the companies plan and execute major corporate restructurings.
“I am very pleased to be joining Edelman, a great firm distinguished by both its integrity and its consistent record of offering clients outstanding creative ideas, research and content,” said Smyth. “This is an especially exciting time for communications marketing as clients move beyond selling to building meaningful and authentic relationships with customers. I look forward to joining the Edelman team to help provide the most creative and innovative counsel to our clients.”
Smyth served on the Board of Directors of the Hain Celestial Group from 2004 to 2008. He was a senior Irish diplomat for 15 years serving as head of Press and Information in the Embassy of Ireland in London, senior advisor to two Taoisigh (prime ministers) of Ireland, with additional senior roles in embassies in the U.S., Portugal and Switzerland. Ted is a trustee of Glucksman Ireland House at NYU, chair of the Clinton Institute in University College, Dublin, and a trustee of Marlboro College. An honors graduate of Trinity College Dublin, he lives in New York City with his wife, the writer Mary Breasted.
About Edelman
Edelman is a leading global communications marketing firm that partners with many of the world’s largest and emerging businesses and organizations, helping them evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Edelman was named one of Advertising Age’s “Agency to Watch” in 2014; one of Forbes’ “14 Most Influential Agencies of 2014”; and The Holmes Report’s “2013 Global Agency of the Year.” Edelman was awarded the Grand Prix Cannes Lion for PR in 2014 and was among Glassdoor’s “Best Places to Work” for the third time in 2014. Edelman owns specialty firms Edelman Berland (research) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, experiential), a joint venture with United Talent Agency.
For more information contact
Michael Bush
michael.bush@edelman.com