Arndt will play a key role in bolstering Edelman Chicago’s content strategy and storytelling capabilities
Edelman Chicago has added veteran Chicago business journalist Michael Arndt as an executive editor on its editorial team, effective immediately. In this role, Arndt will leverage his experience and skills as a top business journalist and editor to enhance Edelman’s content strategy and storytelling capabilities. He will report to John Thomas, executive editorial director.
Arndt will also play a key role in enhancing Edelman Chicago’s capabilities in B2B content strategy. He will work closely with C-suite clients to advise them on media strategy and content development, particularly in the area of thought leadership – an often underestimated but crucial factor on demand generation and sales efforts for B2B companies, according to the newly released Edelman-LinkedIn B2B Thought Leadership Impact Study.
Arndt joins Edelman from Crain’s Chicago Business, where he served as editor since 2012 and led the publication’s evolution to a multi-platform operation. He brings more than 30 years of experience as a business editor and writer. Before joining Crain’s as managing editor in 2010, Arndt was a senior correspondent and senior editor with BusinessWeek. Previously, he was Sunday business editor and chief economics correspondent with the Chicago Tribune based out of the paper’s Washington, D.C. bureau.
“In today’s always-on media landscape, it’s more important than ever that we’re telling our clients’ stories in ways that empower them to rise above the clutter, particularly in the digital space,” said Rachel Winer, president of Edelman Chicago. “The breadth of Michael’s skillset will allow us to deepen our ability to counsel clients on media strategy, ensuring we are partnering with them to effectively reach the right stakeholders with their stories.”
Arndt will be working alongside a robust roster of journalists and content creators who are part of the agency’s Collaborative Journalism network, including recent hire Chuck Salter, former writer and editor at Fast Company and head of its custom content studio.
"After almost seven years of leading Crain's Chicago Business' editorial operations—and decades before at Bloomberg News, BusinessWeek and Chicago Tribune—I'm thrilled to join the Edelman editorial team in Chicago, where I can put my experience and skills in storytelling and in business and media strategizing to use in new ways,” said Arndt. “Over my career, I've developed a deep respect for Edelman and its leaders. I can't think of a better opportunity."
Arndt holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin.
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. Among its many honors, the firm was awarded the Cannes Lions Grand Prix for PR, named one of 2018 “Agencies to Watch” by Advertising Age and “Global Agency of the Year” by both the Holmes Report and PRWeek, and cited five times by Glassdoor as one of the “Best Places to Work.” Edelman owns specialty firms Edelman Intelligence (research) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, lifestyle).