PSB Founder Leaves to Head Edelman Research Arm

Michael Berland has left WPP-owned MR and political polling specialist Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) to join PR giant Edelman as CEO of a newly-named research and analytics business, Edelman Berland, into which the group's existing research firm StrategyOne will be integrated.

Based in New York, Berland (pictured) will lead Edelman's global reputation, branding and communications research.

StrategyOne, which is led by CEO Steve Lombardo, offers strategic insights and measurement for PR and public affairs professionals, from offices in five US cities plus London, Paris, Brussels and Abu Dhabi.

The new research firm will work with the Group's more than 65 offices around the globe to ensure that research and analysis are at the core of all client work, while also establishing its own client base.

Berland, who now reports to Edelman's Global COO Matthew Harrington, says Lombardo will be an 'important partner' in the new business, adding: 'I look forward to building real-time research tools at Edelman Berland that capture and share insights from social media, instant connections and online communities.'

For the past 23 years, Berland worked at PSB, most recently as President, leading studies and campaigns for blue-chip corporations, political candidates and entertainment clients. His work at PSB included serving as strategic advisor to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in his 2001 and 2005 mayoral campaigns, and for Hillary Clinton's 2006 Senate and 2008 Presidential primary campaigns.

Web site: www.edelman.com .