Hill & Knowlton

Was one of the largest and most globally recognized PR agencies in the world prior to its merger into Burson in 2024.

Hill & Knowlton was one of the world's most prominent public relations and communications agencies, with roots stretching back to its founding in 1927 by John W. Hill and Don Knowlton in Cleveland, Ohio. Over nearly a century, it grew into a global powerhouse with offices across dozens of countries, serving multinational corporations, governments, and major institutions across virtually every industry sector. The agency built its reputation on strategic communications, crisis management, public affairs, corporate reputation, and integrated marketing services, becoming a cornerstone of WPP's communications portfolio. Throughout its history, Hill & Knowlton was known for landmark campaigns and, at times, controversial work that shaped the modern PR industry. It advised Fortune 500 companies, sovereign governments, and NGOs on some of the most complex communications challenges of their eras. Its capabilities spanned media relations, digital communications, stakeholder engagement, executive positioning, and issues management, making it a full-service strategic communications partner for clients navigating high-stakes environments. On July 1, 2024, WPP merged Hill & Knowlton with fellow WPP agency BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe) to create Burson, a new combined entity named in honor of PR legend Harold Burson. The Hill & Knowlton brand was retired as part of the merger, with its people, clients, and capabilities absorbed into Burson, which launched as one of the largest PR agencies in the world. The creation of Burson represented WPP's strategic consolidation of its top-tier communications assets.