Matthew Harrington

Global Chief Operating Officer, Edelman; Center for Public Relations Board Member

Matthew Harrington leads global operations for Edelman, 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.

A 25-year Edelman veteran, Harrington is a specialist in corporate positioning and reputation management. His expertise includes crisis communications, merger and acquisition activity and IPOs. Harrington counsels a range of clients including GE, Charles Schwab & Company, Samsung and Starbucks. In 1996 he managed crisis communications for Odwalla, Inc. during a product recall, which is credited with being the first use of the Internet in a crisis and for which he was awarded a Silver Anvil from the Public Relations Society of America.

Harrington’s previous roles with Edelman include president of the US, and president of the Eastern and Western regions. He also led Edelman’s initiative to introduce a Code of Conduct.

Harrington is a graduate of Denison University, where he serves on the Board of Trustees. He is an advisory member of the Marketing 50, a member of the Public Relations Society of America and serves on the boards of the World Food Program USA, Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), the Council of Public Relations Firms and the Classic Stage Company.