Hill & Knowlton
Professional services
UnclaimedGlobal public relations and strategic communications consultancy headquartered in New York City.
Last updated August 25, 2026
Overview
Hill & Knowlton is an American public relations and strategic communications consultancy with a history extending back to 1927. It was established in Cleveland, Ohio, by newspaper reporter and businessman John W. Hill. Its first clients included Union Trust Company and Otis Steel Company, giving the young firm an early position in corporate publicity and public affairs. After Union Trust failed during the Great Depression, Hill recruited advertising and publicity executive Don Knowlton. The two men formed Hill & Knowlton of Cleveland, while Hill expanded the business into New York in 1934 and Knowlton continued operating the original Cleveland office. The firm developed by representing companies, trade associations, industries, and public institutions in matters involving reputation, regulation, public policy, and media relations. Its early work included campaigns for the dairy industry during postwar debates over margarine regulation, as well as assignments for tobacco, aviation, shipbuilding, retail, fertilizer, soap, and other sectors. By the time John Hill died in 1977, the company had 560 employees, 36 offices in the United States, and 18 overseas offices. Its client list included Texaco, Warner-Lambert, Procter & Gamble, Gillette, and the Business Roundtable. Hill & Knowlton became part of the JWT Group in 1980 but continued to operate as an independent public relations company. JWT was acquired by WPP in 1987, placing Hill & Knowlton within one of the world's largest marketing and communications groups. During the 1980s and 1990s, the firm expanded internationally and through acquisitions, including a move into China in 1984, the purchase of Gray & Company and Carl Byoir & Associates in 1986, and the acquisition of Canada's Public Affairs Resource Group in 1989. The company also undertook controversial assignments, including work for tobacco interests, BCCI, Citizens for a Free Kuwait, and the Church of Scientology. These engagements contributed to continuing debate over the ethical boundaries of public relations and reputation management. In the 2000s and 2010s, Hill & Knowlton broadened its network through investments and acquisitions in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the United States. It merged with WPP sister company Public Strategies in 2011 and adopted the name Hill+Knowlton Strategies later that year. The combined business emphasized public affairs, corporate communications, crisis response, digital and social media, healthcare, technology, consumer marketing, and international advisory work. It also supported governing bodies, sports organizations, sponsors, and Olympic-related stakeholders, and worked on communications for the Special Court for Sierra Leone and a World Health Organization-funded COVID-19 campaign. More recent activity has included the acquisition of Miami-based JeffreyGroup in 2022, expansion of advisory services relating to environmental strategy and biodiversity, a global intelligence and technology unit, and a partnership intended to help clients identify and counter disinformation. The firm has served clients in automotive, financial services, energy, government, sports, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, consumer goods, food and beverage, and travel. It became part of the wider Burson brand structure under WPP, while Hill & Knowlton remains a recognized name in the history and practice of international public relations.
History
Founded in Cleveland in 1927 by John W. Hill, Hill & Knowlton began as a corporate publicity firm serving local businesses. Don Knowlton joined Hill after the collapse of Union Trust during the Depression, and the two established the Hill & Knowlton name. Hill's move to New York in 1934 created the basis for a national and later international network, while Knowlton maintained the Cleveland operation until his retirement. The firm became active in public affairs and industry representation during the mid-twentieth century. It advised the dairy sector during debates over margarine regulation and represented clients in tobacco, aviation, shipbuilding, retail, fertilizer, soap, and other industries. By 1977, the organization had hundreds of employees and dozens of domestic and international offices. It had also accumulated major corporate clients such as Texaco, Procter & Gamble, Gillette, Warner-Lambert, and the Business Roundtable. JWT acquired Hill & Knowlton in 1980, and WPP acquired JWT in 1987. The firm retained an operating identity within those larger groups. Its international development included entry into China in 1984, acquisitions of Gray & Company and Carl Byoir & Associates in 1986, and the purchase of Canada's Public Affairs Resource Group in 1989. In the 1990s, Hill & Knowlton continued to handle high-profile public affairs and reputation assignments, although its work for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, BCCI, Citizens for a Free Kuwait, and the Church of Scientology generated internal or external controversy. The company expanded further during the 2000s through investments and acquisitions in Argentina, Miami, Hong Kong, and other markets. It opened a Nairobi office with Kenyan partner Scangroup in 2009 and added offices in China, India, and Colombia in 2010. The 2011 merger with Public Strategies strengthened its public affairs and strategic advisory capabilities, and the resulting operation adopted the Hill+Knowlton Strategies identity. In the following decade, the firm developed a broad integrated-communications model spanning public relations, public affairs, digital engagement, crisis response, healthcare, technology, consumer communications, and intelligence. It supported Olympic stakeholders from the 2000 Sydney Games onward, worked for international institutions including the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and participated in a World Health Organization-funded COVID-19 campaign. It also continued to acquire or establish specialist capabilities, including JeffreyGroup in Latin America and environmental, intelligence, and technology advisory services. The brand later entered the Burson umbrella within WPP's communications operations.
- 2023
Intelligence and technology expansion
[1]Hill & Knowlton launched a global intelligence and technology unit and announced a disinformation-focused partnership with Pendulum Intelligence.
- 2022
JeffreyGroup acquisition
[1]The acquisition strengthened the firm's Latin American presence.
- 2011
Public Strategies merger and rebrand
[1]Hill & Knowlton merged with WPP company Public Strategies and adopted the Hill+Knowlton Strategies identity later that year.
- 1989
Acquires Public Affairs Resource Group
[1]The acquisition expanded Hill & Knowlton's Canadian public relations network.
- 1987
Becomes part of WPP through JWT
[1]WPP acquired JWT, placing Hill & Knowlton within the WPP communications group.
- 1984
Expansion into China
[1]The firm established a presence in China.
- 1980
Acquired by JWT Group
[1]Hill & Knowlton joined the JWT Group while continuing to operate as an independent entity.
- 1934
New York office opens
[1]John Hill moved to New York and opened an office, helping establish a national platform.
- 1933
Don Knowlton joins and the Hill & Knowlton name is established
[1]After Union Trust's failure, Hill recruited Don Knowlton and formed Hill & Knowlton of Cleveland.
- 1927
Firm founded in Cleveland
[1]John W. Hill founded the public relations firm that became Hill & Knowlton in Cleveland, Ohio.
Products and positioning
A global, integrated public relations and strategic communications consultancy serving corporations, governments, trade associations, institutions, and major events.
Public relations · 1927
Public relations consulting
Core services include media relations, corporate storytelling, stakeholder communications, reputation management, and communications planning for companies, institutions, governments, and industry groups.
Advisory services
Public affairs and government relations
The firm advises clients on public policy, regulation, government engagement, coalition communications, and other issues where corporate interests intersect with political and social debate.
Communications advisory
Crisis and issues management
Crisis work covers preparation, rapid response, reputation recovery, stakeholder outreach, and communications surrounding litigation, regulatory scrutiny, operational disruption, and public controversy.
Marketing communications
Digital and social communications
Digital services include social-media strategy, online content, audience engagement, campaign support, and communications designed for rapidly changing information environments.
Intelligence and advisory · 2023
Global intelligence and technology
The unit launched in 2023 extends the firm's advisory offer into intelligence, technology-enabled analysis, and tools for understanding information risks and disinformation.
Controversies
2022
COP27 conflict-of-interest criticism
Scientists and environmental advocates criticized Hill & Knowlton's role as official public relations firm for COP27 because the company also represented fossil-fuel corporations.
1991
Scientology contract dispute
The Church of Scientology sued Hill & Knowlton after the firm's representation ended. The church alleged that the termination resulted from pressure connected to Eli Lilly, a JWT client whose Prozac product it opposed. The dispute was settled out of court.
1990
Catholic abortion-rights campaign
The firm was hired by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to persuade Catholics and non-Catholics to oppose abortion rights. About one-third of headquarters employees reportedly signed a protest letter.
1988
BCCI representation
Hill & Knowlton represented the Bank of Credit and Commerce International during its money-laundering scandal. A U.S. Senate subcommittee investigated the firm's work and allegations that it pressured regulators, but the reference material reports no supporting evidence for those claims. The relationship ended after BCCI was convicted.
1970
Asbestos and industrial health communications
Representatives attended a meeting connected with Johns-Manville's environmental health task force. The later Asbestos Information Association denied asbestos health risks, although the association was not formed by Hill & Knowlton. The firm also worked on concerns involving vinyl chloride and chlorofluorocarbons.
1950
Tobacco-industry representation
Hill & Knowlton represented tobacco interests during the 1950s and 1960s, placing the firm within later criticism of public-relations work that challenged or managed public understanding of smoking-related health risks.
Uganda reputation-management work
The firm has worked for Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni to improve the reputation of his government. The work drew criticism because human-rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, had documented systematic repression in Uganda.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Costa Coffee consumer communications
United Kingdom
Hill & Knowlton was selected to improve Costa Coffee's consumer communications across the United Kingdom.
Outcome. The firm was appointed as a communications partner for the UK market.
- 2023Hill's Pet Nutrition public relations and social media
International
The firm was selected to provide public relations and social-media support for Hill's Pet Nutrition.
Outcome. Added a consumer and pet-care communications assignment to the firm's client portfolio.
- 2021COP15 environmental strategy support
China
Hill & Knowlton China introduced advisory services to help local businesses develop environmentally friendly strategies in connection with the COP15 biodiversity conference in Kunming.
Outcome. Expanded the firm's environmental and biodiversity-related advisory positioning.
- 2008Special Court for Sierra Leone communications
Sierra Leone · International
From 2008 to 2012, Hill & Knowlton helped publicize the Special Court for Sierra Leone and its prosecution of war crimes. The communications effort supported the court's international visibility and fundraising.
Outcome. The court reportedly raised more than $12.5 million to support the prosecution of former Liberian president Charles Taylor.
- 1990Citizens for a Free Kuwait
United States · Kuwait
Hill & Knowlton supported a campaign for Citizens for a Free Kuwait after Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait. The campaign sought U.S. public and political support for intervention. The firm was later accused of helping circulate false information, an allegation it denied, and Kuwait ended the account before the Gulf War began.
Outcome. The account was canceled before the war; the campaign remains one of the firm's most debated historical assignments.
Brand decisions
2023
Create global intelligence and technology unitProduct launchBackground
Clients increasingly faced information manipulation, technology-driven risks, and complex geopolitical environments.
Action taken
Hill & Knowlton launched a global intelligence and technology unit and separately partnered with Pendulum Intelligence on a disinformation tool.
Aftermath
The moves broadened the firm's offer beyond conventional media relations and campaign communications.
2022
Acquire JeffreyGroupM&ABackground
Hill & Knowlton sought to strengthen its Latin American platform, where it already had a presence through Grupo Ideal in Brazil.
Action taken
The firm acquired JeffreyGroup, headquartered in Miami and operating in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded the firm's regional reach and specialist communications capabilities.
2011
Merge with Public StrategiesM&ABackground
Both companies were owned by WPP, and the merger was intended to combine public affairs and strategic communications capabilities.
Action taken
Hill & Knowlton announced the merger and adopted the Hill+Knowlton Strategies name later in the year.
Aftermath
Jack Martin led the rebranded organization until 2019, when AnnaMaria DeSalva succeeded him.
1980
Join the JWT GroupM&ABackground
Hill & Knowlton was acquired by JWT during a period of consolidation in advertising and communications.
Action taken
The firm joined JWT but continued operating under its own identity.
Aftermath
JWT's later acquisition by WPP made Hill & Knowlton part of the WPP communications network.
Recent events
- 2023
Hill & Knowlton selected by Costa Coffee for consumer communications[1]
Campaign
The firm was chosen to support Costa Coffee's consumer communications in the United Kingdom.
- 2023
Hill & Knowlton launches global intelligence and technology unit[1]
Product launch
The company established a unit focused on intelligence, technology, and related advisory services.
- 2023
Hill & Knowlton partners with Pendulum Intelligence on disinformation tool[1]
Product launch
The partnership was intended to help clients detect and respond to disinformation.
- 2022
Hill & Knowlton becomes U.S. agency of record for Glanbia Performance Nutrition[1]
Campaign
The firm was appointed to provide public relations support for Glanbia Performance Nutrition in the United States.
- 2022
Hill & Knowlton acquires JeffreyGroup[1]
M&A
The acquisition expanded the firm's Latin American capabilities through JeffreyGroup's operations in Miami, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.
- 2021
Hill & Knowlton launches environmental strategy services in China[1]
Product launch · Campaign
The Chinese operation introduced advisory services for local companies seeking environmentally oriented business strategies in connection with biodiversity discussions and COP15.
- 2011
Hill & Knowlton merges with Public Strategies[1]
M&A
The WPP-owned firms combined, and the business was subsequently presented under the Hill+Knowlton Strategies name.
Sources3 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/hill-and-knowlton · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled