Edelman launches financial and capital markets communications boutique agency in Canada
Edelman has launched Edelman Smithfield in Canada, a dedicated financial and capital markets communications boutique agency within the larger firm.
Edelman Smithfield in Canada offers Board and C-suite level communications expertise in mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies and restructurings, corporate governance, asset management and private equity, as well as capital markets regulation and other special situations.
Edelman has operated its financial and capital markets communications specialty as Edelman Smithfield in London, UK after acquiring Smithfield Consultants in 2015.
The introduction of Edelman Smithfield to Canada will strengthen the firm’s existing financial communications specialty in this country and ensure that Edelman’s clients have access to senior, dedicated financial communications counsel to help them solve their most critical business challenges.
Edelman Smithfield combines this focused capital markets expertise with Edelman’s global network and highly complementary specialties, including public affairs, digital, paid media, research, employee experience, and crisis and reputation risk management. Edelman Smithfield will also work closely with Edelman’s global ESG advisory practice, providing Canadian clients with access to industry-leading expertise in this increasingly important area.
Edelman Smithfield in Canada will be led by David Ryan as Managing Director. He brings over 20 years of corporate and financial communications experience in mergers and acquisitions, special situations, bankruptcies and restructurings, and corporate governance crises across a wide range of industries.
Ryan will be joined in the Edelman Smithfield Canadian leadership by Nina Godard as Vice President. Godard led Edelman’s financial communications specialty in Canada prior to the launch of Edelman Smithfield. She brings significant experience in cross-border and domestic mergers and acquisitions and restructurings, in addition to leading the firm’s work with capital markets regulators and asset managers.
David Ryan, Managing Director, Edelman Smithfield Canada: “Edelman Smithfield will bring the best of Edelman to our clients in Canada – a team of experienced financial communications professionals complemented by a global network and incredible array of integrated communications specialties,” said Ryan. “As transactions and special situations become more complex, we are seeing accelerating demand for senior, highly strategic communications counsel that has access to the full array of tools needed to engage audiences within the investment community, as well as government, regulators, customers, employees and communities.”
Lex Suvanto, Global Managing Director, Financial Communications, Edelman: “Canada is an important and growing market for complex corporate and financial reputation work, and Edelman is investing in this capability to better serve our clients and create a differentiated boutique offering. Edelman Smithfield in Canada will be led by experienced Canadian financial communications practitioners ensuring we bring depth and specialization to help our clients reach their objectives. Paired with the broader Edelman portfolio of services, Edelman Smithfield can offer financial communications advisory seamlessly integrated with market-leading multi-stakeholder solutions, allowing us to deliver what no other agency can deliver.”
