In the News

May 01, 2012
Crain's Chicago Business

Edelman names top crisis expert

By: Kate MacArthur

Daniel J. Edelman Inc. has promoted Harlan Loeb to global chair of the agency's crisis and risk management practice.

Mr. Loeb, 48, takes over immediately for Charles Lankester, who will leave the agency to pursue other opportunities, the company said in a press release. Mr. Loeb will report to Edelman Global Practices President and CEO Alan VanderMolen.

Mr. Loeb joined Edelman in 2009 as executive vice president of the U.S. crisis and issues practice and director of the Chicago crisis and issues management unit.

In addition to overseeing client services, Mr. Loeb developed a digital "nervous system" product and helped clients improve how they plan for, respond to and assess crisis communications.

"He has been at the forefront of the intersection of crisis, event-driven risk and public strategy and will undoubtedly bring immense value to our firm and global clients," Mr. VanderMolen said in the release.

Mr. Loeb earlier was a founding member of Financial Dynamics' Chicago office where he practiced litigation communications. He spent five years in charge of Hill & Knowlton's domestic litigation practice and was member of that agency's global crisis team. He also was Midwest counsel for the Anti-Defamation League. He began his career as an attorney at Milwaukee-based law firm Godfrey & Kahn, where he specialized in government relations and public affairs.

Mr. Loeb holds bachelor's degrees from Dartmouth College and Vassar College and a law degree of the University of Minnesota Law School. He teaches a "Litigation and the Court of Public Opinion" course at Northwestern University Law School.