Nikki Haley Joins PR Firm Edelman as Vice Chair
Nikki Haley, who challenged Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination before exiting the race and endorsing him, has been hired as an adviser to PR giant Edelman.
Edelman on Wednesday announced the appointment of Haley as vice chair of the firm. She had held the post of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2017-18 during the Trump administration after serving two terms as governor of South Carolina. She ended her presidential campaign this March and subsequently backed Trump — whom she once called “unhinged” and said “chaos follows him” — for president.
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In addition to hiring Haley, Edelman has tapped Max Baucus, former Democratic U.S. Senator from Montana and ambassador to China, as senior adviser. Both Haley and Baucus will join Edelman Global Advisory, the firm’s global public affairs consultancy, in early September.
Haley said in a statement provided by Edelman: “In a time of growing complexities in business, policy and politics — brands need to anticipate what’s coming next. Whether managing a crisis or celebrating a success, industry leaders must be ready to communicate clearly and share their vision forward. I’m excited to join the team at Edelman to help their clients navigate the challenges ahead.”
“Politics has become a critical consideration for clients in brand marketing, employee engagement and reputation management,” Edelman CEO Richard Edelman said in a statement. “In her time as governor, Haley had great success in attracting foreign companies to South Carolina and as Ambassador to the U.N., helped lead important work on global issues.”
Haley in April was named the Walter P. Stern Chair at the Hudson Institute nonpartisan think tank. Born in Bamberg, S.C., she is the daughter of Indian immigrants and a graduate of Clemson University. She and her husband have two children.
Regarding Baucus, Edelman said: “As the former U.S. ambassador to China under President Obama, and former U.S. Senator from Montana, Baucus has unique experience on agricultural, trade and tech issues. They will provide clients with unmatched counsel. I am thrilled to have them join the firm.”
Edelman, founded in 1952, says it has around 6,000 employees across more than 60 offices worldwide.
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