Rishi Bhattacharya joins Edelman London

London — Edelman today announced that Rishi Bhattacharya joins Edelman London.

With his background in politics and the media, Rishi's responsibilities will be split between Edelman's Strategic Media Unit (SMU) and its Public Affairs division. Rishi will report to Alex Bigg, Deputy MD of Edelman Public Affairs and work closely with Jo Sheldon, Director of Edelman's SMU.

Rishi has a decade of experience in both broadcast and print journalism. As ITV Granada’s political correspondent, he has developed excellent presentation and written skills as well as an expert knowledge of politics gleaned while working in lobby at Westminster. Rishi has covered three General Elections and has reported from the annual political party conferences, the European Parliament and the Commonwealth Summit. As well as reporting on ITV Granada’s flagship nightly news programme and weekly current affairs show, he also appeared as a political pundit for ITN. Rishi started his career as a graduate trainee on the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo. He has freelanced on The Sun, The Evening Standard as well as writing for the Daily Telegraph.

Stuart Smith, CEO Edelman London, said, "The growth of our office in London is being driven by a strategy to invest widely in a range of specialisms that we know meet the needs of our clients. Rishi's hire further improves on our existing ability to offer clients senior public affairs and media consultancy."

Jo Sheldon, Director, Strategic Media Unit, said, "The SMU already supports the media needs of a wide range of clients. Having someone with Rishi's wealth of hands-on media experience will be a huge asset to the practice."

Alex Bigg, Deputy MD of Edelman Public Affairs, said, "Rishi is a fantastic appointment and builds further on our ability to offer clients a political media campaigning element to their programmes."

Rishi Bhattacharya said, "I am delighted to be joining Edelman at such an exciting time. They are experiencing significant growth and supporting that growth with investment."

About Edelman London

Edelman London is part of Edelman, a global independent communications firm with capabilities in all facets of public relations. Through a combination of organic and acquisitive growth Edelman London has risen from the fourteenth to the sixth largest PR operation in the UK. Edelman has recently added to its collection of industry awards by winning PRCA Frontline Award 2004, Best Corporate Campaign for Microsoft HR “People” programme and the Public Relations Society of America, Bronze Anvil 2004, Award of commendation for GlaxoSmithKline. London is also the hub of a fast growing network in Europe and Edelman has just been named Pan European Agency of the Year 2005 by the Holmes Report and Large PR Agency 2006 by PR Week US and The Holmes Report

About Edelman

Edelman is the world’s largest independent public relations firm, with 2,000 employees in 45 offices worldwide. In 2004, The Holmes Group named Edelman "International Agency of the Year," and US PR Week voted it Best Large Agency of 2006. Edelman’s network includes four specialty firms - Blue (advertising), First&42nd (management consulting), StrategyOne (research) and BioScience Communications (medical education and publishing) - making it possible to offer clients a comprehensive spectrum of communications services. Visit www.edelman.com for more information.

For further information contact:

Stuart Smith CEO, Edelman London 020 7344 1338 stuart.smith@edelman.com