# HudsonLake

> HudsonLake is an Alexandria, Virginia strategic communications firm that works inside consequential organizational moments - headquarters moves, mergers, labor negotiations, leadership transitions, culture change and reputational crises. Founded by Cynthia Hudson in 2000 and led by CEO Don Smialowicz, it combines senior counsel with hands-on campaign execution for large companies, healthcare systems, associations and nonprofits. MikeWorldWide acquired the firm in May 2026; HudsonLake continues under its own name as part of MWW.

- **Founded:** 2000
- **Headquarters:** Alexandria, United States
- **Founders:** Cynthia S. Hudson (Founder and former CEO)
- **Products:** Organizational Change and Transformation, Employee Experience and Recruitment Marketing, Labor and Workforce Communications, Brand Development and Visual Communications, Crisis Communications, Reputation Management and Public Affairs
- **Notable:** Helped Toyota retain more than 60% of employees affected by its North American headquarters relocation, approximately three times the cited benchmark., Reported engagement above 80% during the Toyota relocation, with no customer or dealer disruption and full regulatory compliance., Built a Toyota relationship that has lasted more than a decade.

## Products & services

- **Organizational Change and Transformation** — Communications strategy and execution for mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, relocations, leadership transitions and cultural change.
- **Employee Experience and Recruitment Marketing** — Employer value propositions, employer brands, employee experience programs and recruitment campaigns designed to attract and retain talent.
- **Labor and Workforce Communications** — Leader-led, employee and stakeholder communications for labor negotiations and complex workforce issues.
- **Brand Development and Visual Communications** — Brand strategy, visual identity, reports, environmental graphics, digital experiences, video and campaign creative.
- **Crisis Communications, Reputation Management and Public Affairs** — Issue prevention, crisis preparation and response, reputation strategy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
- **Executive Communications and Leadership Positioning** — Leadership messages, speeches, briefings, media preparation and visibility campaigns for senior executives.

## Achievements

- Helped Toyota retain more than 60% of employees affected by its North American headquarters relocation, approximately three times the cited benchmark.
- Reported engagement above 80% during the Toyota relocation, with no customer or dealer disruption and full regulatory compliance.
- Built a Toyota relationship that has lasted more than a decade.
- UMR's 2025 NIH economic-impact data drew more than 150,000 online views, more than 100 news citations and references by more than 150 members of Congress.
- Won 2025 MarCom Platinum awards for Children's Health's People Report and the Reagan-Udall Foundation annual report.
- Won 2025 MarCom Gold awards for Halperin Park branding and PeaceHealth Nurture360 events, plus honorable mentions for Coast Guard Mutual Assistance and UMR campaigns.
- Acquired by MikeWorldWide in May 2026 while continuing to operate under the HudsonLake name.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — HudsonLake highlighted an honorable mention in the MarCom Awards for Coast Guard Mutual Assistance's 2025 annual campaign.
- **2026-05** — MikeWorldWide acquired HudsonLake; the firm continues as HudsonLake, a MikeWorldWide company.
- **2026-05** — Halperin Park opened in Dallas with a HudsonLake-created identity and environmental communications system.
- **2025** — HudsonLake work earned two Platinum awards, two Gold awards and two honorable mentions in the MarCom Awards.

## Links

- Website: https://www.hudsonlake.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hudsonlake
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hudsonlakecomms
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HudsonLakeComms/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/hudsonlake
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-20