# Michael Kempner

> Michael W. Kempner is the founder and CEO of MikeWorldWide, the independent communications agency he started in New Jersey in 1986 after an early career in politics, government and an unusual assignment legalizing liquor-filled chocolates. He sold the firm to Interpublic Group in 2000, led a management buyout a decade later, and has continued expanding it through new capabilities and acquisitions while arguing that reputation is a business asset built through action and trust.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at MikeWorldWide
- **Organizations:** MikeWorldWide, American University Board of Trustees, U.S. Agency for Global Media, White House Council for Community Solutions, ConnectOne Bancorp, Goodwill Industries International
- **From:** Chicago, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science, American University School of Public Affairs
- **Known for:** Founded and sustained MikeWorldWide from 1986 through its expansion into an international independent communications agency., Led the management buyout that returned MWW to independence after a decade of Interpublic ownership., Helped lead the 'Stronger Than the Storm' campaign supporting New Jersey tourism after Superstorm Sandy.

## Career timeline

- **Late 1970s-early 1980s** — Worked in campaigns and government, including roles connected to New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne, Representative Bob Torricelli and the Democratic National Committee.
- **1981** — Earned a B.S. from American University after completing undergraduate studies while working.
- **Early 1980s** — Led a liquor-filled chocolate venture and used public-affairs skills to help change more than 30 state laws and a federal law.
- **1986** — Founded MWW in New Jersey after informal strategic consulting developed into a client business.
- **2000** — Sold MWW to Interpublic Group.
- **2010-2012** — Served on the White House Council for Community Solutions.
- **2011** — Completed a management-led buyout that returned MWW to independent ownership.
- **2013** — MWW led New Jersey's post-Superstorm Sandy 'Stronger Than the Storm' tourism campaign.
- **2014** — Appointed by President Barack Obama to the Broadcasting Board of Governors, now the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
- **2019** — Joined the American University Board of Trustees.
- **2021** — MWWPR rebranded as MikeWorldWide.
- **2022** — Gave $500,000 to help launch SOC3, American University's student-run communications agency.
- **2025** — MikeWorldWide acquired longtime partner Berk Communications.
- **2026** — MikeWorldWide approached its 40th anniversary and acquired workforce-communications firm HudsonLake.

## Achievements

- Founded and sustained MikeWorldWide from 1986 through its expansion into an international independent communications agency.
- Led the management buyout that returned MWW to independence after a decade of Interpublic ownership.
- Helped lead the 'Stronger Than the Storm' campaign supporting New Jersey tourism after Superstorm Sandy.
- Received four separate industry leadership honors in 2013, including PR News Agency Leader of the Year and an American Business Awards Executive of the Year award.
- Gave $500,000 to launch SOC3, an in-house, client-serving student communications agency at American University.
- Served on the White House Council for Community Solutions and the U.S. international broadcasting governing board.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Reflected on four decades of MWW in an NJBIZ interview, describing plans to pass $75 million in annual revenue and target $100 million within 12 to 18 months.
- **2026-03** — Named with MWW executive Mahen Gunaratna to ROI-NJ's Influencers: Power List 2026.
- **2026-03** — Discussed MWW's garage-era beginnings, risk and the future of PR on the PRmoment podcast.
- **2026** — MikeWorldWide acquired HudsonLake, adding employee communications and organizational-change capabilities.
- **2025-02** — MikeWorldWide acquired Berk Communications after nearly a decade of partnership.

## Links

- Website: https://www.mww.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkempner
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/mkempner
- YouTube: https://youtu.be/3ONkFtBDs-I
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Michael_Kempner/510275984

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-kempner
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-26