In 2000, Joele Frank founded a strategic communications firm with a singular vision: to help companies take control of their narrative during the most critical moments of their existence. After years of experience leading communications efforts at established firms, Joele recognized that corporations navigating market-moving transactions, activist campaigns, and crisis situations needed more than traditional PR - they needed sophisticated, financial communications expertise capable of handling bet-the-company moments. From that insight, Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher was born, bringing together seasoned leadership with deep expertise in finance, law, and journalism.
Today, the firm stands as the undisputed leader in its field, ranked #1 in U.S. M&A PR advisory since 2013 and #1 in shareholder activism defense since 2019 by industry publications including The Deal and Bloomberg. With offices in New York and San Francisco, the team delivers strategic counsel and hands-on execution for high-stakes situations - from friendly and unsolicited M&A to proxy fights, bankruptcy proceedings, and reputational threats. Known for intellect, integrity, and intensity, Joele Frank has advised on more than 1,000 activism defense engagements and supported over 200 deals in 2025 alone, representing over $850 billion in total deal value. The firm's senior-level advisors work seamlessly with boards, executives, and communications teams to shape narratives, execute strategies, and produce results when it matters most.
