# Burson

> American public relations firm

**Wikidata**: [Q1017062](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1017062)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burson_(company))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/burson

## Summary
Burson is an American public relations firm based in New York City, owned by WPP plc, with a history dating back to its establishment as a PR organization and operating under multiple brand names including BCW and Burson-Marsteller.

## Key Facts
- American public relations firm based in New York City
- Owned by WPP plc
- Primary industry classification: public relations
- Legal form: limited liability company
- CEOs include Donald A. Baer (2012-present) and Mark Penn (pre-2012)
- Has multiple aliases: BCW, Burson-Marsteller, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, etc.
- Social media presence on Twitter (BCWGlobal), Facebook, Instagram (bcwglobal), LinkedIn (bcw-global)
- Website: https://bcw-global.com/ and http://bursonglobal.com (preferred)
- Lobbypedia ID: Burson_Cohn_%26_Wolfe
- Wikidata description: American public relations firm
- Sitelink count: 10
- Wikipedia title: Burson (company)
- Languages: azb, de, en, es, fr, id, it, ja, no, pl
- Social media followers: approximately 25,292 (2023)
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/11h3br5j0y
- Crunchbase organization ID: cohn---wolfe
- French National Assembly lobbyist ID: 2158
- Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued): 78344172

## FAQs
**What is Burson's primary business?**
Burson is an American public relations firm specializing in strategic communication services for clients across various industries.

**Who owns Burson?**
Burson is owned by WPP plc, a multinational advertising and public relations company.

**Where is Burson headquartered?**
Burson is headquartered in New York City, United States.

**Who are the key executives at Burson?**
The current CEO is Donald A. Baer, with Mark Penn serving as CEO prior to 2012.

**What are some of Burson's notable social media handles?**
The firm maintains verified accounts on Twitter (BCWGlobal), Facebook, Instagram (bcwglobal), and LinkedIn (bcw-global).

**What is the company's legal structure?**
Burson operates as a limited liability company.

**What are some of its notable clients or work?**
While specific clients aren't detailed in the source material, the firm is recognized as a major player in the public relations industry.

## Why It Matters
Burson serves as a significant player in the global public relations industry, providing strategic communication services to major corporations and organizations. As part of WPP plc, it contributes to the economic and cultural landscape of New York City, one of the world's leading financial and media centers. The firm's presence in the PR industry helps shape corporate messaging, crisis management, and brand reputation strategies for organizations worldwide.

## Notable For
- Being owned by WPP plc, one of the largest advertising and PR conglomerates globally
- Operating under multiple brand names including BCW and Burson-Marsteller over its history
- Maintaining a significant digital presence across multiple social media platforms
- Having a verified social media presence with substantial follower counts
- Being classified as a limited liability company with specific persistent identifiers

## Body
### Definition and Classification
Burson is classified as an American public relations firm operating as an organization undertaking professional activities. Structured properties identify it as a subclass of business, enterprise, and company. The firm is recognized simultaneously as a legal concept, a field of study, and an organizational type.

### Ownership and Parent Organization
Burson is owned by WPP plc, a multinational corporation that operates in the advertising and public relations industry. This relationship places Burson within the broader WPP ecosystem, which includes other major PR and advertising agencies. The parent organization is referenced through multiple identifiers including Freebase ID and Google Knowledge Graph ID.

### Leadership and Management
The firm has had multiple CEOs throughout its history. Donald A. Baer has served as CEO since 2012, while Mark Penn held the position prior to that. The leadership structure is documented through Wikidata properties and Microsoft Academic records.

### Brand and Identity
Burson operates under several brand names and aliases, including BCW (Burson-Marsteller), Burson Cohn & Wolfe, and Burson Marsteller. These variations reflect the company's evolution and rebranding efforts over time. The firm maintains multiple website URLs, with the preferred one being http://bursonglobal.com.

### Digital Presence and Social Media
The firm has established a significant digital footprint across multiple platforms:
- Twitter: Verified account @BCWGlobal (ID: 19593640)
- Facebook: Page ID 170386030303699
- Instagram: @bcwglobal
- LinkedIn: Profile ID bcw-global

These social media accounts have accumulated substantial follower counts, with approximately 25,292 followers on Twitter as of 2023.

### Industry Classification and Legal Structure
Burson is classified under the public relations industry and operates as a limited liability company. Its legal form is documented through various identifiers including GND ID and FAST ID. The firm is indexed in multiple knowledge systems including the Library of Congress and Art & Architecture Thesaurus.

### Global Recognition and Indexing
The firm is recognized globally through various persistent identifiers:
- Wikidata: Item Q4830193 with specific property IDs
- Freebase: ID /m/02r6mq2
- Google Knowledge Graph: ID /g/11h3br5j0y
- Crunchbase: Organization ID cohn---wolfe

These identifiers help establish the firm's presence in global knowledge graphs and semantic web systems.

### Lobbying and Regulatory Presence
Burson maintains a presence in political and regulatory spheres through its Lobbypedia ID (Burson_Cohn_%26_Wolfe) and French National Assembly lobbyist ID (2158). This indicates the firm's engagement in government relations and lobbying activities.

### Location and Geographic Context
Burson is headquartered in New York City, the most populous city in the United States. The firm benefits from being located in a global financial and media hub, providing access to major clients and industry networks. New York City's status as a cultural and economic center enhances Burson's visibility and influence in the PR industry.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)