kreab
Kreab is a Stockholm-founded global strategic communications consultancy advising corporations, governments, and organizations on corporate communications, financial communications, public affairs, sustainability, and litigation communications across 30+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersStockholm, Sweden
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What kreab does
Kreab is a global strategic communications consultancy headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1970 by Peje Emilsson as Kreativ Information AB. The firm advises corporations, governments, international organizations, and high-profile individuals on complex communications challenges across five practice areas: Corporate Communications, Financial Communications, Public Affairs, Sustainability and Reputation, and Communication in Litigation.
The firm delivers these services through a globally distributed team of 400+ consultants operating from regional HQs in Stockholm, Brussels, Madrid, London, and Tokyo, with owned offices and partner-agency representations spanning 30+ countries and 40+ cities across Europe, Latin America, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Kreab monetizes primarily through professional-services engagements with large enterprises, governments, and NGOs on quote-based, multi-year contracts, with a senior-advisor bench of former prime ministers, EU commissioners, diplomats, and C-suite executives as a key capability layer.
The firm is privately held by founder Peje Emilsson under the legal entity Kreab Limited, with no external PE or VC investment disclosed. The company has expanded primarily through organic office openings and selective mergers (notably the 2009 Gavin Anderson merger that added Madrid, Barcelona, Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong) and partner-agency affiliations. Leadership transitioned in 2024 with Charlotte Erkhammar moving from CEO to Executive Chair after a 20-year tenure, and Karl Isaksson appointed as CEO.
kreab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- kreab
- Legal name
- Kreab Limited
- Website
- https://kreab.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Kreab is a Stockholm-founded global strategic communications consultancy advising corporations, governments, and organizations on corporate communications, financial communications, public affairs, sustainability, and litigation communications across 30+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
kreab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Strategic Communications Consulting
- NAICS
- Public Relations Agencies (54182)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technology & B2B PR (BPAFADAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Business Continuity, Crisis Management & Operational Resilience (BPAHAFAK)
Keywords
Where kreab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stockholm
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices44 records
Markets served
kreab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Strategic Communications Consulting: Kreab generates revenue through providing strategic communications advisory services to corporations, governments, and organizations. Services include corporate communications, financial communications, public affairs, crisis communications, and sustainability/reputation management. The firm operates on a professional services model with long-term client relationships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom engagement-based pricing for strategic communications advisory services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
kreab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kreab is a global strategic communications consultancy that advises corporations, individuals, governments and organisations on complex communications challenges. Its work spans five practice areas — Corporate Communications, Financial Communications, Public Affairs, Sustainability and Reputation, and Communication in Litigation — delivered through offices in more than 25 countries, with deep specialisation in areas such as M&A, IPO advisory, ESG/sustainability positioning, public policy advocacy, and crisis or litigation communications.
Product overview
Kreab is a global strategic communications consultancy that offers a unified service portfolio organized around five core practice areas: Corporate Communications, Financial Communications, Public Affairs, Sustainability and Reputation, and Communication in Litigation. These services are delivered through a global network of 400+ consultants across 30+ countries, providing integrated communications solutions for corporations, governments, and organizations facing complex communications challenges.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kreab Explains: Content platform providing insights on communications, digital strategy, sustainability and business topics
- Kreab Academy
- Kreab Branders
- Research Unit
Products and services
- Corporate Communications Strategic advisory on corporate positioning, media relations, employer branding, internal communications and stakeholder engagement for corporations and organisations across multiple markets.
- Financial Communications Communications advisory for IPOs, M&A transactions, capital markets events, investor relations and ongoing financial media positioning for listed and pre-listed companies and their advisors.
- Public Affairs Policy, regulatory and political communications advisory for corporations, organisations and governments, with deep coverage of EU and Nordic policymaking environments.
- Sustainability and Reputation Communications advisory on sustainability, ESG, climate transition and broader corporate reputation, including sub-services in Sustainability, Climate Transition Communications and Reputation Management.
- Communication in Litigation Strategic communications advisory for clients involved in litigation, regulatory enforcement, investigations and other contentious matters, with sub-services covering Communication in Disputes and Crisis & Issues Management.
Companies that use kreab
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
kreab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
kreab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered regional and core.
- Maldon&WatregionalRomanian consultancy firm established in Bucharest in 2011, specializing in Economic and Institutional Affairs with competence in Research and Technology, Competition, Energy and Health. Provides top-class public affairs, corporate affairs and government relations advisory services.
- IDEAS BulgariaregionalIndependent Bulgarian PR and public affairs agency established in 2018, serving international corporate clients and Bulgarian companies with expertise in corporate communications, public affairs, and government relations in energy, utilities, trade, and manufacturing sectors.
- StrategyWiseregionalIndependent advisory group specializing in strategic communications with core expertise in public affairs, reputation management, and crisis communications. Partners with organizations to navigate complex environments and develop data-informed strategies.
- ExplicoregionalHungarian-owned governmental affairs and corporate diplomacy boutique specializing in trade promotion. Staffed with qualified lawyers, senior ex-government officials and diplomats with nearly five years of corporate diplomacy experience.
- Chiappe & RevelloregionalStrategic consulting professionals partnered with academia, research experts, law firms, foundations and think tanks. Clients active in environment, energy, facilities and transport, industrial production, healthcare, food and retail sectors.
- ADL ConsultingregionalItalian advisory firm specializing in public affairs, institutional communication, and political data management. Pioneer of Digital Lobbying methodology since 2012, promoting data-driven decision-making.
- Avian MediaregionalSpecialist communications consultancy in India with offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. Provides sustainable competitive advantage through communications programs.
- Promontory PLLCregionalWashington DC-based company representing Kreab in the United States. Founded in 2024 by Erin L. McGrain, helps clients navigate challenges at the intersection of business, law, policy, and public affairs.
- Smart (Brazil)regionalBrazil-based agency representing Kreab in Brazil since 2002. Founded by Silse Martell, provides strategic counsel in PR, corporate communications and public affairs.
- QuipucoreStrategic advisory firm in Buenos Aires specializing in trade and investment, public affairs, and sustainable development in Latin America. Co-founded by Shunko Rojas and Lucas E. Barreiros. Manages international trade practice, investment advisory, and coordinates with Kreab offices across the region.
- TRY Råd ASregionalNorwegian communication firm where Managing Partner Bård Hammervold serves as senior advisor. TRY Råd is one of Norway's leading communication firms.
- JLM&Associados (Portugal)regionalPortuguese partner agency where Managing Partner Maria Soares has been part of the team since 2009. Team manages clients across finance, health, science, environment, infrastructure, and education sectors.
- JLM AngolaregionalAngola partner where Dina Corthinas (Managing Partner Luanda) participates in boosting business operations and client portfolio. Part of Kreab's Africa expansion strategy.
- Kiroyan Partners (Indonesia)regionalIndonesian partner where Managing Partner Veve Hitipeuw previously served as Principal Consultant and Director. Provides reputation management and communications audit services.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves27 records
Expansion highlights6 records
kreab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Brunswick Group: Brunswick is a global strategic communications advisory focused on financial communications, M&A, crisis, and public affairs for corporations and boards. It is Kreab's closest direct competitor, particularly in the Nordic and European financial communications market, where Kreab's former Senior Partner Birgitta Stål previously served as a Brunswick Partner.
- Burson (formerly Burson-Marsteller): Burson is a global strategic communications and public affairs firm offering corporate, financial, crisis, and public affairs advisory. Kreab's Managing Partner Pablo Zamorano previously led Corporate and Financial Communication at Burson-Marsteller Spain, making it a direct talent and client competitor in Iberia and Latin America.
- FleishmanHillard: FleishmanHillard is a global communications consultancy with strong corporate, public affairs, and public health practices. It competes with Kreab on cross-border integrated communications programs for multinational clients, including financial communications and public affairs in Europe and Asia.
- Weber Shandwick: Weber Shandwick is a global communications and public affairs agency operating across corporate, public affairs, healthcare, and social impact. It is a direct competitor to Kreab for European and global corporate reputation, financial communications, and public affairs engagements.
- Teneo: Teneo is a global CEO advisory firm offering strategic communications, public affairs, and management consulting to senior executives and boards. It is increasingly competing with Kreab on CEO advisory, crisis, and strategic communications mandates for large corporates and government-linked entities.
- Hill & Knowlton: Hill & Knowlton is a global strategic communications consultancy with strong public affairs and crisis practices. It competes with Kreab for cross-border reputation and public affairs mandates, particularly where there is overlap with government, energy, and regulatory-intensive clients.
- BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe): BCW is a global communications agency formed from the merger of Burson-Marsteller and Cohn & Wolfe, offering corporate, public affairs, crisis, and content services. It is a direct competitor to Kreab across multiple geographies and practice areas.
Broad incumbents
- FTI Consulting: FTI Consulting is a global advisory firm with a sizable Strategic Communications segment serving corporates, governments, and law firms on crisis, financial, and public affairs matters. It competes with Kreab on cross-border M&A and crisis mandates and is a typical destination for senior communications talent (e.g., Kreab's Ignacio Gomá was previously at FTI Consulting).
- Edelman: Edelman is the world's largest privately-held PR firm with global corporate, financial, public affairs, and health communications practices. It competes with Kreab on multinational corporate mandates, ESG communications, and CEO advisory, though with a much broader consumer and digital offering.
- Ketchum: Ketchum is a global communications consultancy with corporate, public affairs, and digital practices as part of the Omnicom network. It competes with Kreab on integrated corporate communications and public affairs, with greater scale in North America and consumer marketing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
kreab social profiles
Digital presencekreab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
kreab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
kreab subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries20 records
kreab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
kreab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about kreab
What does kreab do?
Kreab is a global strategic communications consultancy that advises corporations, individuals, governments and organisations on complex communications challenges. Its work spans five practice areas — Corporate Communications, Financial Communications, Public Affairs, Sustainability and Reputation, and Communication in Litigation — delivered through offices in more than 25 countries, with deep specialisation in areas such as M&A, IPO advisory, ESG/sustainability positioning, public policy advocacy, and crisis or litigation communications.
Is kreab a public or private company?
kreab is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was kreab founded?
kreab was founded in 1970. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is kreab based?
kreab is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does kreab make money?
One revenue line is on record: strategic Communications Consulting.
Who are kreab's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Brunswick Group, Burson (formerly Burson-Marsteller), FleishmanHillard, Weber Shandwick, Teneo, Hill & Knowlton and BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe). Broad incumbents are FTI Consulting, Edelman and Ketchum.
Does kreab have an API?
No public API is recorded for kreab.
What industry is kreab in?
kreab's product category is Strategic Communications Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFADAI, Technology & B2B PR, with a secondary code of BPAHAFAK, Business Continuity, Crisis Management & Operational Resilience. Its NAICS code is 54182 and its SIC code is 8742.