Michael Kempner founded MikeWorldWide in 1986.[11] MikeWorldWide grew to the 4th largest independent public relations firm in the U.S. and Kempner sold the company to the Interpublic Group of Agencies in 2000.[12]
In 2010, Kempner led a management led buy-out.[13]
In 2012, MikeWorldWide received media attention for a campaign on behalf of Brigadier General Jeffrey Sinclair, a former deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division charged with forcible sodomy and sexual misconduct. The firm launched a website with publicly available documents in favor of Sinclair to discredit the prosecutor and accuser. MikeWorldWide nominated itself for a Platinum PR Award in the crisis management category for this work.[20][21][22][23]
The company acquired Los Angeles-based Macias Media Group, an LGBT marketing firm, in March 2014.[24]
In October 2014, MikeWorldWide received The Gay And Lesbian Victory Fund's 2014 Corporate Leadership Award for its LGBT practice and support of the LGBT community.[25] In 2014, MikeWorldWide expanded into Britain with the purchase of Parys Communications,[26] and also acquired the UK-based business-to-business PR firm Braben Communications in November 2014.[27] The company was recognized as one of the Top Places to Work in PR and Best Places to Work in New Jersey.[28][29]
In 2016, the Scholastic Corporation, BDI and AMP Agency brought lawsuits against MikeWorldWide for alleged payment disputes.[30]
In 2018, the company launched a Sports and Entertainment practice and opened a new location in Charlotte, North Carolina.[31] In April 2021, the company rebranded to MikeWorldWide[32] and also acquired London-based agency, Chameleon.[33]
In June 2022, a CNBC report found that American automotive and energy company Tesla, Inc. paid MikeWorldWide to monitor a Tesla employee Facebook group and to conduct research on Tesla union organizers on social media from 2017 to 2018. MikeWorldWide monitored discussions on social networks alleging unfair labor practices at Tesla and monitored discussions on a sexual harassment lawsuit. Former and current Tesla employees told CNBC that they believe the company continues to monitor its workers on social media.[34]