MWW Taps Veteran Darrin Kayser to Lead Energy Practice Amid Industry Boom

NEW YORK, NY – June 30, 2026 – Independent public relations agency MikeWorldWide (MWW) today announced a significant expansion of its strategic focus on the energy sector, appointing industry veteran Darrin Kayser as its new Energy Managing Director. The move signals a strategic response to a rapidly evolving business climate where energy—from powering artificial intelligence to sustaining advanced manufacturing—is no longer a siloed industry issue but a central battleground for corporate strategy and reputation across the global economy.

Kayser, a former Edelman executive, is tasked with leading and growing a dedicated practice designed to help clients navigate the immense complexities of the modern energy ecosystem. His appointment comes as organizations from Silicon Valley to the Rust Belt grapple with the dual challenges of securing reliable, affordable power and meeting increasingly stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) mandates. The agency's investment underscores a belief that effective communication is now a mission-critical tool for any business whose future is tied to the power grid.

A Strategic Response to a New Business Battleground

The decision to formalize and expand its energy practice reflects a surge in demand from clients whose core operations are now inextricably linked to energy policy, pricing, and infrastructure. MWW asserts that energy has transformed into a C-suite and boardroom-level concern, influencing everything from data center site selection and supply chain logistics to infrastructure investments and long-term economic growth.

"Energy is increasingly shaping business strategy across industries, and MWW has been helping clients navigate that reality for years," said Michael Kempner, founder and CEO of MikeWorldWide, in a statement. "Darrin's deep expertise strengthens an established area of our business and positions us to deliver even greater value to clients as energy becomes a defining issue for organizations across sectors."

This strategic pivot is not merely about serving traditional energy companies. It's about recognizing that the tech behemoth building its next AI data center, the automotive giant retooling for electric vehicles, and the manufacturer reshoring operations are all, in effect, becoming energy companies. They face new stakeholders, new regulatory hurdles, and new reputational risks that require specialized communications counsel. By investing in this practice, MWW is positioning itself as a key advisor for this new class of energy-dependent businesses.

The Architect: Darrin Kayser's Deep Sector Expertise

To lead this ambitious charge, MWW has brought in a leader with a uniquely comprehensive background. Darrin Kayser's career is a case study in the convergence of policy, corporate strategy, and public perception. Before joining MWW, he spent nearly seven years at global communications giant Edelman, rising to Executive Vice President, where he guided communications programs for some of the world's most influential energy, industrial, and government clients.

His credentials extend well beyond corporate PR. A certified Business Energy Professional (BEP), Kayser’s expertise is backed by a deep technical and policy-level understanding of the sector. His resume includes over a decade as a Lead Associate at consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, advising on complex strategic initiatives. This experience is complemented by formative years in government and political communications, including serving as a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) post-9/11 and as a press secretary on Capitol Hill. This blend of public and private sector experience provides a holistic perspective on navigating highly regulated and politically sensitive industries.

"The energy sector is massively complex and impacts a growing list of industries including tech, transportation, construction and manufacturing," Kayser stated. "Having a purpose-built team of experienced energy communicators allows MWW to be a strategic thought partner with clients to develop impactful communications strategies and have the network and expertise to rapidly execute them." His vision involves building a team that can speak fluently about everything from grid modernization and carbon capture to renewable energy credits and the intricacies of nuclear power.

Beyond the Grid: Energy's Ripple Effect on Tech and Industry

The most significant driver behind this strategic shift is the voracious energy appetite of the digital economy. The AI revolution, while promising unprecedented innovation, requires computational power on a scale that is straining existing energy infrastructure. Data centers, the backbone of the cloud, are now among the largest energy consumers in many regions, creating a new front in the battle for public approval and regulatory support.

This creates a complex communications imperative. Technology companies must now explain to communities why they need to build massive new power-hungry facilities, engage with utility providers on grid expansion, and justify their energy consumption to investors and activists focused on sustainability. The challenge is to balance the narrative of innovation and progress with the tangible impacts on local power grids and environmental goals.

MWW's expanded practice aims to address this nexus, supporting not just companies within the energy ecosystem but also those in technology, manufacturing, and transportation. The goal is to help them craft a coherent strategy that addresses stakeholder concerns, navigates public affairs, and builds a durable corporate reputation in an environment where energy and environmental performance are under constant scrutiny.

The Competitive Landscape and a Broader Talent Push

Kayser’s appointment is the latest in a series of high-profile senior hires at MikeWorldWide, indicating a broader strategy to deepen its specialized expertise and compete at the highest level. The agency has recently brought on talent from top competitors, including Dave Aglar from Weber Shandwick, Abraham Espinosa from Golin, and Mike Sacks from FleishmanHillard. This aggressive talent acquisition strategy suggests an agency-wide commitment to investing in seasoned leadership to navigate transformative business trends.

By bringing in Kayser, MWW not only gains a respected leader but also sends a clear message to the market about its intentions in the energy space. The move positions the independent agency to compete more directly with the dedicated energy practices at larger, publicly-held network firms. In a business landscape where specialized knowledge is paramount, this investment in leadership is a direct investment in the agency's capacity to solve the most complex problems for a new generation of clients.