Hill & Knowlton Chief Executive Is Abruptly Replaced

Public relations adviser Hill & Knowlton, which has encountered PR problems of its own recently, said Robert Dilenschneider has departed as president and chief executive.

The New York firm said Thomas E. Eidson, also 47, who had been chief operating officer, will succeed Dilenschneider.

The world’s second-biggest public relations agency called Dilenschneider’s departure a resignation. It gave no explanation for his leaving.

Dilenschneider, 47, said that while he had left, he had not resigned. Normally gregarious, he declined to elaborate.

The top-level shake-up comes amid a general downturn in the PR business because of the recession and a decline in merger-related activity. Revenue is down this year at Hill & Knowlton, and its parent, Britain’s WPP Group PLC, has been under pressure to reduce its own debt.

The executive shuffling follows well-publicized controversies for Hill & Knowlton in recent months.

Hill & Knowlton, founded in 1927, provides public relations advice to more than 1,500 clients, including Procter & Gamble, International Business Machines, Pepsi-Cola and Eastman Kodak. It operates 66 offices in 25 countries.

The firm expanded rapidly through acquisitions during Dilenschneider’s tenure. Dilenschneider, who joined in 1967, became president and chief executive in March.

Eidson declined to speculate on why Dilenschneider left but insisted: “This was on his own initiative. He was not forced out.”

Eidson has been with the agency for 18 years.