Top Public Relations Firms

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Our Picks for The Best Public Relations Firms in 2023 

Ascendant Group 

With a robust background in competent corporate brand strategy and development for CEOs of startups, small and established businesses alike, Ascendant Group is the best public relations company featured in our table. 

• Why we chose them: They have a solid mark and proven reputation in the public relations industry, with multiple local, regional and global awards along with TV appearances in renowned channels to back up their recognition and expertise in the field. According to their testimony, they have helped their clients in exceeding campaign objectives by 1400% and a revenue increase of 2000%.  
• What you should consider: Their expected working budget starts at $10,000-$25,000, which may seem expensive for those looking to hire a public relations agency for basic PR, creation and management services. 
• Who are they for: They get along well with CEOs of mid-sized organizations, Fortune 500 executives, venture-backed businesses, socially conscious businesses and NBA and NFL athletes who are transitioning to entrepreneurship, among many others. 

The Bureau Of Small Projects 

The Bureau of Small Projects keeps small businesses, startups, and non-profits at the forefront of their clients. They offer intuitive tech support and strategy for businesses looking to scale up their public relations campaigns, gaining a rightful place in the top PR firms. 

• Why we chose them: They leverage their experience with Fortune 500 companies and major brands to help smaller businesses, non-profits, and startups leave a big impact in the industry. Their projects are guided by a strategic foundation and content development plan to help their clients. They have also been recognized in multiple Forbes press mentions. 
• What you should consider: Their hourly rate of $150 is pretty high compared to others. This could be a drawback if you are working on a tight budget but still want to ensure quality results. 
• Who are they for: Best to work with nonprofits, small to medium-sized businesses, and startups looking to scale up their brand in the market. 

Digital Silk 

Digital Silk is another great PR company that made it onto the shortlist. Comprising a team of 150+ experts with proven hands-on experience in managing projects, they follow results-driven approaches with streamlined execution to meet their clients’ needs. 

• Why we chose them: Their contributions have been significant in terms of increasing the bottom line of companies, especially in helping clients target the right audience, convey their message effectively, and drive traffic to their website. They are highly recognized by various TV channels and have received awards and recognition for their ranking in the industry.  
• What you should consider: Digital Silk is an international company with offices in many countries. This can be great for you if you need to work with people in other countries, but it also means that their customer service is not always available when you need it. 
• Who are they for: B2B and B2C companies in finance, food and beverage, automotive and tech sectors. 

SmartSites 

Founded by Alex and Michael Melen brothers, SmartSites is a full-service public relations agency that specializes in connecting brands with their target audience through tailor-made marketing campaigns. 

• Why we chose them: They have a track record of 325+ perfect (5-star) client reviews on Google, and they’re a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. From one of their case studies, they were able to produce a 480% increase in conversion rates and a 360% increase in leads. 
• What you should consider: Their services are focused more on SEO, web design, PPC, and CRO; thus, if you’re looking for in-depth branding services, you may need to consult with them first. 
• Who are they for: They have been and are continuously working closely with clients across multiple industries including healthcare, small businesses, automotive, retail and more. 

Ignite Visibility 

Launched in 2013, Ignite Visibility offers a full-service digital marketing experience to their clients across multiple industries and is a six-time Inc. 5000 company awardee. 

• Why we chose them: They manage over 600 million ads per year and has been featured on various publishing channels such as The New York Times, Forbes and more. Their expertise flows to over 150 clients, both big and small corporations, and they follow a deliberate PR process to ensure success for their projects. 
• What you should consider: As a busy company, they are always working with deadlines. Thus, it's best that you mention your desired deadline upfront in order to avoid delays in the process and ensure that they are able to meet your needs on time.  
• Who are they for: CEOs and small to large businesses in the retail, eCommerce, financial, automotive, events and technology industries. 

10 Best Public Relations Firms Compared

How We Picked The Best Public Relations Firms 

We follow a strict deliberation process in choosing the best public relations firms by following our agency selection criteria.

To determine the best PR agencies, we analyzed their platforms, looked at their client lists, and reviewed their case studies, portfolios and testimonials. In addition, our agency experts take into account their awards and recognitions and their industry reputation. For public relations companies in particular, we made sure they display the following qualities:

• Experience working with a diverse range of clients
• Strong experience in handling crises
• Strong understanding of how to communicate with their target audience
• Ability to create value for clients by developing effective strategies
• Commitment to providing exceptional customer service
• And more

Sources  

DesignRush sustains a directory of over 20,000 agencies categorized by service category, location, expertise and reviews. We build our database in two ways:

• Our dedicated team of agency experts actively search the web for top performing companies. We then pull information from their websites, online presence and client testimonials to verify their status and qualifications prior to listing.
  The agencies listed get notified of their profiles on the website and they can choose to claim it or not, which suggests their availability for more collaborations.
• Agencies can also reach out to DesignRush and must go through the verification process prior to being listed.

About the Author

Kristina Vjetrovic is a Client Relationship Manager working directly with Branding & Creative agencies. It allows her to provide industry insights that help business owners make informed hiring decisions, which she proactively manages to nurture long-term B2B customer relationships. For further inquiries, contact her at [email protected]. 

Public Relations Firms FAQs 

What Is A Public Relations Firm?

A PR firm is an agency that essentially ensures that brands have a positive public image across all channels.

They have similar goals to advertising agencies - promoting brands and helping them achieve their business goals.

However, they have different methods of delivering results.

In general, these types of companies deal with:

• Media relations: Cultivating and maintaining contacts at a target media outlet, pitching story ideas and sources to these contacts in order to achieve press mentions and coverage.
• Event marketing: Designing and hosting special events to delight consumers and media targets and attain event coverage in desirable outlets.
• Social media marketing: Engaging with a community of fans and advocates through active social media participation and community management.
• Influencer marketing: Partnering with social media influencers in order to introduce brands to new and engaged audiences. Service usually includes influencer sourcing, content development and relationship management.
• Crisis management and communications: Minimizing damage to a brand’s reputation in the fallout of a crisis or scandal and working to restore brand goodwill in the long term.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country employs 244,730 PR specialists. The sectors that have the highest levels of employment in this occupation are:

• Advertising, Public Relations and related services
• Business, Professional, Labor, Political and similar organizations
• Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools 
• Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation) 
• Management of Companies and Enterprises

What Do Public Relations Companies Do?

Some of the primary responsibilities of PR companies include:

1. Improving Media Relations

Top PR firms can secure interviews, manage media coverage, facilitate content sharing collaborations and more to grow your company’s brand awareness and increase search engine optimization rankings -- and they are able to do this through strong media relations.

The best communications associates have a large Rolodex of journalists and media contacts that they can call upon to build your brand through publicity.

2. Streamlining Communications

PR firms have access to organized platforms and databases that enable them to track how a message is being communicated, what the result are and how they should proceed to secure the results their clients desire.

3. Boosting Social Media

63% of consumers trust influencers more than they trust brands. (Edelman)

In the digital age, many great PR firms are now offering social media management services.

With the help of their media contacts, these companies can secure placements on various feeds, negotiate terms, set goals and track results, leaving your internal team free to focus on other important business growth goals.

4. Increasing Brand Awareness And Loyalty

At the end of the day, these agencies exist to increase your brand awareness across several channels.

They utilize a mix of networking contacts and strategies to foster positive emotions and connotations about your company.

The ultimate goal of every brand is to keep its customers keep returning. And, the top three emotions that can help them establish meaningful relationships are:

• Joy
• Trust
• Belonging

PR specialists have the know-how and relevant experience to help you tailor your customer experience and reengage your clients continuously. 

5. Competing With Other Companies

The best PR agencies will have a new take on your business and brand identity due to their different perspectives of the industry and your public image.

That information becomes the power for your business, enabling you to truly compete with similar companies to the best of your ability and improving your chances of snagging new customers and engaging existing followers.

What Are The Different Types Of PR Firms?

There are several types of agencies that cater to various companies, industries and even offer different levels of personal attention.

They are:

• Boutique: Boutique PR companies have smaller, more intimate teams handling more work -- much like a startup. Although some boutique firms don’t always have the vast resources that big agencies have, they often offer more personal attention.
• Big: A big PR firm is exactly what you think it would be -- a large, global company with far-reaching contacts and big tools to help clients. Big companies typically see great results with big professional firms, but smaller businesses often fare better with smaller agencies due to smaller budgets and the need for more personalization.
• Specialized: These agencies are dedicated to either a specific industry, such as beauty or sports or a particular aspect of PR, such as media relations, crisis management or social media.
• Traditional: Traditional PR typically refers to a general focus on media contacts in newspapers, TV and radio. The agencies often focus on securing placements on these platforms and rarely offer additional digital services.

How Much Do PR Companies Charge For Their Services?

The cost of their services depends entirely on what tasks you need them to complete.

However, you can expect to pay around:

• $100-$175 per person per hour for a North American agency
• $35-$75 per person per hour for PR companies in international locations like Eastern Europe

How To Choose The Best Public Relations Firm For Your Brand?

Here are a few factors that will help you select the right partner from our agency listings:

Contacts

One of the most important tasks a great PR agency can complete is securing media placements and digital partnerships. Therefore, they likely won’t be worth your while if they don't have a comprehensive network.

Industry Experience

Unlike other industries such as marketing, which relies on numbers and data to achieve business growth, successful PR is based on industry experience.

The best online PR firms should have a team of experts that know key industry players, top competitors and publications that will expand your reach.

Your Role

Although qualified agencies can handle a lot of intricate tasks and imperative networking, learn exactly what your role will be in the relationship before you sign a contract.

Some clients will want to be heavily involved in every decision, while others will feel comfortable with letting their chosen PR companies call the media-related shots.

Whatever your choice, you’ll need to provide some guidance and information to your PR experts to guarantee success.

Client References

A great and reputable professional firm will work hard to prove their expertise and success.

And just like potential employers ask individuals for references, you can ask potential companies for clients who will speak on their behalf.

These client references are imperative to giving you a stronger, inside look at what working with a specific company on a day-to-day basis will really look like and how much growth they can really generate for your business.

20 Questions To Ask Public Relations Companies Before You Hire One

1. What services do you offer? Are there tiers to them?
2. Do you have any partnerships with other individuals or firms to help with similar digital initiatives?
3. If we would like a one-time service that you offer but we don’t typically need, what would the cost be?
4. Who will be working with our business? Is it a team of people or just one PR manager?
5. How often can we expect updates?
6. How often will we have phone calls and in-person meetings?
7. What PR-specific experience does each team member have?
8. What experience does each team member have in regard to our industry?
9. How will you determine our demographic?
10. What similar clients do you work with?
11. What success stories related to our goals and/or industry do you have to share?
12. Tell us about a campaign that didn’t achieve the results you had hoped for. What did you learn and how have you applied those lessons to other projects and clients?
13. What publications are relevant to our industry?
14. What system do you have in place for setting and tracking goals?
15. How do you send important news releases?
16. How do you plan to manage our outbound communication?
17. How will you manage our partnerships with influencers and other brands?
18. How will you track our secured media placements, links to website, social media mentions, etc.?
19. How will you personalize campaigns and processes for my brand?
20. How often do you measure results? What metrics do you use?

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