Public Relations Companies have a 5.0 avg. rating from 22 verified reviews
Rankings as of August 2022
Our expert analysts ranked the top Chicago public relations firms that create well-rounded communications strategies. Filter by price, location, expertise, reviews and more to find an agency that best suits your business goals.
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Best Public Relations Agencies In Chicago
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As a full-service competitive alternative to an agency, Pietryla PR & Marketing is agile, employing the right consultants to achieve the exact goals of our clients. That’s how we’re able to remain ful...
Digital Silk is an agency focused on Creating Superior Digital Experiences for their clients. They create cutting-edge brand strategies, websites, apps and results-driven marketing campaigns for mid-s...
MISSION STATEMENTAt Orly Telisman PR, Inc., Our Guiding Principles are to: Amaze clients with exceptional outreach communications.Communicate with respect and appreciation. Do Exceptio...
Digital Authority Partners is a creative, data-driven Content Marketing Firm providing solutions that grow your business.We can help you grow your business. Guaranteed. Contact us today at (312) 820-9...
Critical Mass was founded when a design visionary and a successful entrepreneur came together with a focus on digital experiences in a rapidly evolving space. Over the next 23 years, we helped global...
Winger Marketing is a full-service marketing and public relations agency headquartered in Chicago. Winger Marketing has worked with businesses to create effective integrated marketing and pu...
We are a Chicago-based public relations & marketing firm providing senior-level talent, multiple-industry expertise, and innovative marketing and public relations ideas that work.We take a holis...
Since 1990, Chicago-based Scott Phillips + Associates, Inc. has served as public relations counsel to a diverse mix of industry leading corporations, high-performance start-ups and other organizations...
The Motion Agency is a marketing agency specializing in developing integrated brand programs for products and services. We focus on understanding the audience and crafting brand “moments”...
Our mission is to to deliver better relationships, service, and results while consistently accomplishing and exceeding our clients’ expectations. We strive to maintain a high level of profession...
Brooklyn based communications agency blending traditional PR with new school social and digital
Praytell is a modern communications agency…and we’re shaking things up. Our perspective is this: social media and PR work best when they work together. Take that concept, root it in strategic and crea...
At Gossip Genie, we create an army of loyalists for your brand so you can focus on growing your company offline. Our mission is to humanize brands and make them shine in the digital space with beautif...
Propllr is a Chicago startup PR and content marketing agency helping build credibility and awareness for founder-led, innovative and growing companies.
Reputation Partners is an integrated communications firm that builds and protects brands.We help our clients engage with the audiences that matter most.
Heron is an award-winning lifestyle communications agency. Our comprehensive results-driven campaigns are ROI-proven and help garner attention that leads to real bottom line results.Our robust local...
We help brands understand people & solve marketing challenges.
The Sound is a global consumer exploration, brand strategy and product innovation agency, applying leading-edge market research techniques, technologies and marketing models to solve client brand, mar...
More than public relations & marketing, we are a Story Agency, and your story is ALL that matters.
We are veteran story tellers in a digital world and understand the value of brand story content told across all platforms to optimize success and generate awareness for growth. It's not just public re...
Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago has one of the most diversified economies in the world.
It plays a key role in various sectors, ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to finance, technology and food processing.
The metropolitan area of Chicago has over 9.9 million people. It generated a GDP of $611 billion in 2018, making it the third-largest urban area by GDP in the US.
With a history of futures trading dating back to 1848, Chicago is one of the world’s leading financial hubs.
That’s why the state of Illinois is home to several Fortune 500 major corporations, including Boeing, Caterpillar, McDonald’s or Allstate.
The urban center is also a hub for culture and education, with top higher learning institutions and a myriad of theatres, museums or music venues.
Not to mention Chicago’s love for sports. It’s one of the best sports cities in the States.
This makes Chicago a global city in its own right and it’s hardly surprising that PR specialists deal with some of the most influential and rigorous clients in the market.
Plus, the city ranks twelfth in the cost of living index, higher than Los Angeles, Miami or San Diego.
The high cost of living and the high degree of competition in the industry create a business environment full of zeal and ambition for public relations firms in the city of Chicago.
How Big Is The Chicago PR Talent Pool?
In 2019, 244,730 people were working in the public relations sector in the US. With 6,810 PR specialists, Chicago is the fifth city by employment level.
The public relations industry is foreseen to grow faster than average, 7% from 2019 to 2029, as reported by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In the context of the current COVID-19 crisis, companies need more than ever to communicate effectively across all levels - from customers and employees to stakeholders.
This is where PR experts step in. By creating comprehensive strategies, they deliver key messages to help businesses maintain an active, engaging and value-adding public image.
Moreover, the field of public relations is constantly evolving and a growing number of communication tools are required to produce results, such as social media or marketing tools.
Given the integration of marketing, social media or advertising in successful PR campaigns, the PR talent pool will surely expand.
What Differentiates Chicago Public Relations Agencies From The Rest Of The World?
Let’s look at some key ingredients that differentiate PR firms in Chicago from the rest of the world:
Diverse talent pool: A major hub for culture, education or finance, Chicago is an enticing destination for top-notch talent from around the nation as well as the world. The high level of talent and competition means that PR firms have some of the most determined and qualified specialists.
Strong portfolios: Operating in such an economically diverse environment, PR specialists in Chicago have worked for some of the most demanding clients on the market. Thus, they have built robust portfolios that showcase experience in a variety of different sectors.
Local market know-how: Serving the local industries, Chicago PR agencies have gained deep understanding of the local market. They can create insightful communications strategies to outperform your competitors.
What Does A Chicago Public Relations Firm Specialize In?
Compared to other PR agencies in the US, Chicago public relations firms tend to be qualified in developing media relations for the locally prominent industries.
Chicago PR firms use a variety of communication tools such as press releases, blogging, social media marketing, newsletters and more to expand a brand’s voice.
These are the services they typically specialize in:
Media relations
Crisis and issues management
Reputation management
Public affairs
Content marketing
Social media marketing
Events marketing
Influencer marketing
And more
What Are The Different Types Of Chicago PR Firms?
PR agencies in Chicago can be classified into a few categories, depending on the industry they serve or the services they provide.
International: These comprise big teams of PR specialists with media industry connections and access to various tools. They have the resources to help large companies expand their brand voice throughout all media channels and fortify their credibility and public image.
Boutique: These agencies incorporate smaller staff but are more client-centered, being able to provide more tailored services to clients.
Specialized: These are PR firms that specialize in specific industries, such as finance or healthcare, or a particular PR element, like public affairs or crisis management.
Traditional: These agencies are specialized in getting media coverage on TV, radio, newspapers or magazines. This is their main focus and rarely offer other types of digital services.
How Much Do Chicago Public Relations Agencies Charge?
Most Chicago public relations agencies charge between $150 and $199 per hour for their services. You can also find smaller firms that have a typical hourly rate of $100.
The fee for projects ranges between $5,000 and $10,000, with a few PR firms that engage in projects valued at $1,000.
Considering the high competition in the industry and the high level of talent, the pricing is more expensive than in other US cities.
Chicago is the third-largest urban area by GDP in the U.S.
Why Hire A Chicago PR Firm?
Being in the top five US cities with the highest employment level in the public relations industry, PR agencies based in Chicago are bound to provide quality services.
Here are the key reasons why you should hire a Chicago PR firm:
Access to high-level talent: Chicago is home to world-renowned higher education institutions, attracting top-tier talent from across the world. This results in a highly-skilled talent pool that can provide internationally competitive services.
Media industry connections: Having such a robust economy serving many different sectors, Chicago public relations agencies have established vast connections in the media landscape, being able to reach key media outlets when necessary.
Industry expertise: Being exposed to the local industries, PR agencies in Chicago are better equipped in developing communications strategies for clients within the dominant sectors. They have the knowledge and tools to help you reach audiences within your niche.
Looking for the best integrated marketing agencies?
How To Choose The Best Chicago Public Relations Firm
Selecting the best Chicago public relations firm might not be such an easy task.
Take these aspects into consideration before hiring a Chicago PR firm:
Industry experience: Choosing an agency with experience in your niche will ensure a successful PR campaign. These specialists know the industry landscape, the key players, the competitors and the media outlets that will extend your reach.
Network of contacts: Given that the role of a PR agency is to increase media coverage and build digital relationships, how broad is their network of contacts is decisive in choosing an agency.
Reviews: By going through the reviews, you will pick up an agency’s client references that can prove to be extremely helpful in choosing a PR firm over another.
Talent: The best Chicago public relations firms hire only top-level professionals. That means that experts will handle your campaigns and you will be able to maximize your PR efforts.