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.
SmartSites drafts and distributes press releases, securing placements across 450+ premium news sites and earning backlinks that support SEO campaigns for clients nationwide. Based in Paterson, New Jersey, the agency is one of the established PR companies serving small and mid-sized brands...
Digital Services Review from Paloma Anguiano
Overall I feel very confident working with Patrizia and Darius from Smart Site, they have given us clear explanations and accompanied us throughout the process for the growth of the brand. The attention to us is very fast and they advise us in an adequate way.
Digital Services Review from Brianna Porter
SmartSites impressed me from day one. They are knowledgable, kind, and most importantly keep things simple and streamlined so that even an SEO-newb like me can understand. Tiffany and Luna are my main points of contact and they are especially great! I would recommend to anyone looking for an agency to really take their website and digital presence to the next level.
PPC Review from Jim Curry
At first, a survey was conducted to gather company background, product information, target markets, etc. Next, accounts were established on various Google Business platforms, social media, etc. Then SmartSites created the ads and campaigns, and we were off and running in just a few weeks.
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.
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.
Let’s look at some key ingredients that differentiate PR firms in Chicago from the rest of the world:
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.
The leading sectors in Chicago are:
Chicago PR firms use a variety of communication tools such as press releases, blogging, social media marketing (SMM), newsletters and more to expand a brand’s voice.
These are the services they typically specialize in:
PR agencies in Chicago can be classified into a few categories, depending on the industry they serve or the services they provide.
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.
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:
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:
Before you decide to hire a Chicago public relations firm, note to address them these following questions:
Chicago is one of the most economically powerful cities in the US, attracting the best PR experts in the country.
What distinguishes Chicago public relations agencies from their counterparts in other parts of the US are these key factors:
They are more experienced in establishing media relations for the local sectors: finance, manufacturing, healthcare.
Most PR agencies in Chicago charge between $150 and $199 per hour.
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