Top Public Relations Companies in 2026

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Public Relations Firms

The top Public Relations agencies in 2026 are Outreach Strategists, LLC and Brandswell, selected from 2 agencies vetted by DesignRush on the basis of verified client reviews (4.5 avg. rating), project outcomes and industry expertise. Outreach Strategists, LLC leads the ranking for Public Relations, followed by Brandswell.

#	Agency	Rating	Min project	Hourly	Location
1	Outreach Strategists, LLC	New	$25,000 - $50,000	Inquire	Houston, Texas
2	Brandswell	New	$25,000 - $50,000	$300/hr	Johannesburg, South Africa

4.5 avg. rating from 954 verified reviews

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Public Administration × $25,000 - $50,000 ×

Best Public Relations Companies

Every PR company on DesignRush is evaluated for demonstrated expertise and authentic client reviews to support your decision. Certain placements are paid.

Outreach Strategists, LLC
Global Communications And Public Affairs Firm

Outreach Strategists is an award-winning strategic communications and marketing agency specializing in digital marketing, community outreach, and public affairs for education, workforce development, transportation, infrastructure, and healthcare clients across Texas and the United States...

Top Services:

Advertising

Digital Marketing

Public Relations

Video Production

Creative Services

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Location

Houston, Texas

Number of Employees

Under 49

Minimal Budget

$25,000 - $50,000
Outreach Strategists, LLC Services

Advertising

Digital Marketing

Public Relations

Video Production

Creative Services

Branding

Market Research

Web Design

Media Buying

Event Marketing

Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
AARP

BlueCross BlueShield

AustinISD

Community Health Choice

Harmony Public Schools

Kelsey Seybold Clinic

Gulf Coast Workforce Board

Uber

Wisk

UMC El Paso

Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
Outreach Strategists, LLC Reviews & Testimonials

Alfred Cooks Review from Google

5.0 ★

Alfred Cooks's Review Sourced from Google

Untill I met Outreach, I never knew how much I love doing what I Love to do. These guys are a welcomed blessings,🥰

Mike Nguyen Review from Google

5.0 ★

Mike Nguyen's Review Sourced from Google

I feel like they are the best "hub" to go to when it comes to connecting to people, non-profits, for-profits, public officials, all communities, I really can just sit here and list things off my head for a long time. It really is amazing how rooted they are in the city of Houston and beyond. Strongly recommend for you or your organization to reach out to Outreach Strategists. It still amazes me how creative they can be when it comes to almost anything. I know that sounds so broad, but that is how knowledgeable the people are here. If you need to connect to people or the public, they will get you connected.

Beverly Gor Review from Google

5.0 ★

Beverly Gor's Review Sourced from Google

The Outreach Strategists provided excellent graphic, social media and website support for our recent virtual health conference. Their work was done in a timely manner and with total professionalism. I would recommend them highly for technical support for events like ours.

Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
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5.0 5.0 (4)
Brandswell
We create brands well.

Brandswell is an integrated brand, marketing, and communications agency renowned for leveraging expert energy and a legacy of excellence to drive superior marketing results. With a proven 15-year track record, we excel in the ideation, implementation, and activation of original, highly effective marketing...

Top Services:

Branding

Digital Services

Graphic Design

Creative Services

Digital Strategy

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Location

Johannesburg, South Africa

Number of Employees

Under 49

Average Hourly Rate

$300/hr

Minimal Budget

$25,000 - $50,000
Brandswell Services

Branding

Digital Services

Graphic Design

Creative Services

Digital Strategy

Video Production

Public Relations

Print Design

Design Services

Reputation Management

Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
International Data Corporation

South African Local Government Association

KZN Tourism

Shell

SunBet

LulaBet

3M

Sprite

City Tshwane

Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
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Public Relations Specializations

Services Related to Public Relations

Popular Services

How to Hire a PR Firm

What can PR firms do for businesses?

A PR firm can help businesses build credibility, shape perception, and support their long-term growth.

One of their most important contributions is building credibility.

When done right, PR helps position a company as reliable and authoritative.

Trust directly affects purchasing behavior, but the relationship is more nuanced than a single percentage.

According to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, 60% of consumers or more say they buy, choose, or avoid brands based on their beliefs and trust in those brands.

Public relations companies also shape perception through clear messaging and strategic communication.

They define how a company presents its value, differentiates itself from competitors, and communicates consistently across channels.

Emerging brands and companies entering new markets find this particularly beneficial because first impressions can determine long-term success.

Top PR firms also play a central role in protecting and strengthening reputation.

In an environment where information spreads instantly, businesses are constantly exposed to risks.

PR teams prepare organizations for potential crises, manage communication during high-pressure situations, and guide recovery afterward.

According to PwC’s 2023 Global Crisis Survey, 9 in 10 organizations have experienced multiple disruptions, and 76% say disruptions had a medium or high operational impact.

PR professionals also support growth by building authority through thought leadership and strategic storytelling.

Edelman’s 2024 B2B Thought Leadership Impact Report showed that 73% of decision-makers say thought leadership is a more trustworthy way to assess a company’s capabilities than traditional marketing materials, and 70% say strong thought leadership has prompted them to research a provider they were not previously considering.

How do I choose the best PR firm on DesignRush that fits my budget?

To make the search process easier, we've put together a list of top-rated PR firms at different price points so you can choose an agency that meets your spending expectations.

High budget: $50,000	Avaans Media NYLON Marketing LAFRENCHCOM
Medium budget: $10,000-$25,000	5W Public Relations Public Media Solutions Ascendant Group
Low budget: $1,000-$10,000	Pristine Advisers PRA Public Relations Priya

Beyond budget, our directory allows you to narrow down agencies by hourly rate, location, service type, team size, reviews, and more.

What should a strong PR proposal or pitch include?

A strong PR proposal or pitch should clearly demonstrate how the agency will solve a business problem, deliver measurable outcomes, and act as a strategic partner.

First, it should include a clear understanding of the client’s business, industry, and goals by outlining the company’s current position, challenges, and opportunities, along with a defined target audience.

Proposals that show this level of insight signal that the PR firm can provide tailored, strategic guidance rather than generic execution.

Second, it should present a well-defined strategy, including key messaging, positioning, and a structured plan for achieving visibility and credibility, whether through media coverage, thought leadership, or integrated campaigns.

The PR strategy should connect directly to business outcomes, not just activities.

Third, a strong proposal should outline specific tactics and deliverables, such as media outreach, content development, executive visibility, or campaign activations.

Clarity here is critical, as decision-makers need to understand exactly what work will be done and how it supports broader objectives.

It should also include measurable goals and success metrics because modern PR is expected to demonstrate impact.

What red flags should you look for when selecting a PR partner?

Watch for the following red flags when evaluating a B2B PR agency:

Lack of a clear strategy or defined outcomes
If a PR partner focuses only on activities like press releases or outreach without tying them to business goals, that’s a major red flag.
Unrealistic guarantees
No credible PR firm can guarantee specific coverage in top-tier media because earned media depends on editorial decisions, not contracts. Promises like 10 guaranteed placements a month often indicate low-quality or paid placements disguised as PR.
Weak or vague case studies
A reliable agency should provide specific results, such as percentage increases in coverage, share of voice, or audience reach. If examples lack numbers or measurable outcomes, it suggests limited proven success.
Poor media relationships or a generic outreach approach
If the firm cannot explain how it approaches journalists or tailors pitches, it likely relies on mass emailing. This reduces effectiveness and can damage credibility with media contacts.
Limited senior involvement after onboarding
Some PR firms use senior leaders to win the business but shift execution to junior staff. Clarify who will manage your account day-to-day and how many hours senior team members will spend on it.
No clear reporting or measurement framework
Transparency is critical. If an agency cannot explain how performance will be tracked, it will be difficult to evaluate ROI or justify continued investment.
Poor communication or slow response times during the pitch process
Early behavior is a strong indicator of future performance. If response times exceed 48-72 hours during initial discussions, it may signal future delays.

What questions should I ask a PR company before becoming a client?

Ask the following questions before you sign the contract:

Relevant Background

What experience do you have in our industry or with similar companies?
Can you share recent case studies with measurable results?
Who will be working on our account, and what is their level of experience?
How does your firm differentiate itself from other PR agencies we may be considering?

Services and Processes

What specific services are included in your standard engagement?
How do you develop and execute a PR strategy?
What does your media outreach and relationship-building process look like?
How do you measure success and report on performance?

Related to Your Project

How would you approach our specific goals and challenges?
What timeline should we expect for initial results and long-term impact?
What level of involvement will you need from our internal team?
What potential risks or challenges do you foresee in our PR efforts?

Why Companies Trust DesignRush

Rated 4.8 on Google and 4.7 on Trustpilot, DesignRush Agency Directory is a reliable resource for finding top PR firms. We owe this to our executive selection team, which follows a strict screening process when featuring agencies on the platform, assessing key performance indicators, like portfolio, client reviews, and industry reputation.

Learn more about DesignRush Agency Ranking Methodology.

Sources

DesignRush sustains a directory of over 40,000 agencies categorized by service category, location, expertise, and reviews. We build our database in two ways:

Our dedicated team of agency experts actively searches 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.

4 Frequently Asked Questions About PR Firms

What services do PR firms offer?

They offer the following services:

Media relations and earned coverage: Through strong media relations, PR agencies pitch stories, coordinate interviews, and place clients in relevant publications. Recent industry data shows that 63% of consumers trust news media information over advertising, reinforcing the value of PR-led media coverage.
Strategic communication and PR strategy: Developing a tailored PR strategy aligned with business goals to reach target audiences effectively. According to PR Week’s State of PR report, 75% of communicators say PR must directly align with business results.
Reputation and crisis management: A public relations firm prepares organizations for potential risks and leads response efforts during crises. According to industry research, businesses with a proactive crisis plan recover up to 50% faster than those without one.
Corporate communications and public affairs: Many agencies handle internal and external corporate communications, ensuring consistent messaging across employees, investors, and the public. They may also support public affairs, helping organizations navigate regulatory environments and communicate with government stakeholders.
Content and digital marketing integration: Modern PR services often overlap with digital marketing, content marketing, and influencer marketing. PR firms create press releases, thought leadership articles, and multimedia content that amplify visibility across digital channels. Digital and online media now account for 57.84% of PR spending, showing how communication strategies have shifted toward digital-first engagement.
Brand positioning and thought leadership: PR agencies help companies establish authority through thought leadership, strategic storytelling, and consistent messaging. This is especially important for emerging brands seeking to build brand recognition in competitive markets.
Client advisory and PR counseling: Providing ongoing PR counseling to guide leadership decisions. Agencies advise each client on communication strategy, market positioning, and stakeholder engagement.

How much do PR services typically cost?

The price of PR services varies widely depending on the scope, industry, and level of expertise required. Most entry-level and mid-sized businesses should expect to pay $5,000-$15,000 per month for meaningful results from a professional PR firm.

For ongoing support, agencies typically charge a monthly retainer.

Entry-level or boutique PR firm: $3,000-$5,000 per month
Mid-sized agencies: $8,000-$15,000 per month
Enterprise or global public relations companies: $15,000-$40,000+ per month

A 2025 pricing analysis shows that most retainers fall between $5,000 and $20,000 per month, with larger national or global campaigns exceeding that range.

Agencies charge hourly for advisory, PR counseling, and similar services with rates ranging from $100 to $300 per hour.

How do these firms handle crisis management situations?

They handle crisis management by preparing in advance, responding quickly, and guiding the recovery after the immediate issue is contained.

First, a PR firm assesses risk and builds a response plan before a crisis happens. That matters because 89% of business leaders say resilience is a strategic priority, which shows how seriously companies now treat crisis readiness, according to Deloitte.

When a crisis breaks, firms move fast to control the narrative by drafting a holding statement, advising executives, coordinating legal and leadership input, and managing media questions. The goal is to respond within the first day, because early action often shapes how the issue is perceived.

Top agencies also monitor digital channels in real time. At the start of 2024, there were 5.04 billion social media user accounts worldwide, and the global total grew by 266 million in 2023, which means crises can spread extremely fast across platforms.

After the immediate response, PR teams focus on trust recovery, handling follow-up messaging, stakeholder communication, and reputation rebuilding.

What timelines should I expect before seeing measurable results from PR efforts?

PR results typically take time to build, with most businesses seeing measurable impact within 3 to 6 months, and stronger, sustained results over 6 to 12 months.

Early outputs, such as media placements and initial media relations traction, can appear within the first 4 to 8 weeks. However, meaningful outcomes, such as improved brand recognition, a stronger reputation, and consistent coverage, require ongoing effort and a well-executed strategy.

According to the 2024 Global Comms Report by Cision, 68% of PR professionals say demonstrating long-term impact remains a top priority, reinforcing that PR is a cumulative investment rather than a short-term tactic.

In practice, organizations that commit to at least 6 months of consistent PR activity are far more likely to see measurable business value.