Top 20 PR Agencies in 2021

Public relations is an art form. There, I said it!

But it’s also data, communication and creativity. With all of these crucial pieces, finding the best PR agencies around can feel like solving a puzzle. Check out this rundown of the top public relations agencies around this year, and figure out who you want to hire to get the word out—the right way.

1. Ignite Visibility to Kick-Off the Top 20 PR Agencies in 2021

At the San Diego-based Ignite Visibility, it’s all in the name. The team drives visibility for your brand. Ignite’s PR expertise helps generate buzz around your brand through digital and traditional public relations tactics. Thanks to strong relationships with media sources, online influencers, bloggers and more, the team makes it easy to direct public opinion about your brand. Ignite is also a bi-lingual company, meaning Spanish-speaking clients have an in, too.

PR Services Offered: Media Outreach and Relations, Community Outreach, General Market and Hispanic Media Blogger outreach, Social Media Influencer Outreach, Media Training, Media Tours, Press Conferences, Brand Activations, Special Event Production, Crisis Communications, Competitive Backlink Gap Analysis

Other Services: SEO, International Search Marketing, Local Search Marketing, Pay-per-Click Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing, Conversion Rate Optimization, Website Design and Development, Reporting and Analytics, Amazing Marketing, Digital Marketing Strategy, Franchise Marketing

Notable Clients: The Knot Worldwide, The General Insurance, 5-Hour Energy, Eos Fitness, National Funding, Tony Robbins, Accredited Debt Relief

2. BeccaPR

Becca is a bi-coastal creative communications agency based out of Los Angeles and New York. For Becca, clients inspire them. They search for what makes a brand unique, including cool and unusual nuggets about a client’s story. From collateral to social, events to partnerships, Becca takes a holistic approach to PR. The team reaches out to producers and editors to get the word out—and not just any word, but the right word. Clients include restaurants, hotels, real estate, products, wine and spirits.

PR Services Offered: Collateral, Social, Events, Partnerships, Media Outreach

Other Services: Brand Consulting, Website & Blog Development, Photography, Videography, Content Creation, Social Media, Digital Media

Notable Clients: Four Seasons at the Surf Club, The Hotel June, Brooklyn Brewery, Dogfish Head Ale, Chameleon Cold Brew, Panera, Wynn Las Vegas

3. Hotwire Global

London-based but serving globally, Hotwire creates combined growth through channel and alliance marketing, stimulates engagement through industry marketing, generates attention on social media, and proves impact through insights and evaluation. That’s not all—Hotwire also uses design and film to build energy for its clients, and uses PR to shape the story. Hotwire works with clients in consumer tech, enterprise tech, fintech, industrial tech, marketing and ad tech, and retail and leisure tech.

PR Services Offered: Public Relations for Corporate, B2B, Consumer, Analyst and Internal Communications Audiences

Other Services: Communications and Brand Strategy, Account-Based Marketing, Strategic Channel and Alliances, Industry Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Insights and Evaluation, Design and Film

Notable Clients: Adobe, Commvault, Eaton, Five AI, NetApp, Intermedia, Qualcomm

4. Shift Communications

Shift offers integrated communications that are informed by data, crafted with passion and distributed with precision. The company’s headquarters are in Boston, but it retains a global reach. PR and communications are Shift’s bread and butter, specifically in the B2B, healthcare, consumer and technology spaces.

PR Services Offered: Communications Strategy, Optimized PR, Reputation Strategy, Topic and Sentiment Analysis, Corporate Thought Leadership, Crisis & Issues Management, Employee Engagement, Financial Communications, Messaging & Narratives, Speaking and Awards, Syndication & Amplification

Other Services: Analytics and Insight, Audience Mapping, Behavioral Research, Brand Strategy, Competitive Audits, Content Strategy, Digital Marketing Strategy, PESO Strategy and Media, Primary Research, Brand Experiences, Community Management, Content Development, Creative Campaigns, Design, Purpose and CSR, Digital Advertising, Paid Social, Performance Marketing, SEM, SEO, Website Optimization

Notable Clients: Citrix, Crypto.com, Godaddy, Mcdonald’s, RSA Conference, Tenstorrent, Sifive

5. Small Girls PR

Another bi-coastal agency with offices in New York and Los Angeles, Small Girls PR works with clients ranging from venture-backed startups to publicly traded companies. The firm works best as a strategic partner for brands rather than simply one to outsource work to. Ultimately, it’s PR that’s far more cohesive than just press. That’s evidenced in Small Girls’ events, like when it produced a Kamala Harris-hosted Tulsa Block party and launched Olay’s Super Bowl ad to the cover of AdWeek.

PR Services Offered: Communications Strategy and Positioning, Media Relations, Influencer Marketing, Strategic Partnerships, Experiential Production

Other Services: Content Strategy and Production

Notable Clients: Outdoor Voices, Hinge, Billie, Ellevest, Mejuri, ThredUp, Doordash

6. Goff Public

Goff Public is a hard-and-fast PR agency that values reputations, relationships, and results. The team is based in St. Paul, Minnesota and works with clients in a range of industries. The agency is part of the Minnesota Keystone Program, which means it donates at least 2% of pre-tax earnings to charitable organizations.

PR Services Offered: Crisis and Issues Management, Messaging, Media Relations, Communications Plans and Audits, Branding and Marketing, Digital Storytelling

Other Services: Government Relations (Lobbying, Advocacy and Engagement, Messaging, Public Opinion Research), Training and Coaching

Notable Clients: BlueCross BlueShield, CFIndustries, Saint Paul Minnesota, Concordia University, FairVote Minnesota, Pfizer, Polaris Industries Inc.

7. Dezenhall Resources

Based in Washington, DC, Dezenhall Resources is adept at managing crises and defending a marketplace. This means taking the bull by the horns to help clients survive a reputational crisis, unprecedented emergency situations, an adverse public policy change, unwanted or unwarranted government scrutiny, a competitor attack or a public disclosure that threatens their ability to operate. Dezenhell’s work is proactive as much as it is reactive.

PR Services Offered: Strategic Issues Management and Advocacy, Coalition Building, Grasstops Influencer Engagement, Ground Game Activation, Media Outreach, Crisis Preparedness Planning, Crisis Landscape and Risk Analysis, Strategic Counsel, Rapid Response and War Room Command and Control, Third Party Mobilization, Crisis Protocols and Best Practices, Crisis Simulations Training, Regulatory Compliance and Investigation Communication, Litigation Communication

Other Services: Digital Communication, Social Media Strategy,

Notable Clients: Non-Disclosed

8. JeffreyGroup

JeffreyGroup is one of the top PR agencies for a reason: it specifically focuses on Latin American businesses. Based in New York, Miami, and other international locations, the firm performs Latin America marketing, corporate communications and public affairs. It serves clients in various industries and is especially adept at helping US companies cater to Latin American audiences. For its public affairs work, JeffreyGroup navigates communications between companies and their employees, channel partners, competitors, community leaders, unions, NGOs, trade and advocacy groups.

PR Services Offered: Corporate Communications, Media and Influencer Relations, Issues and Crisis Management, International Public Affairs

Other Services: Digital and Social Media, Customer Engagement, Creative Services, Stakeholder Strategies

Notable Clients: Mastercard, The Patron Spirits Company, Airbus, Bayer, Walt Disney World Resort Florida, Enterprise, John Deere

9. 360PR+

The Boston and New York agency 360PR+ understands that public relations is a sweeping endeavor. The firm considers itself a category leader as one of the best PR agencies. 360PR+ works in a range of sectors, including (but not limited to) adult beverages, B Corporations, edtech, parenting, video games, mobility, and pets. Parenting-related brands will find it interesting that the firm has the 360PR+ MomSquad, the agency’s established panel of moms and dads who bring insight and reach to other parents online and off.

PR Services Offered: Experiential Events, Executive Thought Leadership, Corporate Communications, Issues Management, Community Management

Other Services: Earned Media, Influencer Marketing, Brand Purpose, Social Media and Content Marketing Strategy, Content Creation and Distribution

Notable Clients: Trek, Nintendo, Vrbo, Rubik’s Cube, Drizly, Stonyfield Organic, Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs

10. Serendipit

Serendipit Consulting is a Phoenix, Arizona brand management and PR company founded on the basis of respect, flexibility, uniqueness, data, and having fun. Outside of PR and branding (Serendipit’s jam, of course), the firm creates out-of-the-box student housing brands meant to reinvest in the industry. Serendipit works primarily in the industries of student housing, residential and commercial real estate, fashion, beauty, hospitality, technology and consumer product industries.

PR Services Offered: Media Relations, Influencer Marketing, Speaking Engagements, Crisis Communications, Community Outreach

Other Services: Branding, Marketing, Digital Marketing, Inbound Marketing, Student Housing

Notable Clients: Modern Acupuncture, Campus Living Villages, Marilyn Monroe Spas, OrangeTheory Fitness, Robbins Brothers, Cottages Hollywood, Bayless Integrated Healthcare

11. Sam Brown Inc.

A Wayne, Pennsylvania-based company, Sam Brown Inc. is one of the top PR companies for a reason. With a focus on healthcare clients, Sam Brown offers expert communications services. Biotechnology, device and pharmaceutical companies in all phases of development and commercialization are welcome. The team is skilled in engaging with target audiences ranging from legislators to caregivers, from investors to the general public.

PR Services Offered: Corporate Communications, Public Relations, Financial Communications, Brand/Marketing Communications, Media Relations, Issues and Crisis Management

Other Services: Creative Services, Social Media

Notable Clients: Graphite Bio, Calithera, Axial Therapeutics, JSR Life Sciences, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Blue Earth Diagnostics, Greenwich Biosciences

12. Bravo Group

For Bravo Group, marketing and communications solutions are grounded in data science but designed for humans, which gives its clients the edge they need to win tough fights. Based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the team takes a strategic approach to PR: understanding data, confidently mobilizing and building enduring connections. Bravo Group excels in outreach, digital marketing, data analysis and a unique solutions-based approach to PR.

PR Services Offered: Fundraising, PR and Community Outreach, Government Relations and Lobbying, Crisis Communications, Media Relations, ESG, Media Buying and Planning

Other Services: Research, Insights and Strategic Planning, Analytics and Measurement, Marketing and Branding, Creative, Innovation and Technology

Notable Clients: Non-Disclosed

13. Lumina Communications

Based in Silicon Valley and Manhattan, Lumina Communications is a B2B technology communications firm. Lumina has a team of driven PR professionals who are passionate, creative and determined to help businesses differentiate and win in crowded markets. With expertise in public relations, content marketing, and social media, Lumina has its clients covered from end to end. For the team, PR is not just pitching—it’s engagement.

PR Services Offered: Messaging and Positioning; Media, Analyst, and Influencer Relations; Media Training

Other Services: Content Creation, Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing, Influencer Outreach, Community Management, Social Media Engagement and Reporting

Notable Clients: Vectra, Sanmina, Lookout, Pathlock, Rapyd, Saltstack

14. Idea Grove

Idea Grove has a clear goal in mind: to accelerate clients’ funnels, grow brand awareness and increase trust. The firm’s methodology requires the team to ideate, develop, execute and analyze. Idea Grove serves a range of B2B tech industries, like cybersecurity, retail tech, process automation, supply chain management, SaaS, cloud computing and much more. It takes a trust-centered approach to PR. One client, Pivot3, was an early pioneer in hyper-converged infrastructure and found a PR partner in Idea Grove during its search for more recognition in the industry.

PR Services Offered: Third-Party Validation, Reputation Management, Thought Leadership, Public Relations

Other Services: User Experience, Search Presence, Brand Strategy, Website Design, Content Marketing, Social Media, HubSpot Consulting

Notable Clients: Amazon, Clio Coffee, Copyblogger, daVinci Payments, Netbase, PG&E, Skyword

15. Ballou

For clients looking to open up in the UK market, Ballou PR is one of the top public relations agencies to choose from. Ballou works with technology companies to create creative, bold and measurable PR. This includes companies centered around cloud computing, adtech, venture capital, mobility, open source, edtech, medtech, envirotech, fintech, internet services, travel and consumers. The team is made up of a wide range of experts, including B2B and B2C media buyers, stakeholder audience experts and a media team made up of former journalists and broadcasters.

PR Services Offered: Messaging and Positioning, Media Relations, Corporate Communications, Crisis Management, Public Affairs, Media Training

Other Services: Content Creation, Social Media, SEO, Graphic Design, Brand Identity

Notable Clients: Hazy, Trivago, Twenga Solutions, Magister, Taxify, Udacity, Ecosia

16. Octopus Group

Octopus Group is a B2B-focused PR agency based in London. The firm’s trademarked Brand to Sales approach builds brands, creates awareness, and generates demand. There’s even a Brand to Sales Academy, an in-house training program where experienced specialists help others learn about everything from creative direction to marketing automation.

PR Services Offered: Media Planning, Campaign Optimization, Organic Social Media, Crisis Communications, International PR, Event Management

Other Services: Strategy, Creative, Digital Build, Content, Demand Generation, Martech

Notable Clients: Adobe, Western Digital, Bluetooth, Modulr, Hectare, Logitech, Siemens

17. Proof Strategies

Proof Strategies is a PR firm rooted in curiosity. That’s why the motto is Ask Better Questions. With a hold on communications, government relations, crisis management, public affairs and more, Proof is a Canadian agency that gets it done.

PR Services Offered: Crisis Management, Coalition Building, Reputation and Change Management, Committee Appearances and Legislative Receptions, Public Opinion Research

Other Services: Strategy and Insights, Digital Marketing, Earned Media , Internal Communications, Paid Media Measurement, Influencer Marketing, SEO, Art Direction  and Copywriting, Graphic Design, Government Insights and Monitoring, Registration and Lobbying, Digital Advocacy, Policy Analysis and Briefs, Federal & Provincial Budget Input and Analysis,

Notable Clients: HeartLife Foundation, Port Hawkesbury Airport, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, Juvederm, Catelli Pasta, Canadian Red Cross, SodaStream

18. Veritas Communications

Veritas Communications is a vanguard in influencer marketing. The Canada-based team measures well beyond impressions, diving into true impact. Ultimately, Veritas walks the line between public relations and marketing to inspire positive word-of-mouth and drive brand preference. Veritas belongs to the MDC Partners Network and is headquartered in Toronto with an office in Montreal.

PR Services Offered: Influencer Marketing

Other Services: Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Promotional Marketing

Notable Clients: Microsoft Canadian Data Centre, Budweiser Canada, Subway, Xbox, Best Buy, Stella Artois, Expedia

19. Infinite Global

International communications firm Infinite Global is an award-winning PR agency with a wide lens. A network of 50 consultants and even more contractors helps the firm deliver results beyond bounds. Infinite works with companies in professional services, financial services, real estate and corporate industries.

PR Services Offered: Awards and Directory Submissions, Communications Strategy, Media Relations, Thought Leadership Amplification, Brand Storytelling, Change Management and M&A PR, Corporate Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, Media Training

Other Services: IG Intelligence, Brand campaigns, Special Reports, Content Strategy, Content Creation, Ghostwriting, Podcasts, Video and Multimedia, Social Media Audits, Training and Consultancy

Notable Clients: Non-Disclosed

20. Archetype to Round Out the Top 20 PR Agencies in 2021

Based in San Francisco, Archetype builds magnetic brands. What’s that mean? The company partners with category creators and industry leaders to build the world’s most attractive brands, specifically through strategy, creative, communications, and digital. Above all, Archetype aims to set the standard for the next generation of global agencies.

PR Services Offered: Strategic Communications, Media and Influencer Relations, Analyst Relations, Corporation and Consumer Communications, Employee Communications, Crisis Communications

Other Services: Social Media Strategy, Paid Amplification, Content Strategy, SEO, SEM, Web and Mobile Development, Creative Strategy, Brand Identity, Graphic Design, Film Production, Copywriting, UX and UI, Brand Creation, Brand Insights, Analytics and Measurement, Campaign Development, Messaging and Narrative, Brand Experiences

Notable Clients: Airbnb, ChargePoint, Instagram, Ikea, Nespresso, Slack, Tinder

FAQs About the Top PR Companies of 2021

1. What do PR agencies do?

The top PR agencies specialize in a key type of media: earned media, sometimes referred to as free media. As opposed to paid or owned media, public relations gets the word so other media outlets learn about your brand and talk about it organically.

PR professionals promote their clients in the best light, manage crises when they come, and frame clients to avoid crises in the first place. This means having honed expertise in public opinion, counseling the company from top to bottom, researching clients and instilling strategy.

If it sounds complex, that’s because it is! PR is not just press releases, though that’s an important part of the job. It’s myriad creative solutions, like networking, social media, copywriting, event planning, journalism pitches and so much more.

2. Is hiring one of the top PR agencies worth it?

If you’re going to invest in a PR agency, it may as well be one of the best. That doesn’t necessarily mean the biggest or the most well-known, but the one whose vision aligns with your brand.

To determine if it’s right for you, break down your business goals. If those goals require a larger net to fish from, a PR agency can provide for you.

As for whether you should stick with an agency or an in-house PR specialist, consider what each of those options can provide. Agencies have team members whose expertise runs the gamut. If you go in-house but can only swing one or two hires, you’re missing out on a plethora of skills that your brand can benefit from.

3. How do I find PR agencies near me?

Some companies prefer to stay local (or, at least, regional). Look for PR agencies in your area, from San Diego to New York and everywhere in between and beyond.

While you’re at it, keep an open mind. Come up with a few public relations names you’d like to contact. Consider adding one or two agencies into the mix that aren’t local but know your audience really well. They may surprise you in the consultation.

Look for a PR agency with a clear vision for your brand and the results to back it up. You’re better off with a team made up of diverse skill sets (that’s how you’ll get the most bang for your buck!).

4. Are there PR agencies that work with influencers?

Some of the top PR agencies work with social media influencers. Influencer marketing is a good tool to have in your belt, especially when mixed in with other public relations tactics.

A top-notch PR company will help you find the influencers who will garner you the greatest reach. That may not be the profiles with the largest followings (micro-influencers have great engagement!). The real test will be your ROI.

Look for an agency that works with different platforms, uses data to drive strategy and understands your audience to the tee.

Finding the Top Public Relations Agencies Can Be Easy—If You Know Where to Look

What are the chances of your brand finding success? With public relations services at your offer, those chances are much higher. The top PR agencies can help you get where you need to go, and that’s a lead worth grabbing.