The Best PR Firms in America 2022

This year’s list of America’s Best Public Relations Companies is dominated by Chicago-based Walker Sands Communications, which specializes in Internet marketing. The company has received rave reviews from major publications such as Advertising Age and Fast Company, and is widely considered one of the best agencies in the world. Takes marketing to the next level. Its team is made up of experienced experts who operate like a well-oiled machine. Among the clients are some of the most recognized brands in the country.

Right Now made the list twice and was named one of the top public relations firms in the United States by the Observer. With a clientele that includes UGG, Kendra Scott, Walgreens, NBA and Tubi, the company is among the most innovative in the industry. Its success is due in part to its media relations work, but it also has a niche Creative Services offering, including branding and product development.

Right Now, in turn, was named America’s Best Public Relations Firms 2022 by the Observer. Her stellar client list includes UGG, Kendra Scott, the NBA, and the CIA. The company also works on reproductive health campaigns and the brand identity of New York controller Brad Lander and Philly DA Larry Krasner. Its success, according to the Observer, is attributed to the company’s ability to engage in a variety of strategic communications programs.

Antena PR, with its team of “Formigas”, entered the list twice. Its revenue has doubled year on year and its number of employees has grown by 50%. The company’s list includes former EPA employee Andy Beck, former WSJ reporter Cassandra Sweet and Mansion Global editor Gina Faridniya. It also expanded its offices in Detroit and DC. The company is also launching a mobile vaccine campaign for electric vehicle maker AYRO.

Right Now, a Chicago-based firm, was named by the Observer as America’s Best Public Relations Firms for 2022. The firm has worked with clients including Kendra Scott, UGG, and the NBA. Its Creative Services division includes media relations and brand identity. It also has a thriving mobile vaccine program. Its name is synonymous with innovative solutions for consumer-focused industries.

As part of the Omnicom Group, FleishmanHillard is a St. Louis, Missouri. The company is a member of the Omnicom Group, an American global media holding that oversees more than 1,500 agencies. In 2018, FleishmanHillard ranked fourth. Its fee income was $606 million. He is currently a finalist for the Global PR Agencies of the Year award.

As the number one public relations firm in New York, Right Now’s clients include UGG, Kendra Scott, Walgreens, NBA and Tubi. The company’s impressive list of clients includes the New York Times, Observer and The Wall Street Journal. The company has grown year after year and is expanding its staff. Its customers include a range of notable brands.

The Right Now was named by PRWeek as one of America’s Top Public Relations Firms 2022. The firm’s clients include UGG, Kendra Scott, Walgreens, and the NBA. Its success is mainly due to its excellent media relations work and its offering of niche creative services, which include brand identity, product development and social media. The Right Now is one of the best public relations firms in the world, but its success is not without controversy.

BCW is the world’s best public relations firm for pharmaceuticals. In 2017, it was the most successful company in America. It is the fastest growing communications company in the world. Its customers include major brands, luxury goods and technology companies. In recent rankings, BCW has surpassed other public relations firms in the number of awards given to other companies in the world. The agency’s diverse team attracts many top brands.

Day One is a digital public relations agency with a global reach. His campaign for Nike garnered more views than the Super Bowl. In addition, Finsbury is a highly experienced company that consistently delivers results for its clients. Its approach to public relations is based on the ‘Power of One’ principle. The company focuses on listening and collaborating with customers to develop brand and product messages.

2021 was supposed to be the year things got back to “normal”, assuming anyone could remember what normal is like. With COVID variants and historical inflation, it got a little different. But what impressed us about the companies on this year’s list is that they outperformed the norm; in many cases, they used their creativity and intelligence to find new lines of business and break new ground. It’s a dazzling mix of familiar faces from the industry with a few fast-moving newcomers. Meet the best. (See the list of rising stars here.)

1. BerlinRosen

BerlinRosen tops our list for the second time, which no agency has ever done. It’s hard to argue with top-tier customer growth (Bloomberg Intelligence, Westfield, MeToo, Mozilla, One Vanderbilt, Macy’s, Via), solid revenue growth (25% vs. 253 this year, up from 203 last year). The company is affecting the world with highly praised communication support for causes like the 15% Pledge, SisterSong, the Fight for $15 and GLAAD, as well as potent work for a range of reproductive health campaigns. BerlinRosen even participated in major election campaigns, including NYC controller Brad Lander and Philadelphia prosecutor Larry Krasner. Co-founder Jonathan Rosen was one of the masterminds behind the NY FOREVER campaign, which boosted morale in Gotham’s pandemic era. Megaclients like Silverstein Properties, Samsung, the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and Audible are loyal. For all these reasons, and others we barely have room for, BerlinRosen is our agency of the year.

2. 42West

As the recording agency for the Bond blockbuster No Time To Die, this entertainment powerhouse helped design one of the great pop culture moments of the year. Working with every streamer, the company has had its own successful year again with nearly every studio and every major festival; 42West opened the door for the release of the new Superman bi for longtime customer DC Comics, collaborated on their eighth Best Picture Oscar campaign with Nomadland, oversaw Emmy campaigns for 3 majors, and represented talent on both sides of the screen, from showrunners Mike White, Kenya Barris and Gloria Calderon-Kellet to producers Shawn Levy and Nina Jacobson to #1Toms – Hanks and Cruise, main streamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, plus Karen Elson and some Cokes—Rocha and Team Coco (O’Brien) … 2021 saw the company more than double down on its crisis, media training and corporate work, making hay with Fandom, BOND, Turner and Riot Games. After purchasing gaming agency B/HI, 42West parent company Dolphin Entertainment made it a division of 42West and the company gained more juice in the massive gaming, esports and NFT category this year with NPX Capital clients. , Doodle Labs, AndBox and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Games by Mattel.

3. Alison Brod Marketing Communications

Let’s just say: Alison Brod’s company is producing some of the most creative, effective and influential work in the industry. Just when we thought the company couldn’t get over last year’s Popeye chicken sandwich craze, Brod’s team gave the world Burger King’s Moldy Whopper campaign; marries Kraft Mac & Cheese with Van Leeuwen to create a viral ice cream flavor; dreamed of Panera’s insane “bread bowl” hand warmers; and generated 3.2 billion impressions for Popeyes by buying one million chicken nuggets from competitors. The agency also promoted Justin Bieber’s Timbits collaboration with Tim Horton; announced the acquisition of Firehouse Subs by RBI; and rocked Panera’s Iced and Toasty campaign. It’s not all fast food: Along with giants like L’Oreal, ABMC ran Old Navy’s groundbreaking Bod-Equality campaign this year.

4. SKDK

Was there a greater task in 2021 than helping Pfizer raise public awareness of the Covid vaccine launch? That summary went to SKDK, whose partner, Anita Dunn, led last year’s PR Power 50. Dealing with one of the most sensitive situations of the year, the company partnered with lawyers representing more than 1,000 victims of alleged abuse by the Boy Scouts; let’s just say that the Scouts did not win the battle of perception in that one. The company also teamed up to bring the Less Is More Act to Governor Hochul’s table with the New Yorkers United for Justice (NYUJ) to reduce incarceration and racial bias in the parole system. In addition to traditional media relations, SKDK has worked with the Climate Power activist coalition on more than 130 TV commercials to promote President Biden’s climate agenda. SKDK’s client list includes AT&T, Robin Hood Foundation, Mount Sinai Health System and Memorial Sloan Kettering.

5. The Lede Company

We’ll let the names do the talking for this three-year-old heavyweight. People:  Rihanna, Reese Witherspoon, Will Smith, Idris Elba, Nicole Kidman, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga. Brands:  adidas Pharrell Williams, Audi, WhatsApp, Isabel Marant, Thom Browne, Savage X Fenty by Rihanna, Violet Grey, Virtue, Netflix, Everlane and Foot Locker. Contents: Power of the Dog, The Lost Daughter, Gossip Girl, Cruel Summer and The Harder They Fall. Corporate:  Hello Sunshine, Illumination, Live Nation, by Reese Witherspoon, Westbrook Inc. by Jada and Will Smith, Magnolia Network and Univision by Chip and Joanna Gaines. Oh, and the company’s revenue and headcount grew by 50%.

6. Finn Partners

Finn just had the best quarter in his ten-year history. Sound familiar? We said the same thing in 2019, when Finn Partners was our top agency of the year, but that was before a pandemic turned the business on its head. This one-company freight train is on track to achieve 50% growth by the end of the year, adding $30M to its bottom line through wins and organic growth. Among its new clients:  Fan Controlled Football, Trip.com, Michigan Economic Development Corp./Pure Michigan, Honeywell, Bolthouse Farms and The Body Shop, which join a worldwide client list too crowded to mention here. Finn continued to aspire to smaller companies, including New York travel shop Hawkins International PR, UK-based InHealth Communications and Seattle tech company Barokas. Key hires included luxury specialist Steve DeLuca, former editor of AmEx’s Departures and Centurion magazines.

7. Prosek

In the rarefied world of financial public relations, Prosek continues to operate in its own stratosphere. This year, in addition to advising on more than 35 go-to-market transactions, Prosek advised Britney Spears’ co-conservator Bessemer Trust and worked on financial communications for Levi’s on the creation of new public alternatives manager Blue Owl, in the restructuring and IPO of Hertz and marketing work for ICE, which owns the NYSE. Prosek’s SPAC work has included media company DNZ, led by former Bloomberg anchor Betty Liu, CEA Space – as abroad – and the launch of Colossal, a start-up focused on “de-extinction”, including bringing the woolly mammoth back to life. Good luck with that. Key hires include Joan Vollero, former Manhattan communications lead DA Cy Vance Jr.

8. Rogers & Cowan PMK

This bicoastal giant grew stronger and spread in 2021. Its team of 300+ representatives now represents more than 400 customers in increasingly broad categories. True to its roots, the agency has added 25 talented clients, including The Jonas Brothers and Michael Urie; brought in brands like TikTok, Colossal Biosciences, Nicole Miller and Tripadvisor; and has rocked top-notch entertainment, including The Grammy Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG), MusiCares and GQ’s Man of the Year Awards. The team designed some of the biggest pop culture moments of the year around the release of Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry produced the documentary series “The Me You Can’t See”; handled all of Elton John’s press in a very big year for the veteran showman; and an ongoing effort to bring attention to top-tier customers such as Mastercard, McDonald’s, Verizon, Heineken and Cisco.

9. Nasty Little Man

How many PR people could watch one client induct another into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame – and then watch those clients dominate bestseller lists? Steve Martin made it happen with longtime clients Sir Paul McCartney and Foo Fighters this year. This came on top of a killer year for Nasty Little Man, with clients like St. Vincent, Gorillaz, Metallica and Radiohead releasing long-awaited new releases, re-releasing classics or announcing tours – which, in the case of LCD Soundsystem, sold out 20 Brooklyn shows. Martin manages it all with a small team and seemingly inexhaustible enthusiasm.

10. ID

This bicoastal company continues to guide cultural conversations, managing media and communications for a stellar roster of people and brands. Since you don’t have all day, let’s stick with pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo, who basically broke the internet; Olympic athlete Allyson Felix, who became ubiquitous after a spectacular performance in Tokyo; the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which was involved in some of the year’s most prominent social justice campaigns; Peloton, which has been facing headwinds this year; and something called Twitch. The company also has up-and-coming talented clients like Serena Williams, Patrick Stewart and Elliot Page, as well as several current Oscar nominees including Andrew Garfield, Javier Bardem, Denis Villenueve, Hans Zimmer and Sian Heder. There are also many content and streaming projects, including Yellowstone, Finding Your Roots, Pam & Tommy, Belfast, Severance and Pachinko.

11. Magrino PR

This quintessential New York powerhouse was founded nearly three decades ago. So it’s important that 2021 was Magrino’s best year ever. Founder Susan Magrino is practically synonymous with public relations, and in a shaky year, more clients have sought refuge in her company’s battle-tested mix of traditional media, smart influencer relationships and smart content creation. Alongside key consumer categories such as spirits, hospitality, luxury brands, real estate and finance, the company has expanded its reach into verticals such as sexual wellness (Vella), D2C food (Goldbelly) and NFTs (long-term customer). date Martha Stewart and others). And her celebrity connections remain as potent as ever. Magrino has launched Bruno Mars’ SelvaRey rum and Blake Lively’s Betty Buzz non-alcoholic mixers, and advises Drew Barrymore on various endeavors. The company continues its momentum in 2022 by being named AOR for Omni Hotels and Constellation Brands’ Fine Wines Portfolio, including Robert Mondavi Winery and Ruffino Winery.

12. Vested

The real power is having other PR firms as your clients. Vested achieved this with Qwoted, which connects journalists with sources. Vested’s founders also launched Financial Narrative, a networking group for high-profile financial communication professionals. Co-founder Simon also found time to write The Money Hackers, a well-reviewed book about the fintech revolution. Oh, and the company has renowned clients: American Express, Morgan Stanley, RBC, GoldmanSachs, Bloomberg and ScotiaBank among them. Bonus: Vested may be the only company on this list with a full-time employee in Bulgaria.

13. BCW

Communications giant BCW has found itself at the center of critical tasks this year, including an expansion of its work at AstraZeneca to include vaccines, public relations reported. BCW’s suite of services, which includes a multicultural consulting unit, has attracted giant brands such as Johnson & Johnson, Dollar General, Royal Caribbean, Getty Images, HUMAN bot safety gear, and Benefit Cosmetics, plus many more that we can’t mention here. The company also spent heavily on talent, lavishing on global chief creative officer Fede Garcia (of Huge), global chief technology officer Chris Kief (ex-Droga5) and North American technology practice leader Karen Clyne (ex-BlackBerry ).

14. Fenton

A fractured constituency and an agitated social climate have kept this leading company on social issues very busy. Among Fenton’s 2021 campaigns: Fight voter suppression through work with Black Voters Matter, Democracy for All, Center for Popular Democracy, The Leadership Conference, The New Georgia Project and others; help keep nurses front and center in the pandemic for the National Nurses United customer; and continuing the potent work for Stop AAPI Hate, which campaigns against anti-Asian discrimination. Fenton is known for cleverly deploying broad tactics, from viral videos to PSAs, interactive games and direct lobbying; his work in Sacramento convinced Governor Gavin Newsom to include $150 million in the California state budget to combat anti-Asian hatred.

15. Rubenstein

A steady hand mattered more than ever in 2021. So Rubenstein, which has been around since 1954, looked more in demand than ever. Along with big media moments for New York’s Little Island and Broadway’s return of Girl from the North Country, Rubenstein kept the pedal to the metal for more than 400 customers in a dozen verticals; their roster extends from the Gagosian Gallery to The New York Yankees, to MoMA, Jerry Seinfeld, NewYork-Presbyterian, Vornado and Tishman Speyer. The company has increased its presence on the West Coast with a new office in Los Angeles and has brought in heavyweights like former New York Department of Education communications chief Kate Blumm. New clients:  Typically diverse, including A24, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Centric Brands holding company, Engine No. 1 and Peloton.

16. DKC

Somehow, DKC managed to turn this annus horribilis the biggest year in its history, which says a lot. A regular PR Power 50 from day one, DKC has gained a bunch of new business, including Equinox, TikTok, Amazon Prime Video, NFT producers Candy Digital and YellowHeart, testing giant COVID Vault Health and new FOX Soul network. A major integrated marketer and content studio, DKC launched DKCulture, a division focused on BIPOC/Gen-Z whose clients include Snoop Dogg, major hip-hop label 300 Entertainment, Charlamagne tha God and Dr. Dre. And the agency’s bustling sports division dove into college athletics with DKC Campus while representing iconic brands like Katie Ledecky and The Big East. Bonus: DKC handled all communications for Clive Davis’ soggy but massive WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert, where stars like The Boss, Patti Smith, Santana and Paul Simon lined up to share the stage in August.

17. Edelman

Richard Edelman’s giant, the world’s largest independent public relations firm, ended the year by naming the industry’s first global head of climate. Since Edelman has come under fire for representing ExxonMobil — including a star-studded #EdelmanDropExxon social campaign — skeptics are calling it a PR stunt by a PR master. But Edelman also published its own climate change policy and launched Edelman Impact, a division to help clients “advance their climate strategies”. Amidst all the hoo-hah, Edelman continues to represent giant brands including Starbucks, eBay, Heinz and Samsung, among many others. With headquarters in Chicago and New York, Edelman has 6,000 employees and $985 million in annual revenue.

18. Joele Frank

Let’s talk power by the numbers: For the eighth year in a row, Joele Frank ranked the #1 PR firm for M&A by Corporate Control Alert. The firm was also ranked #1 in 2021 for Shareholder Activism Advocacy PR and IR by Bloomberg, continuing its dominance in this important and fast-growing advisory area. We’re talking deals like the $33.7 billion sale of Kansas City Southern Line to the Canadian National Railway and Square’s $29 billion acquisition of Afterpay, and advocacy clients like Box, Labcorp, Macy’s, Citrix and Janus Henderson. Joele Frank has also supported clients such as Warby Parker, TPG and Affirm on their IPO journeys. SPACS also dominated the headlines, and Joele Frank was a leader in SPAC transactions, with clients such as Benson Hill, Proterra and EO Charging. Behind the scenes, the company provided pro bono public relations advice for the legal effort in an explosive case of three men who were wrongfully arrested; the men were exonerated in March 2021.

19. Hiltzik Strategies

Sketch a Venn diagram of finance, sports, media, entertainment, technology, philanthropy, and education. Right in the middle will be Hiltzik’s company, which has continued to grow its content, research and digital capabilities this year for an ever-increasing range of customers. Many of his assignments fall into the if-I-say-I’ll-have-to-kill category, but among those we can cite: A massive launch of Schmidt Futures’ Rise, the world’s largest scholarship program for young people; communications to the Singapore-based ONE Championship MMA organization; sending messages to the XFL during the worst year ever; and preparing Queensboro FC’s launch of a new New York football team next year. Celebrities don’t worry: Hiltzik still has time for you, as Jason Sudeikis and Brad Pitt can attest. Bonus: Hiltzik, who is also a lawyer and film producer, is working on a sequel to the 2004 sensation Paper Clips, and pro bono efforts include Ghetto Film School and Darnella Fraser, the brave young woman who shot the George Floyd video.

20. Gasthalter

Founded just six years ago by a former partner of Sard Verbinnen, Gasthalter has grown into a leading financial public relations firm that outstrips its weight. This year has surpassed 2020 for board drama here, with clients including Engine No. 1 in its successful proxy contest against Exxon Mobil; Anchorage Capital Group on its $8.5 billion sale of MGM to Amazon; a ton of SPAC transactions, with the likes of SoFi, Rover, Rocket Lab and BARK; and a growing list of crypto and blockchain customers. Among this year’s new clients: Vision Ridge, Ara Partners, Kainos Capital, Sagewind Capital and Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. The company still rules with hedging clients as well. Big signing this year: Mark Semer, former partner at Kekst, a big hit.

21. Goldin Solutions

Few companies would have been able to manage one of the most delicate situations of the year – the reemergence of Adam Neumann from the WeWork mess. Goldin orchestrated a New York Times interview that not only ricocheted around the world, but also made Neumann look – gasp! – human. If you feel like you’ve been reading a lot about Substack lately, that’s also part of Goldin’s – hot media ownership kept its company this fall. Along the way, Goldin and her team found time to advise Ridgeback Bio, Merck’s partner in the so-called Tamiflu for Covid treatment; newspaper acquirers Alden Capital; SolarWinds, which suffered a massive cyber attack; and a bunch of crypto clients. Goldin also helped Netflix’s “My Unorthodox Life” star Julia Haart fend off attacks from people in the community she had left. For every customer we name, there’s more we can’t; discretion is the name of the game with Goldin, former NYT contributor and senior executive at MSNBC.

22. The Door

In August, O’Neill and Dougiello were chosen by parent company Dolphin Entertainment to launch an “NFT studio” – a first among the communication agencies. Rather than just promoting NFTs, the Door-supervised studio will conceptualize, produce and distribute NFTs for clients. Along the way, The Door also managed to launch an integrated marketing practice, winning over a number of consumer professionals to lead their affiliate relationships, influencer marketing, SEM, SEO, and social campaigns. New customers practically flew out the door amidst it all, including Williams-Sonoma, Citarella, Häagen-Dazs, Sir Kensington’s, fast-casual chain PLNT Burger, Francis Ford Coppola Winery and food hall Expo2Dubai in – you guessed it – Dubai.

23. The Berman Group

Sarah Berman’s real estate PR firm has been a Power List regular since its inception, and 2021 has given the store more chances to flex its muscles. The Berman Group conceived and coordinated the Stand with Cities campaign, which connected large landowners, Fortune 500 companies and political/cultural bigwigs across the country to advertise the positive side of living and working in cities. The company has maintained its position among the top real estate owners, with clients including RXR, Brookfield, Thor Equities, Silverstein Properties and the Kuwait sovereign wealth fund. Berman opened an office in Boston, increasing his footprints in New York and DC; revenue increased 47% as global proptech customers also knocked on their door – think Latch, Alfred and Willow, among others.

24. Dukas Linden

Some agencies like to brag about overcoming old-school media. But financial PR heavyweight Dukas Linden, with his “newsroom first” approach, continues to prove that gain moves the needle. DL’s three-person broadcast team booked over 1,000 customer appearances this year. A long list of media scams includes a Bloomberg BusinessWeek cover for longtime client ARK-Invest and founder Cathie Wood – no small feat. The focus of traditional media doesn’t mean the company is old-fashioned. Crypto and blockchain customers have flocked here, joining first-rate names like Raymond James, Neuberger Berman; as well as electric vehicle mining company Piedmont Lithium, which DL helped put on the front page of the WSJ. Bottom line: Dukas Linden, 20, had his best year ever.

25. Small Girls PR

So much for truth in advertising. Small Girls had a big year, with big business wins, big signings and big names like P&G and GE on the client list. New this year at the 10-year-old bicoastal company: Harry’s Inc., Madewell, Neiman Marcus Group and Northwestern Mutual, along with Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In and Yohana, the independent Panasonic subsidiary led by former Google Nest CTO Yoky Matsuoka. In a year of talent war, Small Girls landed the likes of former Fairchild Media communications chief Quin Acciani and Meaghan Silverman, who had been a client as director of public relations for Rent the Runway. The agency ended the year with revenue growth and 70 employees. We anticipate a great 2022 for Little Girls.

26. Purple

Somehow, in the midst of the pandemic, Purple managed to increase its Miami office by 75%. The company practically owned Art Basel Miami, handling launches and activations for Givenchy, WeTransfer, Kering, LVMH and L’Officiel. For Purple’s New York and Los Angeles outposts, the client list was equally impressive. The company opened the Academy Awards Museum in Los Angeles and the Great Jones Distillery in New York; brands like Hugo Boss, Kenzo, Shinola Hotels, Smashbox, Polaroid, Omega, Maison Francis Kurkdjian and The Webster turned purple this year. The company continues to expand within and beyond key categories such as hospitality, beauty, design and fashion.

27. MikeWorldWide

As one of MWW’s strengths is helping customers thrive in tough times, it’s perhaps no surprise that this 35-year-old company achieved its best year in the rough seas of 2021. Among the giant brands that Kempner and his team advised this year :  Pinterest , Bic, Dairy Queen and Deloitte.; new customers included Spotify, Patreon, DLA Piper, Thrivent Financial and Heineken. MWW’s award-winning creative work included the irresistible “Martha [Stewart] and Snoop Dogg Get Lit” campaign for Bic. Kempner himself, a longtime force in Democratic politics, has continued his advocacy of voting rights and remains a tireless activist for equity and diversity.

28. SourceCode Communications

From a two-person operation in 2017, SourceCode has grown into a 41-person agency that is now acquiring other companies – the company bought digital creation store Strike2 in October. This should help SourceCode service the 26 new customers it has gained this year, including Workhuman, Impact, Kinship, Heap, Backblaze and Gorillas. New business velocity also produced a 52% revenue increase over 2019.  Founders Becky Honeyman and Greg Mondshein also expanded the company into integrated communications and strategy; your new Insights & The engagement practice focuses on advertising, marketing, retail, employees and workplace innovation. Bonus: The company offers unlimited PTO, two annual “Nope Days” and four-week paid sabbaticals.

29. Kite Hill PR

As Kite Hill PR works with unattractive clients – those who distribute entertainment, create ads or make the web work – the agency can feel under the radar. But Tiffany Guanaccia’s eight-year-old store has become a serious player in technology, B2B and media. A record year of revenue, including wins like Tripadvisor, for its advertising platform; micropayment provider Dropp; creative agency CONVICTS; and Trusted Media Brands, recently renamed TMB to reflect its evolution into a community-oriented entertainment company. Kite Hill is forced into social and paid content, now a significant part of its revenue; this year, the agency even took several clients public, including electric battery maker Freyr. Attentive readers may recognize Guanaccia as the founder of Communications Week, which she sold to Ragan Communications in April.

30. Bold PR

Jodi Balkan’s relatively small but powerful company, founded in 2008, has real strength in the united world of beauty marketing. Balkan diligently takes care of his client list and keeps his teams compact; The result is serious long-term clients like Fenty Beauty, Pat McGrath Labs, Armani Beauty and The Honest Company, along with Lancome, Prada Fragrances, Ralph Lauren Fragrances, Valentino Beauty and JLo Beauty in 2021. In February 2021, Bold got it. client Dame Pat McGrath on the cover of Allure, a first for a makeup artist. The company has also been a powerhouse in influencer relationships, the real currency of beauty marketing these days.

31. NisonCo

Nison’s company may be the most adept at bringing advocacy and marketing together in the cannabis space. NisonCo’s careful work this year included the headline-making Cannabis in Common campaign with Headcount’s Cannabis Voter Project, which includes Sara Silverman and Seth Rogan. The idea for New York State Assembly Bill A6179, which would compel public high schools to teach about the Good Samaritan overdose prevention laws, came from his agency. Already a roster of industry greats, NisonCo’s client list has grown this year with wins such as GreenRoads CBD, Daily High Club, Moxie and Ascend Wellness Holdings. Bonus: Nison himself is the youngest member of the NORML board of directors.

32. FITZ & CO

The art world is making a comeback, art fairs are finally returning to real life, and FITZ & CO is next to them. After going digital with FITZ & Aid from the CO, 26-year-old Art Basel client, returned to Miami this year with more plans. Longtime customer Storm King Art Center, an outdoor sculpture park, posted record numbers; FITZ & CO has expanded top-notch facilities and a new Chief Curator and Artistic Director. The company has gained new business, including the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage – yes, those Olympics – NFT Aorist marketplace, various projects at the 2022 Venice Biennale, East Hampton’s Guild Hall, and Google Arts & Culture. BMW Group Culture, Faena Art and Fondation Beyeler remain loyal to the customer.

33. Shadow

Shadow’s work follows a pattern: Create a great idea. Convince the customer to buy. Release the campaign. Watch campaign explode. This year, that kind of thinking brought in a lot of new customers and triggered a 35% jump in revenue. Among the company’s 2021 home runs: More than ten billion video views for the #AerieREAL campaign, aimed at combating the negative effects of social platforms, months before the media got into this story; write/film a maritime slum-inspired “Sun Shanty” for client Sun Bum, with 1.5 million appointments; and helping Bentley become a big hit with US auto aficionados. This bustling 70-person shop also handled the 35th anniversary of American Girl; launched and managed American Eagle’s Back to School campaign; and, yes, introduced the world to e.l.f. Cosmetics x Chipotle collaboration. You’re welcome.

34. Gia Kuan Consulting

As if the brands it represents weren’t cool enough on their own, Gia Kuan’s seven-person operation manages to make them feel even hotter. Kuan landed client Telfar Clemens on Time’s “Next 100” cover in March after turning Telfar’s Bag Security show into a massive viral hit, and most recently NPR’s ‘How I Built This’ with Guy Raz, CBS This Morning with Gayle King and The Wendy Show Williams. American luxury menswear brand Fear of God got the Kuan boost for its Seventh Collection, taking off with ubiquitous media and a cover of Vogue Frances McDormand. Even Banana Republic signed the company for its rebrand last year, with Kuan’s team expanding a Banana Republic Vintage campaign across traditional and social channels. The company continues to make inroads into art, with clients including civic-minded collective For Freedoms, gallery Whaam! in downtown New York, and artist Hank Willis Thomas, who exhibited during All-Star weekend in Cleveland. , celebrating the 75th anniversary of the NBA; Kuan’s work prioritizes deep cultural and narrative shifts, with metrics of success derived from true impact authenticated by the communities reached. And to add to their accolades, the GKC team is also at the top of the Whaam Gazette distributed nationally as editors and publishers.

35. M18

The M18 seems to have been on the rise since it launched in 2010, and even the pandemic hasn’t dampened that momentum. The company now serves more than 150 customers in 35 cities around the world; while real estate has been the focus from day one, hospitality has become huge for them, and their Florida portfolio continues to expand. New and Highlight in 2021: Aman, New York, reinventing the Crown Building in 22 ultra-exclusive private residences atop an elegant hotel; OWO London, new private residences in the former United Kingdom’s Old War Office building; NoMad London; and Borgo Santandrea, Italy, the first new luxury hotel to open on the Amalfi Coast in 15 years. The M18’s team of more than 40 people travels between New York, Los Angeles and Miami.

36. Cultural Counsel

Following the success of last year’s Artist Relief fellowship program, which Abdalla founded and managed, this insider agency has taken a huge leap forward in philanthropy and foundations this year – giving it even more traction in the arts and culture. Hewlett, Surdna, Headlands Center for the Arts, Brooklyn’s Amant Foundation, Mumbai’s Reliance Foundation, Rainin Foundation, Pillars, PioneerWorks and Performa came aboard, along with galleries and institutions including El Museo del Barrio and MCA San Diego. Loyal customers Creative Time, Matthew Marks Gallery, Kickstarter and A24 Films have joined the Cultural Council during the pandemic; The United Talent Agency, the Whitney and the Bronx Museum are back.

37. Day One Agency

This could be what the next generation of public relations looks like. Day one made headlines for drawing more than 700 candidates into creative learning through TikTok, a platform where one of the agency’s recent client campaigns garnered more views than the Super Bowl. Other agencies followed suit. Meanwhile, Day One leveraged that knowledge into powerful cross-platform campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands, such as American Express, Chipotle, Ferrara, Meta, Nike and Walmart. The agency has helped push clients where others fear to tread, from meme-verse to metaverse.

38. Antenna Group

Team members here call themselves “ants”; they may have been among the most diligent PR workers this year. Antena’s revenue grew more than 60% year on year; its headcount increased by 50% to nearly 90. On that team: New hires such as former EPA and DOT agent Andy Beck, former WSJ reporter Cassandra Sweet, and former Mansion Global editor Gina Faridniya. With its cleantech, real estate and healthcare customers in mind, Antenna has opened outposts in DC and Detroit. Among the company’s 2021 home runs: Launching a mobile vaccine campaign with electric vehicle manufacturer AYRO; expand Room customer’s partnership with Zoom, including a full-page story from the WSJ; and promote the benefits of virtual customer service with Roche.

39. J/PR

After an atrocious 2020 – his core business is hospitality – J/PR has put the pedal to the metal. With a slew of new deals, revenue is now on track to surpass the company in 2019. The company ended the year winning Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts — a big win. Evans and O’Grady also completed their first acquisition, snapping up London travel public relations firm Sadler & Co., while further expanding its lifestyle, real estate and wellness portfolio. Among J/PR’s new assignments this year are: Necker Island and Moskito Island by Richard Branson, Hawaiian Airlines, National Geographic Expeditions, the highly anticipated Cali Mykonos resort and several Hilton Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels. They join longtime customers like Relais & Chateaux, Vail Resorts Hospitality, Pendry Hotels & Resorts, multiple Four Seasons Resorts and multiple destinations. J/PR itself has expanded from traditional PR to content creation, influencer work, social and even crisis work. The agency also underwent its first major rebranding since 2016.

40. Camron PR

From its roots as a design PR firm in London, Camron has evolved into a major force in marketing to a wide range of clients. Over the past 12 months, Max Tobias, who joined the company in 2015, has been named executive vice president and the company has launched a brand strategy division. Camron has also doubled down on digital with several new hires; and debuted a design incubator program whose first client, artist Marcin Rusak, made waves at Milan’s Supersalone. PR isn’t going anywhere; Camron has won customers this year, including Ralph Lauren Home, ZZ Driggs, Proper Hotels, designed by Kelly Wearstler, and the Eames Office. Camron has also expanded into North American real estate, hospitality and luxury brands.

41. The Right Now

Founded just over a year ago, The Right Now is the youngest agency on this list. But its three co-founders are industry veterans and are already winning over big brands with highly creative, fully integrated campaigns that reach all communication platforms. On the list: UGG, Bergdorf Goodman, Erewhon, Billabong, Strathberry, GoPuff, Kendra Scott and Walgreens, as well as entertainment clients like EPIX, HBO Max, Tubi, Redbox, Infinite Reality and the NBA. The company also handled the launch of Project Brazen, a studio and production company founded by the authors of the bestselling Billion-Dollar Whale.

42. Quinn

After a miserable pandemic year, Quinn has bounced back close to pre-Covid revenue. More importantly, the agency used the moment to give up its offices, adopt a work-anywhere model, and kill it for clients. For the return of luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas, Quinn’s campaigns generated nearly two billion impressions. Quinn’s work for New York’s Legoland theme park has generated more than 10 billion impressions – including a widely watched Jimmy Fallon segment. High-end travel and hospitality is doing well, as is your agency; Quinn now represents Fraser Yachts, VistaJet and residential projects for St. Regis, Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons, among others. Quinn herself remains one of the rare idea gurus in the industry who also understands a client’s bottom line.

43. ICR

With nearly a quarter of a century, the ICR has grown into the £800 communication gorilla for companies looking to enter public markets through IPOs, direct listings or SPACs. In 2021 – not a bad year for the markets, as you may have heard – the company just got bigger. The number of employees increased from over 100 to over 350; customer list rose from 800 in 2020 to nearly 1,000; revenue rose more than 80%. Its new customers include consumer brands such as Draft Kings, The Honest Company, Peloton and ZoomInfo; electric vehicle/mobility companies such as Bird, Blade and EVGo; and a ton of energy and sustainability technology clothing. Bonus: ICR’s customers are pretty much regulars on CNBC, a key audience for what everyone is selling.

44. Great Ink

Your company isn’t the loudest, the flashiest, or – in any case – the biggest. But his excellent client list makes Donovan one of New York’s top PR players in commercial real estate. Long-time clients include giants like Aby Rosen’s RFR, Mack Real Estate, CBRE, Hines and RADCO, private equity firms Arden Group, Turnbridge Equities, Standard Real Estate Investments, legal megafirm Fried Frank and many more. Bonus: When Aby Rosen finally reveals his $200 million renovation to the Chrysler Building, which he purchased in 2019, it will be Donovan who will handle the launch.

45. APCCollective

Ponzio’s “mostly Latino” company continues to pitch – and win – against much larger companies. In 2021 alone, the former Edelman executive and her team managed or expanded work to T-Mobile, DIRECTV’s Familia Fuego TikTok initiative, Mineragua water, Suma Wealth and No Kid Hungry Texas. With a very lean core of operations and a widely distributed workforce – installed long before Covid – Ponzio partners with a potent network of communication agencies, ad stores, digital creators and lobbyists. It is an intelligent and strategic model for uncertain times. Ponzio itself has emerged as a leader in marketing to consumer segments that larger companies struggle to reach.

46. Praytell

Already a force, Andy Pray’s general store picked up speed in 2021, adding more than 70 customers and increasing revenues by more than 32%. Among the wins: category leaders from Pfizer and Shopify for Destination Canada and Xfinity Wifi for E. & J. Gallo and Nutanix. The company made news when Pray announced a four-day workweek in August; the company also expanded its Kickstart initiative, a kind of creative incubator for business growth and narrative refinement. Among her notable campaigns: a colored hair video for Sally Beauty, which garnered eight million views on TikTok, and a Black History Month partnership for UnderArmour that made national headlines.

47. Linda Gaunt Communications

Considering that the fashion cycle operates at high speed these days, it’s an achievement that Linda Gaunt’s company has remained cool for all of her 18 years. Long-time customers include modern brands like Todd Snyder, Eileen Fisher, Billy Reid and Outerknown; Younger brands such as sustainable luxury brand Another Tomorrow and handbag company DTC CARAA are also present in Gaunt. The company has expanded into luxury hospitality with Bulgari Hotels and the Spring Place private club. Gaunt directed communications for Giorgio Armani, Bergdorf and Saks before launching his business; there are few people as connected, or loved, in the fickle field of fashion.

48. Polk & Co

Let’s state the obvious: 2021 was not a great year to specialize in public relations for Broadway shows. But Polk has managed to broaden its scope to streaming and streaming content in a big way. The company went into action with Amazon (One Night in Miami), Disney+ (Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella), Netflix (Tick, Tick…Boom!), United Artists Releasing (Respect, Cyrano), Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (West Side Story) and Warner Bros. (In The Heights). When theater began to back down, Polk promoted the Broadway League’s This is Broadway campaign, the centerpiece of which was a film narrated by Oprah. On the social justice side, Polk helped promote the Broadway Advocacy Coalition and Black Theater United, including the “A New Deal for Broadway” initiative. Theater fans rejoice: Following the successful holiday releases of Caroline, or Change and Trouble in Mind, from Roundabout Theater Company, and Clyde from Second Stage, Polk also has a full list of stage clients. for the next few months.

49. Montieth & Company

Montieth & Co.’s cross-border PR model. continues to produce dividends for the company – and for customers. In a nutshell, the agency employs smart, multilingual people in strategic global central office locations rather than one giant, cumbersome organization. M&Co started the year by launching Montieth SPRG, a joint venture in Hong Kong. A global client list includes BrainBox AI, German sustainability investor firm MPC Energy Solutions, Brazilian airlines GOL and Morrow Sodali. Illingworth, a former journalist, is especially sought after for crisis communications and litigation.

50. Jonesworks

In just ten years, Stephanie Jones’ company has amassed a glowing collection of fashion, technology and lifestyle clients, as well as a roster of talent it represents. Among the agency’s 2021 home runs:  Generating more than 16 billion impressions for the Safely client, the launch of clean home care products by Kris Jenner and Emma Grede; announcing the acquisition of the XFL by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his partner Dany Garcia; earning a lot of praise for Justin Bieber discoverer Scooter Braun and his company SB Projects; and generally making clients like Venus Williams, Carmelo Anthony, and Tom Brady unavoidable in the press and on social media. Jonesworks also represents major consumer brands such as Mattel’s Barbie, Hot Wheels and Uno, Ocean Spray, Artsy and luxury fashion brand BRADY.

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