January would not be complete without our special issue on crisis communications and our annual PR services & products buyer’s guide. We examine 2021’s biggest winners as well as the top PR blunders of the past year.
View online version of our Annual PR Buyer's Guide >>
Jan. '22 Crisis Communications & PR Buyer's Guide Magazine (PDF) |
Profiles of Crisis Communications Firms:
Abernathy MacGregor
277 Park Avenue, 39th Floor
New York, NY 10172
212/371-5999
abmac.com
Tom Johnson, CEO
Carina Davidson, President
Abernathy MacGregor is a leading strategic communications advisor particularly in pivotal times of change. We specialize in advising CEOs, board directors and senior executives on effective stakeholder communications, engagement and advocacy initiatives in today’s highly complex and interconnected world. Since 1984, we have provided superior, customized communications strategies and an intensely collaborative and high-energy commitment to our clients.
We have advised on some of the largest, most high-profile, corporate crises spanning Board-led investigations, cybersecurity incidents, product recalls, labor issues, SEC matters, ethics violations and more. Our approach has helped our clients achieve superior outcomes by helping them successfully navigate a crisis and return to business as usual while mitigating potential damage and keeping their reputation intact.
Companies today face multifaceted and rapidly evolving challenges as business, political and social issues converge. Effective communications have never been more important to producing results.
Ball Consulting Group, LLC
One Gateway Center, Suite 406
Newton, MA 02458
617/243-9950
[email protected]
www.ballcg.com
David A. Ball, President & Founder
Greg Turner, Vice President
Alex Villanueva, Account Manager
Crises seldom appear conveniently at 9 a.m. on a Monday. Even before a reporter calls out of the blue or a TV news van sets up out front, organizations need a trusted partner ready to step in to help minimize damage, maintain their reputation and position them for future success.
Ball Consulting Group, LLC is an award-winning, full-service strategic communications firm that specializes in crisis communications, planning and management.
Founded in 2004 and based in the Boston area but with clients worldwide, we have helped lead organizations through many types of crises, including bankruptcies and closures, criminal misdeeds, cyberattacks, food and drug recalls, government settlements, lawsuits, labor strikes, layoffs, natural disasters, regulatory actions and sexual harassment.
We have built a reputation for not only providing highly strategic guidance during challenging and complex crises, but also for ºhelping organizations identify weak points and prevent a crisis from ever occurring. We help clients prepare for any situation by creating a comprehensive crisis communications plan that identifies the crisis management team, establishes communication protocols and provides step-by-step guidance.
We take immense pride in our ability to bring a guiding hand, abundant experience and confidential counsel to help organizations overcome crises and emerge stronger.
Boardroom Communications, Inc.
1776 N Pine Island Road, Suite 320
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33322
954-370-8999
www.boardroompr.com
[email protected]
Orlando-Tampa-Naples-Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm-Aspen
Don Silver, Chief Operating Officer
Todd Templin, Executive Vice President
Crisis Management: Preventing and Preparing for Potential Problems
BoardroomPR is one of Florida’s top PR agencies offering statewide coverage. The firm’s experienced staff of public relations and crisis management professionals routinely handle high-profile crisis projects and public affairs campaigns each year. Examples include: investigations, hostile takeovers, litigation, product recalls, criminal charges, safety compliance issues, accidental deaths, project approvals, bid objections and legislative campaigns.
Whether you’re pre-developing a crisis communications plan or responding to an urgent threat, Boardroom’s trusted and respected team will help you evaluate the situation, mitigate the risks and deal with your most important audiences, including media, social media, employees, stakeholders, customers, government and others. We immediately consult with your executives to assess the situation and develop an appropriate strategy and plan. Out team monitors traditional media, blogs and social networking sites and handles all inquiries. Call or email us if you are faced with a situation where a capable, seasoned crisis management team can help guide you to a satisfactory resolution.
Bospar
Serving 15 locations, including: San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Austin
415/913-7528
[email protected]
@BosparPR
vimeo.com/571954519
Chris Boehlke, Curtis Sparrer, Tom Carpenter, Principals
Tricia Heinrich, Chief Content Officer
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Hey! Yeah, you, the person reading this.
Is it us, or do all these agency descriptions sound alike?
“We’re an integrated global communications and marketing agency that BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.”
That’s not the kind of thinking that’s going to get you noticed.
Yet, the industry has noticed Bospar for our work in tech PR.
Forbes named us one of the best PR agencies of 2021.
PRovoke named us their innovator of the year for 2021.
PRWeek named Bospar its “Outstanding Boutique Agency of the Year” for two years in a row.
PRNews included Bospar on its Agency Elite Top 100 list.
Bospar is a team of hard-driving tech PR professionals with purpose and relentless joy for what we do. We are comprised of former journalists from social and traditional media and marketing, influencer, financial, SEO and public affairs experts. As a team, we get smart on contact, build relationships and launch PR campaigns, grounded in strategy and infused with creativity.
If you want to get known fast, accelerate adoption, or drive impact, Bospar exceeds all expectations.
With breakthrough coverage and visibility, simply put: our clients speed ahead—no “BLAH, BLAH, BLAH” about it!
Cerrell Associates, Inc.
700 N. San Vicente Blvd., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90069
323/466-3445
[email protected]
www.cerrell.com
Hal Dash, Chmn. & CEO
Steve Bullock, CFO
Brandon Stephenson, CSO
Amy Rosenfeld, VP, PR/Comms.
For over 50 years, Cerrell has created and implemented crisis management strategies and programs for our clients both in the public and private sectors including healthcare, tech, transportation, land use, energy and environment. Our trademark approach – Strategy. Action. Results. – has helped our clients navigate the increasingly complex world of dealing with public policy crisis situations with expertise in training, messaging, social and traditional media outreach in this new era of regulatory activity and social justice activism.
With deep roots and extensive networks throughout California, we understand how to reach the audiences that matter most when public-facing issues elevate to a crisis level. We connect with opinion leaders, policy makers and the public to present our clients’ responses and actions.
Clients include: Allied Universal, Biocom California, BYD Motors, HDR Engineering, Inc., Infor, Kiewit Corp., Local Initiatives Support Corporation—Los Angeles, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Providence St. Joseph Health (partial lists).
Comsint
Boston, MA
[email protected]
comsint.com
Comsint is the trusted advisor for executives navigating their most pressing challenges. We’re a new kind of agency. Guided by the simple promise of providing clients with seasoned, world-class talent who deeply understand their business, our team of communications strategists is relentlessly focused on protecting our clients’ brands and driving business results. From crisis communications to video production to full-stack marketing, Comsint brings the expertise of a global firm paired with the service and transparency of a boutique agency.
Our crisis and risk management practice centers on working with executives to identify and mitigate areas of potential reputational vulnerability and manage high-stakes situations that play out in the media and online. Our team has counseled senior leaders in government, business and nonprofits at organizations such as MIT, Partners HealthCare, Enel and Lloyd’s of London.
Crosswind Media and Public Relations
100 Congress Ave., Suite 2000
Austin, TX 78701
512/537-1414
[email protected]
www.crosswindpr.com
Thomas Graham, President & CEO
Conversations that matter.
Crosswind Media and Public Relations fields the most experienced and effective crisis communications force in the Southwest, and our proven Crisis Preparation Response + methodology is an active engagement that paves the way for rapid, organized and smooth crisis response and reputation enhancement.
Members of Crosswind’s CPR+ response team have experience as frontline civilian and military responders and communication leaders:
• One Crosswind responder had oversight of the entire U.S. Navy public and community communications channels during multiple national and international crises and operations.
• Another, a much-decorated combat medic, returned to the Lone Star state to help handle our own regional catastrophes and critical calamities.
• A third Crosswind team member led response teams from the world’s largest defense company and the energy industry’s most maverick corporation through multiple calamities, financial setbacks and achievements.
Our broad experience and deployments include messaging for critical litigation and restructuring, navigation to safety of one of the largest university systems in the nation, frontline defense of the industry leader among national healthcare providers, course corrections for marketing the state’s most expensive highway build, and removal of impediments to progress of disruptive technologies across the energy, biotech, engineering and financial industries.
We are the leading regional public communications and marketing-communications firm based in Texas, with deep national and international Fortune 500 experience and seasoned talent, connecting, informing and creating inspiring work. We re-tune brands and reputations to broaden public awareness. We reframe national and international narratives to deeply engage with core customers and influentials.
Texas is our home but our clients have global audiences and worldwide impact. We have deep roots in the state and understand how to bring Texas and Texas enterprise to the world and how to bring the world to Texas.
At Crosswind, we create conversations that matter.
Dragon Horse Agency
Downtown Naples Headquarters:
848 1st Ave. North, #200
Naples, FL 34102
305/306-3992; 239/325-5088
North Naples Office:
999 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., #200
Naples, FL 34108
305/306-3992; 239/325-5088
[email protected]
www.dragonhorseagency.com
Linkedin.com/company/dragon-horse-media-llc
Facebook.com/dragonhorseagency
Instagram.com/dragonhorseagency
Julie Koester, Founder/Managing Partner/President
Patrick Blake Renda, Founder/Managing Partner/Chief Strategy Officer
Dragon Horse Agency was one of the first global ad agencies to identify the value and the necessity of an integrated business and marketing strategy delivering customized solutions to clients via its solution, DragonONE.
Dragon Horse Agency specializes in all forms of Public Relations and Marketing, providing customized end-to-end solutions.
Dragon Horse Agency also offers an industry-leading digital and social media artificial intelligence platform called DragonIQ bundled with a data analytics reporting product called DragonVISION.
DragonIQ’s and DragonVISION’s A.I. bundle is a precision optimization platform enabling companies and brands to drive tactical engagement, 24/7, worldwide, with multiple campaigns running in unison across all platforms.
Dragon Horse Agency’s business strategists and creative architects are a leading next-generation agency integrating the synergies of business and marketing analytics and strategy into one powerful solution called DragonONE. Dragon Horse Agency is led by a highly experienced team of partners with over 60 years of combined professional experience in business and advertising.
Dragon Horse Agency is your architect for a successful business marketing foundation, leverage the highly skilled professional team of Dragon Horse writers, creators, designers, technicians, Internet/social media experts, camera and film professionals, tv/radio/print producers, media buyers, brand managers, analysts, business strategists and more all under one company.
Contact Dragon Horse Agency today for a free, comprehensive business and marketing analysis. Dragon Horse, laying the foundation for the successful growth companies of tomorrow.
Dragon Horse Agency is committed to the vigorous pursuit of exceptional business marketing predicated on integrity, excellence, experience, and execution.
Accolades:
Best Ad Agency—Gulfshore Business Magazine
Best Ad Agency—Expertise
Best Website, Best Print Catalog —Aurora Awards
Best Direction, Best Video, Best Commercial—The Telly Awards
Top Digital Agency in the USA —UpCity
Edelman
250 Hudson St., 16th Floor
New York, NY 10013
212/768-0550
Fax: 212/704-0117
www.edelman.com
Edelman is a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organizations to evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Our 6,000 people in more than 60 offices deliver communications strategies that give our clients the confidence to lead and act with certainty, earning the trust of their stakeholders. Our honors include the Cannes Lions Grand Prix for PR; Advertising Age’s 2019 A-List; the Holmes Report’s 2018 Global Digital Agency of the Year; and, five times, Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work. Since our founding in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business. Edelman owns specialty companies Edelman Intelligence (research) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, lifestyle).
Feintuch Communications
11 East 44th St., Suite 1201
New York, NY 10017
212/808-4900
[email protected]
www.feintuchcommunications.com
Henry Feintuch, President
Feintuch Communications enjoys deep crisis communications counseling experience including non-profits, growth companies and the Fortune 500. Our senior crisis faculty can help to enhance and protect your organization’s reputation.
We are well-versed in helping organizations work their way through challenging crises including shareholder/corporate governance issues, employee or community challenges, product recalls, litigation, government investigations and more.
Services offered include:
1. Crisis Communications Training: Organizations need to be prepared for a crisis. It is not just the top organizational leadership who need training, but often plant managers and others who are directly on the spot when the crisis breaks.
2. Crisis Communications delivery: In the midst of a crisis, external resources will often be required. Bringing in experienced personnel with the right background to develop and deliver key messages becomes a clear priority.
3. Crisis Scenario Planning: Organizations are often too prone to plan for “scenario one”—the obvious crisis based on the core business. Often the crisis that actually hits is of a wholly different nature, such as sexual harassment, bribery or ransomware. While it is not possible to anticipate all potential scenarios, testing the resilience of your systems with unexpected scenarios is critical to business continuity.
The best crisis plan? It’s the one developed NOW—before your organization’s reputation is under attack.
Fineman PR
A division of Off Madison Ave
San Francisco
415/392-1000
[email protected]
www.finemanpr.com
Consistently recognized as one of the nation’s top public relations firms, Fineman PR, founded in 1988 and headquartered in San Francisco, specializes in crisis communications, brand messaging, community relations and digital and social media marketing.
Fineman PR is a proud part of Phoenix-based, full-service marketing communications firm Off Madison Ave, one of the leading behavioral marketing and digital communications providers in the West. Off Madison Ave brings compelling solutions to influence how people interact and engage with brands. Founded in 1998 and with an office in Boulder, Colorado, Off Madison Ave offers integrated services across creative, paid media, public relations, social, interactive, application development and branding.
Fineman PR’s high-profile crisis communications work is nationally recognized. In today’s fast-paced culture of instant media exposure, online defamation and quick-draw lawsuits, the agency’s battle-tested experience and strategic resourcefulness guide clients through rough waters. Agency President Michael Fineman is recognized as among the nation’s top crisis counselors. Fineman PR works extensively on reputation building, crisis preparedness, crisis communications and reputation recovery with a wide range of organizations, from law firms, schools and government agencies to food companies, Fortune 500 corporations and startups.
Finn Partners
301 East 57th St.
New York, NY 10022
212/715-1600
www.finnpartners.com
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Jessica Berk Ross, Managing Partner, Public Affairs Global Practice Leader, Crisis Management Lead Coordinator Washington, DC, [email protected], 202/466-7800
Ryan Barr, Managing Partner, Global Financial
Gil Bashe, Managing Partner, Global Health
Chantal Bowman-Boyles, JD, Managing Partner, Europe
Nicole Cottrill, Senior Partner, Nashville, Health
Robin Crawford, Senior Partner, Washington, DC, Public Affairs
Margaret Dunning, Managing Partner, Higher Education
Kyle Farnham, Managing Partner, Global Consumer
Michael Heinley, Senior Partner, Health Litigation
Kristie Kuhl, JD, Managing Partner, Biopharma
Fern Lazar, Managing Partner, Investor Relations
John Seigenthaler, Partner, Nashville, National Media
Howard Solomon, Managing Partner, Technology
Yeap Yin Ching, Managing Partner, Asia
Finn Partners has been ranked among the world’s leading public relations agencies by The Holmes Report, and PRNews has acknowledged FINN senior staff as “Crisis Communicators of the Year.” Our depth of knowledge offers clients access to the counsel and strategies that reach influencers, media and policymakers effectively, and help to build resilience and positive reputation.
From business transformation, cybersecurity issues, executive leadership transition, financial restatement, government investigations, litigation, product recalls to shareholder relations, our experts in Consumer Products, Health, Economic Development, Education, Manufacturing, Public Affairs, Energy and Sustainability, Technology and Travel, blend crisis experience with sector expertise. At a time of global uncertainty, when issues rise to the level of business disruption, our team of skilled crisis experts helps clients navigate the complex communications landscape, maintain the confidence of key stakeholders, and protect reputation and brand.
FTI Consulting Strategic Communications
88 Pine Street, 32nd Floor
New York, NY 10005
212/850-5600
www.fticommunications.com
Mark McCall, Global Segment Leader
C-suites, boards of directors, and business leaders from around the world come to FTI Strategic Communications with their most complex, business-critical issues that require diverse skill sets and integrated disciplines. As part of a global business advisory firm, we help these organizations manage change, mitigate risk and enhance their market position by combining decades of deep subject matter expertise with functional and disciplinary experience.
Our financial communications professionals serve as trusted advisors to management teams on a range of capital markets events as well as other stakeholder issues throughout the corporate life-cycle. We help clients navigate their most pressing challenges and opportunities around M&A, IPOs, restructuring, capital raising, corporate governance, ESG strategy, proxy fights, and shareholder activism. Our integrated capabilities in financial communications, corporate reputation and public affairs help clients protect and drive business value.
G&S Business Communications
111 West 33rd Street, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10001
212/697-2600
[email protected]
www.gscommunications.com
Steve Halsey, Chief Growth Officer
G&S Business Communications helps innovative companies change the world. Our mission is to inspire people to take action, resulting in business growth for our clients. Our vision is to fuel transformation in the five key industries we serve, Advanced Manufacturing & Energy, Agribusiness, Financial & Professional Services Healthcare, and Home & Building.
Our researchers, media strategists, storytellers, and engagement experts meet each client at the intersection of business and communications. Our strategies help B2B clients meet their business goals, and our work produces meaningful results that move markets. Our commitment to measurement ensures that we are constantly learning and improving to make your program better.
We have a global staff of 140+ people, who operate primarily from four offices, New York, Raleigh, Chicago and Basel, but we offer our clients a global network of support through PROI Worldwide partners.
Gladstone Place Partners
485 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
212/230-5930
www.gladstoneplace.com
Steven Lipin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Lauren Odell, Partner and Chief Operating Officer
Christina Stenson, Partner
Gladstone Place Partners’ diverse and experienced team is designed to meet the evolving strategic communications needs of leading companies’ CEOs, boards of directors and heads of communications. Clients seek out Gladstone Place Partners for counsel on a range of matters, including mergers & acquisitions, crisis situations, corporate reputation and strategic positioning issues, IPOs & spinoffs, global trade and supply-chain matters, cybersecurity, shareholder activism and corporate governance communications.
Our boutique approach, with a focus on independent advice and confidentiality, enhances our ability to help our clients navigate layered and sensitive matters. We understand the complexity and super-charged nature of today’s communications environment, which is why we have social and digital capabilities embedded in our DNA.
Gladstone Place strives to build long-term, trusted relationships by delivering the highest quality work product, paired with uncompromising ethics, integrity and judgment. Our work is underpinned by a culture of professional excellence, meritocracy and diversity.
Our Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Lipin, has spent more than 30 years at the intersection of the corporate world, Wall Street and the media as a leading financial journalist and top communications strategist to C-suites, boards of directors and chief communications officers. We are an entrepreneurial firm with global capabilities and mindset, with headquarters in New York and an office in San Francisco.
Havas Formula
200 Hudson St.
New York, NY 10013
212/219-0321
www.havasformula.com
Linkedin.com/company/formula
Michael Olguin, CEO
Alexis McCance, CFO
Jarrod Walpert, President, Havas Formula East
Emily Porter, President, Havas Formula West
Tara Reid, President, Havas
Formula Midwest
Adrienne Cadena, President, Havas Street
Donovan Roche, Vice President, Havas Trust
[email protected]
858/337-5241
Havas Formula is a top-ranked national public relations agency headquartered in New York, with offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, Miami and Denver. A subsidiary of Havas, one of the world’s largest global communications groups, the firm specializes in general market and Hispanic PR, crisis communications, social/digital and experiential marketing. Havas Trust, the agency’s crisis practice led by Donovan Roche, takes a holistic approach, guiding clients through crisis preparation, management and recovery. The group helps organizations effectively identify and anticipate potential issues or crises before they occur, and provides the guidance, tools and support to mitigate negative consequences and protect the brand’s reputation when they do. Havas Trust’s service offering includes vulnerability assessments, crisis team training, crisis management plan development, ongoing crisis communications support, practice drills and monitoring/reporting. Industries served include healthcare, technology, food & beverage, restaurants/retail, financial services, and real estate, while the team’s situational experience ranges from public health issues, DE&I, employee and executive misconduct, and sexual harassment to data breaches, class action lawsuits, product recalls and injuries/fatalities.
ICR
685 Third Ave., 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10017
646/277-1200
[email protected]
www.icrinc.com
Thomas Ryan, CEO
Don Duffy, President
Established in 1998, ICR partners with companies to develop and execute strategic communications programs and advisory services that achieve business goals, build credibility, and enhance the long-term value of the enterprise. The firm’s highly differentiated service model, which pairs capital markets veterans with senior communications professionals, brings deep sector knowledge and relationships to clients in more than 20 industries. Today, ICR is one of the largest and most experienced independent advisory firms in the world maintaining offices in Boston, Baltimore, Connecticut, New York and Beijing.
Clients: Peloton, Zoom Technologies, Dave & Busters, Freshpet, Abbott Labs, FleetCor Technologies, Inc., Fossil, Inc., Genuine Parts Co., Gulf Oil, Gildan Activewear, Samsung/Harman, Herbalife Ltd., HubSpot, lAC, Jarden Corp., Intel/Mobileye, DraftKings, Agilent Technologies, Legg Mason & Co. LLC, lululemon athletica, Intel/Mobileye, Michaels Stores, Kohl’s, Fisker Automotive, Marqeta, New Relic, Edelman Financial Engines, Paramount Group Inc., Planet Fitness Inc., Shake Shack, Starwood Property Trust, VF Corp., X4 Pharmaceuticals, Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Workiva and Zoës Kitchen.
Infinite Global
New York Office
555 Madison Avenue, 5th floor
New York, NY 10022
917/602-0545
www.infiniteglobal.com
Linkedin.com/company/infiniteglobal/
Twitter.com/igc_us
Additional offices: San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, DC and London
Jamie Diaferia, Founder & CEO
Zach Olsen, President
Infinite Global is an award-winning strategic communications agency advising a wide range of domestic and international clients facing difficult scenarios in which reputational, legal and commercial risk is high.
We advise organizations and individuals, providing counsel and tactical support to mitigate risk and protect reputations when it matters most. We have broad sector experience managing our clients’ reputational risk, often involving active litigation, regulatory and political pressure, media attention and heightened public scrutiny. Infinite has an established data breach response practice that helps clients across a range of industries —including financial and legal services, education and healthcare—mitigate, prepare for and respond to the risks endemic to housing sensitive data.
Our work spans each phase of the crisis lifecycle: from pre-crisis preparation and planning, to rapid crisis response and post-crisis reputational repair.
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
622 Third Avenue, 36th Floor
New York, NY 10017
212/355-4449
[email protected]
www.joelefrank.com
One California Street
Suite 2275
San Francisco, CA 94111
415/869-3950
Joele Frank, Managing Partner
Matthew Sherman, President
The events of the past several years underscore the importance of effective corporate communications regardless of the crisis. Communications to internal and external audiences must instill confidence, articulate the issues and describe how challenges are being addressed.
Whatever the crisis, Joele Frank helps companies navigate new realities and unexpected circumstances. We help shape and implement effective communications strategies that are transparent and nimble enough to adapt to rapidly evolving situations. Indeed, in a crisis, a company is judged not only on the crisis itself, but also how it prepared, managed and communicated through the event.
KARV Communications
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2005
New York, NY 10168
212/333-0275
www.karvcommunications.com
Andrew Frank, Founder and President
Eric Andrus, Executive Vice President
KARV Communications is a globally recognized strategic communications firm based in New York City, specializing in sophisticated corporate and financial communications, crisis and personal reputation management, litigation support and public affairs. The KARV philosophy is simple—we accomplish the goals set by our corporate, government and non-profit clients all over the world, through an extensive network and an unbiased approach to solving problems.
KARV is led by a team of talented professionals with wide-ranging global experience in a variety of industries: finance, media, energy, consumer goods and services, technology, healthcare, gaming, entertainment, government and non-profit sectors and more.
We offer clients the broad spectrum of relationships that we have cultivated over many years: legal, lobbying, financial advising, management consultancy, technology, risk management/business intelligence, and other in-house or outside advisors. Through these relationships, KARV brings a balanced and comprehensive approach to issues management and strategic counsel to our clients in high-stakes situations.
Many firms offer talent and experience; however, few offer talent, experience, and worldwide relationships. This is what sets KARV Communications apart as we deliver custom-tailored communications strategies to reach all critical stakeholders.
Kekst CNC
U.S. Headquarters
437 Madison Avenue, 37th Floor New York, NY 10022
212/521-4800
www.kekstcnc.com
Jeremy Fielding, Co-Chief
Executive Officer
Bernhard Meising, Co-Chief Executive Officer
Many companies and institutions around the world will confront unforeseen events that may well alter their future, pose unprecedented challenges, and potentially define their reputation for years to come.
What is required in these circumstances is an expert, experienced strategic communications partner to work with senior management and a Board of Directors to develop and execute the necessary integrated communications strategies to gain the trust and confidence of key stakeholders in this era of accelerated change.
Kekst CNC is ideally equipped to help global business and institutional leaders address these challenges ... as well as their opportunities. For 50 years, our team of more than 250 experienced professionals, located in 13 offices around the world, has partnered with leading organizations of all sizes to: articulate new business strategies and a vision for success; explain an enterprise transforming event and its significance; help navigate complex business challenges or crises; build support among key stakeholders; and, work to strengthen and protect our clients’ credibility, reputation, and brand.
As trusted advisors, Kekst CNC’s professionals bring to client engagements high energy, sound judgment and expertise on such high stakes matters as: M&A, shareholder activism and governance, crisis communications, restructurings, regulatory investigations / resolutions, litigation support, complex investor relations, IPO communications, issues and reputation management, leadership transitions, employee engagement, as well as digital and social communications—providing exceptional counsel and execution supported by objective insights, based on access to proprietary research, data and analytics capabilities.
KIVVIT
222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza #2400
Chicago, IL 60654
312/664-0153
Fax: 312/216-2636
[email protected]
www.kivvit.com
Eric Sedler, Managing Partner
Maura Farrell, Managing Director
Sarah Hamilton, Managing Director
Eric Herman, Managing Director
Kent Holland, Managing Director
Laura Matos, Managing Director
Sophie McCarthy, Managing Director
Tom Meara, Managing Director
Adam Steinberger, Managing Director
Sarah Figliulo, Head of Insights
Kelly Meissgeier, Head of Digital
Stephan Miller, Chief Brand Strategist
Molly Scherrman, Chief Operating Officer
Zach Silber, Chief Strategy Officer
Kristin Smith, Design Director
Kivvit is one of O’Dwyer’s top 15-ranked and fastest-growing independent strategic communications and public affairs firms in the United States.
What sets Kivvit apart is our unique ability to integrate cutting-edge and proprietary data, tools and technology to inform a full suite of strategic communications, content and creative development, and data-driven advertising capabilities. Our wide-ranging expertise and relentless focus on measurement means our work efficiently utilizes resources to create impactful strategies that maximize results for our clients.
Kivvit not only achieved record business performance in 2021, we also made significant investments to accelerate our evolution as the Agency of the Future while creating a world class culture that fosters collaboration, creativity, and innovation across our teams.
Our success delivering on these priorities has earned Kivvit significant recognition, including as Public Affairs Firm of the Year (Reed Awards 2021 and 2020), Most Innovative Agency (Bulldog PR Awards 2020), Digital Agency of the Year in North America and Best Agency to Work For (PRovoke 2020), and a Top 5 Public Affairs Firm (PRovoke 2021).
Kivvit also leads O’Dwyer’s national rankings across multiple categories, including #1 for Non Profits, #2 for Energy, #3 for Corporate Social Responsibility, #3 for Real Estate, and #4 for Education.
Lambert
47 Commerce Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616/233-0500
[email protected]
https://lambert.com/
Michelle Olson, APR, CEO
Jeff Gaunt, Head of Crisis & Reputation
Lambert's crisis & reputation team comprises former award-winning journalists and national reputational experts who understand the operational threats and pressures companies face during a crisis. We often serve as extensions of our clients' leadership and internal teams—providing around-the-clock support to prepare for, respond to, and recover from challenges or threats to their businesses.
In addition to as-it-happens crisis support, the Lambert team provides media and presentation training and crisis communications planning. Our trainings are customized to meet our clients‚ needs—from basic interview tactics and dos and don'ts, to key messages, interview preparation and rehearsal, and tailoring an approach to fit any audience and medium.
We've also helped publicly traded and privately held companies—from small, family-owned operations to multinational businesses—mitigate risk through the development of comprehensive crisis communication and reputation management plans. These plans help clients anticipate and prepare for significant incidents, issues and crises, culminating in a "break-the-glass" crisis toolkit and mock drills to train leadership on crisis preparation and response.
The Levinson Group (TLG)
200 Park Avenue South,
Suite 1218
New York, NY 10003
655 15th Street NW, Suite 501
Washington, D.C. 20005
202/244-1785
www.TLGCommunications.com
The Levinson Group (TLG) is a full-service boutique communications firm, with a global reach and impact, that specializes in advising C-Suites, Boards of Directors, influential individuals, law firms, and other leaders in corporations, non-profits, and other organizations in their most mission-critical moments.
Since its founding in 2013, TLG has become well known for serving as a strategic partner and advisor in high stakes matters relating to corporate reputation and governance; government response and sensitive investigations; public affairs and issues management; crisis and risk management; litigation communications; and global financial communications including corporate restructuring, executive transitions, mergers, acquisitions, and other transitions. The firm also specializes in advising multiple Am Law 50 law firms.
Many of TLG’s team of expert communications advisors come from backgrounds in journalism, politics, government and the private sector. The team specializes in creating and implementing targeted, always-on communications campaigns crafted to cultivate meaningful engagement with valued stakeholders. TLG has also been recognized for its commitment to leading social impact programs and offering a robust pro bono practice.
Chambers & Partners and National Law Journal ranked TLG among the top public relations and communications firms in the U.S. in Crisis Management and Litigation Communications, noting the firm’s proven track record. Named by PR News as a “known problem solver,” CEO Molly Levinson is named in the LawDragon 100 leaders in legal strategy and has been awarded PR News’ 2017 Crisis Manager of the Year and one of PR News’ Top Women in PR for 2021.
The Montgomery Strategies Group
2445 M St., NW,
Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20037
202/255-0737
www.tmsgr.com
Michael W. Robinson, Chairman & CEO
[email protected]
The Montgomery Strategies Group is a full-service agency with broad expertise in crisis and litigation communications, reputation management, public affairs and regulatory/legislative advocacy, financial communications and transactions, as well as marketing and brand awareness.
We draw on decades of collective experience as trusted counselors and strategists to public and private company C-suite executives, boards of directors, private equity investors, hedge fund managers, and trade association officials—with a team that includes former senior communications leaders from the SEC, The White House, Department of Justice, FINRA, NASDAQ, Capitol Hill, the Investment Company Institute (ICI), a host of Fortune 500 companies —T-Mobile, Lenovo, Honeywell, GE, Freddie Mac, and ExxonMobil among them—as well as a wide cross-section of global communications and marketing consultancies.
The breadth of our award-winning team includes expertise across all types of criminal and civil litigation, regulatory enforcement and policy actions, congressional and state AG investigations, and securing the legislative/regulatory approvals necessary to complete key corporate transactions. We provide proven depth in a number of industries and issues, with a particular focus on financial services, banking, and tax; healthcare and medical devices; consumer-facing industries and product recalls; data privacy, cyber breach, and technology policy; global trade and supply chain; and corporate governance.
We have teams and partners in: New York, Chicago, Boston, and London.
Padilla
1101 West River Parkway,
Suite 400 (Headquarters)
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612/455-1700
PadillaCo.com
Bob McNaney, Senior Vice President
24-hour emergency hotline
(1-877/PR ER 911)
Crises can come from any direction, and each one represents a moment of truth for your brand and your reputation. Fortunately, the Crisis Communications + Critical Issues Management Team at Padilla can guide you from pre-crisis event preparation to crisis and critical issues event support. We help our clients perform at their very best on their very worst day by showing them how to maintain control in the midst of chaos.
That work begins before the crisis strikes. We first help our clients measure their level of preparedness with our Crisis IQ. Based on that analysis, we develop plans and messaging to address the primary threats facing the business and practice drills designed to expose them to the pressures of a real crisis.
Padilla is a full-service public relations agency that transforms brands and organizations through strategically creative communications. Our work across deep areas of sector expertise in agriculture and environmental sciences, food, beverage and nutrition, health, technology and financial services, is consistently recognized by industry partners such as PRWeek, PRovoke and PRSA, among others. Padilla operates in seven cities in the U.S. through its family of brands, which includes SHIFT, FoodMinds, Joe Smith and SMS Research Advisors. As an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the agency provides services to clients through 155 offices worldwide. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com.
Polpeo
2, Riding House Street
London W1W 7FA UK
+44 203 457 6403
www.polpeo.com
Kate Hartley, Co-Founder
Polpeo’s realistic and immersive crisis simulations prepare you to communicate successfully in a crisis.
Its interactive crisis simulation technology recreates the experience of managing a crisis as it unfolds and spreads over social, digital and traditional media.
A Polpeo crisis simulation will stress-test your crisis communications response, plans, teams, resilience and strategies, all within a safe, secure environment, away from the glare of the public or media. Behind the scenes, a live team role plays the public response to the crisis, making this the closest thing possible to managing a real crisis.
Polpeo works with some of the biggest brands, organisations and communications agencies all over the world including organisations across aviation and transport, FMCG/CPG, food and drink, public sector, financial services, retail banking, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, health and beauty, charities, retail and consumer brands. It was founded in 2013 by social media specialist Tamara Littleton (also CEO and founder of social media agency, The Social Element), and PR specialist Kate Hartley.
Nothing prepares you for a crisis as effectively as experiencing one. Polpeo gives you that experience without any of the risk.
Public Communications Inc.
Partner in The Worldcom Public Relations Group
One E. Wacker Drive, 24th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
312/558-1770
[email protected]
www.pcipr.com
Jill Allread, APR, CEO
Craig Pugh, APR, President
Pamela Oettel, COO/CFO
Bringing calm and strategy to clients in crisis, Public Communications Inc. works closely with our clients to prepare them to effectively handle situations that can threaten an organization’s brand and erode consumer confidence. We partner with clients from prevention through the challenges of managing issues to then thriving in post-crisis recovery.
PCI’s experienced counselors consistently delivers award-winning campaigns for clients with reputation management and enhancement needs in all fields, including healthcare companies and associations; conservation, zoo and aquarium organizations; government agencies and nonprofits of all sizes. When an organization faces trouble, a thorough and strategic crisis communications plan is vital. We work with clients to identify, plan for, and mitigate crises that have the potential to negatively shape public opinion and disrupt business.
The PCI team has extensive experience helping clients manage their reputational risk through crisis communications planning and implementation. We also have specialists to provide spokesperson training and coaching on how to best articulate company values and messages that can restore the public faith and support.
PCI offers clients a specialized, post-crisis communication recovery model based on rapid response; ongoing and proactive communication; and inspired thought leadership that is critical to companies of all sizes. In recent years, PCI developed deep experience and skills in assisting clients to communicate effectively through natural and man-made disasters and through personnel and labor issues, including cases of #MeToo allegations and company culture change.
Qorvis Communications
1201 Connecticut Ave. NW,
Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20036
202/496-1000
www.Qorvis.com
Michael Petruzzello, Managing Director
Matt Lauer, Executive VP
Crisis communications is generally thought of as rapid response when a crisis hits. At Qorvis Communications, we believe that if you wait to handle a crisis until after it hits, you are too late. Based in Washington, our crisis experts come from the world of political campaigns in which crisis is a part of everyday life. Successful political campaigns can handle crisis because they have done opposition research and know their opponents’ vulnerabilities and potential issues as well as their own. Rarely if ever do major multinational corporations undertake a full-scale vulnerability assessment to predict potential future communications challenges. Because of our extensive political experience, we approach crisis with a holistic, methodical and 4-stage plan; PREDICT potential crises ahead of time, PREPARE to deal with them as they arise, PUSH BACK when the time comes, and then PIVOT seamlessly back to your brand pos-itives. We believe the bottom line is: If you do not predict and then prepare for negative issues and cri-sis, there is little chance of success at pushing back and pivoting back to the brand narrative. At Qorvis, we help our clients win at all four stages.
Rachel Harrison Communications
285 West Broadway, Suite 200
New York, NY 10013
[email protected]
www.wearerhc.com
Amanda Watenberg, Managing Director
Lucy Ballantyne, Managing Director
Nick Papa, Managing Director
Rachel Harrison Communications (RHC) is an award-winning PR firm and social media agency with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Mexico City. As an integrated team of communications and digital marketing professionals, RHC is defined by the team’s success in building brands. RHC exceeds expectations through creativity, strong relationships, and an ability to seek out trends across numerous industries. Guided by the belief that hospitality PR strategies will only succeed if they meet the moment, RHC is always ready to adapt.
RHC works with nationally and internationally recognized clients across numerous fields. Some have reached the top of the World’s 50 Best lists, and others have made the hot lists, gold lists, platinum lists, and everything in between. Most importantly, RHC helps clients achieve whatever success looks like to them.
Tourism and travel clients include Tourism Authority of Thailand, Turtle Bay Resort, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Dream Hotels (Hollywood, Midtown, and Downtown), Barriere Group, Urban Cowboy Hotels, The Wayfinder, House of Yes, Greydon House, Triumph Hotels, and Superfrico at The Cosmopolitan. Spirits, culinary, and lifestyle clients include Amaro Montenegro, Select Aperitivo, Absolut Elyx Vodka, Teremana Tequila, Benno, The Bastion Collection, St. Theo’s, Apotheke candles and more.
Reputation Doctor®, LLC
244 Fifth Ave., Suite 2620
New York, NY 10001
212/595-8500
www.reputationdoctor.com
Mike Paul, President & CEO
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Reputation Doctor® LLC’s Crisis Public Relations Division has an excellent track record of helping corporate, government, nonprofit, as well as sports and entertainment clients handle crises globally. We offer strategic counsel to clients when the media, customers, consumers, employees, investors, regulators, government leaders and even fans are all demanding answers to difficult situations.
Our team of senior consultants provide results by developing strategic crisis communications programs that work. We offer crisis management services to local, national and international clients.
Reputation Doctor® LLC is also a leader in litigation support PR worldwide.
Sitrick and Company
800/288-8809
www.sitrick.com
Los Angeles: 310/788-2850
New York: 212/573-6100
San Francisco: 415/999-9634
Denver: 720/904-8560
Washington, D.C.: 443/977-7215
Boston: 617/897-0326
Michael S. Sitrick, Chairman and CEO
Less important than what you say about yourself is what others say about you.
• The New York Times: “The City’s Most Prominent Crisis-Management Firm.”
• Forbes: “The crew from the television magazine is banging on your door. You can have the security guard throw them out and know they’ll trash you. Or you can sit down with them and figure that out of the hour you give them, they’ll use only 40 seconds on air. And those 40 seconds will make you look very guilty. Better solution, call Mike Sitrick.”
• BusinessWeek: That’s unbelievable. This is the heavy artillery.” Quote is from the CEO of one of the largest PR firms in the world, after learning we were brought in on the other side of a contentious matter in which his firm was involved.
Since our firm’s founding 31 years ago, we have been consistently ranked among the top crisis and strategic communications firm in the nation.
The majority of the firm’s senior executives are former editors and reporters from news organizations that include the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Bloomberg, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, CBS News and NBC News. We also have former practicing attorneys and business executives.
Matters with which we have been involved include litigation support of all kinds; intellectual property matters, allegations of stock manipulation, wrongful termination, contract disputes, allegations of fraud and fraudulent inducement, wrongful death claims, allegations of illegal drug use, SEC matters, and a variety of other white-collar crimes. We have also handled criminal and civil cases against companies and their executives for such things as price fixing, insurance fraud, options backdating, antitrust violations, race and sex discrimination, sexual harassment, racism and #MeToo matters. We have a significant data breach, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance practice and have done extensive work combatting short sellers. Other issues include sensitive environmental matters, racketeering cases, family disputes, and high-profile divorces, reputation management and reputational positioning. We have also been involved in helping to launch such firms as Oaktree Capital.
Offices are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., though we have handled cases all over the world.
For additional information including clients for whom our work was public and additional media comments about our firm see: www.sitrick.com.
Sloane & Company
One World Trade Center
285 Fulton Street, 69th Floor
New York, NY 10007
212/486-9500
Fax: 212/486-9094
[email protected]
www.sloanepr.com
Darren Brandt, Whit Clay, Co-CEOs
Sloane & Company is an industry-leading strategic communications firm that provides a range of crisis-focused services around situations including: shareholder activism; litigation; unforeseen management changes; Board issues; employee issues; cybersecurity; natural disasters; product integrity; regulatory and legislative issues; bankruptcies / restructurings; environmental issues; and corporate governance. More broadly, we provide strategic counsel and support around corporate and financial public relations; transactions; strategic insights; messaging, analytics and measurement; public affairs; and investor relations—to public and private companies as well as investors, associations and individuals.
We are experts at assisting clients when unforeseen events threaten to impact their business or damage their reputation. We are known for our intelligence, intensity, creativity and focus on getting results. Whether the situation calls for developing and delivering the right messages to the audiences that matter or advising on high-stakes deals or crises, our goal is the same—to drive winning outcomes for our clients.
We have become a go-to firm when these crises and special situations occur by listening to our clients, understanding the situation, determining the risks to their business and delivering candid advice to management teams, boards, executives and organizations when they need it most. Clients have the benefit of working with senior executives with decades of experience who offer professional counsel in all phases of crisis planning and response, leading to immediate results.
Beyond specific crisis situations, we develop effective and actionable contingency plans in close coordination with a client’s legal, financial, marketing, communications and government relations/lobbying advisors. Our approach provides best-practices and enhances client procedures and appropriate training of personnel before and during a crisis. When the unexpected happens, we actively manage and support implementing the appropriate communications tactics. After the crisis subsides, we help clients restore their credibility and reputation in the marketplace.
Solomon McCown & Cence
100 Cambridge Street, 14th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
www.solomonmccown.com
Dan Cence, CEO,
[email protected]
TJ Winick, Senior Vice President, [email protected]
Solomon McCown & Cence (Boston & New York) supports clients that face complex issues at the intersection of public policy and business. The firm works within education, healthcare and real estate sectors, and with corporations and non-profit organizations to deliver integrated communications strategies. We specialize in messaging, media relations & training, government affairs, digital and social content, and integrated campaigns.
Crisis planning and management is a defining strength of SM&C. Our nationally-recognized team of crisis managers comes from journalism and politics. We develop crisis plans for corporations, institutions, and mission-focused organizations. We help organizations navigate sensitive issues including those involving public health, misconduct accusations, leadership transitions, bankruptcies and business failures, Title IX complaints, regulatory investigations, workplace violence, and natural disasters. We excel at working with both in-house and outside legal and communications teams to devise strategies that dovetail with the legal strategy.
Stanton
880 Third Ave.
New York, NY 10022
212/366-5300
[email protected]
www.stantonprm.com
Alex Stanton, CEO
Tom Faust, Charlyn Lusk, Managing Directors
Katrin Lieberwirth, Liam Collopy, Michael Goodwin, Matthew Conroy, SVPs
Stanton provides a full range of senior-level counsel to protect corporate reputations before, during and after a crisis hits, when critical issues arise, and through major transitions. Our expertise helps clients prevent crises through thoughtful planning and oversight. In the event a crisis does occur, we help contain the situation by managing media coverage and executing proactive communications to offset reputational damage and repair relationships with key constituents.
Stanton works with senior leadership teams, corporate task forces, outside counsel and other advisors to develop comprehensive communications strategies that ensure our clients are fully prepared. We apply our decades of experience to create the right strategy and put the right support behind it to control the narrative from the start and stay focused on your priorities. Our experience spans a variety of situations including corporate litigation, executive changes, consumer and special interest boycotts, workplace violence, employee misconduct, financial improprieties, environmental issues, product tampering and many others. Stanton’s efforts help clients minimize negative attention and prevent escalation of vulnerabilities during crisis situations. That’s why you’ve never heard of some of our best crisis work.
Clients: 3i, Albright Capital Management, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, AM Best, Bain Capital, Brevet Capital, Carl Marks Advisors, CityMD, Conning Asset Management, CSAA, CVC Capital Partners, DealCloud, Dosis, EIS, First Eagle Alternative Credit, FFL Partners, Great Hill Partners, HGGC, Hudl, Intapp, Kline Hill Partners, Lincolnshire Management, Makena Capital, Marin Health, Merchants Fleet, Mercy College, Mobilitas, Mosser, One Equity Partners, Pine Brook, SaverLife, Summit Medical Group, Sun Capital Partners, Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, T1D Fund, Toorak Capital Partners, Vertical Bridge, VSS and Winston & Strawn.
Bospar: Working From Home Since 2015.
Jessica Berk Ross, Managing
