Startup PR
Depending on your startup's size, momentum, and audience, you may need a PR firm to help you to reach any number of objectives. Perhaps you need help publicizing a round of funding, launching a new product, developing highly sought after media backlinks, or just making noise. Whatever your objectives, a good PR firm should be able to help you set a realistic but ambitious goal, build an intelligent plan to reach it, and have the flexibility to change plans when the situation evolves (as it often will for startups).
Considered holistically, PR is any practice that manages the relationship between an organization and the public at large. Although most startups looking for a PR agency are looking specifically for help with media relations, it is usually a good idea to work with a firm who understands how PR impacts other disciplines (for example SEO, influencer marketing, and the like). Big picture systems thinking applied to a data-driven startup PR campaign is the best way to ensure that your campaign is a success.
Domain expertise can be important for some startups, but not all. For example most B2B SaaS startups should look for a PR firm that knows their space and has relationships with the relevant publications, but a consumer-facing startup with a more general audience may find great success with with a firm that has less startup experience. For the majority of founder-led companies, the most important thing will be your chemistry with the account team - especially the person who will be leading your account. They will be the ones bringing your message to life, and they must be strategic and candid in delivering advice while remaining coachable and adaptable.
Why PR is Essential
Most startups struggle to break through the noise and find their voice. This can impact their perceived legitimacy, make it more difficult to find and close clients, and pose a barrier to getting meetings with potential investors.
An intelligent startup PR campaign can:
- Generate demand for a product, service, or program
- Open doors with investors
- Make recruiting top talent easier
- Build surprising numbers of high-authority backlinks
What to Look for in a PR Agency
If you are looking to hire a Startup PR firm, there are a few key factors you should consider to ensure you choose the right agency for your needs.
- Relevant Experience: Look for a PR firm that has experience doing the sorts of work you need help with. They should have a good understanding of the market, the key media, and the types of stories that work. This will help them to create a targeted PR campaign that resonates with your target audience.
- Track Record: Check the PR firm's track record to see what kind of results they have achieved for other startups. Look for success stories that demonstrate their ability to generate media coverage, increase website traffic, or drive sales.
- Strategic Approach: A good PR agency should have a strong methodology and be able to develop a clear and comprehensive PR strategy that aligns with your business objectives. They should also be able to adapt the strategy as needed based on changes in the market or your company's priorities.
- Strong Media Relationships: Look for a PR firm that has established relationships with key media outlets and journalists in your industry. This can help to secure media coverage and build credibility for your startup.
- Transparency and Communication: The PR firm you choose should be transparent about their strategies and tactics, and should provide regular updates on their progress. They should also be responsive to your questions and concerns, and should be willing to adjust their approach based on your feedback.
- Chemistry and Fit: As mentioned in the article, chemistry and fit are crucial when choosing a startup PR agency. You should feel comfortable working with the account team and confident that they understand your vision and goals for your startup.
In summary, choosing the right PR agency can make a significant difference in the success of your venture. Look for a firm with relevant startup experience, a strong track record, a strategic approach, established media relationships, transparent communication, and a good fit with your team.
Cultural Currents Institute
You need an agency partner who can be as scrappy as you are, with a creative multidisciplinary approach and a data-driven mindset.
The Cultural Currents Institute is a startup-focused PR, marketing, and branding agency with extensive experience helping startups of all sizes to tell their story. CCI uses a data-driven approach to raise company profiles (and valuations), generate demand, and open doors.
- Advertising
- Branding
- Brand Strategy & Development
- Content Marketing
- Corporate Communications
- Crisis Communication
- Digital Marketing
- Influencer Marketing
- Investor Relations
- Public Affairs
- Public Relations
- Research & Insights
- Web Development
- Zapier
- Codecademy
- Lucid Software
- Jaybird
5W Public Relations
You want a large PR firm with a b2c specialization.
5WPR is a top 10 independent, full-service PR agency in the U.S. known for cutting-edge programs that engage with businesses, issues and ideas.
With offices in New York City and Miami, 5W has over 300 professionals serving clients in B2C (Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Lifestyle & Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Technology, Travel & Hospitality, Home & Housewares); B2B (Corporate Communications, Technology, Reputation Management, CSR, Sustainability Communications); Digital Media (Social Media, SEO and Graphic Design), Public Affairs; Government Relations; and Crisis Communications. 5W's team of experts bring leading businesses a resourceful, bold and results-driven approach to communications. 5WPR has been named one of Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces 2022!
The firm was founded in 2003 and has received numerous industry accolades including PR Agency of the Year, Digital/Social Media Campaign of the Year, PR Executive of the Year, Product Launch of the Year, Business to Business Program of the Year and others.
- Public Relations
- Digital Marketing
- SEO
- Reputation Management
- Event Marketing
- Sparkling Ice
- LifeStyles
- Cleancult
- Sinclair
- CrossFit
- Vizio
Channel V Media
Channel V Media is an award-winning New York City communications agency that specializes in creating and executing communications programs for innovative, visionary and notable companies. Our clients include fast-growing technology companies and industry disruptors across verticals and industries.
The go-to agency for companies with complex or unfamiliar stories to tell, Channel V Media has unique expertise in creating audience-relevant strategic marketing programs that unite PR, content, and digital assets to generate targeted awareness and drive inbound lead generation. As a result, we're an ideal partner for companies with aggressive customer acquisition goals.
In addition to our work with US-based companies, we partner with international clients to create successful US launch programs. This expertise dates all the way back to 2008, the year of our agency's founding, when we were behind the successful PR launch of a UK advertising company into the crowded US advertising scene; since then we have continued to lead international clients in successful US launches.
- Public Relations
- Digital Marketing
- IBM
- The Meatless Farm
- StarStar
Hotwire Global
You are a B2B technology company and need an agency with primarily B2B expertise.
We’re fanatical about technology, with over twenty years’ experience in igniting positive actions for our clients. Our tech understanding, experience and network helps spark audience curiosity across all aspects of communications, branding and digital marketing. At Hotwire, we aim to be the best consultancy our clients and our people will ever work with. With specialists in everything from brand communications to ABM, we'll help you to achieve limitless success.
- Public Relations
- Account Based Marketing
- Brand Strategy
- ESG
- Adobe
- Dell
- GoPro
- Klarna
- Swisscom
- Zoom
Method Communications
You need a well-connected B2B or consumer tech focused agency, especially one with a strong presence in Utah.
Method Communications is the PR & marketing catalyst for breakthrough brands and category leaders. Founded in 2010, Method helps its Tech clients share their ambitious visions with the world. As The Holmes Report’s 2020 Technology Agency of the Year, we produce award-winning results from New York, Salt Lake City and San Francisco.
- Public Relations
- Crisis Communications
- DE&I
- 1Password
- Addepar
- BambooHR
- Domo
- Meta
- Silicon Slopes
- Webflow
The Bulleit Group
You want to work with a nimble and creative boutique PR agency.
The Bulleit Group is a different kind of communications agency. Throughout the past ten years, technology has changed everything about the way we live. We’re focused on telling the stories of the companies that will drive the next ten. Our clients include global companies like LinkedIn and Google and fast-growing startups.
- Public Relations
- Crisis Communications
- Analyst Relations
- Amply
- Guideline
- Turing
Otter PR
Otter PR is a Public Relations agency located in Orlando and St. Pete, FL. Otter PR has been recognized by Forbes, Newsweek, and Entrepreneur Magazine and ranked the number one PR firm by G2 and Clutch.
Our growing team of 49+ experienced publicists, writers, and marketers, work with brands to secure meaningful media coverage. We focus on modern media including digital, TV, podcast, and speaking.
Our clients have been featured in Forbes, NY Times, The Hill, Politico, CNBC, FOX Business, Entrepreneur, Netflix, and more than 100 top-tier media outlets and networks. Our Mission at Otter PR is to modernize an old business model. We want to bring elite-level, personalized PR professionals into your family and provide guaranteed results that translate into real ROI for your business.
- Public Relations
- Alibaba
- Deep Sentinel
- Hero Trainer
Digital Trails
Digital Trails a lean and agile international partner supporting SMEs and fast growing startups with a one-stop solution for multi-market digital strategy and execution.
- Public Relations
- SEO
- Content Marketing
- Branding
- Crisis Communications
- Hult International Business School
- Menkind
- Lost Universe
- Bedsure
Walker Sands
You are on the search for a full-service B2B agency.
Walker Sands is a full-service B2B marketing agency with core capabilities in public relations, demand generation, branding, creative, marketing strategy and web. The firm’s integrated approach to marketing drives awareness, credibility and conversions for 100+ clients around the world. A 10-time Inc. 5000 honoree, Walker Sands is one of the fastest-growing B2B marketing agencies in the world, with offices in Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston and Atlanta.
- Public Relations
- Web Services
- Marketing Strategy
- Demand Generation
- Creative
- Branding
- Worldpay
- Adlucent
- Ensono
- Provenir
- Bill.com
Bastion Elevate
You would like to pair your PR services with digital marketing from Bastion's larger agency family.
Bastion Amplify - a full service Digital, Media, PR, Dev, Creative, and Social Media Marketing agency in Orange County, CA and is a Massachusetts State Approved Vendor.
At Bastion Amplify, we’re not about “us” — we’re all about you. Our diverse team of professionals deliver 100% results and 0% excuses, providing a full spectrum of services including PR, Social Media, Influencer Marketing, Design, Web/App Development, and Content Production that will take your brand to the next level.
We work with brands and top tier individuals who are looking to expand their audience awareness, strategically capture market share, and expand their digital sales strategy with modern techniques.
- Public Relations
- SEO
- Digital
- Web Development
- K1 Speed
- iRestore
- Wow Wow Lemonade
- Granite Supplements
- Mammoth
Vitis Public Relations
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Vitis PR is a public relations agency specialising in technology PR. We deliver high impact Public Relations, SEO and social media for technology, telecoms, and high growth companies.
Vitis PR is a technology and B2B PR, search and social agency set up in 2006 to provide PR services to technology companies.
Our work has gained our clients exposure in specialist and mainstream media, both on and offline. We put our success down to the fact that our team is made up of experts – account directors, account managers, associates and writers – so our clients always receive support from the best team for the job – not just the available team.
- Public Relations
- SEO
- Social Media
- Kodak
- Clearpeople
- Silwood
- Arevo
Babel PR
Babel is a technology PR and integrated communications consultancy headquartered in London with a team of consultants across Europe, the US and Asia Pacific. Our specific focus areas include: mobile/telecommunications, IoT, security, space tech, adtech, retail, e-commerce, fintech, enterprise, broadcast, media, marketing, and consumer technology. Our mission is to enhance the profiles of some of the most established technology corporations in the world and to help technology startups scale. We have the expertise and the experience to design and deliver compelling campaigns that produce the required result and we relish a challenge. For multi-market campaigns we provide centralised management and billing but we also give you access to teams that have the local knowledge, the contacts and the sector expertise to deliver impact.
- Public Relations
- Social Media
- Brand Messaging
- Network X
- Qt
- Orange Cyberdefense
- The Linux Foundation
- Linksys
Highwire PR
Your company intersects with the health, security, or finance industries.
Highwire is a modern communications agency designed for disruptive companies. Our roots in journalism and Silicon Valley give us the drive, imagination and experience to create meaningful business results through smart communications programs.
At Highwire we begin with the end in mind—meeting your business objectives through strategic communications using a smart, informed approach that’s founded on relevance and insight. We roll up our sleeves and immerse our experts in your business, turning your challenges and goals into greater awareness, growth and sales.
At Highwire PR, we are entrepreneurs, makers, and explorers. We are committed to fostering an inclusive agency environment, where every employee can be seen, heard, and valued.
- Public Relations
- Analyst Relations
- Content Marketing
- Influencer Relations
- GE
- IBM
- Twilio
- Norwest
- Udemy
Crenshaw Communications
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Crenshaw Communications is a top B2B tech PR firm based in New York City and with global reach. We blend PR talent and a passion for storytelling with creative tactics to deliver extraordinary results. Both established brands and early-stage companies reach their business goals with our strategic PR approach. We support clients in adtech and martech, AI, ecommerce and retail, cybersecurity, HR, supply chain, and more.
- Public Relations
- Crisis Communications
- Corporate Communications
- Social Media
- Innovid
- Fractal Analytics
- Bizzabo
- BrandTotal
- Bnai Zion Foundation
Black Unicorn PR
Black Unicorn PR is a new breed of Public Relations and Communications agency that aims to go beyond traditional services, acting as an in-house extension more than an agency. The company's aim is to provide startups with the opportunities to excel in the public sphere that will put them on the path to success.
- Public Relations
- Safe & the City
- Katalista Ventures
- Nexpay
- eAgronom
- Payally
