Businesses can benefit from hiring PR agencies to enhance their brand visibility, reputation, and overall business success. PR agencies offer expertise in media relations, crisis management, and strategic communication, leveraging their extensive industry contacts to reach a wider audience. They provide an objective perspective, helping businesses evaluate and improve their communication strategies. Additionally, hiring a PR agency saves time and resources, allowing businesses to focus on core operations while the agency handles PR tasks, ultimately leading to increased brand awareness, improved reputation, and potential cost savings compared to in-house PR efforts.
Do you need a PR agency? With the Agency Reviews platform, you can find the best marketing agency that specializes in PR, advertising, SEO, branding, and more. Business owners can make an informed decision based on 100% unbiased reviews from real people who worked with these agencies.
In this article, we will explain what makes a good PR agency, what are the benefits of hiring a PR agency, and where to find the best PR agency. We will also list the 7 best agencies in the US.
What Makes a Good PR Agency
As of 2025, there are approximately 49,747 PR agencies in the United States. That said, it’s no wonder that finding a good PR agency might feel a bit overwhelming for business owners. With Agency Reviews, the process of finding the right agency is simplified thanks to its “Get Matched” feature that lists top-rated agencies that fit specific criteria in less than 60 seconds. Before setting the filters on the Agency Reviews platform according to your specific needs, take a look at what characteristics a good PR agency possesses:
- Experience in Target Markets: They deeply understand the markets they serve, tailoring campaigns to meet client needs.
- Comprehensive Services: Beyond media relations, they offer crisis management, event management, digital media management, and reputation management.
- Professional Network: Strong media and industry contacts are crucial for securing coverage and opportunities.
- Creativity and Adaptability: They develop innovative strategies to present messages effectively and adapt to changing market conditions.
- Proven Track Record: A history of successful campaigns and satisfied clients demonstrates their ability to deliver results.
- Client-Obsessed Approach: They prioritize understanding client needs, aligning strategies with client goals, and maintaining proactive communication.
- Data-Driven Strategies: Utilizing data and analytics to inform decisions and ensure campaign effectiveness.
- Transparency and Integrity: Honest about potential challenges and transparent in operations, ensuring ethical practices.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a PR Agency
Hiring a PR agency offers numerous benefits to businesses, including:
Enhanced Brand Awareness and Reputation
PR agencies help elevate brand visibility and reputation through strategic communication and media relations, leveraging their established connections with journalists and industry influencers.
Expertise and Objectivity
They provide specialized knowledge in communication strategies, crisis management, and market research, offering an outside perspective that can improve existing communication efforts.
Time and Resource Efficiency
By outsourcing PR tasks, businesses can focus on core operations while the agency handles media relations, content creation, and event management, saving time and resources.
Cost-Effectiveness
Hiring a PR agency can be more cost-effective than building an in-house team, as it provides access to a broader range of skills and tools without the long-term employment costs.
Crisis Management
PR agencies are skilled in managing crises, and protecting the business’s reputation during challenging times by preparing crisis plans and handling media responses.
Increased ROI
Agencies help maximize budget efficiency by structuring campaigns to achieve higher returns on investment through targeted strategies and metrics analysis.
How to Find a PR Agency
There are several ways to find a PR agency, including industry rankings, review sites, social media, and professional networks:
- Industry Rankings and Reports
Using industry rankings and reports to find a PR agency provides benefits such as third-party endorsement, increased visibility, and the ability to associate with established firms, ultimately helping businesses identify reputable agencies with proven track records and expertise in their field. Here are the top industry rankings platforms:
- PRovoke Media: Offers comprehensive rankings of global PR agencies, providing insights into industry trends and top performers.
- O’Dwyer’s PR Firm Rankings: Lists top PR firms based on worldwide net fees, focusing on major U.S. operations.
- PR Week: Publishes rankings like the UK Top 150, which highlights leading agencies in the UK.
- Online Review Sites
Using online review sites to find a PR agency provides benefits such as gaining trust through social proof, understanding an agency’s strengths and weaknesses, improving visibility through SEO, and making informed decisions based on real client experiences. Check the best online review sites for finding a PR agency:
- DesignRush: Provides rankings of top PR firms based on client reviews and agency expertise.
- Clutch: Offers reviews and ratings of PR agencies, helping businesses make informed decisions.
- Agency Reviews: Offers unbiased reviews from real users. With over 45,000 agencies on the platform, business owners can choose the best agencies specialized in PR, email marketing, design, branding, SEO, and much more.
- Professional Networks and Associations
Professional networks and associations, such as the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), can help businesses find a PR agency by providing access to reputable professionals, networking opportunities, and resources that connect businesses with experienced PR firms.
- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA): A professional organization that can connect you with reputable PR professionals and agencies.
- International Association of Business Communicators (IABC): Offers resources and networking opportunities to find PR agencies.
- Referrals and Word-of-Mouth
Referrals and word-of-mouth are effective for finding a PR agency because they provide trusted recommendations from satisfied clients, offering credibility and assurance that the agency has delivered successful results, which is crucial in building trust and making informed decisions.
Ask colleagues, peers, or industry leaders for recommendations based on their experiences with PR agencies.
- Agency Websites and Social Media
Agency websites and social media can help businesses find a PR agency by providing insights into the agency’s expertise, case studies, client testimonials, and service offerings, allowing potential clients to assess their credibility and alignment with business needs.
7 Top PR Agencies In the US
To make finding the best PR agency easier for you, we made a list of top PR agencies in the US. We made the decision based on their clients, biggest projects, and their main areas of experience.
- Description: Edelman is a global public relations and marketing consultancy firm, recognized as the largest PR firm worldwide by revenue. They specialize in building trust between brands and consumers, offering services in reputation management, influencer marketing, and corporate communications.
- Location: New York, NY
- Founded: 1952
- Clients: Samsung, HP
- Industries: Technology, Healthcare
- Key Services: Public Relations, Digital Strategy
- Reason to Hire: Their expertise in reputation management ensures your brand maintains trust and credibility in the public eye.
- Description: Weber Shandwick is renowned for its dynamic and integrated approach to public relations. They excel in managing complex communications challenges across various industries, focusing on creating compelling narratives and fostering meaningful connections.
- Location: New York, NY
- Founded: 2001
- Clients: General Motors, Microsoft
- Industries: Automotive, Technology
- Key Services: Crisis Management, Brand Reputation Management
- Reason to Hire: Their integrated strategies help navigate complex communications challenges effectively.
- Description: FleishmanHillard is recognized for its commitment to excellence and strategic thinking. They craft and execute powerful communication strategies, helping both global corporations and emerging businesses build brand trust and drive engagement.
- Location: St. Louis, MO
- Founded: 1946
- Clients: AT&T, Philips
- Industries: Telecommunications, Healthcare
- Key Services: Public Affairs, Media Relations
- Reason to Hire: Their strategic approach ensures effective communication and brand positioning.
4. Ketchum
- Description: Ketchum is celebrated for its creative and results-driven approach to public relations. They develop tailored strategies that resonate with target audiences, excelling in media relations, digital communications, and crisis management.
- Location: New York, NY
- Founded: 1923
- Clients: Pfizer, IBM
- Industries: Pharmaceuticals, Technology
- Key Services: Brand Positioning, Influencer Engagement
- Reason to Hire: Their deep understanding of market trends ensures strategies that align with consumer behavior.
- Description: BCW stands out for its global reach and comprehensive PR services. They deliver impactful campaigns across various platforms, helping brands build and maintain a positive reputation through innovative, data-driven insights.
- Location: New York, NY
- Founded: 2018 (merger of Burson-Marsteller and Cohn & Wolfe)
- Clients: Ford, Procter & Gamble
- Industries: Automotive, Consumer Goods
- Key Services: Corporate Communications, Digital Marketing
- Reason to Hire: Their innovative approach and global expertise ensure your brand’s message resonates worldwide.
6. Ogilvy
- Description: Ogilvy is a powerhouse in public relations, blending creativity with strategic thinking. Their expertise spans branding, digital marketing, and media relations, making them a versatile partner for businesses seeking to enhance their public presence.
- Location: New York, NY
- Founded: 1980
- Clients: Coca-Cola, Nestlé
- Industries: Beverages, Food
- Key Services: Brand Strategy, Social Media Marketing
- Reason to Hire: Their fusion of creativity and strategy helps brands connect deeply with consumers.
7. Golin
- Description: Golin is known for its innovative approach and emphasis on storytelling. They create authentic and engaging content, helping brands connect with their audiences on a deeper level through digital communications and influencer engagement.
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Founded: 1956
- Clients: McDonald’s, Unilever
- Industries: Food & Beverage, Consumer Goods
- Key Services: Digital Communications, Crisis Management
- Reason to Hire: Their focus on storytelling ensures your brand’s narrative resonates authentically.
In conclusion, hiring a PR agency offers numerous benefits, including enhanced brand awareness and reputation, access to established industry contacts, and expertise in crisis management. PR agencies can position businesses in front of new audiences, improve website rankings through strategic media coverage, and provide unbiased perspectives on communication strategies. They save time and resources by handling PR tasks, allowing businesses to focus on core operations, and are often more cost-effective than building an in-house team.
A good PR agency is characterized by its experience in target markets, comprehensive services, strong professional networks, creativity, and a proven track record. They should also be data-driven, transparent, and client-focused, aligning strategies with client goals and maintaining proactive communication. Additionally, a good agency should have a strong understanding of industry trends and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions.
Need help finding the best PR agency? With over 45,000 listed agencies, the Agency Reviews platform can help you make an informed decision based on the reviews from real people.
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