Top Automotive PR Agency Alternatives (Compared to PR.plus)
Your automotive brand deserves the spotlight. But high-cost agencies can be slow. Discover how to get your news featured in major outlets, fast.
Many businesses seek a reliable automotive PR agency to cut through the noise, but traditional firms are often slow and costly. A better approach is needed for today's fast-moving market. At PR.plus, we offer a modern solution with guaranteed placements on AP News, Bloomberg, and 500+ outlets. We deliver clear, measurable results with a fast turnaround, all for an affordable flat fee.
What Does an Automotive PR Agency Do?
An automotive PR agency helps car companies, parts manufacturers, and tech startups manage their public image and communicate with the media. Their main goal is to secure positive media coverage for their clients.
Key services often include:
Media Relations: Building relationships with journalists to get stories published.
Brand Messaging: Crafting the right story to represent the brand.
Product Launches: Creating buzz for new cars, parts, or technology.
Press Release Distribution: Sending official announcements to news outlets, a service we specialize in. Learn how to write a great press release here.
Crisis Management: Handling negative news and protecting the brand's reputation.
Ultimately, they work to build credibility and drive awareness in a very competitive industry. A solid PR strategy is essential for any automotive brand looking to grow.
How to Choose the Right Automotive PR Firm
Selecting the right PR partner depends entirely on your goals. Ask yourself these questions before you decide:
✅ Goal: Do I need long-term strategic guidance or fast, widespread news coverage for a specific announcement?
💰 Budget: Can I afford a monthly retainer of $5,000+, or do I need a predictable, flat fee for a single project?
⏰ Timeline: Do I have weeks to plan a campaign, or do I need my news out in the next 48 hours?
Pro Tip: For product launches, dealership news, or tech updates, a press release distribution service like PR.plus often delivers 80% of the value at less than 10% of the cost of a traditional agency.
Feature | PR.plus | Kahn Media | JMPR Public Relations |
|---|---|---|---|
Service Model | Press Release Distribution | Full-Service Agency | Full-Service Agency |
Pricing | Starts at $147 (Flat Fee) | Monthly Retainer ($5k+) | Monthly Retainer ($5k+) |
Guaranteed Placements | Yes (AP News, Bloomberg, etc.) | No (Based on outreach) | No (Based on outreach) |
Turnaround Time | 24-48 Hours | Weeks to Months | Weeks to Months |
Writing & SEO Included | Yes | Included in Retainer | Included in Retainer |
Best For | Fast announcements, startups, product launches | Long-term brand building and strategy | Established brands needing comprehensive PR |
PR.plus
Kahn Media
JMPR Public Relations
Influence Associates
Marx Group
Bianchi Public Relations
Ripley PR
Stratacomm
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4.5
4.4
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4.1
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PR+ Advantage
Guaranteed Media Placements
AP News Network Coverage
Fast 48-Hour Turnaround
AI-Powered Platform
Build Instant Credibility
Affordable Flat-Rate Pricing
Professional Writing Included
The Top Automotive PR Agencies to Consider
Finding the right partner to handle your automotive public relations is critical. Below, we compare some of the leading agencies and services available, helping you choose the best fit for your brand's goals and budget.
1. PR.plus
PR.plus is a press release distribution platform designed for speed, affordability, and impact. Instead of a costly monthly retainer, we offer a direct path to guaranteed placements on major news networks, including AP News, Bloomberg, and over 500 other outlets. Our service is perfect for automotive brands, car dealerships, and tech startups needing to announce product launches, partnerships, or company news quickly. With professional writing and SEO optimization included in every package, we make high-impact PR accessible to everyone. See our pricing and distribution list to learn more.
Pros:
Guaranteed placements on high-authority news sites.
Extremely fast turnaround (under 48 hours).
Affordable flat-rate pricing, no retainers.
Professional writing and SEO included.
Cons:
Not a full-service agency for long-term strategic planning.
Focus is on distribution rather than media relationship management.
2. Kahn Media
Kahn Media is a well-known full-service PR and marketing agency specializing in the automotive, outdoor, and luxury lifestyle sectors. They offer comprehensive services, including media relations, content creation, and social media management. They are known for their deep industry connections and strategic approach, making them a fit for brands seeking a long-term, hands-on partner.
Pros:
Deep expertise in the automotive industry.
Full-service offerings beyond just PR.
Cons:
Requires a significant budget and likely a long-term retainer.
Slower process compared to distribution services.
3. JMPR Public Relations
JMPR is a leading automotive public relations agency with decades of experience. They represent a wide range of clients, from major automakers to specialty equipment manufacturers. Their services cover media outreach, event management, and crisis communications. JMPR is a choice for established brands that need a seasoned team to manage their reputation and media presence.
Pros:
Long-standing reputation and strong media contacts.
Expertise in both consumer and B2B automotive sectors.
Cons:
High-cost retainer-based model.
May not be agile enough for startups.
4. Influence Associates
Influence Associates positions itself as the world's leading automotive PR agency. With offices in the UK and USA, they offer global reach and strategic counsel for brands in the automotive, EV, and mobility tech spaces. They focus on building brand reputation through high-level media engagement and thought leadership, targeting top-tier publications.
Pros:
Global reach and international experience.
Specializes in EV and future mobility tech.
Cons:
Premium pricing for top-tier strategic services.
Services may be too complex for simple announcements.
5. Marx Group
Marx Group is an integrated marketing communications agency focused on the automotive and commercial vehicle aftermarket. They blend PR, advertising, and digital marketing to create cohesive campaigns. Their deep knowledge of the aftermarket supply chain makes them a specialized partner for parts manufacturers and service brands.
Pros:
Niche focus on the automotive aftermarket.
Integrated marketing services.
Cons:
Less focused on mainstream consumer automotive PR.
Agency model can be costly.
6. Bianchi Public Relations
Based near Detroit, Bianchi PR has deep roots in the automotive industry, particularly with suppliers and B2B technology companies. They focus on media relations, content development, and social media management for companies that form the backbone of the auto sector. They are known for their professional approach and industry knowledge.
Pros:
Strong focus on automotive suppliers and B2B tech.
Located in the heart of the US auto industry.
Cons:
Not primarily focused on consumer-facing car brands.
Traditional PR agency model.
7. Ripley PR
While not exclusively an automotive agency, Ripley PR has a strong practice in the skilled trades, home service, and automotive sectors. They focus on helping franchises and B2B companies grow through strategic public relations. Their expertise lies in securing trade media coverage and building credibility within specific industry verticals.
Pros:
Experience with franchising and B2B models.
Focus on trade media.
Cons:
Automotive is one of several industries they serve.
May lack the deep specialization of other firms.
8. Stratacomm
Stratacomm is a strategic communications agency with offices in Washington D.C. and Detroit. They have a strong automotive practice that focuses on public affairs, policy, and transportation issues. They work with automakers, suppliers, and associations on complex topics like safety, sustainability, and government relations.
Pros:
Expertise in automotive policy and public affairs.
Strong presence in key political and industry hubs.
Cons:
More focused on corporate communications than product PR.
Services are tailored for large corporations.
Why Your Automotive Brand Needs Public Relations
In the crowded automotive market, standing out is everything. Whether you're launching an electric vehicle, a new software update, or opening a dealership, public relations is essential for building trust and credibility. A well-executed PR campaign does more than just get your name in the news. It shapes public perception, attracts investors, and drives sales. According to Forbes, PR is crucial for building brand credibility in today's media landscape.
For automotive startups, especially in the EV and autonomous tech spaces, PR is a lifeline. It validates your technology and vision to a skeptical public and potential investors. For established brands and dealerships, consistent vehicle marketing through PR reinforces your market position and keeps your audience engaged. Every press release published on a high-authority site also creates valuable backlinks, boosting your website's SEO and making it easier for customers to find you online.
Getting Media Coverage for Car Dealerships and Auto Tech
Public relations isn't just for global car manufacturers. It's a powerful tool for local and specialized businesses too. Car dealerships can use a car PR firm or service to announce community involvement, new inventory, or special promotions. A single press release can land coverage in dozens of local news outlets, driving foot traffic and positioning the dealership as a community leader.
For automotive tech companies, PR is critical for explaining complex products to a wider audience. Announcing a new battery technology, a software partnership, or a successful funding round requires clear, professional communication. Distributing this news through a service that reaches tech and business publications ensures your message gets to the right people. This is key for attracting engineering talent, securing further investment, and building partnerships within the auto industry.
Our AI-powered platform makes it easy. Just provide a few key details about your announcement, and our expert team handles the rest from writing to distribution.
Guaranteed Media Placements
AP News Network Coverage
Fast 48-Hour Turnaround
Measuring the ROI of Your Automotive PR Campaign
How do you know if your automotive public relations efforts are working? The key is to look beyond vanity metrics. While a high number of placements is good, the real value lies in the quality of those placements and their business impact.
Here’s what to track:
Website Referral Traffic: Check your analytics to see how many visitors are coming from articles that feature your news. This is a direct measure of engagement.
Search Engine Ranking Improvements: Monitor your rank for target keywords. The authoritative backlinks from our press release network will improve your SEO over time.
Lead Generation: Did the announcement lead to more inquiries, demo requests, or sales? Connect your PR efforts to your sales funnel.
"As Seen On" Social Proof: Use the logos of outlets like AP News, Bloomberg, and Yahoo Finance on your website to build instant credibility and increase conversion rates. We provide these assets to make it easy.
By focusing on these metrics, you can clearly demonstrate the financial return of your PR activities and make smarter decisions for future campaigns.
Why Choose PR.plus?
Traditional automotive PR firms are slow and expensive. PR.plus is different. We offer guaranteed placements on major news networks like AP News and Bloomberg. Our process is fast, transparent, and built to deliver measurable results without the high cost of a monthly retainer.
Automotive PR Services
We provide end-to-end press release services tailored for the automotive sector. This includes professional writing, SEO optimization, and distribution to hundreds of authoritative news sites.
- Press Release Writing & SEO - Widespread Media Distribution - Automotive Tech Announcements - Car Dealership PR Campaigns - "As Seen On" Media Assets
