Compare Public Affairs PR Agency Services | PR.plus
Navigating public policy is tough. The right public affairs PR agency can amplify your voice with key stakeholders and lawmakers.
Many organizations find that traditional public affairs PR agencies are slow and expensive, making it hard to react to policy changes quickly. A modern public affairs pr agency must be agile. PR.plus offers an affordable, fast alternative. We guarantee placements on AP News and 500+ other outlets, providing professional writing and a rapid turnaround to get your message on the record.
What Does a Public Affairs PR Agency Do?
A public affairs agency works to shape public policy and opinion by managing communication between an organization and key decision-makers. They handle everything from government relations to grassroots advocacy. Key services often include:
Government Relations: Building relationships with legislators and government officials.
Stakeholder Engagement: Communicating with employees, investors, and communities to build support.
Issue Management: Proactively managing public perception around key policy issues.
Corporate Advocacy Campaigns: Launching campaigns to promote a specific policy goal.
Crisis Communications: Managing reputation during sensitive political or regulatory challenges.
By using targeted communication strategies, these agencies ensure an organization's voice is heard. This helps protect business interests and shape a favorable regulatory environment. You can learn more about crafting the right message by reviewing our guide on how to write a press release and seeing our transparent pricing.
How to Choose Your Public Affairs Partner
Selecting the right agency is crucial for success. Look for a partner that aligns with your specific needs and goals. Here’s what to consider:
✅ Relevant Experience: Do they understand your industry and the specific policy issues you face?
✅ Clear Strategy: Can they outline a clear plan for achieving your objectives?
✅ Transparent Pricing: Are their costs clear and predictable? Avoid vague retainers.
✅ Measurable Results: How do they define and track success?
Pro Tip: Ask for case studies, but also consider how new, faster tools can complement traditional strategies. A single press release can sometimes achieve more public visibility than weeks of meetings.
Feature | PR.plus | Traditional Agency (e.g., Edelman) | Boutique Agency (e.g., Clyde Group) |
|---|---|---|---|
Pricing Model | Flat-Rate (Starts at $147) | Monthly Retainer ($10k - $50k+) | Monthly Retainer ($5k - $20k) |
Core Service | Press Release Distribution & Writing | Full-Service Strategy & Lobbying | Strategic Counsel & Execution |
Turnaround Time | 6 - 48 Hours | Weeks to Months | Days to Weeks |
Best For | Quickly publicizing data, stances, and announcements | Complex, long-term legislative campaigns | Organizations needing senior-level attention |
Guaranteed Placements | Yes (AP News, 500+ outlets) | No (Earned media) | No (Earned media) |
PR.plus
Edelman
APCO Worldwide
FleishmanHillard
FTI Consulting
Brunswick Group
Mercury Public Affairs
SKDK
BGR Government Affairs
Firehouse Strategies
LEVICK
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4.5
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PR+ Advantage
Shape public opinion.
Reach policymakers fast.
Guaranteed media placements.
Fast 48-hour turnaround.
Supports lobbying efforts.
Affordable advocacy campaigns.
Expert writing included.
The 14 Best Public Affairs PR Agencies to Consider
Choosing a public affairs partner is a critical decision. Below, we compare some of the leading agencies to help you find the right fit for your organization's goals and budget.
1. PR.plus
PR.plus carves a unique niche by making press release distribution a powerful and accessible tool for public affairs. Instead of costly retainers, we offer a direct, all-in-one service that includes professional writing, SEO optimization, and guaranteed placements across a network of over 500 outlets, including AP News and Bloomberg Terminals. This approach is perfect for organizations that need to quickly and affordably get their stance on public policy issues into the news cycle, creating a verifiable record for lawmakers and stakeholders. See our pricing and distribution list to learn more.
Pros: Flat-rate, affordable pricing. Guaranteed placements. Extremely fast turnaround (6-48 hours). Includes writing and SEO.
Cons: Focused on media distribution rather than full-service lobbying.
2. Edelman
Edelman is the world's largest PR firm, offering comprehensive public affairs and government relations services. They specialize in high-level corporate reputation and work with major global brands and governments. Their strength lies in deep strategic counsel and a massive global network.
Pros: Unmatched global reach and reputation. Deep industry expertise.
Cons: Very expensive, typically requiring significant monthly retainers. Not suitable for smaller organizations.
3. APCO Worldwide
APCO is a global advisory and advocacy consultancy focused on navigating complex public affairs challenges. They are known for their expertise in issue management, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement, providing strategic counsel to multinational corporations.
Pros: Strong focus on high-stakes issue and crisis management. Global team of experts.
Cons: Services are priced at a premium and geared toward large corporate clients.
4. FleishmanHillard
As part of the Omnicom Group, FleishmanHillard is another global PR giant with a robust public affairs practice. They offer a full suite of services, from grassroots advocacy to corporate communications, helping clients manage their reputation across political landscapes.
Pros: Integrated approach combining PR, marketing, and public affairs. Strong creative capabilities.
Cons: Can be bureaucratic and slow-moving. High cost of entry.
5. FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting's Strategic Communications segment is a global leader in public affairs. They are particularly strong in regulated industries and situations involving litigation, M&A, and crises. Their approach is data-driven, providing clients with deep analytical insights.
Pros: Expertise in financial and legal communications. Data-driven strategies.
Cons: Highly specialized and expensive. Better for crisis situations than routine advocacy.
6. Brunswick Group
Brunswick is a strategic advisory firm focused on critical issues and corporate relations. They advise clients on high-stakes challenges where reputation, valuation, and business success are on the line, including complex public affairs and policy matters.
Pros: Senior-level counsel for "bet the company" issues. Deep financial market expertise.
Cons: Very exclusive and expensive. Not designed for smaller-scale projects.
7. Mercury Public Affairs
Mercury is a high-stakes, bipartisan public strategy firm. They offer a range of services, including government relations, political consulting, and crisis management. They are known for their aggressive, campaign-style approach to public affairs challenges.
Pros: Bipartisan team with deep political connections. Effective in contentious situations.
Cons: Can be costly. Their aggressive style may not fit all corporate cultures.
8. SKDK
SKDK is a leading public affairs and political consulting firm with strong ties to the Democratic party. They are known for their work on major political campaigns and for helping corporations and non-profits navigate the Washington, D.C. landscape.
Pros: Top-tier political strategists. Excellent for campaigns aligned with their political focus.
Cons: Primarily focused on one side of the political aisle.
9. BGR Government Affairs
BGR is a prominent lobbying and communications firm founded by former White House and congressional aides. They provide bipartisan government relations, strategic communications, and investment advisory services to a wide range of clients.
Pros: Deep, bipartisan connections within the U.S. government. Strong lobbying capabilities.
Cons: Primarily focused on lobbying, with communications as a supporting service.
10. Firehouse Strategies
With roots in Republican presidential campaigns, Firehouse Strategies is a public affairs firm that applies campaign tactics to corporate advocacy. They specialize in rapid response and winning public arguments through integrated strategies.
Pros: Experts in rapid response and campaign-style tactics.
Cons: Politically focused, which may not be a fit for all clients.
11. LEVICK
LEVICK is a communications firm that specializes in high-stakes crisis and reputation management. Their work often intersects with public affairs, where they help clients navigate litigation, government investigations, and other complex challenges.
Pros: World-class crisis and reputation management expertise.
Cons: Primarily reactive (crisis-focused) rather than proactive advocacy.
12. Clyde Group
Clyde Group is a Washington, D.C.-based boutique agency that provides strategic communications and public affairs services. They focus on industries like healthcare, finance, and education, offering a more hands-on approach than larger firms.
Pros: Senior-level attention and boutique service model.
Cons: Smaller network and fewer resources than global firms.
13. Ketchum
Ketchum is a global communications consultancy with a dedicated public affairs practice. They are known for their creative approach and blend of brand marketing with corporate reputation and policy communications, often for large consumer brands.
Pros: Strong creative and brand communication skills.
Cons: Public affairs is one of many practice areas, not their sole focus.
14. Ogilvy
Ogilvy is a legendary advertising and PR network with a formidable public affairs capability. They are known for developing large-scale, creative campaigns that can shape public perception on a massive scale for their Fortune 100 clients.
Pros: Iconic brand and immense creative talent.
Cons: Extremely expensive and built for very large-scale campaigns.
Why Media Placements Matter in Public Affairs
In the world of public affairs, perception is reality. Securing media placements through press releases is not just about visibility; it's about building a public record. When you announce research, a new hire, or a policy position, it becomes a searchable asset. Journalists, congressional aides, and regulators use search engines every day. Having your position clearly articulated on credible news sites ensures your viewpoint is part of the conversation. According to Pew Research Center, while social media is prevalent, professional news outlets remain a key source of information for engaged citizens and professionals. Each placement acts as a third-party validation of your message, making it more powerful than self-published content alone. This creates a lasting digital footprint that supports long-term advocacy goals.
Integrating Government Relations with PR
Government relations and public relations are two sides of the same coin. While lobbyists work behind the scenes to educate policymakers, a strong PR strategy amplifies those efforts publicly. This is where government relations communications become critical. A press release can be used to:
Announce Support: Showcase a growing coalition of support for a legislative bill.
Release Data: Introduce new research or data that supports your policy position.
Frame the Debate: Define the terms of a public debate before opponents do.
Activate Stakeholders: Inform and mobilize your stakeholders to contact their representatives.
By aligning your media outreach with your lobbying schedule, you create a surround-sound effect that makes your message impossible to ignore. It demonstrates momentum and public interest, giving your government relations team a significant advantage.
We streamline the process of getting your message out. Our AI-powered platform and expert team handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on strategy.
Shape public opinion.
Reach policymakers fast.
Guaranteed media placements.
Measuring the ROI of Your Advocacy Campaigns
Measuring the return on investment (ROI) for public affairs can seem difficult, but it's essential. For press release distribution, the metrics are clear and immediate. At PR.plus, our reporting includes a full list of every outlet that published your release. This allows you to track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as:
Total Placements: The number of news outlets that picked up your story.
Audience Reach: The potential number of viewers across the distribution network.
SEO Impact: The number of high-authority backlinks generated, which boosts your website's domain authority and makes your organization easier to find online.
Message Pull-Through: Verifying that your key messages were included in the coverage.
These metrics provide tangible proof of your campaign's reach. They can be used in reports to leadership and stakeholders to demonstrate the value and impact of your public affairs investment, bridging the gap between activity and outcomes.
The PR.plus Advantage
PR.plus offers a direct path to media visibility for your public affairs campaigns. We skip the high retainers and long timelines. Get guaranteed placements on major news networks fast. This makes your message part of the public record, where it can influence decision-makers.
Public Affairs Services
We provide the tools to get your message seen and heard. Our core service is press release writing and distribution, tailored to support your public affairs objectives and ensure your stance is part of the public conversation.
- Corporate Advocacy Campaigns - Stakeholder Communications - Issue Management Support - Public Policy Announcements - Grassroots Campaign Amplification
