Top 14 PR firms in the US
14 PR firms in the US that are operating today, each checked against its own site and at least one independent source. Who leads them, the work they can show, what they cost where they publish it, and the reason each one made the list. Nobody pays to be ranked.
- firms, ranked
- 14
- sources cited
- 36
- median years in business
- 23
- with a named leader
- 14/14
The list at a glance
Scroll sideways →| # | Firm | Based in | Since | Team | Led by | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | EdelmanProfile | New York, NY | 1952 | 500+ | Richard Edelman | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 02 | Weber ShandwickProfile | New York, NY | n/a | 500+ | Karen Pugliese | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 03 | FleishmanHillardProfile | St. Louis, MO | n/a | 500+ | J.J. Carter | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 04 | Golin KetchumProfile | New York, NY | 2026 | 500+ | Matt Neale | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 05 | BursonProfile | New York, NY | 2024 | 500+ | Corey duBrowa | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 06 | Real ChemistryProfile | San Francisco, CA | n/a | 500+ | Shankar Narayanan | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 07 | APCOProfile | Washington, DC | 1984 | 500+ | Brad Staples | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 08 | Ruder FinnProfile | New York, NY | n/a | 500+ | Kathy Bloomgarden | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 09 | FINN PartnersProfile | New York, NY | n/a | 500+ | Peter Finn | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 10 | ICRProfile | New York, NY | 1998 | 201–500 | Anton Nicholas | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 11 | Zeno GroupProfile | New York, NY | n/a | 500+ | Barby K. Siegel | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 12 | 5W Public RelationsProfile | New York, NY | 2003 | n/a | Ronn Torossian | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 13 | AllisonProfile | New York, NY | n/a | n/a | Wendy Lund | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
| 14 | HotwireProfile | San Francisco, CA | n/a | 201–500 | Grant Toups | Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote. |
Where a firm has not published a price, the figure is a typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- 01
Led by Richard Edelman, Chief Executive Officer (since 1996)
- New York, NY
- Since 1952
- 500+ people
Edelman is a family-owned global communications firm founded in Chicago in 1952 by Daniel J. Edelman and owned by Daniel J. Edelman Holdings. It works across corporate reputation, brand, crisis, public affairs and health with offices in more than 20 countries, and its history page cites long-running relationships with Heinz, Butterball, Starbucks, Microsoft and Samsung. O'Dwyer's ranks it first among independent PR firms with $950.5 million in 2025 net fees and 5,457 staff.
Why it’s hereThe largest PR firm in the world by O'Dwyer's 2025 net fees, and still independently owned by the founding family after more than 70 years.
Best forMultinational corporations that need corporate reputation, crisis, public affairs and brand communications run across many countries at once; Edelman also publishes the annual Trust Barometer.
UpdateFamily-owned (Daniel J. Edelman Holdings) global communications firm founded in 1952, with more than 6,000 employees in 66 offices across 28 countries.
- Known for
- corporate reputation · brand marketing · crisis and risk · public affairs · health
- Named clients
- Hellmann's, Xbox, American Optometric Association, Heinz, Butterball, Starbucks, Microsoft, Samsung
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources edelman.com, odwyerpr.comLinkedIn ↗
- 02
Led by Karen Pugliese, Chief Executive Officer (effective September 1, 2026)
- New York, NY
- 500+ people
Weber Shandwick is a global communications agency organised into Advisory (corporate strategy, crisis, financial communications), Create (marketing communications and earned media) and I/O (AI, digital and analytics) practices, with a network spanning six continents. Following Omnicom's acquisition of Interpublic it is now part of Omnicom Public Relations. PRovoke Media lists it among the best agencies in the US and Canada for 2025.
Why it’s hereA PRovoke Media best-agency honoree in both the US and Canada for 2025, and among the three largest PR networks globally.
Best forLarge corporations and global consumer brands that need corporate reputation, media relations and crisis work across many markets.
UpdatePart of Omnicom Public Relations since Omnicom's merger with IPG.
webershandwick.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- corporate advisory and crisis · financial communications · marketing communications · digital and analytics · healthcare
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources webershandwick.com, provokemedia.com, prnewswire.com
- 03
Led by J.J. Carter, Global President and Chief Executive Officer
- St. Louis, MO
- 500+ people
FleishmanHillard is a strategic communications consultancy that keeps its corporate headquarters at 101 South Hanley in Clayton, Missouri, where the firm began, and operates nearly 80 offices in more than 30 countries. Part of Omnicom Group, it provides crisis management, reputation, public affairs and brand communications for large corporate clients. PRovoke Media names it among the 80 best US agencies for 2025.
Why it’s hereA global top-tier network that remains headquartered in the Midwest, with nearly 80 offices worldwide.
Best forLarge companies and public-sector bodies that need global PR, crisis and public affairs support, with added health, technology and financial services depth since absorbing Porter Novelli.
UpdatePart of Omnicom; in February 2026 Porter Novelli was folded into FleishmanHillard as a brand within it.
fleishmanhillard.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- corporate reputation · crisis management · public affairs · brand marketing · healthcare
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 101 South Hanley, Suite 1500 · Clayton, MO · 63105 · +1-314-982-1700
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources fleishmanhillard.com, provokemedia.comLinkedIn ↗
- 04
Led by Matt Neale, Chief Executive Officer
- New York, NY
- Since 2026
- 500+ people
Golin Ketchum is the Omnicom public relations agency formed by merging Golin and Ketchum, launched on 10 June 2026 under CEO Matt Neale and president Tamara Norman with more than 2,000 staff worldwide. It works in brand and consumer, corporate affairs, food, agriculture and nutrition, health and technology, and its site features case studies for Specsavers, BetterHelp and Save the Children. Both legacy agencies appeared on PRovoke Media's 2025 list of the best US agencies.
Why it’s hereCombines two of the most-awarded US PR networks, with PR Lions Gold, PRWeek Agency of the Year and PRovoke Agency of the Year honours cited on its site.
Best forGlobal brands that need large-scale PR, reputation and creative communications programs run across many markets with access to Omnicom's data and AI tools.
UpdateLaunched June 10, 2026 when Omnicom combined its Golin and Ketchum PR agencies into one global firm.
golinketchum.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand and consumer · corporate affairs · food, agriculture and nutrition · health · technology
- Named clients
- Specsavers, BetterHelp, Save the Children
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources golinketchum.com, theprpost.comLinkedIn ↗
- 05
Led by Corey duBrowa, Global CEO
- New York, NY
- Since 2024
- 500+ people
Burson is WPP's global communications network, created in 2024 by uniting BCW and Hill & Knowlton and named for Harold Burson. Its practices are consumer and brand, corporate and public affairs, creative and content, intelligence and innovation, and advisory, and it operates specialty brands including Axicom, Burson Buchanan, GCI Health and Hill+Knowlton. PRovoke Media lists Burson among the best US agencies for 2025.
Why it’s hereWPP's flagship PR network, formed from two of the industry's oldest global agencies and listed among PRovoke's best US agencies for 2025.
Best forMultinational companies that need corporate reputation, crisis, public affairs and brand PR run across many countries by one of WPP's largest networks.
UpdateFormed in July 2024 when WPP merged BCW with Hill & Knowlton; in April 2026 WPP was reported to be exploring a sale of Burson.
bursonglobal.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- corporate and public affairs · consumer and brand · creative and content · intelligence and innovation · advisory
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources bursonglobal.com, wpp.com, provokemedia.com, en.wikipedia.orgLinkedIn ↗
- 06
Led by Shankar Narayanan, Chief Executive Officer
- San Francisco, CA
- 500+ people
Real Chemistry is a healthcare-only communications and marketing group founded by chairman Jim Weiss and backed by New Mountain Capital, with 14 office hubs including Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., London and Zurich. It provides integrated and medical communications, market access, precision media, analytics and commercial services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, saying it works with the top 20 pharma companies. O'Dwyer's ranks it second among independent PR firms with $560 million in 2025 net fees and 2,034 staff.
Why it’s hereThe second-largest independent PR firm in O'Dwyer's 2025 rankings and MM+M's 2025 Healthcare Network of the Year.
Best forPharmaceutical and life sciences companies that want one healthcare-specialist network for communications, medical expertise, AI and data analytics, and creative when bringing a product to market.
UpdateGlobal healthcare communications network with main hubs in cities including New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and London; Shankar Narayanan succeeded Jim Weiss as CEO in January 2022.
realchemistry.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- healthcare communications · medical communications · market access · precision media · analytics
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources realchemistry.com, odwyerpr.com
- 07
Led by Brad Staples, CEO (founder Margery Kraus serves as Executive Chairman)
- Washington, DC
- Since 1984
- 500+ people
APCO is an independent, majority women-owned advisory, advocacy and communications firm founded in 1984 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with more than 1,200 employees operating in 80 markets. O'Dwyer's ranks it fourth among independent PR firms with $238.9 million in 2025 net fees, and its Chicago office is the third-largest PR operation in the Midwest.
Why it’s hereThe largest independent public affairs specialist in the US, ranked fourth by O'Dwyer's on 2025 net fees.
Best forLarge companies, governments and institutions that need public affairs, reputation, crisis and geopolitical advisory work across many countries from an independently owned firm of more than 1,200 people founded in 1984.
apcoworldwide.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- public affairs · strategic advisory · advocacy · corporate communications · crisis
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources apcoworldwide.com, odwyerpr.com, provokemedia.com, en.wikipedia.orgLinkedIn ↗
- 08
Led by Kathy Bloomgarden, Chief Executive Officer
- New York, NY
- 500+ people
Ruder Finn is an independent integrated marketing and communications agency headquartered in New York with operations in more than 30 countries. Its practices cover healthcare, technology, brand experience, stakeholder relations and workplace communications, supported by in-house tools such as rf.TechLab and rf.StoryLab, and in August 2026 it was named Wendy's North American communications partner. O'Dwyer's ranks it fifth among independents with $203 million in 2025 net fees and 1,350 staff.
Why it’s hereFifth on O'Dwyer's 2025 independent rankings, and still under family leadership after a longer run than most independents.
Best forLarge companies that want global PR and integrated communications from an independent New York agency with about 1,350 full-time staff.
ruderfinn.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- healthcare · technology · corporate reputation · brand experience · AI-enabled communications
- Named clients
- Wendy's
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources ruderfinn.com, odwyerpr.comLinkedIn ↗
- 09
Led by Peter Finn, CEO, Founding Managing Partner
- New York, NY
- 500+ people
FINN Partners is an independent global marketing and communications agency founded by Peter Finn and headquartered in New York, with offices across the US, EMEA and APAC plus affiliate partners. Its services span public relations, corporate communications, crisis, public affairs, investor relations, digital, paid media, research and SEO, and O'Dwyer's ranks it sixth among independents with $199.1 million in 2025 net fees and 1,267 staff, including a Chicago and Detroit presence.
Why it’s hereNamed to the Observer's Best PR Firms in America list every year from 2022 to 2026 and PRovoke's Best Large Agency to Work For in 2023, per its site.
Best forHealthcare, technology, travel and purpose-driven organizations that want an independent PR and marketing firm with offices across the US, Europe and Asia; it was named Holmes Report Healthcare Agency of the Year in 2018.
finnpartners.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- health · technology · travel and lifestyle · public affairs · investor relations
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 1675 Broadway · New York, NY · 10019 · +1 212 715 1600
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources finnpartners.com, odwyerpr.comLinkedIn ↗
- 10
Led by Anton Nicholas, CEO
- New York, NY
- Since 1998
- 201–500 people
ICR is a strategic communications and advisory firm founded in 1998 by three former Wall Street analysts and headquartered in New York, with offices in London and Beijing. It combines investor relations, corporate communications and PR, IPO advisory, crisis and special situations, governance and activism defence, and creative services, and its site names Walmart, Abbott, Zoom, Shake Shack, Lululemon and DraftKings among clients. O'Dwyer's ranks it seventh among independents with $188.7 million in 2025 net fees and 379 staff.
Why it’s hereThe largest US firm built around investor relations and financial communications, seventh on O'Dwyer's 2025 independent rankings.
Best forPublic companies and companies preparing to go public that need investor relations, IPO advisory, crisis and corporate communications from one firm.
icrinc.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- investor relations · corporate communications · IPO and capital markets advisory · crisis and special situations · governance and activism
- Named clients
- Walmart, Abbott, Zoom, Shake Shack, Lululemon, DraftKings, Diageo, MongoDB, Planet Fitness, Campbell's
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 685 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor · New York, NY · 10017 · (646) 277-1200
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources icrinc.com, odwyerpr.comLinkedIn ↗
- 11
Led by Barby K. Siegel, Global Chief Executive Officer
- New York, NY
- 500+ people
Zeno Group is a global integrated communications agency with offices in New York, Chicago, London, Paris, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada and India, offering PR, digital, creative, reputation strategy, health, sports and entertainment consulting and analytics. O'Dwyer's ranks it ninth among independent PR firms with $140.5 million in 2025 net fees and 841 staff.
Why it’s herePRovoke's 2025 Purpose-Driven Agency of the Year and PRWeek's 2024 Outstanding Large Agency, per its own site.
Best forLarge brands that want purpose-led PR, reputation strategy and technology communications from a global agency in the Daniel J. Edelman group.
UpdateA Daniel J. Edelman company, operating separately from Edelman.
zenogroup.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- integrated communications · purpose and reputation · health and wellness · consumer · technology
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources zenogroup.com, odwyerpr.comLinkedIn ↗
- 12
Led by Ronn Torossian, Founder and Chairman
- New York, NY
- Since 2003
5W Public Relations is an independent agency founded in 2003 by Ronn Torossian, headquartered at 469 7th Avenue in New York with offices in Miami and Tampa. It offers public relations, reputation management, earned media, digital strategy, generative-search visibility, crisis communications, events and influencer relations, and its site names Zeta Global, Nokia, Vizio, Webull, e.l.f. Beauty and G-SHOCK as clients.
Why it’s hereAn American Business Awards Agency of the Year and an Inc. Best Workplaces honoree, with a published roster of consumer and technology brand clients.
Best forConsumer, tech, fintech, healthcare, beauty and real estate brands that want media relations, crisis work and digital PR from one of the largest independent US PR firms.
5wpr.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- consumer PR · corporate communications · technology PR · crisis and reputation management · generative-engine optimisation
- Named clients
- Zeta Global, Nokia, Vizio, Webull, e.l.f. Beauty, Foxwoods Resort Casino, G-SHOCK
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 469 7th Avenue, Floor 8 · New York, NY · 10018 · 212.999.5585
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources 5wpr.com, prnewswire.comLinkedIn ↗
- 13
Led by Wendy Lund, Global CEO
- New York, NY
Allison is a global PR and integrated marketing agency headquartered in New York and part of Stagwell, working across nine practice areas including corporate affairs, consumer brands, technology and health. Its services include campaigns and communications, reputation management, brand strategy, creative, live events, design and predictive analytics.
Why it’s herePRovoke Media's 2023 Midsize and North American Agency of the Year and a PRWeek Outstanding Large Agency finalist in 2024, per its site.
Best forCompanies that want PR, earned media and reputation work combined with brand creative and predictive analytics, run across dozens of countries.
UpdatePart of Stagwell.
allisonworldwide.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- corporate affairs · consumer brands · technology · health and wellness · brand experience
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- One World Trade Center, Floor 69 · New York, NY · 10007
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources allisonworldwide.com, provokemedia.com
- 14
Led by Grant Toups, Global CEO
- San Francisco, CA
- 201–500 people
Hotwire is a technology communications and marketing agency owned by Australia's Enero Group, with US operations alongside offices in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Australia and across Asia. Its services span public relations, digital and account-based marketing, research, channel marketing, measurement, content and AI consulting, and its client logos include Adobe, Akamai, eBay, Meta, Salesforce and SAP. O'Dwyer's ranks it 16th among independents with $53 million in 2025 net fees and 258 staff.
Why it’s hereA technology-specialist network ranked 16th on O'Dwyer's independent list, with named enterprise software and platform clients.
Best forEnterprise tech, cybersecurity, fintech and consumer tech companies that want PR, executive communications and AI search visibility work across the US, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
UpdateTech-focused PR and marketing agency owned by Australia's Enero Group, with more than 400 staff across 11 countries; Grant Toups became global CEO in early 2026.
hotwireglobal.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- technology PR · B2B marketing · account-based marketing · analyst relations · AI consulting
- Named clients
- Adobe, Akamai, eBay, Meta, Palo Alto Networks, Salesforce, SAP, Google Cloud, Snap, Pinterest
- Selected work
- Multiverse. PR program to make the company a headline name in quantum AI. case study ↗
- Finwave. Media relations that built the company's authority in Spanish fintech press. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources hotwireglobal.com, odwyerpr.com, provokemedia.comLinkedIn ↗
478,200 advertising, public relations and related services jobs in the United States, September 2026 (preliminary).
Every firm here was checked twice.
- 01Find
Firms come from industry directories, business press, award lists and the client rosters of firms already known to do the work.
- 02Verify
A firm's own site has to be live and describe the work. A second, independent source has to agree that it exists and does it.
- 03Record
Leaders, addresses, founding years, awards and case studies are copied from a page we loaded, and each carries its link. A field stays blank until a source states it.
- 04Rank
The order is editorial: longevity, named clients, scale and a clear specialism, in roughly that weight. Firms cannot buy a position.
- 05Re-check
Every entry was re-checked on September 28, 2026, homepage captured, ownership confirmed. Firms that closed, stopped doing this work or changed hands are removed or noted in the change log below.
The featured card is paid placement for Fracs, which shares this list’s publisher. It sits outside the ranking. Read the full editorial standards, or write to lists@primortul.com with a correction or a firm we missed.
What changed at the September 2026 check
Every firm on this list was re-checked on September 28, 2026. None had closed, merged, moved or changed hands, so the list stands as published.
Questions before you hire a PR firm in the US
- How many PR firms in the US are on this list, and where are they?
- 14. The 14 firms are spread across New York, St. Louis, San Francisco, Washington. Each was checked against its own site and at least one independent source. Nobody pays to be ranked.
- How do I choose between PR firms in the US?
- Write down what done looks like. Read why each firm is on the list and keep the two or three whose reason matches your job. Ask each for one piece of work like yours, and the name of the person who would do it.
- Did any of these firms pay to be listed?
- No. Nobody pays to be ranked. The order weighs how long a firm has done the work, clients it can name, its size, and how clear its specialism is. This list has no paid card.
- How long have these PR firms been around?
- The oldest firm on this list states 1952 as its founding year. A year is shown only when the firm states one.
- What should I bring to a first call with a PR firm?
- What you sell, what is not working, what done looks like, a budget range, and when you want to start. The form on this page asks for those. Asking is free. You do not have to hire anyone.
- How is this list kept current?
- Re-checked September 28, 2026. Dead sites come off. Mergers and renames are updated. Firms that belong are added. Send a correction to lists@primortul.com. If you are the firm, use the For partners form.
What the trade press is writing about PR firms.
Headlines, the source, the date, and a link. The article stays on the site that published it. If a feed is down, it is left off.
On PR firms
Google News. Headline and link only.
- STATE OF FRIDAY: The Daily Wire Has Become A Crisis PR Firm For Its SponsorsThe Daily Caller · today
- Annu Projects Limited: Appoints PR Firm for Investor RelationsInvestyWise · today
- Newlin to Exit PYR to Start PR Firm, Marshall to Oversee PYR PublicityPublishers Weekly · today
- PR News | PR Firm News: WWPR Names Fox '26 Woman of the Year - Thu., Oct. 29, 2026O'Dwyer's PR News · today
O'Dwyer's
National trade feed. Headline and link only.
How to choose, what it costs, and where these firms are based.
Describe the job. One PR firm writes back.
Tell us what you sell, what is not working, and what done looks like. We read it and ask one provider — from this list, or from the publisher’s bench — to contact you within a business day. Asking is free. You do not have to hire them. Nobody else gets what you wrote.