A 70-Year-Old Agency Shakes Up the PR Industry by Seizing the Top Spot
Top 10 US Public Relations Companies - September 2024
Ruder Finn (New York) *
42 West (New York, NY) ↓
Sloane & Company (New York, NY) ↑
Fabric Media (Los Angeles, CA) ↓
A. Lavin Communications (Port Washington, NY) ↑
ABOA (Atlanta, GA) *
A.wordsmith (Portland, OR) *
OSG (Carol Stream, IL) ↓
Ogilvy (New York, NY) *
R&J (Bridgewater, NJ) *
* New top 10 company in list
– Top 10 Ranking same from prior month
↑Increased ranking in top 10
↓ Decreased top 10 ranking
The Top 10 US Public Relations and Communications Companies list is determined by the total volume of agency engagement within the CommunicationsMatch™ platform during a calendar month. These metrics represent businesses seeking to find PR and communications partners in the United States.
We have a new number one! The September 2024 Top 10 U.S. Public Relations rankings have marked a significant change, with Ruder Finn , ascending to the number one spot, ending 42 West's reign after holding first place for seven consecutive months.
“We are honored to be recognized as the top PR agency in the US by CommPRO and CommunicationsMatch,” said Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn.
Founded in 1948, Ruder Finn is a New York-based global communications consultancy specializing in data-driven, digital-first strategies to help companies and leaders inspire positive change. “Ruder Finn is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence with the creativity to inspire deeper human experiences and global connections. We help game-changing companies translate their innovation into widespread adoption,” added Bloomgarden.
This new coronation at the top emphasizes the growing influence of data-driven and digital-first strategies, which has helped Ruder Finn continue lead the communications industry. While 42 West has moved to second place, it remains a leader in entertainment and media representation in New York City, proving its stronghold in public relations.
Sloane & Company, another New York-based agency, has moved up to third place, recognized for its crisis management and high-stakes communication expertise. One of the few West Coast agencies, Fabric Media, based in Los Angeles, has slipped to fourth, though it continues to drive innovation with its content-driven campaigns.
Meanwhile, A. Lavin Communications has climbed to fifth place, leveraging its strength in creating strategic brand connections. Newcomers are also making waves in the rankings, with A. Brown-Olmstead Associates (ABOA) of Atlanta taking sixth place. Known for its long-standing presence and award-winning work, this agency has made a powerful impact in the Southeast.
In Portland, A.wordsmith enters the rankings at seventh, establishing itself as a boutique firm specializing in strategic storytelling and branding. OSG, based in Carol Stream, Illinois, dips to eighth, though it continues to be a leader in customer communication solutions.
Another notable move this month is Ogilvy’s entry at ninth place. Based in New York, Ogilvy offers a wide range of public relations services, including reputation management, corporate communications, influencer marketing, and media relations. These capabilities are aimed at building brand influence and delivering impactful results on a global scale.
And finally in tenth place is R&J Strategic Communications, based in Bridgewater, New Jersey, which makes its debut on the top 10 list as a full-service agency specializing in public relations, creative services, and digital marketing.
This month’s rankings highlight the competitive nature of public relations, with New York continuing to dominate the list with boutique firms gaining ground on incumbents. The debut of stalwart agencies like Ruder Finn and Ogilvy demonstrates the enduring power of adaptability in public relations, where a legacy firm can not only survive but thrive by embracing modern strategies like data-driven and digital-first approaches, showing that innovation and experience are a powerful combination in today's rapidly evolving industry.
This list is published monthly in CommPRO as part of the partnership between CommunicationsMatch™ and CommPRO. This collaboration integrates CommunicationsMatch™’s agency search and RFP tools with CommPRO's publishing and events, creating a powerful platform to facilitate new client-agency connections and generate valuable business opportunities for US-based public relations and communications companies.
