Is it worth hiring a PR firm?

Good PR firms exist because their professionals add value. They have access to more reporters; they’re fluent in the straightforward language that journalists use, and they can do it all quickly and expertly.

How much does hiring a PR agency cost?

Hiring an agency on retainer can range from $1,500 to $8,000 per month. Project-based fees vary widely, from $250 to $2,000.

Can I work with a Chicago PR company on one-time projects, or only for longer-term engagements?

Working with a PR agency on one-time projects or longer-term engagements is possible, depending on the scope of services and budget allocated. For businesses looking for immediate results, engaging in short-term campaigns or quick fixes could be beneficial as they could see results faster while still having access to experts who can advise them accordingly. On the other hand, those who prefer long-term commitments will have the advantage of working with experienced professionals who can significantly improve their understanding of your brand, leading to bespoke solutions and services that are uniquely geared to your goals.

Are there any risks associated with working with Chicago PR firms, and how can they be avoided?

Yes, certain risks associated with working with PR firms should be considered before deciding to engage them. These include the risk of wasting resources, losing control of your publicity efforts, and other ethical dilemmas. To avoid these issues, businesses should look for agencies with a proven track record of success and relevant industry knowledge and experience. Additionally, reviewing any services they provide and their pricing model is important to ensure all parties are on the same page and that expectations are clear before beginning any projects.

Top 100 PR Consultants in Chicago

The Best of November 2024

Public Relations have always played a huge role in the market, even today. It is one of the industries that managed to shift from traditional mediums to the digital space successfully.

List of the Best Chicago Public Relations Agencies

Featured provider
- The Ascendant Group
  (13 Reviews) 5.0
  - Timeliness
    4.8
  - Service Excellence
    5.0
  - Value
    4.9
  - Would Recommend
    5.0
  - $25,000+
  - 10 - 49 employees
  - Newark, DE
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  Industries
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1

Interdependence
(8 Reviews) 4.9
- Timeliness
  4.9
- Service Excellence
  4.9
- Value
  4.7
- Would Recommend
  4.8
- $5,000+
- 50 - 249 employees
- Chicago, IL
Interdependence is a PR firm based in Chicago. The team of 13 specializes in PR.

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Industries
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2

SHERMAN
(8 Reviews) 4.9
- Timeliness
  4.8
- Service Excellence
  4.9
- Value
  4.8
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $10,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
SHERMAN is a PR firm located in Chicago. Founded in 2001, the team of fewer than 10 employees works with clients across industries such as healthcare and medical, real estate, and information technology. They specialize in PR, marketing strategy, and social media marketing.

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Clients
- The Harris Poll
Industries
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3

Mekky Media Relations
(1 Reviews) 5.0
- Timeliness
  5.0
- Service Excellence
  5.0
- Value
  5.0
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Launched in 2016, Mekky Media Relations is a public relations company. The firm specializes in public relations and social media marketing and has a small team. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

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Industries
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4

3rd Coast PR
(9 Reviews) 4.8
- Timeliness
  5.0
- Service Excellence
  4.8
- Value
  4.7
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $10,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
3rd Coast PR is a Chicago based marketing company, founded in 2011. Their team of 7 employees specializes in PR, content marketing, and event planning for midmarket clients in the consumer products and business services industries.

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Clients
- Lakeshore Learning
Industries
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5

Bear Icebox Communications
(15 Reviews) 4.9
- Timeliness
  4.9
- Service Excellence
  4.9
- Value
  4.8
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $10,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Based near Chicago, Illinois, Bear Icebox Communications offers a range of PR and marketing services. Despite having fewer than ten employees, Bear Icebox offers the range of services and return on investment that one could expect from larger firms. In addition to PR strategy and placement, Bear Icebox offers digital options such as web design and content creation.

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Clients
- ProGlove
Industries
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6

Chicago Star Media
(7 Reviews) 5.0
- Timeliness
  5.0
- Service Excellence
  5.0
- Value
  4.9
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $1,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Chicago Star Media, a branding company, is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 2016, the small team provides branding, marketing strategy, graphic design, and video production.
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Industries
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7

Cascade Communications
(9 Reviews) 5.0
- Timeliness
  5.0
- Service Excellence
  5.0
- Value
  5.0
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Cascade Communications is a PR and marketing firm based in Chicago, Illinois. With fewer than ten employees, their small operation offers a large range of PR solutions for clients at all stages of growth. Media placement and conventional PR make up the bulk of Cascade's services, but they also have extensive experience in web design, social media marketing, and comprehensive digital strategy.

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Clients
- Angel Soft
Industries
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8

Walker Sands
(9 Reviews) 4.8
- Timeliness
  4.9
- Service Excellence
  4.8
- Value
  4.8
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- Undisclosed
- 50 - 249 employees
- Chicago, IL
Founded in 2001, Walker Sands is a full-service B2B marketing agency dedicated to each client's unique goals. From their offices in Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston or Atlanta, Walker Sands' team of 170+ has various areas of expertise, including SEO, PPC, content marketing, and strategy. They also help clients with public relations, demand generation, branding, creative and marketing strategy.

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Clients
- Echo Global Logistics
Industries
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9

Motion Agency
(1 Reviews) 5.0
- Timeliness
  5.0
- Service Excellence
  5.0
- Value
  5.0
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $100,000+
- 50 - 249 employees
- Chicago, IL
The Motion Agency is a Chicago-based marketing firm specializing in branding, public relations, advertising, digital strategy, and graphic design enterprise, mid-market and small businesses in the retail, education, and manufacturing sectors. Founded in 2007, they employ around 50 people.

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Clients
- Tractor Supply Company
- Whirlpool Corporation
- Rheem Manufacturing
- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush
Industries
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10

Pietryla PR & Marketing
(5 Reviews) 4.8
- Timeliness
  4.8
- Service Excellence
  4.8
- Value
  4.7
- Would Recommend
  4.7
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Pietryla PR & Marketing is a boutique marketing and PR firm based in Chicago, with an additional location in London, United Kingdom. Founded in 2002, this company has two employees. Services offered by Pietryla PR & Marketing include public relations, marketing strategy, and digital strategy for small and midmarket businesses.

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Clients
- Cask and Kettle Cocktails
Industries
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11

Reilly Connect
(4 Reviews) 5.0
- Timeliness
  5.0
- Service Excellence
  5.0
- Value
  5.0
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $25,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Reilly Connect is a content marketing company founded in 1996. They are located in Chicago, Illinois and have a small team. Their services include content marketing, public relations, social media marketing, and video production.

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Clients
- Astellas American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Anthem, Baxter, Leo Burnett, Burson-Marsteller Worldwide, Caremark, Inc., Cumberland/DRW, DRW, Edelman, Fennemore Law (litigation Denver Broncos), Garfield & Hecht, Kellogg, ISBA
Industries
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12

Alpha IR Group
(1 Reviews) 5.0
- Timeliness
  5.0
- Service Excellence
  5.0
- Value
  5.0
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $10,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Alpha IR Group is a small Dallas, Texas-based PR agency. They specialize in public relations and were launched in 2012.

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Industries
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13

Heron Agency
(12 Reviews) 5.0
- Timeliness
  5.0
- Service Excellence
  5.0
- Value
  5.0
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $5,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Heron Agency is a lifestyle communications agency based in Chicago and founded in 2000. They now have 20 employees experienced in developing strategic integrated marketing campaigns for companies in hospitality and leisure, business services, and arts, entertainment and music. They specialize in PR, SMM, and media planning.

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Clients
- Paper Source
Industries
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14

Winger Marketing
(2 Reviews) 4.8
- Timeliness
  4.5
- Service Excellence
  4.8
- Value
  5.0
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $5,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Winger Marketing is a PR agency based in Chicago, Illinois and , . The small agency was established in 1986. Their services include public relations, graphic design, content marketing, email marketing, and more.

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Clients
- International Logistics Organization - North American Agency
Industries
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15

The Harbinger Group
(1 Reviews) 4.5
- Timeliness
  3.5
- Service Excellence
  4.5
- Value
  5.0
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $10,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Skokie, IL
The Harbinger Group is a communications and PR consultant group. Founded in 1990, the consultancy is comprised of fewer than 50 employees. They specialize in PR, advertising, and media planning and buying.

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Clients
- Golden Apple
Industries
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16

DMA I Digital Marketing Agency
(7 Reviews) 4.4
- Timeliness
  4.6
- Service Excellence
  4.4
- Value
  4.4
- Would Recommend
  4.4
- $1,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
DMA is a Chicago based digital marketing agency. They were founded in 2002 and have a team of 180 employees. They specialize in SEO, public relations, and content marketing.

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Clients
- Tripadvisor
Industries
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17

McMillan & Phillips
(5 Reviews) 5.0
- Timeliness
  5.0
- Service Excellence
  5.0
- Value
  5.0
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $5,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
McMillan & Phillips, a SEO company, was launched in 2020. They are in Reno, Nevada and Chicago, Illinois and have a small team. Their services include search engine optimization, branding, public relations, market research, and more.

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Industries
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18

TEAM LEWIS
(1 Reviews) 5.0
- Timeliness
  5.0
- Service Excellence
  5.0
- Value
  5.0
- Would Recommend
  4.0
- Undisclosed
- 250 - 999 employees
- Chicago, IL
LEWIS is a PR agency. Launched in 1995, the midsize company is based in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; San Diego, California and Washington, District of Columbia. Their services include public relations, branding, video production, search engine optimization, and more.

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Industries
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19

Vagus PR

(0 Reviews)

Not yet reviewed.
- $1,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Vagus PR is a small PR company. Established in 2004, the team focuses on Public Relations and Social Media Marketing.
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20

AKA

(0 Reviews)

Not yet reviewed.
- Undisclosed
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
AKA is a video production agency. They are based in Chicago, Illinois and have small team. They specialize in Video Production and Public Relations.
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Clients
- Kimberly-Clark
- Mondelez International
- Ace Hardware
- Astellas Pharma
Industries
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21

PissedConsumer
(7 Reviews) 5.0
- Timeliness
  5.0
- Service Excellence
  5.0
- Value
  5.0
- Would Recommend
  5.0
- $1,000+
- 50 - 249 employees
- Chicago, IL
PissedConsumer, a public relations agency and customer service outsourcing company, was established in 2006. The company offers public relations and customer service outsourcing and has a midsize team.

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Clients
- Shein
- ClickFunnels
- Herbies Seeds
- Ixigo
Industries
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22

Paramount Public Relations

(0 Reviews)

Not yet reviewed.
- $1,000+
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Paramount Public Relations is a public relations firm. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the company was launched in 2003. Their team focuses on Public Relations and Event Marketing.
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Industries
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23

FoodMinds

(0 Reviews)

Not yet reviewed.
- Undisclosed
- 250 - 999 employees
- Chicago, IL
Established in 2006, FoodMinds is a public relations company. The midsize team offers Public Relations and Social Media Marketing.
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24

Grisko

(0 Reviews)

Not yet reviewed.
- Undisclosed
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Grisko is a public relations firm. Launched in 1995, the firm is located in Chicago, Illinois. Their team offers Public Relations and Digital Strategy.
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25

Propllr

(0 Reviews)

Not yet reviewed.
- $5,000+
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Launched in 2011, Propllr is a PR firm. Their team offers Public Relations and Content Marketing.
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26

Current

(0 Reviews)

Not yet reviewed.
- Undisclosed
- 50 - 249 employees
- Chicago, IL
Current is a Chicago, Illinois-based PR agency. They provide Public Relations and Branding.
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27

Scott Phillips + Associates, Inc.

(0 Reviews)

Not yet reviewed.
- Undisclosed
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Scott Phillips + Associates, Inc. Is a PR agency located in Chicago, Illinois. The team focuses on Public Relations.
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28

M&P Food Communications, Inc.

(0 Reviews)

Not yet reviewed.
- Undisclosed
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
M&P Food Communications, Inc. Is a PR firm. Founded in 1987, the team focuses on Public Relations.
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29

Mac Strategies Group, Inc.

(0 Reviews)

Not yet reviewed.
- Undisclosed
- 2 - 9 employees
- Chicago, IL
Mac Strategies Group, Inc. Is a public relations agency launched in 2008. The team offers Public Relations and is in Chicago, Illinois.
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30

Margie Korshak, Inc.

(0 Reviews)

Not yet reviewed.
- Undisclosed
- 10 - 49 employees
- Chicago, IL
Margie Korshak, Inc. Is a PR company. They are in Chicago, Illinois and have small team. Their team provides Public Relations and Social Media Marketing.
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