Syntax Strategic

What Syntax Strategic does

Syntax Strategic Inc. is a privately held, Ottawa-headquartered strategic communications and public affairs firm founded in 2010 by Jennifer Stewart. It operates as a full-service agency providing media relations, public relations, strategic advisory, advocacy and government relations, and crisis communications and issues management, supported by a specialized Defence & Security Division and a dedicated creative sub-brand, Syntax Creative, launched in October 2025.

The firm's underlying capability is human expertise rather than proprietary technology: a senior bench of former political operatives, veteran journalists, ex-RCMP and military communications leaders, and a former Canadian Senator, several of whom hold security clearances enabling federal defence procurement access. WBE-Canada certification and TSPS-readiness differentiate the firm on government procurement diversity and compliance criteria. Service delivery is project- and retainer-based professional services billing, with engagements ranging from short campaign bursts (e.g., a one-week Competition Bureau "Switch Week" campaign) to multi-year national programs (e.g., United Way's 211 awareness campaign and the Coaching Association of Canada's $2.4M federally-funded mental health initiative).

Customer concentration is distributed across federal/provincial/municipal government agencies, crown corporations, national non-profits, advocacy groups, and selected corporate accounts across Canada. The geographic footprint was Ottawa-only until September 2025, when the firm expanded to Vancouver under a new VP hire (Michelle Johnston, former Deputy Director of Communications to PM Justin Trudeau). The firm is privately held by its founder, with no disclosed institutional investors or external funding, and has no disclosed revenue figures publicly available.

Name

Syntax Strategic

Legal name

Syntax Strategic Inc.

Website

https://syntaxstrategic.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Syntax Strategic is a Canadian, Ottawa-headquartered strategic communications and public affairs firm serving government, non-profit, and corporate clients with media relations, government relations, crisis communications, strategic advisory, and a specialized Defence & Security Division.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Communications and Public Relations Services

NAICS

Public Relations Agencies (541820), Graphic Design Services (541430)

SIC

Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

PR, Corporate Communications & Crisis Management (BPAFAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Affairs, Government Relations & Lobbying (BPAFADAB), Corporate & Financial Communications (BPAFADAA), Corporate & Financial Communications PR (MPAAADAA)

Keywords

• Strategic communications services
• Public relations agency
• Crisis communications consulting
• Government relations advisory
• Media relations services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Services and Consulting Fees: Syntax Strategic generates revenue through project-based professional services engagements and consulting retainer arrangements. As a full-service strategic communications agency, the firm bills for services across media relations, crisis communications, strategic advisory, government relations and advocacy, creative strategy and branding, and defence communications. Engagements are tailored to client needs and typically involve extended consultative engagements (e.g., six-month media relations support for the Embassy of Korea).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Syntax Strategic is a full-service strategic communications firm delivering media relations, public relations, crisis communications, strategic advisory, government relations and advocacy, and defence and security communications. The firm also operates Syntax Creative, a separate creative services sub-brand offering brand identity development, digital content, and campaign design. Services are delivered through project-based engagements and retainer arrangements to government agencies, crown corporations, NGOs, defence organizations, and corporate clients across Canada.

Product overview

Syntax Strategic is a full-service strategic communications firm offering a comprehensive suite of services centered around strategic communications, marketing, and public affairs. The core service portfolio includes Media Relations, Public Relations, Strategic Advisory, Advocacy & Government Relations, and Crisis Communications & Issues Management. The firm operates specialized divisions including Defence & Security Communications and Syntax Creative (a full-service creative agency launched in October 2025). An Insights/Blog platform provides thought leadership content. The company is headquartered in Ottawa with an expansion to Vancouver in September 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Media Relations Strategic media relations services including media outreach, reputation management, press release writing and distribution, interview preparation, crisis communications planning, and one-day media training programs. Targeted at organizations needing media coverage and spokesperson preparation across paid, earned, and owned channels.
• Public Relations Comprehensive public relations services that help organizations turn visibility into credibility and presence into impact, including high-impact media coverage, compelling story crafting, crisis management, and stakeholder relationship building. For organizations seeking to build reputation, credibility, and stakeholder trust.
• Strategic Advisory Executive advisory services providing tailored advice for reputational challenges, new market entry, personal branding, and long-term vision development, grounded in research and real-world experience. For executives and organizations facing reputational, market entry, or positioning decisions.
• Advocacy & Government Relations Government relations support at all levels across Canada, helping clients resolve regulatory challenges, influence policy, and strengthen relationships with decision-makers through integrated public affairs strategies. For advocacy groups, NGOs, and corporate clients seeking policy influence and regulatory engagement.
• Crisis Communications & Issues Management Crisis communications team providing comprehensive support through every stage of a crisis, from planning to recovery, including rapid audits, reputational harm mitigation, and strategic messaging. For organizations facing reputational risk, incidents, or active issues requiring senior communications counsel.
• Defence & Security Communications Specialized communications division serving defence and security sectors, offering strategic and operational communications, crisis response, stakeholder engagement, training and simulation, government relations, recruiting campaigns, and major project procurement planning. Serves military organizations, police services, and security-related government bodies with security-cleared personnel.
• Syntax Creative Full-service creative agency offering brand identity development, digital content creation, and campaign development services for clients across Canada. Operates as a sub-brand under Syntax Strategic Inc., pairing creative execution with the firm's strategic communications counsel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation virtual event raised $1,063,499.18 in 2020 (highest ever) and $825,000 in 2021
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers30 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Algonquin CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2025Syntax Strategic has an ongoing partnership with Algonquin College through the Syntax Strategic Award, established in 2023. The award recognizes outstanding communications, marketing, and design students at Algonquin College, providing $5,000 to each of two recipients toward their final year of study plus a paid summer internship. The award emphasizes BIPOC and equity-deserving communities. Recipients have included Anum Saeed and Jessica Bell (2025), Alexander Humilde and Stacey Johnstone (2023). The partnership strengthens the connection between education and the communications industry.
• WBE-CanadaminorOthersSyntax Strategic holds WBE-Canada certification, identifying the firm as a Women's Business Enterprise. The certification appears on the company website footer as the WBE-Canada Logo Certification Seal.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Navigator Ltd. Canadian strategic advisory and government relations firm headquartered in Toronto. Navigator serves corporate and non-profit clients on public affairs, strategic communications, and crisis, making it a directly comparable boutique-style competitor with similar full-service positioning.
• Impact Public Affairs: Canadian public affairs and government relations consultancy based in Ottawa. Specializes in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications for associations and corporations, closely matching Syntax's government relations focus.
• Bluesky Strategy Group: Toronto-based strategic communications and government relations firm specializing in public affairs, media relations, and advocacy. Comparable size and service mix, competing for similar association and corporate mandates.
• Crestview Strategy: Canadian public affairs and strategic communications firm serving corporate, non-profit, and association clients. Directly comparable in service mix, target verticals, and boutique positioning, making it a head-to-head competitor in Ottawa and Toronto.
• Earnscliffe Strategy Group: One of Canada's leading government relations and strategic communications firms based in Ottawa. Earnscliffe is a direct competitor serving the same federal, crown corporation, and advocacy client base with comparable public affairs, media relations, and crisis capabilities.
• National Public Relations (NATIONAL): One of Canada's largest full-service public relations firms with deep government, public affairs, and corporate communications practices. NATIONAL competes head-to-head with Syntax on federal and national association mandates, with similar service breadth including crisis, media relations, and strategic advisory.
• Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada: Global public relations firm with a substantial Canadian practice offering public affairs, government relations, and crisis communications. Closely comparable service portfolio and target clients (government, NGOs, corporate) make H+K a direct competitor for many of Syntax's mandates.
• Sussex Strategy Group: Canadian public affairs and strategic communications consultancy with offices in Toronto and Ottawa. Competes directly with Syntax for government relations, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement mandates from corporate and non-profit clients.

Broad incumbents

• FleishmanHillard Canada: Global PR network's Canadian practice serving corporate, government, and public affairs clients. Overlaps with Syntax on media relations, crisis, and public affairs, with broader international reach and larger bench.
• Edelman Canada: Canadian arm of Edelman, the world's largest PR firm. Offers overlapping public affairs, corporate communications, and crisis services, but as part of a global network with broader capabilities including digital, research, and paid media that Syntax does not match at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SyntaxStrategic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/syntaxstrategic

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Syntax Strategic