The Key PR
The Key PR is a bootstrapped San Francisco-based public relations agency founded in 2016, providing strategic communications, media relations, narrative development, and awards program management to technology-driven brands across fintech, real estate tech, consumer, AI, and healthcare sectors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Key PR does
The Key PR is a San Francisco-based public relations agency founded in 2016 by Martha Shaughnessy. The firm provides strategic communications services to technology-driven brands, with a core offering centered on narrative development, strategic media relations, and thought leadership positioning for tech and consumer companies. Additional service lines include crisis communications, investor relations support (including SPAC and funding announcement communications), and awards program management. The Key PR's methodology emphasizes a 'storytelling framework' that connects vision to visibility, positioning itself as a mission-driven partner rather than a traditional transactional agency.
The company's client roster spans fintech (LendingClub, PayJoy, Remitly, Lively), real estate technology (Doma, Renew Home, Nestment), consumer and social (Discord, Shopkick, Fellow), healthcare (Ensemble Health Partners), AI (Openlayer), and environmental technology (Aclima), serving both early-stage startups and established enterprise brands. The Key PR operates a professional services model with custom agency retainers and project-based pricing, sold via direct client engagement and a strong referral network. The firm is bootstrapped since inception with no outside funding, grossing millions of dollars annually on a team of 11-50 employees, and has earned recognition including Inc. Power Partner (2024, 2025), PR Daily Top Agency Workplace (2024), and SF Business Times Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies (#51, 2021).
The Key PR firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Key PR
- Legal name
- The Key PR
- Website
- https://thekeypr.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Key PR is a bootstrapped San Francisco-based public relations agency founded in 2016, providing strategic communications, media relations, narrative development, and awards program management to technology-driven brands across fintech, real estate tech, consumer, AI, and healthcare sectors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Key PR industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Relations Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technology & B2B PR (BPAFADAI)
Keywords
Where The Key PR is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Key PR business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Strategic Communications Services: PR and communications agency services including messaging development, strategic media relations, investor relations support, press coverage, and narrative development. Works with clients from projects to retainers, startups to big brands, product launches to crisis communications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Custom agency retainers and project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Key PR product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Key PR is a San Francisco-based public relations and strategic communications agency that helps innovative, technology-driven companies build powerful communications strategies. Its core offering spans narrative development, thoughtful media outreach, executive counsel, and sharp strategy delivered through agency retainers and project-based engagements. The firm serves clients ranging from startups to large enterprise brands across product launches, ongoing brand building, and crisis communications.
Product overview
The Key PR is a San Francisco-based public relations agency offering strategic communications services to technology-driven brands. The core offering centers on strategic communications consulting, media relations, and narrative development. Additional specialized services include awards program management, crisis communications, and investor relations support. The agency specializes in helping innovative companies build powerful communications strategies that connect vision to visibility, with a focus on launching ideas, growing awareness, and establishing lasting influence.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Strategic Communications Services High-impact public relations services helping innovative technology-driven companies build powerful communications strategies, including narrative development, media relations, and thought leadership positioning. Delivered through agency retainers and project-based engagements to clients ranging from startups to enterprise brands.
- Media Relations Strategic media outreach and press coverage service connecting clients with relevant journalists and publications to earn credible media placement across business, technology, and consumer outlets.
- Messaging Development Narrative development and messaging framework creation to help technology-driven brands articulate their value propositions, positioning, and story arcs clearly and consistently across audiences.
- Awards Program Management Strategic awards submission and management service including research, deadline tracking, storytelling arc development, and submission coordination across innovation, fintech, and leadership award categories.
- Crisis Communications Rapid-response crisis communications service for managing brand reputation during challenging circumstances, including statement drafting, media response, and stakeholder messaging.
- Investor Relations Support Communications support for investor relations activities including funding announcements, M&A communications, and SPAC transactions, including messaging development, strategic media relations, and press coverage.
Quantifiable outcome
- Secured 8 awards for PayJoy client including Fast Company's World Changing Ideas and Inc. Best in Business
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Key PR
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Key PR technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
The Key PR partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key client, event partner and minor.
- PRSA FoundationcoreCollaboration between the PRSA Foundation and agency partners including The Key PR to launch a summer fellowship with Foster the Future. Initiative aims to increase diversity in the communications industry.
- WE360corePartnership with Dominique Hollins of WE360 for holistic and emotionally intelligent approach to educating, practicing, and advancing workplace equity. This informs operations at The Key including DEIB training and policy development.
- CoCreate WorkcoreLong-term partnership with La'Kita Williams at CoCreate Work to ensure both established and emerging leadership have consistent learning and development opportunities around people leadership and organizational design.
- Lead with Love / Jadah SellnercorePartnership with Jadah Sellner on leadership development and learning to lead with love. Also involved in early offsites and team development.
- Aclimakey clientPR client partnership for air measurement and analysis platform. The Key supports Aclima with strategic communications including hosting SF Climate Week events.
- Openlayerkey clientPR client for AI evaluation and governance platform. Announced $14.5 million Series A round led by Race Capital with participation from NXTP, KPN Ventures, Mindset, Y Combinator, Quiet Capital, and Telefonica.
- Asombrosaevent partnerHosted FarmTech, Food, and AI gathering at Asombrosa's 63-acre ranch retreat in Petaluma as part of SF Tech Week. Event brought together founders, investors, and innovators at intersection of agriculture, sustainability, climate, and AI.
- Green Buoy ConsultingminorHosting sustainability consulting firm at The Key office for Carbon Removal Panel + Happy Hour for CSOS during SF Climate Week 2025.
- VerneminorHosting hydrogen technology company for panel on Construction Decarbonization at The Key office during SF Climate Week 2025.
- Women's March San FranciscominorOngoing pro bono work partnership supporting the organization.
- SF New DealminorPro bono partnership supporting San Francisco community initiatives during pandemic.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Key PR competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Walker Sands: Chicago-based B2B tech PR and communications agency serving SaaS, fintech, and emerging tech clients with media relations, content, and demand generation. Direct competitor to The Key PR in the technology PR vertical with overlapping service offerings and client profiles.
- PAN Communications: Mid-sized integrated marketing and PR agency with strong tech, healthcare tech, and B2B practice areas. Comparable in size, service mix, and client profile (mid-market technology and enterprise brands) to The Key PR.
- Hotwire PR: Global tech and B2B communications agency serving enterprise technology, fintech, and consumer technology clients. Overlaps directly with The Key PR's tech-focused service offering and target client base.
- Inkhouse: Technology-focused PR agency serving high-growth B2B, enterprise tech, and consumer technology clients. Comparable mid-size player with similar storytelling-driven positioning and tech vertical focus.
- Bospar: Tech-forward boutique PR and communications agency serving startups and enterprise technology clients. Similar size and positioning to The Key PR with a strong emphasis on emerging technology and venture-backed clients.
- 5W Public Relations: Full-service U.S. PR agency with significant consumer tech, digital, and corporate communications practices. Comparable in client mix (consumer tech, fintech) and mid-market enterprise positioning.
- Codeword: Boutique creative communications and PR agency focused on technology, gaming, and developer audiences. Comparable size, tech-vertical focus, and storytelling-driven approach to The Key PR.
- Outcast Communications: San Francisco-based tech and consumer PR agency with strong enterprise technology, SaaS, and consumer brand practices. Direct geographic and service-line competitor in the Bay Area tech PR market.
Broad incumbents
- Allison+Partners: Larger multi-office global PR firm with technology, consumer, and corporate practices. Represents the broader incumbent tier against which The Key PR competes for mid-market and enterprise tech clients.
- Finn Partners: Large global integrated marketing and PR firm with deep technology practice. Represents the larger incumbent players The Key PR competes against on enterprise tech PR engagements.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Key PR social profiles
Digital presenceThe Key PR financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Key PR leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Key PR funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Key PR M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Key PR
What does The Key PR do?
The Key PR is a San Francisco-based public relations and strategic communications agency that helps innovative, technology-driven companies build powerful communications strategies. Its core offering spans narrative development, thoughtful media outreach, executive counsel, and sharp strategy delivered through agency retainers and project-based engagements. The firm serves clients ranging from startups to large enterprise brands across product launches, ongoing brand building, and crisis communications.
Is The Key PR a public or private company?
The Key PR is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Key PR founded?
The Key PR was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Key PR based?
The Key PR is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Key PR make money?
One revenue line is on record: strategic Communications Services.
Who are The Key PR's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Walker Sands, PAN Communications, Hotwire PR, Inkhouse, Bospar, 5W Public Relations, Codeword and Outcast Communications. Broad incumbents are Allison+Partners and Finn Partners.
Does The Key PR have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Key PR.
What industry is The Key PR in?
The Key PR's product category is Public Relations Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFADAI, Technology & B2B PR.