What Shore Fire Media does

Shore Fire Media is a New York-based strategic communications and public relations agency founded in 1990, operating as a division of Dolphin Entertainment (NASDAQ: DLPN) since its 2019 acquisition. The firm represents artists, talent, creators, authors, athletes, cultural institutions, businesses, brands, estates, and entrepreneurs across the music, entertainment, arts, sports, events, and lifestyle sectors. Its named client roster spans marquee artists (Dave Matthews Band, HAUSER, Steve Aoki, Maria Becerra, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Holly Macve, Sawyer Brown), cultural productions (DRAG: The Musical), labels and distributors (Rhino Entertainment, Legacy Recordings, Secretly, Seeker Music, Qobuz), and festivals (Summerfest, VidCon, CBGB Festival, Eaux Claires Festival). Shore Fire's core services are strategic communications and public relations, supplemented by specialized practices in brand messaging and positioning, content strategy and management, award campaigning, event planning, and partnership development.

The agency operates from three dedicated offices in Brooklyn (32 Court Street, Suite 1800), Los Angeles (1840 Century Park East, Suite 200), and Nashville, with teams organized around client verticals rather than functional silos. Revenue is generated through professional services engagements structured as agency retainers and project-based campaigns; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The agency's claimed differentiation rests on a documented track record of representing recipients of Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Tony Awards, NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, Golden Globe Awards, CMA Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, Peabody Awards, Pulitzer Prize, and over 100 Grammy Awards, plus regular placement on Observer's annual list of most powerful PR firms. As a division within Dolphin's portfolio (which also includes 42West, The Door, The Digital Dept., Elle Communications, Always Alpha, and Special Projects), Shore Fire increasingly cross-sells integrated marketing campaigns with sister agencies, most recently exemplified by its joint communications work with The Door for Pawn Shop LA. Leadership transitioned in March 2026, with founder Marilyn Laverty moving from CEO to Chairman and Senior Advisor and Angela Barkan appointed as the new CEO managing daily operations from New York.

Name

Shore Fire Media

Legal name

Shore Fire Media

Website

https://shorefire.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Shore Fire Media is a Brooklyn-based strategic communications and public relations agency representing artists, creators, cultural institutions, labels, and brands across music, entertainment, sports, and events; founded in 1990 and operating as a division of Dolphin Entertainment (NASDAQ: DLPN) with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Relations Services

NAICS

Public Relations Agencies (54182), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Media Relations & Press Office Services (MPAAADAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Media Relations & Press Office Services (BPAFADAF)

Keywords

• Strategic communications
• Public relations services
• Entertainment PR agency
• Award campaign management
• Brand messaging positioning

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. PR and Strategic Communications Services: Professional services revenue generated from strategic communications, public relations, brand messaging, content strategy, event planning, award campaigning, and partnership services for entertainment clients, cultural institutions, and brands. Services are billed through agency retainer arrangements and project-based engagements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Shore Fire Media is a strategic communications and public relations agency that represents artists, talent, creators, authors, athletes, cultural institutions, businesses, brands, estates, and entrepreneurs. The agency provides media relations, reputation management, brand messaging, award campaigning, event planning, content strategy, and partnership services through dedicated teams in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville.

Product overview

Shore Fire Media is a strategic communications and public relations agency offering a unified service platform centered on strategic communications and PR. The core offering is supplemented by specialized services including brand messaging & positioning, content strategy & management, award campaigning, event planning, and partnerships. The agency represents a diverse roster across Arts & Culture, Business & Brands, Estate & Legacy, Events, Music, Organizations & Institutions, and Sports sectors, with dedicated teams operating from New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville offices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Strategic Communications and Public Relations Core PR service providing media relations, reputation management, and strategic communications counsel to clients across entertainment, culture, and business sectors. Delivered through dedicated PR teams via retainer and project-based engagements.
• Brand Messaging & Positioning Strategic service developing and refining brand narratives, positioning statements, and messaging frameworks for clients in entertainment, cultural institutions, and commercial brands.
• Content Strategy & Management Comprehensive content planning, creation, and distribution services including press releases, media kits, and editorial content for represented clients.
• Award Campaigning Specialized campaign management for industry awards including Grammys, Emmys, Tonys, Oscars, Golden Globes, NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, and other prestigious recognitions across entertainment sectors.
• Event Planning End-to-end event strategy and execution including launches, activations, press events, and cultural programming for clients across entertainment and brand sectors.
• Partnerships Strategic partnership development and management connecting clients with complementary brands, venues, and cultural institutions to amplify reach and cultural positioning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 Grammy Awards won by represented clients
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• SummerfestmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 May 2026Shore Fire Media supports Summerfest (Milwaukee), one of the world's largest music festivals, as part of Dolphin Entertainment's marketing division client activities for Summer 2026.
• VidConmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 May 2026Shore Fire Media supports VidCon, a major creator and fan convention, as part of Dolphin Entertainment's marketing division client activities for Summer 2026.
• CBGB FestivalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 May 2026Shore Fire Media supports the CBGB Festival (Brooklyn) as part of Dolphin Entertainment's marketing division client activities for Summer 2026.
• Eaux Claires FestivalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 May 2026Shore Fire Media supports the Eaux Claires Festival (Wisconsin) as part of Dolphin Entertainment's marketing division client activities for Summer 2026.
• The DoorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2026Shore Fire Media and The Door, both subsidiaries of Dolphin Entertainment, partnered to lead communications and launch strategy for Pawn Shop, a new sports-driven hospitality concept opening in Los Angeles. The integrated campaign focuses on cultural positioning and earned media for the 7,808-square-foot venue opening June 2026.
• Ventana VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2026Ventana Ventures, led by Diego Torres-Palma, developed Pawn Shop, a sports-driven hospitality concept. Shore Fire Media and The Door were retained to lead communications and launch strategy for this venue opening June 2026 at 5901 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.
• Tony MessinaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2026James Beard Award-winning chef Tony Messina leads the culinary program for Pawn Shop, the sports-driven hospitality concept where Shore Fire Media is leading launch communications.
• Dolphin EntertainmentcoreOthers · 3 March 2026Shore Fire Media is a division of Dolphin Entertainment (NASDAQ: DLPN), a collective of marketers and culture creators that also includes 42West, Always Alpha, The Digital Dept., The Door, Elle Communications and Special Projects. Dolphin acquired Shore Fire in 2019.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ID-PR (FRANK PR): Entertainment and music PR agency with artist and label representation. Similar boutique positioning in entertainment communications.
• 42West: Sister division under Dolphin Entertainment specializing in entertainment PR, talent representation, and strategic communications. Direct peer operating under the same corporate umbrella with overlapping service lines.
• The Door: Sister Dolphin Entertainment subsidiary offering brand marketing and PR services, including the joint Pawn Shop LA engagement with Shore Fire. Same parent, similar client mix spanning entertainment and culture.
• Sunshine Sachs: Prominent entertainment and consumer PR agency with similar celebrity, brand, and nonprofit representation. Widely regarded as a top-tier entertainment PR competitor to Shore Fire.
• The Lede Company: Entertainment-focused PR and strategic communications firm representing talent, brands, and content creators. Comparable in premium celebrity and entertainment positioning.
• R&CPMK (formerly Rogers & Cowan): Long-established entertainment PR and marketing agency serving music, film, and consumer clients. Direct competitor in entertainment communications and award campaigning.
• Wavelength Strategies: Music-focused PR agency representing recording artists and labels. Comparable boutique-scale competitor targeting similar artist and label clients.

Broad incumbents

• United Talent Agency (UTA): Major global talent and entertainment services firm that includes a PR/communications division representing talent and brands. Larger and more diversified, but overlaps in entertainment talent representation.
• CAA (Creative Artists Agency): Global entertainment and sports agency with public relations capabilities through acquired communications businesses. Overlaps in celebrity representation and entertainment marketing services.
• MRC (Media Research Corporation / Valence Media): Entertainment company with PR and communications services alongside content production. Larger incumbent operating across entertainment verticals with comparable client mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/shorefire
• YouTubeyoutube.com/shorefire
• Facebookfacebook.com/shorefiremedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shore-fire-media
• Instagraminstagram.com/shorefiremedia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Shore Fire Media