What French/West/Vaughan does

French/West/Vaughan (FWV) is a privately held, independent public relations, advertising, and digital media agency founded in 2000 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. The firm delivers integrated communications services — including strategic communications, media relations, creative advertising, social media management, influencer marketing, digital content production, experiential marketing, crisis communications, and government/public affairs — through five US offices in Raleigh, New York City, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Tampa. FWV operates FWV Fetching, a 2003-founded wholly-owned sub-brand described as the nation's first dedicated pet marketing agency serving brands such as APPA, IDEXX, PetSafe, Natural Balance, and Tomlyn, plus a wholly-owned automotive/mobility specialty group acquired as The Millerschin Group in January 2023.

The firm serves enterprise and mid-market clients across 17 industry verticals, including Consumer Brands & Retail, Automotive & Mobility, Non-Profit, Food & Beverage, Government & Public Affairs, Education, Travel & Economic Development, Sports & Entertainment, and Pets & Veterinary. Revenue is generated through project-based, retainer, and integrated agency-of-record engagements with named long-tenured clients including Wrangler (since 1997), Eaton Mobility Group (~25 years), V Foundation for Cancer Research (since 2011), Melitta (over a decade), ABB (over a decade), NC Department of Transportation, Charlotte FC, Carolina Hurricanes, Underrated Golf Tour, and Visit Raleigh. FWV has executed more than 600 distinct brand engagements and won the Bulldog PR "Best PR Agency of 2025" Grand Prize, multiple PR Daily Awards, a five-star rating in Newsweek's "America's Best PR Agencies" for Automotive, Mobility & Transportation, and top-20 O'Dwyer's ranking in food and beverage for over a decade. Customer acquisition runs through direct sales, referrals, and reputation-driven business development with no disclosed public funding or external ownership.

Name

French/West/Vaughan

Legal name

French West Vaughan

Website

https://fwv-us.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

French/West/Vaughan is an independently held, full-service PR, advertising, and digital media agency headquartered in Raleigh, NC, serving more than 600 enterprise and mid-market brands across 17 verticals through five US offices and the FWV Fetching pet marketing sub-brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Relations Services: Comprehensive public relations and media relations services including strategic communications, media outreach, press release development, crisis communications, and reputation management for corporate and consumer clients.
2. Advertising Services: Creative advertising services including campaign development, brand positioning, creative design, video production, and integrated marketing communications across multiple channels.
3. Digital Media Services: Digital marketing services including social media management, content creation, website development, SEO, and digital campaign execution.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

French/West/Vaughan is a full-service independently held public relations, advertising, and digital media agency that delivers integrated marketing communications for enterprise and mid-market clients. Core offerings combine strategic communications and media relations, creative advertising, digital and social media marketing, influencer programs, experiential/events, video production, crisis communications, and government/public affairs, organized across 17 industry verticals. The agency operates FWV Fetching as a dedicated pet marketing division and serves clients across consumer brands, automotive & mobility, food & beverage, non-profit, education, and government sectors.

Product overview

French/West/Vaughan (FWV) is an independently held PR, advertising, and digital media agency offering integrated marketing communications services. The company's portfolio includes core service lines (Public Relations, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media, Experiential Marketing, Videography, Influencer Marketing, Crisis Communications, and Government/Public Affairs) organized across industry verticals (Automotive & Mobility, Technology, Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Pets & Veterinary, Non-Profit, Education, Financial Services, Health & Wellness, Beauty/Fashion/Lifestyle, Real Estate, Travel/Economic Development, Sports & Entertainment, Government, Agriculture/Environmental, and Professional Services). FWV operates FWV Fetching, the nation's first dedicated pet marketing agency (founded 2003), as a specialized sub-brand. The agency structure follows a platform of service offerings augmented by industry-specific expertise across 16+ practice areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FWV Fetching: Nation's first dedicated pet marketing agency, founded in 2003 by Kristen Levine, specializing in digital and public relations marketing for pet and animal health clients.

Products and services

• Public Relations Services Strategic communications and media relations service line for enterprise and mid-market clients across 17 industry verticals, including press outreach, thought leadership, issues management, and earned media coverage.
• Advertising Services Creative advertising campaigns including television spots, print, digital banner ads, outdoor/billboard creative, and integrated brand marketing programs for consumer brands and enterprise clients.
• Digital Media Services Website design and development, digital content creation, paid digital campaign execution, and online marketing strategy for client brands.
• Social Media Services Social media strategy, content creation, community management, influencer marketing, and social-first campaign development across Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms.
• Experiential Marketing Event marketing, brand activations, experiential campaigns, product launch events, and live event support including venue branding and sponsorship activation.
• Videography and Content Production Video content creation including campaign videos, social media content, event documentation, and branded video storytelling for client campaigns.
• Influencer Marketing Strategic influencer partnerships, celebrity collaborations, and micro-influencer campaigns that amplify brand messaging and reach target audiences for consumer clients.
• Crisis Communications Issues management counsel, crisis communications, media training, and strategic response planning for corporate and consumer clients facing reputational challenges.
• Government and Public Affairs Issue advocacy campaigns, legislative messaging, government relations communications, and public affairs strategy for government agencies and public-sector clients.
• Automotive and Mobility Services Specialized communications for automotive, mobility, electric vehicle, battery technology, power electronics, advanced safety, and transportation brands including B2B trade media relations and industry event support.
• Food and Beverage Services Marketing, trade and consumer earned media, social media, and product sales acceleration for beverage and food brands.
• Pets and Veterinary Services (FWV Fetching Division) Specialized marketing for pet products, animal health brands, and veterinary services through FWV's FWV Fetching division, including digital, public relations, and influencer activations for pet owner audiences.
• Non-Profit Services Strategic communications, awareness campaigns, fundraising support, donor engagement, and program promotion for charities, foundations, and non-profit organizations.
• Education Sector Expertise Marketing and communications for universities, colleges, and educational institutions including brand development, media planning, capital campaign support, and student recruitment campaigns.
• Financial and Investor Relations Services Strategic communications for financial services companies, investor relations programs, and financial industry marketing including thought leadership and research promotion.
• Health and Wellness Services Marketing for consumer health products, wellness brands, retailers, and destinations targeting health-conscious consumers.
• Sports and Entertainment Services Sports and entertainment public relations, player/team marketing, event promotion, film and documentary communications, and brand partnership activations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,330% increase in campaign landing page traffic for Visit Raleigh
• +13 more outcomes

Named customers34 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TODAY Show (NBC)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 February 2026National broadcast exclusive on TODAY Show for Dolly Parton Children's Hospital name announcement, reaching 3 million broadcast viewers.
• Girls on the RunminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Charlotte-based national nonprofit; Feetures 'Bold Figures' collaboration sock partnership supported by FWV PR efforts.
• The Millerschin Group (TMG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 January 2023FWV acquired The Millerschin Group, a Detroit-based agency serving the mobility and transportation sectors, to expand FWV's presence in the automotive industry and leverage TMG's reputation and client base.
• Google, WorkDay, UnderArmour (Underrated Golf Tour)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Corporate partners for non-golf programming including speaker panels, recruiting initiatives, and media coordination for the UNDERRATED Golf Tour founded by Stephen Curry.
• Prix ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFWV serves as partner to motion picture development company Prix Productions. CEO Rick French serves as president of Prix, connecting FWV's sports, entertainment, technology and storytelling expertise with long-form narrative storytelling and integrated brand opportunities.
• DH (IPREX Partner)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpokane-based IPREX partner DH collaborated with FWV on Tree Top regional media campaign, combining agencies' resources for Pacific Northwest market reach.
• Rock & Roll Hall of FameminorOthersFWV CEO Rick French serves as longstanding trustee of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, bringing insight, access and connections to the sports & entertainment practice area.
• Teen Cancer AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFWV serves as pro-bono partner to Teen Cancer America, helping bridge the gap between pediatric and adult oncology care. FWV Chairman & CEO joined the Board of Directors and serves as chair of the TCA Advisory Council.
• The Who / Roger Daltrey & Pete TownshendminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRock icons co-founded Teen Cancer America; FWV supports TCA's annual Backyard Concert featuring The Who along with special guests (Foo Fighters, Pink, Ed Sheeran, etc.) that raises millions annually.
• Buddy Holly Educational FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFWV connected TCA with Buddy Holly Educational Foundation to create additional fundraising opportunities for both organizations.
• V Foundation for Cancer ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by ESPN and Jim Valvano in 1993; FWV has worked closely since 2011 to create meaningful creative assets that drive awareness and raise funds for cancer research.
• Charlotte FC / David TeppercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMLS expansion team Charlotte FC partnered with FWV for primary kit launch announcement, one of the team's biggest announcements leading to inaugural 2022 season.
• Carolina Hurricanes / R&D BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership between R&D Brewing and Carolina Hurricanes to produce Storm Brew, the team's first official beer; FWV led launch and awareness campaign.
• North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper / State OfficialscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState and local officials participated in Epsilon Advanced Materials facility announcement, with NC Governor Roy Cooper, NC Secretary of Commerce Machelle Sanders, and Brunswick County Commissioners attending.
• U.S. Senators and Members of CongressminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal elected officials provided supportive media statements for EAM announcement though unable to attend the event.
• Draft AgencyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHospital's production agency collaborated with FWV on video and creative strategy for the name transition announcement.
• BAE SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEaton partnered with BAE Systems for Class 7 medium-duty electric truck development; FWV supported media relations for Ride & Drive PR campaign.
• Wall Street JournalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExpanded Velera media tour outreach to include consumer publications like WSJ, securing six interviews and 4.5 million earned media impressions for Eye on Payments research.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Edelman: Edelman is the world's largest independent public relations firm, offering integrated PR, digital, and creative services across consumer, healthcare, technology, and corporate verticals. It is the closest direct independent agency peer to FWV in terms of business model and service mix, though significantly larger and globally scaled.
• Weber Shandwick: Weber Shandwick is a leading global PR and communications agency within the IPG network, serving consumer, healthcare, technology, and corporate clients with integrated earned media and creative services. It directly competes with FWV for mid-market and enterprise PR accounts across multiple verticals including consumer brands and healthcare.
• Ketchum: Ketchum is a major global public relations agency within the Omnicom network with deep consumer marketing, healthcare, food and beverage, and corporate communications expertise. Like FWV, it has historically ranked in top PR agencies nationally and competes directly for food/beverage and consumer brand accounts.
• FleishmanHillard: FleishmanHillard is a global PR and integrated communications agency within Omnicom, with strong healthcare, technology, consumer, and public affairs practices. It is comparable to FWV in offering integrated PR/advertising/digital across multiple verticals, but operates at significantly larger scale with global office network.
• Golin: Golin is a global public relations and integrated marketing agency within the IPG network, serving consumer, healthcare, technology, and corporate clients. It competes with FWV for mid-sized to enterprise PR and integrated communications accounts, with comparable multi-vertical expertise.

Direct peers

• M Booth: M Booth is an independently held, employee-owned integrated communications agency known for consumer, lifestyle, and corporate PR. It is a comparable mid-sized independent agency competing with FWV for consumer brand and corporate communications engagements, with a similar integrated PR/advertising/digital model.
• Zeno Group: Zeno Group is an independent global integrated communications agency serving consumer, healthcare, technology, and corporate clients. It is closely comparable to FWV in offering integrated earned media, creative, and digital services across multiple verticals, with similar mid-sized agency positioning.
• 5W Public Relations: 5W Public Relations is an independently held, top-25 US PR agency offering consumer, corporate, digital, and crisis communications services. It directly competes with FWV for mid-sized consumer brand and corporate PR accounts with similar integrated service offerings.
• Coyne PR: Coyne PR is a mid-sized independently held public relations agency with strong consumer, food and beverage, health and wellness, and technology practices. Comparable to FWV in scale, vertical specialization, and integrated service model, and a direct competitor for consumer brand AOR engagements.
• Allison Worldwide: Allison Worldwide is a global data-driven PR and integrated communications agency serving consumer, technology, healthcare, and corporate clients. It is comparable to FWV as a mid-sized agency offering earned media, creative, and digital services across multiple verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FWV_US
• YouTubevimeo.com/frenchwestvaughan
• Facebookfacebook.com/frenchwestvaughan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/frenchwestvaughan
• Instagraminstagram.com/fwv_us

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A3 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about French/West/Vaughan