Public Communications

What Public Communications does

Public Communications Inc. (PCI) is a Chicago-headquartered, independently owned public relations and integrated marketing communications firm founded in 1962. The firm operates a senior consultancy model in which Vice Presidents and above are actively engaged on every program, with a 40-person team of counselors, media specialists, writers, designers, and event planners. PCI serves six primary verticals: healthcare organizations, professional associations, nonprofits, civic and park districts, destinations and culture institutions, and wildlife care and conservation organizations. Its client base includes recognizable entities such as Georgia Aquarium, SeaWorld, Brookfield Zoo Chicago, AARP, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Joint Commission, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The firm's service portfolio spans crisis and reputation management, digital strategy and execution (including social media listening, paid digital, SEO, and content development), media relations (supported by 20+ media specialists in daily contact with reporters and influencers), visual communications and design, integrated marketing campaigns, community engagement and mobilization, public policy and referendum communications, spokesperson training, strategic planning, and DEI communications. Notable technical components include certified Google Partner status for paid digital capabilities, third-party social listening platforms (Hootsuite, Sprinklr, Brandwatch), and access to the Worldcom PR Group's network of 2,000+ communications professionals internationally.

PCI generates revenue through professional services engagements on quote-based, multi-year contracts, with pricing not publicly disclosed. Distribution is sales-led, combining direct enterprise engagement, a website-driven inbound "Let's Talk" channel, and Worldcom network referrals for cross-border work. The firm is privately held with no outside capital, no subsidiaries, no disclosed funding rounds, and no active M&A activity, and is independently committed to remaining so under women-owned leadership (Certified WBE and LGBTBE).

Name

Public Communications

Legal name

Public Communications Inc.

Website

https://pcipr.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Public Communications Inc. (PCI) is a Chicago-headquartered, independently owned public relations and integrated marketing communications firm founded in 1962, serving healthcare organizations, associations, nonprofits, civic entities, cultural institutions, and wildlife conservation organizations through a 40-person senior consultancy model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 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 and Communications Services: PCI provides strategic public relations, digital marketing, and communications services to diverse clients. Revenue is generated through professional services engagements with healthcare organizations, associations, nonprofits, civic entities, destinations and culture organizations, and wildlife/conservation organizations. Services include crisis communications, media relations, digital strategy, community engagement, spokesperson training, and event support. The firm operates on a senior consultancy model with VP-level staff managing programs, emphasizing cost-efficient work within client budgets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Public Communications Inc. (PCI) is a senior-led public relations and integrated marketing communications agency that delivers crisis and reputation management, media relations, digital strategy and execution, visual communications and design, integrated marketing campaigns, community engagement, event support, public policy communications, strategic planning, and spokesperson training to healthcare organizations, professional associations, nonprofits, civic entities, destinations/cultural organizations, and wildlife/conservation organizations. Services are delivered through a senior consultancy model where Vice Presidents and above actively manage every program, with bespoke client engagements rather than standardized product offerings.

Product overview

Public Communications Inc. (PCI) is a full-service public relations and marketing communications agency offering a comprehensive suite of professional services. The firm's offerings include crisis communications and reputation management, digital strategy and execution, media relations, integrated marketing campaigns, community engagement and mobilization, visual communications and design, event support (both in-person and virtual), strategic planning, spokesperson training, public policy communications, and DEI consulting. PCI also produces a podcast called 'PCI Talk' for thought leadership content. All services are delivered through a senior consultancy model with teams of counselors, writers, digital strategists, and media experts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PCI Talk: A podcast series featuring PCI professionals discussing communications topics, industry insights, and personal stories on public relations topics.

Products and services

• Crisis and Reputation Management Crisis and issues management counseling providing 24/7 support, honest assessment, spokesperson preparation, and communications action plans for organizations facing reputational challenges.
• Media Services / Media Relations Media relations services including developing materials, spokesperson preparation, and securing meaningful coverage from national and local outlets through a team of 20+ media specialists in daily contact with reporters, producers, bloggers, and influencers.
• Digital Services / Digital Strategy and Execution Digital strategy services including social media listening, paid digital and mobile strategies, SEO, and content development to help clients map out goals, target audiences, and media channels to engage target audiences.
• Integrated Marketing and Communications Integrated marketing campaigns that develop strategy, segment audiences, create materials and assets, and activate across multiple channels in a unified approach.
• Visual Communications and Design Creative design services developing infographics, websites, annual reports, marketing collateral, animation, video, and photography to tell client stories visually.
• Community Engagement and Mobilization Community engagement services helping government entities, advocacy groups, and organizations engage and mobilize audiences around causes through stakeholder engagement and grassroots strategies.
• On-the-Ground and Virtual Event Support Event support services including press conferences, annual meetings, grand openings, galas, and special events with planning, logistics, on-the-ground support, and virtual assistance delivered by PCI's team of 40 counselors, media specialists, writers, and event planning professionals.
• Public Policy Communications Public affairs and government relations communications supporting ballot initiatives, referendums, ordinances, and civic engagement efforts.
• Strategic Planning Organizational strategic planning services engaging stakeholders through surveys and facilitated sessions to develop actionable roadmaps for client goals.
• Spokesperson Training Media and spokesperson training preparing speakers for television, print, and public appearances with real-world coaching from former journalists.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Communications DEI communications services helping clients reach specific audiences and engage diverse communities to accomplish their mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ positive media placements for Operation Beluga crisis campaign including top-tier outlets (NYT, NBC, ABC, BBC, NPR, Reuters)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Worldcom PR GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCI is a founding member of the Worldcom PR Group, the world's leading network of independent public relations counseling firms. This partnership provides PCI clients access to the international creative capabilities of over 2,000 communications professionals worldwide, enabling cross-border communications support and global network referrals.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationPCI is a Certified Google Partner, indicating proficiency in Google advertising platforms, analytics, and digital marketing technologies. This certification enables PCI to deliver sophisticated paid digital and mobile strategies for clients.
• Oceanogràfic ValenciaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCI developed and led crisis communications strategy for the international beluga whale rescue operation from Kharkiv, Ukraine warzone. Partnership included SeaWorld and Georgia Aquarium in coordinated rescue effort achieving 1,000+ global media placements.
• SeaWorldflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCI collaborated on the complex international beluga whale rescue crisis communications campaign, providing unified messaging strategy across multiple institutions for the high-profile warzone rescue operation.
• Georgia AquariumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCI worked alongside Georgia Aquarium on the beluga whale rescue crisis communications campaign, coordinating international messaging for the multi-institution rescue operation from Ukraine.
• Lincoln Park ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCI collaborated with Lincoln Park Zoo's Project ChimpCARE and Chimp Haven through Arcus Foundation funding to develop a Reputational Risk Assessment and Crisis Communications Planning Workbook for animal sanctuaries.
• Chimp HavencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing crisis communications planning resources for animal sanctuaries, working with Lincoln Park Zoo and funded by Arcus Foundation.
• Arcus FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation providing funding for PCI's development of reputational risk and crisis communications planning resources for animal sanctuaries in collaboration with Lincoln Park Zoo and Chimp Haven.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Golin: Chicago-headquartered global PR and communications agency (Interpublic). Operates a similar senior-led model and competes for the same Midwestern healthcare, association, and consumer accounts as PCI, but at meaningfully larger scale.
• Zeno Group: Mid-sized global PR firm (Daniel J. Edelman subsidiary) with strong healthcare and consumer-tech verticals. Closely comparable in size and mid-market positioning to PCI, competing for similar healthcare and association clients.
• Lambert: Midwest-based (Detroit) integrated communications and PR firm with comparable size, ownership structure (independent/private), and vertical mix including healthcare, nonprofit, and consumer accounts—making it one of the most directly comparable U.S. peers.

Broad incumbents

• Edelman: Largest independent global PR firm, with strong healthcare, nonprofit, and corporate practices that overlap directly with PCI's core verticals. Competes for the same Fortune-500 and major nonprofit retainers but with vastly greater geographic and service-line breadth.
• Weber Shandwick: Top-tier global PR firm (Interpublic) with deep healthcare, association, and public affairs practices. Frequently competes with PCI for healthcare association and public-sector RFPs but at significantly greater scale.
• FleishmanHillard: Global PR firm (Omnicom) with established healthcare, public affairs, and nonprofit practices. A direct competitor for mid-sized healthcare and nonprofit accounts where PCI currently competes.
• Ketchum: Global PR firm (Omnicom) with strong healthcare and association practices that overlap with PCI's vertical mix. Larger scale and broader service portfolio put it in direct competition on enterprise briefs.
• Burson (formerly BCW): Global PR network (WPP) with healthcare, public affairs, and crisis practices that overlap PCI's offerings. Competes for crisis and association communications RFPs at global scale.

Emerging players

• JPA Health: Boutique health-focused PR and communications agency with deep healthcare association and life-sciences expertise. Comparable in size to PCI and competes for the same healthcare association and patient-advocacy engagements.

Regional players

• Res Publica Group: Chicago-based independent PR and public affairs firm with civic, association, and corporate clients. Direct regional competitor for Midwest-based association and civic communications engagements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pcipr
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC78rSxkuAdEngfuquHCOtNQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/PCIPR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/public-communications-inc-_2
• Instagraminstagram.com/pcipr

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Public Communications