What Duffy & Shanley does

Duffy & Shanley is an independent, full-service communications agency headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. The firm provides integrated public relations, advertising, and media planning services to enterprise and mid-market brands across consumer products, energy, retail, media, insurance, and government/nonprofit sectors. Capabilities span earned media strategy, influencer and celebrity activations, event management, crisis communications, social media strategy, creative design, video and audio production, outdoor/print advertising, and paid search and display. Its foundational methodology is described as "purpose-driven, integrated campaigns" combining PR and advertising into unified efforts, supported by strategic research and bold creative execution.

The agency's revenue model is project-based and retainer-based professional services billing for engagements such as new product launches (Hanes, Bonds, Dunkalatte), brand campaigns (The Boston Globe 150th anniversary, ADRC "The Point"), and ongoing agency-of-record work. Sales motion combines inside-led inbound engagement (website contact form, [email protected]) with enterprise field sales targeting major brands, with case studies and industry award recognition serving as primary demand-generation assets.

The firm has been recognized as "Most Awarded Agency" with 12 Bell Ringers wins (2024) and the top PRNEWS Platinum Award (2025) for the U.S. launch of Bonds. It is led by President Annette Maggiacomo (nearly 30 years in PR) and creative director Mike Silvia, with a disclosed headcount of 11–50 employees. Note: firmographics data lists founding year as 1973, while the operating data and historical timeline cite 1979 as the founding year.

Name

Duffy & Shanley

Legal name

Duffy & Shanley

Website

https://duffyshanley.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Duffy & Shanley is an independent, full-service communications agency in Providence, Rhode Island, providing integrated public relations, advertising, and media planning services to enterprise and mid-market brands across consumer products, energy, retail, media, insurance, and government sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Strategic Communications Services: Full-service communications agency providing public relations, advertising, and media planning services to enterprise and mid-market brands. Revenue generated through project-based engagements, retainer agreements for ongoing client relationships, and campaign-based work for product launches and brand campaigns.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Duffy & Shanley is a full-service independent communications agency that delivers integrated public relations, advertising, and media planning services to enterprise brands. The agency crafts purpose-driven campaigns combining media relations, creative advertising, influencer and celebrity partnerships, event management, crisis communications, social media strategy, and brand development. Services are delivered through project-based engagements and retainer agreements from its Providence, Rhode Island headquarters.

Product overview

Duffy & Shanley is a full-service communications agency offering integrated public relations, advertising, and media planning services. The agency provides a comprehensive toolkit including media relations, public affairs, product launches, reputation management, influencer and celebrity marketing, event management, social media, creative design, branding, video production, and digital advertising. The agency's approach is purpose-driven and integrated, combining PR and advertising capabilities into unified campaigns for clients across various industries including retail, energy, food & beverage, healthcare, and media.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Relations Services Strategic communications services including media relations, public affairs, product launches, reputation management, influencer marketing, celebrity relations, event management, social media, executive thought leadership, media training, and crisis communications, delivered to enterprise and mid-market brands.
• Advertising and Creative Services Full-service advertising capabilities including design, branding, audio production, outdoor and print advertising, video creation, website and mobile development, search marketing, and display and social advertising, delivered to enterprise clients.
• Media Planning Strategic media planning services for coordinated advertising and public relations campaigns across multiple channels, integrated within the agency's broader campaign offerings.
• Social Media Services Social media strategy, execution, content creation, and community management services integrated within broader PR and advertising campaigns for client brands.

Quantifiable outcome

• Altus Dental grew membership by over 40% in a single year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Weber Shandwick: Global public relations and communications agency. Frequently pitches against Duffy & Shanley for major consumer brand PR accounts and offers overlapping earned media and influencer capabilities at a larger scale.
• Edelman: Global communications marketing firm with deep PR and integrated capabilities. Competes for the same enterprise PR mandates (e.g., Ørsted, Hanes, Dunkin') but operates at vastly greater scale with global offices.

Direct peers

• Small Army: Boston-area integrated marketing agency offering advertising, PR, digital, and content services. Comparable boutique size and New England focus competing for mid-market to enterprise clients.
• Allen & Gerritsen: Philadelphia-based independent advertising and media agency of similar size and capabilities. Comparable independent agency model serving enterprise brands with integrated PR and creative work.
• Regan Communications Group: Boston-based PR and integrated communications firm serving consumer, corporate, and entertainment clients. Direct regional competitor with similar service mix and client profile.
• The VIA Agency: Portland, Maine-based independent creative and PR agency. Comparable in size and integrated capabilities, serving similar consumer and retail brand clients in the New England market.
• Connelly Partners: Independent Boston-based creative and media agency of similar size serving enterprise and mid-market brands. Direct competitor for regional integrated communications work with overlapping service offerings.
• MMB (MullenLowe Mediahub): Boston-based media and creative agency within the MullenLowe network. Comparable integrated capabilities and shared regional New England talent pool competing for similar enterprise accounts.
• AMP Agency: Boston-headquartered integrated marketing agency offering PR, social, influencer, and creative services. Closely comparable in size, scope, and New England base to Duffy & Shanley.
• Hill Holliday: Boston-based full-service advertising and marketing agency serving major national brands. Direct competitor for New England enterprise clients with similar integrated PR/advertising capabilities and comparable client roster scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/duffyshanley
• Xx.com/duffyandshanley

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 Duffy & Shanley