IRF
IRF Reputation AG is a Zürich-based Swiss strategic communications consultancy, founded 2002, serving listed companies, public sector, and financial institutions with media relations, capital market communications, crisis advisory, and public affairs across a team of ~17 staff and six partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What IRF does
IRF Reputation AG is a privately held Swiss strategic communications consultancy founded in 2002 by Martin Meier-Pfister via an MBO from the Wirz Gruppe, headquartered in Zürich with a Geneva office opened in 2020. The firm provides partner-led advisory services across six practice areas: positioning and transformation, media relations and social media, financial and capital market communications, crisis communication and litigation PR, public affairs, and reputation management. Its stated client base spans listed companies and large corporations, government and public sector entities, and financial institutions, with approximately 40 clients on continuous retainer relationships and 200+ reputation and communication projects completed since founding, including 30 IPOs and capital market transactions.
The firm differentiates through the combination of media relations and capital market expertise under one roof, mixed senior–junior consulting teams that both advise and execute, and direct C-suite engagement. Approximately 17 staff, six partners, and an extended senior advisor bench carry an aggregate of ~300 years of relevant experience, with partners averaging 18 years apiece; senior advisors include individuals with backgrounds in Swiss financial communications leadership and Cantonal government. Revenue is generated exclusively through professional services: project-based mandates plus retainer relationships quoted on a bespoke basis, with no disclosed pricing, software product, or platform offering.
Internationally, IRF operates through a 20+ year strategic partnership with FTI Consulting, under which more than 50 joint mandates have been executed, providing cross-border capital markets and crisis reach while preserving IRF's local Swiss identity. The operating geography is the DACH region (with Swiss national emphasis), and growth has been driven by partner additions, the Geneva office, and incremental service-line development rather than external funding or M&A; the firm is independently owned by its partners with no parent company or institutional investors disclosed.
IRF firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IRF
- Legal name
- IRF Reputation AG
- Website
- https://irf-reputation.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- IRF Reputation AG is a Zürich-based Swiss strategic communications consultancy, founded 2002, serving listed companies, public sector, and financial institutions with media relations, capital market communications, crisis advisory, and public affairs across a team of ~17 staff and six partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IRF industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Strategic Communications Consulting
- NAICS
- Public Relations Agencies (541820), Public Relations Agencies (54182)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Investor Relations (IR) & Capital Markets Communications (MPAAADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Investor Relations (IR) Services (BPAFADAC), Corporate & Financial Communications PR (MPAAADAA), Reputation Management & Online PR (BPAFADAN)
Keywords
Where IRF is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
IRF business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Strategic Communication Consulting: Project-based consulting engagements and ongoing retainer arrangements for strategic communication, reputation management, crisis communication, media relations, and public affairs services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
IRF product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IRF Reputation AG is a Swiss strategic communications and reputation management consulting firm that delivers advisory services across five practice areas: positioning and transformation, media relations and social media, financial and capital market communications (IPO, M&A, investor relations), crisis communication and litigation PR, and public affairs. Services are rendered by six partners and approximately 17 staff members and are delivered as project-based mandates or ongoing retainer relationships primarily to listed companies, financial institutions, and public sector clients.
Product overview
IRF Reputation AG is a Swiss strategic communications and reputation management consulting firm. It does not offer a software product or platform; its offering consists entirely of advisory services delivered by a team of consultants. Core service areas include: strategic positioning and transformation (perception analysis, corporate repositioning, change communication), media relations and social media (media work and digital presence management), financial and capital market communications (equity story, IPO and M&A advisory, ongoing investor relations), crisis communication and litigation PR, and public affairs. The firm also provides bespoke consulting services organized around three structural challenges: building reputation, protecting reputation, and realigning/repositioning reputation. Services are rendered by six partners and approximately 17 total staff members with an average of approximately 18 years of relevant professional experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Positionierung & Transformation (Positioning and Transformation) Advisory service in which IRF analyzes stakeholder perceptions, sharpens corporate and executive positioning, and accompanies companies through change processes including generational and ownership transitions. Intended for corporate clients and executives needing to reposition their profile, align strategy with capital market expectations, or navigate transformation communications.
- Medienarbeit & Social Media (Media Relations and Social Media) Strategic management of clients' presence in traditional and digital media, including targeted media work, network-based outreach, and social media competence to deliver consistent messaging across all channels. Intended for corporate clients seeking visibility, credibility, and consistent communication with media and digital audiences.
- Finanz- & Kapitalmarktkommunikation (Financial and Capital Market Communications) Advisory service for listed companies covering equity story development, IPO preparation, M&A transaction communications, ongoing investor relations, and capital market stakeholder engagement. Intended for CFOs, CEOs, and IR heads of listed and pre-IPO companies preparing for or managing capital market activities including profit warnings and CEO transitions.
- Krisenkommunikation & Litigation (Crisis Communication and Litigation PR) Strategic communications advisory for organizations in crisis and conflict situations, including cyberattack response, litigation PR, executive spokesperson preparation, and coordinated crisis messaging. Intended for companies and executives facing reputational threats, cyber incidents, or legal disputes requiring coordinated strategic communication.
- Public Affairs Strategic advisory at the interface of business, politics, and regulation, providing industry knowledge, political networks, and stakeholder engagement support. Intended for companies and industry associations navigating regulatory processes, legislative engagement, or political stakeholder management in Switzerland.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30 IPOs and capital market transactions successfully supported since founding
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use IRF
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
IRF technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
IRF partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- FTI ConsultingcoreFTI Consulting is IRF's worldwide network partner, providing extensive experience in successfully executing international mandates. Clients benefit from direct access to specialized expertise and contacts around the globe. FTI Consulting is an independent global advisory firm supporting clients in strategy, organization, and capital market projects, including M&A, IPOs, change management, risk minimization, crisis management, dispute resolution, and public affairs. IRF and FTI have maintained a partnership for over 20 years and have successfully managed more than 50 joint mandates.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
IRF competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- FTI Consulting: Global advisory firm and IRF's worldwide network partner for over 20 years, offering strategic communications, M&A advisory, crisis management, and public affairs. Competes with IRF on Swiss mandates while also serving as IRF's international delivery channel.
- H/Advisors (Havas): Global strategic communications advisory with strong financial communications and IPO advisory capabilities. Competes with IRF for mandates involving listed companies and large international investors.
- Weber Shandwick: Global PR and communications network with significant financial communications and public affairs practices. Competes with IRF on cross-border mandates and brings substantially larger international scale.
Direct peers
- Brunswick Group: Global leader in critical issues and financial communications, advising on M&A, IPOs, crisis, and investor relations. Direct competitor for cross-border mandates involving Swiss listed companies and large-cap financial institutions.
- Kekst CNC: International strategic communications consultancy specializing in M&A, investor relations, crisis, and public affairs. Closely comparable in service mix and target client profile (listed corporates, financial sponsors, and financial institutions).
- Finsbury Glover Hering: Global strategic communications and public affairs firm with strong financial communications and crisis capabilities. Directly competes with IRF for European IPO/M&A mandates and listed-company IR work.
- Hering Schuppener: German strategic communications and financial PR consultancy with a strong DACH focus on IPOs, M&A, and crisis communications. Closely comparable in positioning and client mix to IRF within the German-speaking market.
- Schoeller & von Keudell: Munich-based strategic communications consultancy advising listed companies, financial institutions, and family-owned businesses on reputation, financial communications, and public affairs. Highly comparable in size, scope, and German-speaking market focus.
Regional players
- Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Counselors: Zurich-based strategic communications and investor relations consultancy serving Swiss listed companies and financial institutions. Most directly comparable Swiss-headquartered competitor to IRF.
- cometis: German investor relations and corporate communications consultancy with a strong mid-cap and SME issuer focus. Comparable in capital markets communications offering and DACH client base, though operating primarily out of Germany rather than Switzerland.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IRF social profiles
Digital presenceIRF financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IRF leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
IRF funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IRF 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 IRF
What does IRF do?
IRF Reputation AG is a Swiss strategic communications and reputation management consulting firm that delivers advisory services across five practice areas: positioning and transformation, media relations and social media, financial and capital market communications (IPO, M&A, investor relations), crisis communication and litigation PR, and public affairs. Services are rendered by six partners and approximately 17 staff members and are delivered as project-based mandates or ongoing retainer relationships primarily to listed companies, financial institutions, and public sector clients.
Is IRF a public or private company?
IRF is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was IRF founded?
IRF was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is IRF based?
IRF is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does IRF make money?
One revenue line is on record: strategic Communication Consulting.
Who are IRF's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are FTI Consulting, H/Advisors (Havas) and Weber Shandwick. Direct peers are Brunswick Group, Kekst CNC, Finsbury Glover Hering, Hering Schuppener and Schoeller & von Keudell. Regional players are Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Counselors and cometis.
Does IRF have an API?
No public API is recorded for IRF.
What industry is IRF in?
IRF's product category is Strategic Communications Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAADAH, Investor Relations (IR) & Capital Markets Communications, with a secondary code of BPAFADAC, Investor Relations (IR) Services. Its NAICS code is 541820 and its SIC code is 8742.