Berkman Strategic Communications

What Berkman Strategic Communications does

Berkman Strategic Communications is a privately held, founder-led public relations and strategic communications firm headquartered in La Jolla (San Diego), California. Founded in 1978 by Jack M. Berkman, who continues to serve as President & CEO, the firm operates with a small team (1-10 employees per firmographics) and is supported by Senior Strategic Partners Dick Daniels and Rick Schloss. The firm delivers an integrated service suite spanning public relations, crisis management, public affairs, market research, media training, business and corporate communications, event marketing, branding, and digital marketing (including SEO, social media, and content marketing). It also monetizes training through the Berkman PR Bootcamp workshop ($550 per participant) and, more recently, a Speaker Training and Key Messages program and a 'Five Pillars of Public Relations' video course.

The business model is professional services revenue generated from consulting fees, project-based engagements, and retainer arrangements, supplemented by training workshops and auctioneer services that Jack Berkman personally performs. Customer acquisition is driven by direct sales outreach, long-standing client relationships, referrals from media contacts, and community involvement, with PR Bootcamps functioning as an event-driven lead-generation channel targeting non-profits, law firms, medical practices, real estate companies, and financial services firms. Clients span non-profit, healthcare, financial services, real estate and development, legal, and consumer electronics verticals, including Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, Soft Touch Dental, Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, Cabrillo Credit Union, Pierce Education Properties, JABRA, Human Touch Products, Zipbuds, Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire LLP, and Luce Forward. The firm has accumulated over 90 Bernays Awards from the PRSA San Diego Chapter, a national PRSA Silver Anvil Award (2006), and Jack Berkman's induction into the PRSA College of Fellows (2010).

Name

Berkman Strategic Communications

Legal name

Berkman Strategic Communications

Website

https://berkmanpr.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Berkman Strategic Communications is a privately held San Diego public relations firm founded in 1978 by Jack M. Berkman, offering crisis management, branding, digital marketing, media training, and PR services to mid-market and enterprise clients across non-profit, legal, real estate, and consumer verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Relations Services

NAICS

Public Relations Agencies (54182), Public Relations Agencies (541820), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

PR, Corporate Communications & Crisis Management (BPAFAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reputation Management & Executive Thought Leadership (MPAAADAK), Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility (BPAFADAG)

Keywords

• Public relations services
• Crisis communications management
• Strategic media relations
• Digital marketing services
• Media training workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Public Relations Consulting: The firm provides strategic public relations, crisis management, public affairs, media training, branding, and digital marketing services to clients across a variety of industries. Revenue is generated through consulting fees for ongoing PR counsel, project-based engagements, and retainer arrangements. The firm has served clients locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
2. PR Bootcamp Training Program: The firm offers a PR Bootcamp workshop at $550 per participant, with topics covering media relations, key messages, brand management, media training, and content resources. The workshop is designed for non-profit, law, medical, real estate, and financial services organizations.
3. Speaker Training Program: The firm offers an Introductory Class Presentation to Speaker Training and Key Messages program, available in 8-week comprehensive and weekend workshop formats, providing foundational speaker training, dynamic presentation skills, and key messaging mastery.
4. Auctioneer Services: Jack Berkman serves as Master Auctioneer and Master of Ceremonies for fund-raising events throughout the country, having raised more than $3 million in San Diego for not-for-profits, arts and cultural organizations, and philanthropic causes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Berkman Strategic Communications is a full-service public relations and strategic communications firm offering media relations, crisis management, public affairs, market research, media training, business/corporate communications, event marketing, branding, and digital marketing (SEO, social media, email marketing, PPC) to organizations across non-profit, legal, real estate, financial services, healthcare, and consumer product verticals. The firm supplements consulting work with structured training programs, including the Berkman PR Bootcamp, Public Speaking Training, and a video-based PR education course, and delivers specialized auctioneer/Master of Ceremonies services for fund-raising events.

Product overview

Berkman Strategic Communications is a full-service public relations and strategic communications firm offering integrated services across traditional and digital channels. The company's core offerings include Public Relations, Crisis Management, Public Affairs, Market Research, Media Training, Business/Corporate Communications, Event Marketing, Branding, and Digital Marketing services. Additionally, they provide specialized training programs through their Berkman PR Bootcamp and Public Speaking Training offerings, along with Auctioneer Services for fundraising events. The firm delivers results-driven marketing programs to clients across various industries and disciplines, positioning itself as a strategic partner for business development and brand elevation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Berkman PR Bootcamp: A comprehensive PR training workshop program created by Jack Berkman, offering 8-week comprehensive classes and weekend bootcamps for organizations in non-profit, law, medical, real estate, and financial services fields.

Products and services

• Public Relations Services Core public relations services including media relations, strategic communications, and reputation management for clients across various industries and disciplines.
• Crisis Management Strategic crisis communications services to help organizations manage and respond to emergencies, reputation threats, and public relations challenges.
• Public Affairs Government relations and public affairs consulting including strategic planning, issues management, public advocacy, and community relations.
• Market Research Comprehensive market analysis and research services to help organizations understand their competitive landscape, industry trends, and target audiences.
• Media Training Professional media training including key message development, bridging techniques, interview preparation, and presentation skills for television, radio, and print interviews.
• Business / Corporate Communications Internal and external corporate communications strategies and broadcast monitoring services to support business objectives and stakeholder engagement.
• Event Marketing Strategic event planning and marketing services including theme development, logistics management, budget planning, and execution for grand openings, product launches, and special events.
• Branding Brand development and management services including brand strategy, positioning, visual identity creation, and brand attribute communication.
• Digital Marketing Comprehensive digital marketing services including website design/development, search engine optimization, podcasts, blogs, email marketing, social networking, search marketing, and pay-per-click advertising.
• Berkman PR Bootcamp Intensive PR training workshop covering media relations, key messages, brand management, ambassador effectiveness, media training, and content resources for executives, marketing professionals, and non-profit leaders. Priced at $550 per participant.
• Public Speaking Training Professional speaking and presentation training covering media interviews, crisis communications, sales presentations, networking techniques, panel participation, and event presentations including Master of Ceremonies duties.
• Auctioneer Services Professional auctioneer and Master of Ceremonies services for fundraising events, having raised over $3 million for not-for-profit organizations and charitable causes in San Diego.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sales increased to over $247 million for JABRA Bluetooth Earbuds through strategic and integrated marketing programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Edelman: Edelman is the world's largest PR firm offering strategic communications, crisis management, branding, and digital marketing globally. It competes for the same enterprise crisis and brand mandates that Berkman targets but operates at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
• FleishmanHillard: FleishmanHillard is a global public relations and communications agency with deep crisis, public affairs, and brand expertise. Comparable to Berkman on crisis management and earned-media strategy, but it serves multinational clients with much larger teams.
• Weber Shandwick: Weber Shandwick is a global PR and integrated marketing network offering crisis, corporate communications, public affairs, and digital services. It overlaps with Berkman's strategic PR and crisis management offerings for enterprise clients.
• Burson (formerly Burson-Marsteller): Burson is a major global communications firm specializing in public affairs, crisis, and corporate reputation advisory. Directly comparable to Berkman's crisis management and public affairs services, but with global reach and a much larger professional bench.
• Hill+Knowlton Strategies: Hill+Knowlton is a global public relations consultancy offering crisis communications, public affairs, and corporate communications. Overlaps with Berkman's PR, crisis, and public affairs offerings, especially for legal, healthcare, and nonprofit clients.

Direct peers

• Padilla: Padilla is a US-based integrated communications agency with strong consumer, health, and crisis practices and a meaningful presence across the West Coast. Closely comparable to Berkman on integrated PR, brand, and crisis work for mid-to-large clients.
• Carmichael Lynch Relate: Carmichael Lynch Relate is a US PR and social media agency serving consumer, healthcare, and B2B brands with crisis, brand, and earned-media services. Comparable boutique-style positioning and integrated offering to Berkman's core PR practice.
• Cerrell Associates: Cerrell Associates is a California-based public affairs and crisis communications firm specializing in issues management, public affairs, and strategic communications. Comparable to Berkman on crisis management and public affairs work for legal, nonprofit, and real estate clients in the Western US.
• Jackson Spalding: Jackson Spalding is a mid-sized US marketing and PR agency offering brand, crisis, public affairs, and digital services. Comparable in scale and integrated offering to Berkman, particularly on brand positioning and crisis for regional and mid-market clients.
• Neuger Communications Group: Neuger Communications Group is a Minnesota-based integrated communications firm offering PR, branding, crisis, and digital services. Comparable boutique positioning and integrated service mix to Berkman's PR, branding, and digital marketing portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/berkmanpr
• Facebookfacebook.com/BerkmansPRBootcamp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/berkman
• Instagraminstagram.com/jack.berkman
• Pinterestpinterest.com/BERKMANPR

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Berkman Strategic Communications