What Lucas Public Affairs does

Lucas Public Affairs (LPA) is a Sacramento-based public affairs consulting firm founded in 2006 by Donna Lucas that provides strategic communications, political public affairs, issues and reputation management, crisis communications, media relations, digital communications, message development, training seminars, and design services to California government agencies, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions. The firm operates an integrated suite of nine named service lines (including LPA Vision for strategic planning and LPA Trains for media and presentation training) delivered by approximately 20+ practitioners from its headquarters at 1215 K Street, Sacramento. Its most notable proprietary technology asset is a customized Learning Management System designed for the California Policy Collaborative to deliver education policy e-learning courses to legislative staff.

LPA generates revenue through fee-based professional services engagements on a project and retainer basis, acquired primarily through reputation, referrals, thought leadership content, and direct relationship-driven business development rather than formal sales channels. Marquee engagements include strategic communications for the California Department of Public Health's COVID-19 public awareness campaigns (over 2,000 media placements in 13+ languages), Visit California tourism initiatives since 2013, California Community Colleges funding formula campaigns, and legislative advocacy for clients like Carbon Free California and the California Electric Transportation Coalition.

In May 2024, LPA became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC), a publicly traded global public affairs firm listed on Nasdaq and the London Stock Exchange. The acquisition expanded LPA's access to resources in Washington D.C., other state capitals, and Europe while Donna Lucas continued as CEO and Cassandra Pye as President. PPHC completed a $45.8M US IPO and dual-listing in January 2026, providing additional capital for capability investment. The firm celebrated its 20th anniversary in March 2026.

Name

Lucas Public Affairs

Legal name

Lucas Public Affairs

Website

https://lucaspublicaffairs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lucas Public Affairs is a Sacramento-based public affairs firm providing strategic communications, crisis management, media relations, and digital strategy services to California government agencies, corporations, nonprofits, and higher education institutions. Founded in 2006, the firm operates as a subsidiary of Public Policy Holding Company.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Affairs Consulting

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Affairs, Government Relations & Lobbying (BPAFADAB)

Keywords

• Strategic communications
• Public affairs consulting
• Crisis communications
• Media relations
• Reputation management

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Strategic Communications & Public Affairs Consulting: LPA generates revenue through fee-based consulting engagements for strategic communications, political public affairs, issues management, crisis communications, media relations, digital communications, message development, training seminars, and design services. Services are provided to government agencies, nonprofits, and corporate clients on a project and retainer basis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lucas Public Affairs is a Sacramento-based public affairs and strategic communications firm that advises government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits on reputation, legislative, regulatory, and crisis communications. Its services span Strategic Communications, Political Public Affairs, Issues & Reputation Management, Crisis Communications, Media Relations, Digital Communications, Message Development, strategic planning (LPA Vision), training (LPA Trains), and in-house Design, delivered as integrated project or retainer engagements.

Product overview

Lucas Public Affairs (LPA) is a Sacramento-based public affairs consulting firm offering a comprehensive suite of strategic communications and public affairs services. The firm operates as a single integrated service offering rather than a modular software platform, providing Strategic Communications, Political Public Affairs, Issues & Reputation Management, Crisis Communications, Media Relations, Digital Communications, LPA Vision (strategic planning), LPA Trains (training), and Design services. These services work together as an integrated public affairs solution, with digital strategy capabilities led by recent hire Sallie Poggi as Vice President. LPA joined Public Policy Holding Company as a subsidiary in May 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Strategic Communications Strategy-driven communications campaigns built on listening to client strengths, needs, and challenges, then mapping and executing clear action plans to achieve priority goals, leveraging California's political, business, and media landscape.
• Political Public Affairs Highly strategic, tailored communications and outreach programs supporting lobbying strategies to reach and appeal to key stakeholder targets, enlist persuasive champions, and shape stakeholder views.
• Issues & Reputation Management Proactive reputation, positioning, and perception management that looks around corners, anticipates developments, and helps clients weather organizational, competitive, policy, or confidence challenges and emerge stronger.
• Crisis Communications Expert crisis response combining speed with strategic thinking and agile execution to shape messages, safeguard reputations, and identify options, including scenario planning and crisis preparedness work before incidents occur.
• Media Relations Innovative press outreach combining traditional media and influencer engagement with digital advocacy tools, built on reporter relationship building and targeted pitching.
• Digital Communications Comprehensive digital services including organic social media, digital marketing, email marketing, websites, and content creation to reach target audiences and build lasting engagement.
• LPA Vision (Strategic Planning Service) Strategic planning service that helps organizations define direction and identify strategies to achieve goals through assessment of priorities and big ideas, producing a strategic plan with actionable steps.
• LPA Trains (Training Seminars) Training seminars including media training, presentation training, team building, and personal brand identity workshops designed to build internal communications capacity.
• Design (In-House Creative Studio) Full-service in-house design studio developing visual and digital products including graphic design, brand identity, social media content, digital campaigns, infographics, and presentation templates.
• Message Development Strategic message creation and development services helping clients communicate effectively with target audiences across stakeholder groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 of 10 Alzheimer's Task Force recommendations formally launched under Governor Newsom's leadership
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024LPA was acquired by Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC) as a subsidiary in May 2024. PPHC is a publicly traded global public affairs company headquartered in Washington D.C., listed on both Nasdaq and the London Stock Exchange. The acquisition expanded LPA's access to top-tier resources in Washington D.C., other state capitals, and Europe, deepening the firm's bench of experts and capabilities. Donna Lucas continues as CEO and Cassandra Pye continues as President.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dewey Square Group: Public affairs and grassroots advocacy firm; Faye Venteicher and Kimaya Gokhale previously worked at Dewey Square Group, making it a direct competitor for California-based policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
• APCO Worldwide: Global strategic communications and public affairs firm; LPA alumni Jessyca Sheehan and Sallie Poggi previously worked at APCO Worldwide Sacramento, making it a direct competitor for California public affairs talent and mandates.
• Runyon Saltzman: Sacramento-based public affairs and public education firm; LPA team members like Julianne Gray previously worked at Runyon Saltzman, making it a direct competitor for California state agency and statewide campaign work.
• Bruce-Christensen Larson (BCLC): Sacramento-based public affairs consultancy specializing in California legislative and regulatory advocacy; comparable boutique scale and direct competition for California state-level public affairs mandates.
• Porter Novelli: Global public affairs firm where Donna Lucas previously served as global partner and public affairs practice leader; comparable depth in public affairs and policy communications with stronger international footprint.
• Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange (SYASL): Sacramento-based public affairs and lobbying firm with deep California state government relationships; directly competes with LPA on legislative, healthcare, and transportation policy campaigns in the California market.
• PPHC Subsidiary - TrailRunner International: Public affairs and strategic communications firm, also a PPHC subsidiary; comparable product offering (public affairs, crisis, media relations) and same parent platform, providing direct insight into LPA's potential cross-sell opportunities.
• Capitol Advocacy: Sacramento-based government affairs and lobbying firm; directly competes with LPA for California policy, legislative, and issue advocacy campaigns across multiple sectors.
• FleishmanHillard: Global public relations and public affairs agency; Sallie Poggi previously led FleishmanHillard digital work in California, and the firm is a top competitor for California state government and corporate public affairs engagements.

Broad incumbents

• Hill+Knowlton Strategies: Global public relations and public affairs firm with broad California presence; competes on integrated public affairs campaigns but operates as a much larger global network rather than a California specialist.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lucas-public-affairs
• Xx.com/lpa_sacramento

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Lucas Public Affairs