R&A Strategic Communications

What R&A Strategic Communications does

R&A Strategic Communications is a Johannesburg-based B2B strategic communications consultancy founded in May 1999 by Charmane Russell, specialising in the mining and natural resources sector. The firm serves listed and unlisted mining companies with an integrated suite of services spanning strategic communications planning, crisis and reputation management, media and investor relations, internal communications, integrated and sustainability reporting (GRI, SASB, ISSB, CSRD), a dedicated human rights practice advising on UN Guiding Principles, and a creative studio for report design, websites, animation and multimedia content. Its core technology footprint is a Workiva-certified reporting workflow, CMS-based web development and in-house animation/multimedia production — there is no proprietary software product, with revenue generated through bespoke professional services engagements rather than licensed technology.

The firm serves more than 50 clients, with marquee enterprise relationships including AngloGold Ashanti (20+ years of annual/sustainability reporting), Sibanye-Stillwater, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, Glencore, Gold Fields, Harmony Gold and Anglo American Platinum, alongside industry bodies such as the Minerals Council South Africa. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to engagement scope, delivered through retainer arrangements and project-based work, and the firm is privately held with a 26% black-ownership structure (BEE Level 4, 100% procurement recognition, both HDP- and women-owned under Mining Charter III). Its go-to-market is sales-led, driven by industry reputation, referrals and direct business development across southern Africa, supported by an international advisory network in New York, London, Sydney and Perth.

Name

R&A Strategic Communications

Legal name

R&A Strategic Communications

Website

https://rasc.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

R&A Strategic Communications is a Johannesburg-based B2B strategic communications consultancy founded in 1999, specialising in reputation management, investor relations, integrated reporting and creative services for listed and unlisted mining and natural-resources companies across southern Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Communications Consulting

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate & Financial Communications PR (MPAAADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Investor Relations (IR) & Capital Markets Communications (MPAAADAH), Litigation PR & Legal Communications (MPAAAOAH), Strategy & Corporate Development Consulting (BPAHACAA)

Keywords

• Strategic communications consulting
• Investor relations services
• Sustainability reporting advisory
• Mining communications consultancy
• Crisis reputation management

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

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 Consulting: Professional consulting services including reputation management, crisis communications, media relations, and investor relations. Delivered through project-based engagements and retainer arrangements with mining and natural resources sector clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

R&A Strategic Communications is a multi-faceted communications consultancy niched in the natural resources sector, mainly mining. It provides strategic communications, reputation management, crisis communications, media relations, investor relations, internal communications, integrated and sustainability reporting (GRI, SASB, ISSB, CSRD), human rights practice advisory, creative design, and website development and management services to listed and unlisted mining companies.

Product overview

R&A Strategic Communications is a communications consultancy firm niched in the natural resources sector, mainly mining. They offer a comprehensive suite of strategic communication services rather than a software product. Their service portfolio includes: strategic planning and advisory, crisis communications and reputation management, media relations and investor relations, internal communications, social media management, integrated and sustainability reporting (covering GRI, SASB, UNGC, SDGs, EITI standards), human rights practice (UNGPs compliance advisory), creative services (design, website development, animations), CEO and executive profiling, advanced executive media and presentation skills training, and reporting/publications services. Founded in May 1999 as Russell and Associates Investor Relations, the firm has grown into a leading southern African communications agency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Reputation Management Strategic reputation management services including crisis communications, media relations and stakeholder engagement for mining and natural resources companies.
• Communications (Media Relations, Investor Relations, Internal Communications) Integrated communications services including media relations, investor relations, internal and change communications, CEO and executive profiling, and advanced executive media and presentation skills training.
• Reporting and Publications (Integrated and Sustainability Reporting) Integrated annual report, sustainability report, mineral resource report and other publications production, covering GRI, SASB, ISSB, CSRD, UNGC, SDGs and EITI standards compliance.
• Human Rights Practice Human rights advisory and practice service supporting mining companies and the Minerals Council South Africa on adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
• Creative Services (Design, Web Development, Animation) In-house creative services covering print and digital design, corporate branding, advertising, brochures, tenders, exhibitions, website development and UI/UX design, animations and motion graphics.
• Advanced Executive Media and Presentation Skills Training Skills training service for executives covering media engagement and presentation skills, handled by Kisten Stern as Training lead.
• CEO and Executive Profiling Service focused on profiling CEOs and senior executives to build their public profile across media, investors and broader stakeholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Two fatality-free years at South Deep mine following In Our Hands safety campaign implementation.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WorkivacoreTechnology or IntegrationR&A is a certified Workiva provider, enabling enhanced integration of strategic communication services with Workiva's platform for streamlined reporting, compliance, and data management workflows.
• Minerals Council South AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerR&A provides advisory support to the Minerals Council on developing its Human Rights Framework and supporting member companies with adoption. R&A also operates a human rights practice serving individual companies and the Minerals Council on UN Guiding Principles implementation.
• Integrated Reporting Committee of South Africa (IRC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerR&A is an SME Corporate member of the Integrated Reporting Committee of South Africa, aligned with the International Integrated Reporting Council framework.
• IFRS FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerR&A is a member of the IFRS Consultant Programme and supports clients with reporting against IFRS Foundation standards including ISSB and SASB.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• FTI Consulting (Strategic Communications): Global strategic communications consultancy with a sizable mining and natural resources practice and a South African office. Highly comparable because R&A's senior consultant Sue Vey previously served as MD of FTI South Africa, indicating direct talent and client overlap.
• FleishmanHillard: Global PR network with energy and resources expertise and established African presence. Comparable as a competitor for enterprise mining clients seeking integrated corporate, ESG and crisis communications.
• Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW): Global communications agency group with energy and mining practice capabilities. Comparable as a large-network competitor pursuing similar corporate reputation and ESG mandates from listed extractives clients.
• Edelman: Largest global PR firm with dedicated energy and extractives practices. Comparable as a full-service communications partner for mining majors on ESG, reputation and corporate communications, competing for the same enterprise clients as R&A.
• Brunswick Group: Global corporate and financial communications advisor with a strong mining and resources practice. Comparable as a senior advisor to listed mining majors on IR, M&A and crisis communications—R&A's core service set.

Regional players

• APO Group: Pan-African communications and press release distribution consultancy headquartered in Dubai with strong African focus. Comparable as a regional competitor providing corporate communications and media relations services to African corporates, including resources companies.

Direct peers

• Walbrook Investor Relations: London-based IR and financial communications firm serving UK-listed mining and natural resources companies. Directly comparable as a niche IR/comms advisor for small and mid-cap miners that complements R&A's listed-miner client base.
• Tavistock Communications: London-headquartered strategic communications and IR firm with significant mining sector exposure. Comparable as a sector-specialist advisor serving listed resources clients across IR, ESG and corporate communications.
• Instinctif Partners: International communications and IR advisory with a dedicated resources practice. Comparable for mid-market listed mining clients seeking integrated IR and corporate communications support.
• Buchanan Communications: London-based financial PR and IR advisor with a long-standing mining and resources focus. Closely comparable to R&A as a sector-specialist IR/comms advisor serving listed miners, often alongside the same majors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ra_comms
• Facebookfacebook.com/RAComms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/r&a-strategic-communications

Compliance1 record

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 R&A Strategic Communications