Rubicom

What Rubicom does

Rubicom GmbH is a boutique strategic communications consulting firm headquartered in Zurich's Seefeld district at Dufourstrasse 49. Founded in April 2024 by Andreas Kern, a former Credit Suisse communications executive with 20+ years of experience at Credit Suisse, UBS, and GAM, the firm delivers strategic PR and communications advisory services to Swiss companies, executives, and select start-ups, with particular depth in the financial sector. The portfolio is organized into three pillars: (A) Strategic Positioning covering communication strategy, CEO and executive communications, content strategy and storytelling, financial communications, and project communications; (B) Crisis and Special Situations covering crisis communications, litigation PR, M&A communications, change communications, and cyberattack communications; and (C) Sparring and Workshops covering executive sparring, interim management, positioning workshops, and LinkedIn workshops.

The firm operates a professional services revenue model, charging quote-based fees for project-based engagements and retainer arrangements determined by scope, complexity, and duration. Distribution is exclusively direct client engagements with no intermediary channels or digital product distribution. The core team comprises four professionals (CEO/Owner Andreas Kern, Senior Consultant François Vetri, Consultant Rahel Erny, and Senior Counselor Claudia Rheinboldt), supplemented by three senior counselors (Tommaso Manzin for ghostwriting, Tracy Turner for English editing/copywriting, and Claudia Rheinboldt for employee engagement) and an implementation partner network covering web design (Cocota Studio), photography (LAD Photography), SEO, media monitoring, reputation analysis, and media law. Rubicom is a member of Reputation Advisors International, an international network of communications consultancies that provides referral flow and cross-border support. The firm is founder-owned with no external investment or institutional backing, maintains no proprietary technology or AI/ML capabilities, and operates from a single Zurich office.

Name

Rubicom

Legal name

Rubicom GmbH

Website

https://rubicom.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rubicom GmbH is a Zurich-based boutique communications consulting firm founded in April 2024 that delivers strategic PR, crisis communications, CEO positioning, financial communications, and M&A advisory services to Swiss companies and executives, with particular depth in the financial sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Communications Consulting

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate & Financial Communications PR (MPAAADAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

PR, Corporate Communications & Crisis Management (BPAFAAAL)

Keywords

• Strategic communications consulting
• Crisis communications advisory
• Corporate public relations
• CEO positioning advisory
• Financial communications services

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Strategic Communications Consulting: Professional consulting services for communications strategy, crisis communications, CEO positioning, financial communications, change communications, M&A communications, and related advisory services. Revenue generated through project-based engagements and potentially retainer arrangements with clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rubicom is a boutique communications consultancy in Zürich that advises Swiss companies and senior executives on strategic positioning, crisis communications, financial communications, M&A communications, change communications, and CEO/executive visibility. Services span strategy development and hands-on execution, delivered through project-based consulting engagements by a small senior team.

Product overview

Rubicom is a communications consulting agency offering strategic PR and communications advisory services. The portfolio consists of three main service pillars: (A) Strategic Positioning covering communication strategy, CEO/executive communications, content strategy and storytelling, financial communications, and project communications; (B) Crisis and Special Situations including crisis communications, litigation PR, M&A communications, change communications, and cyberattack communications; and (C) Sparring and Workshops offering executive sparring, interim management, positioning workshops, and LinkedIn workshops. The agency operates as a services company rather than a software platform, with all offerings delivered through consulting engagements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Communication Strategy Tailored communication strategies for organizations, products, and business leaders, including stakeholder mapping, communications audits, strategic core messaging, and communication plans.
• CEO and Executive Communications Strategic communication support for CEOs and senior executives to build trust and reputation through CEO narratives, LinkedIn presence building, and media preparation.
• Content Strategy and Storytelling Holistic B2B thought leadership content strategies including cross-channel content audits, editorial planning, ghostwriting for executives, and SEO optimization.
• Financial Communications Capital markets communications counsel for publicly traded companies including equity story development, financial results announcements, and investor relations support.
• Project Communications Communication support for projects including reorganizations, product launches, and real estate projects, covering stakeholder mapping, communication materials, and media relations.
• Crisis Communications 24/7 crisis communications support including rapid response, standby statements, systematic crisis and issues management, media monitoring, and reputation recovery strategies.
• Litigation PR Public relations support during legal disputes and court proceedings, aligning communication strategy with legal strategy to protect client reputation.
• M&A Communications Communication strategies for mergers and acquisitions across all phases from preparation and announcement to post-merger integration, with stakeholder-specific messaging.
• Change Communications Strategic planning and execution of communications during organizational change processes including change stories, change ambassador programs, and stakeholder-specific materials.
• Cyberattack Communications Communications support for cyber incidents including 24/7 crisis management, stakeholder mapping, scenario-based crisis playbooks, crisis simulations, and reputation recovery.
• Executive Sparring External sparring partner for executives on communication challenges, offering short-term support and longer-term advisory relationships.
• Interim Management Temporary leadership of communications or marketing departments during transitions, vacancies, or recruitment phases to ensure continuity and strategic progress.
• Positioning Workshops Workshops for CEOs, companies, and startups to define and sharpen unique market positioning, including personal brand strategy and communication plans.
• LinkedIn Workshops Workshops helping CEOs and organizations optimize their LinkedIn presence through profile optimization, content strategy development, and corporate influencer program establishment.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Reputation Advisors InternationalminorOthersInternational network of communications consultancies. Rubicom is a member of this network, which provides access to international expertise and referral relationships.
• Cocota StudiominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign and web development partner responsible for website design and programming.
• LAD PhotographyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProfessional photography services provider for team and corporate imagery.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Farner Consulting: Largest Swiss-owned PR and communications consultancy, headquartered in Zurich. Directly comparable as a Swiss PR advisory serving corporates and executives across strategy, financial communications, and crisis - but at significantly larger scale.
• Brunswick Group: Global strategic communications advisor with deep financial services practice. Overlaps with Rubicom on financial communications, M&A, and crisis advisory for listed companies and financial institutions.
• Hering Schuppener: Leading German strategic communications and financial advisory firm (now FGS Global). Closely comparable on financial communications, M&A comms, and crisis management for DACH corporates and financial institutions.
• Kekst CNC: International strategic communications consultancy with strong financial services and M&A practice. Comparable in service mix (corporate, financial, crisis) and in serving CEOs and boards of listed companies.
• FGS Global: Global strategic communications and public affairs firm formed from merger of Finsbury, Glover Schuppener and Hering Schuppener. Directly competes for cross-border financial communications, M&A, and crisis mandates.
• Cometis AG: European financial communications and investor relations specialist based in Germany. Directly comparable niche focus on financial PR, capital markets communications, and listed-company advisory.

Broad incumbents

• FleishmanHillard: Global PR and communications network with strong financial and crisis practices. Wider portfolio than Rubicom, but overlapping on corporate communications and crisis advisory for DACH clients.

Emerging players

• Hotwire (The Territory): European communications consultancy covering PR, content, and digital. Overlaps on B2B tech and financial communications with a younger, more digital-led positioning.

Regional players

• WeichertMehner (now part of FleishmanHillard): German corporate communications consultancy with strong financial and change communications practice. Comparable on DACH-region financial PR and change management communications.

Others

• Prophet (formerly FGS Hive): Branding and marketing consultancy adjacent to corporate communications work. Overlaps on CEO positioning, content strategy, and executive communications but does not directly compete in crisis or financial PR.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rubicom-ch
• Instagraminstagram.com/rubicom.ch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Rubicom