First Story Strategies

What First Story Strategies does

First Story Strategies is a Chicago-based professional services firm founded in 2016 by Randy Ford that delivers storytelling-based communication services to nonprofits, member-based associations, small businesses, and individuals. Its service suite spans strategy development, video production, writing, editing, graphic design, media coaching, and event management. The firm is not a technology platform; it has no proprietary software, integrations, or AI capabilities, and delivery is human-led.

The client roster includes Chicago Public Schools, Aunt Martha's Health & Wellness, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Association of Defense Communities, spanning education, healthcare, federal government, and defense-community sectors. The founder's background as a radio journalist covering public policy and a decade of congressional service as press secretary and then chief of staff underpins the firm's positioning at the intersection of narrative craft and policy communications. Ford is also a senior advisor at LRG Public Affairs, a strategic partner that supplements First Story's delivery with a nationwide bench of nonprofit, association, video, and event specialists.

The firm operates as a small consultancy (1-10 employees) with no external funding, no subsidiaries, and no acquisitions. Revenue is generated through project- and retainer-based professional services engagements, acquired via direct outreach, the company website, LinkedIn, community storytelling events, and LRG referrals. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and likely varies by client type and project scope.

Name

First Story Strategies

Legal name

First Story Strategies

Website

https://firststorystrategies.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

First Story Strategies is a Chicago-based professional services firm founded in 2016 by Randy Ford that provides storytelling, communication strategy, video, writing, and media coaching to nonprofits, associations, small businesses, and government clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Communications Consulting

NAICS

Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Content & Messaging Strategy (Positioning, Narrative) (MPAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Strategic communications services
• Storytelling strategy consulting
• Video production services
• Media coaching services
• Event management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

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

Revenue model

1. Communication Services: The company generates revenue through providing professional communication services including strategy development, video production, writing, editing, graphic design, media coaching, and event management. Revenue is likely project-based or retainer arrangements with nonprofit, association, government, and small business clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

First Story Strategies provides professional storytelling and communication services to nonprofits, member-based associations, small businesses, and individuals. Its service suite includes strategy development, video production, writing, editing, graphic design, media coaching, and event management.

Product overview

First Story Strategies is a single, unified service offering rather than a platform-based product. The company provides a comprehensive suite of communication services including strategy development, video production, writing, editing, graphic design, media coaching, and event management. These services work together to help nonprofits, member-based associations, small businesses, and individuals tell their stories in compelling ways. The company's founder Randy Ford, who has a background in radio journalism and congressional work, leads the delivery of these integrated communication services, with support from partner LRG Public Affairs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Communication Services An integrated professional communication-services offering that includes strategy development, video production, writing, editing, graphic design, media coaching, and event management to help clients tell their stories effectively.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• LRG Public AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRandy Ford, founder of First Story Strategies, serves as a senior advisor at LRG Public Affairs. The two entities work together serving government, nonprofit, and association clients. LRG team members across the country include nonprofit and association consultants, organizational development leaders, video producers, content developers, event managers, community and workforce development advisors, sponsorship and membership representatives. This partnership provides First Story Strategies access to a broader team and expanded client network.

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Fenton: Social-impact PR and communications firm serving nonprofits, foundations, and advocacy organizations. Larger incumbent with comparable storytelling, media strategy, and public-affairs capabilities for mission-driven clients.
• GMMB: Full-service communications and advertising agency with deep public-interest, nonprofit, and association practice. Broader incumbent offering video, message strategy, and campaign execution — overlaps heavily with First Story's positioning/narrative offering but at significantly greater scale.
• BerlinRosen: Strategic communications and PR firm with strong nonprofit, progressive cause, and association practice. Comparable storytelling, media, and message-strategy capabilities for mission-aligned organizations, but at much greater scale and breadth.

Direct peers

• Burness: Communications and public affairs agency specializing in nonprofits, foundations, associations, and social-impact clients. Directly comparable in mission-driven storytelling, messaging strategy, and content production for advocacy and cause-based organizations.
• The Hatcher Group: Communications agency serving nonprofits, associations, and public interest clients with messaging, content, and campaign strategy. Comparable in segment focus, storytelling orientation, and service mix centered on narrative and member engagement.
• Big Duck: Communications firm specializing in nonprofit branding, storytelling, and campaign strategy. Highly comparable in narrative-focused services for nonprofits and associations, with a similar boutique-services structure.
• Clyde Group: Public relations and public affairs firm serving nonprofits, associations, and advocacy organizations with messaging, media relations, and storytelling. Directly comparable segment focus and communications-services model.
• LRG Public Affairs: Public affairs firm serving government, nonprofit, and association clients. Randy Ford serves as a senior advisor there, and the two firms co-deliver storytelling/communications services for overlapping clients, making LRG both a strategic partner and the closest direct comparable.
• Spitfire Strategies: Communications firm focused on nonprofits, foundations, and advocacy groups, offering message development, media strategy, and campaign storytelling. Highly comparable in serving mission-driven clients with narrative-led communications services.
• Resnic Communications (or comparable mission-driven PR firm): Communications agency focused on nonprofit, healthcare, and social-impact clients, offering strategic messaging and content services. Comparable in serving mission-driven organizations with narrative strategy and content production.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/randallford1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 First Story Strategies