FleishmanHillard is a global public relations firm owned by Omnicom Group

FleishmanHillard is a communications and public relations agency headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with offices in more than 80 cities worldwide. The firm handles media relations, crisis communications, brand strategy, and digital marketing for corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, and trade associations. It operates as a subsidiary of Omnicom Group, one of the largest advertising and communications holding companies in the world.

The firm was founded in 1946 and has grown into one of the largest independent PR agencies by revenue. FleishmanHillard works across industries including healthcare, technology, energy, financial services, consumer goods, and public affairs. The agency's work typically involves helping organizations shape their public image, respond to media inquiries, launch campaigns, and manage their reputation during difficult periods.

Key Takeaways

  • FleishmanHillard is a full-service PR firm owned by Omnicom Group, with offices across the United States and internationally.
  • The agency offers media relations, crisis communications, brand strategy, and digital communications services to large organizations and institutions.
  • Clients typically include Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and trade associations rather than small businesses or individuals.
  • The firm charges fees based on project scope and retainer arrangements, which vary widely depending on the client's needs and industry.
  • FleishmanHillard maintains a public client list and case studies on its website showing examples of past campaigns and communications work.

The main services FleishmanHillard offers to clients

FleishmanHillard's core services center on helping organizations communicate with the public, media, and stakeholders. Media relations involves pitching stories to journalists, arranging interviews, and building relationships with reporters who cover the client's industry. The agency maintains databases of media contacts and knows which outlets and journalists cover specific topics.

Crisis communications is another major service. When a client faces a public controversy, product recall, executive scandal, or other damaging event, FleishmanHillard helps develop messaging, prepare spokespeople, coordinate with legal teams, and manage the flow of information to the press. This work often happens on an urgent timeline and requires rapid decision-making.

The firm also provides brand strategy and positioning, which means helping organizations define how they want to be perceived and then building communications campaigns to reinforce that image. This might involve rebranding efforts, launching new products, or repositioning an organization after a major change. Digital communications services include social media strategy, content creation, website messaging, and online reputation management.

FleishmanHillard also works on public affairs and government relations, helping clients navigate regulatory environments, communicate with policymakers, and manage issues that involve legislation or government agencies. This service is particularly common for healthcare, energy, and financial services clients.

How FleishmanHillard charges for its work

FleishmanHillard typically works with clients under one of two fee structures: project-based fees or retainer agreements. Project-based fees explore to specific, defined work — for example, launching a campaign, managing a crisis response, or conducting a communications audit. The agency quotes a price for the entire project upfront.

Retainer agreements are ongoing monthly or annual fees that give a client access to the agency's services on a continuing basis. Under a retainer, the client pays a set amount each month and receives a certain number of hours or deliverables in return. Retainers are common for clients who need ongoing media relations, social media management, or strategic counsel.

Pricing varies significantly based on the client's size, industry, geographic scope, and the complexity of the work. A small nonprofit's retainer might cost several thousand dollars per month, while a Fortune 500 company's retainer could be substantially higher. FleishmanHillard does not publish standard pricing, so organizations interested in working with the firm must contact the agency directly for a proposal.

Who typically hires FleishmanHillard

FleishmanHillard's client base consists primarily of large organizations with significant communications needs and budgets. Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, and major trade associations make up a large portion of the client roster. Government agencies, universities, and large nonprofits also retain the firm for specific campaigns or ongoing counsel.

The firm tends to work with organizations that have complex stakeholder environments — meaning they need to communicate with multiple audiences including media, investors, regulators, employees, and the general public. Small businesses and individuals rarely hire FleishmanHillard because the firm's minimum engagement levels and pricing are designed for larger organizations with substantial communications budgets.

FleishmanHillard publishes a client list and case studies on its website showing examples of past work. These case studies describe the challenge the client faced, the strategy FleishmanHillard developed, and the results achieved. Reviewing these examples can give a sense of the types of organizations and situations the firm handles.

How to contact FleishmanHillard if you want to work with them

Organizations interested in hiring FleishmanHillard can visit the firm's website and use the contact form to request information or schedule a conversation. The website lists office locations and contact details for regional teams. For urgent matters or crisis situations, most PR firms including FleishmanHillard have emergency contact procedures that allow clients to reach someone when ready.

Before contacting the agency, it helps to have a clear sense of what you need. Are you looking for ongoing media relations? Do you need help with a specific campaign? Are you facing a crisis? Having this information ready makes the initial conversation more productive and helps the agency determine whether they can meet your needs.

FleishmanHillard also participates in industry events, conferences, and networking forums where potential clients can meet team members. Many organizations find their PR agency through referrals from other companies or through recommendations from their legal counsel, financial advisors, or business consultants.

The difference between FleishmanHillard and smaller PR firms

FleishmanHillard's size and resources set it apart from independent or boutique PR agencies. The firm has staff in 80+ cities, which means it can coordinate campaigns across multiple regions and countries simultaneously. It also has specialists in specific industries — healthcare PR experts, technology communicators, energy sector specialists — who understand the unique challenges and media landscape of their field.

Larger firms like FleishmanHillard also have established relationships with major media outlets, journalists, and industry influencers built over decades. These relationships can be valuable when pitching stories or managing sensitive situations. The firm's size also means it can handle large, complex projects that require many people working in parallel.

Smaller PR firms often offer more personalized attention and lower costs, and may be better suited to organizations with smaller budgets or more focused communications needs. The choice between a large agency and a smaller one depends on the organization's size, budget, geographic scope, and the complexity of the communications challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does FleishmanHillard work with small businesses?

FleishmanHillard primarily serves large organizations with substantial communications budgets. Small businesses typically find that the firm's minimum engagement levels and pricing are designed for larger clients. Small businesses often work with independent PR consultants or smaller regional agencies instead.

How long does it take to see results from working with FleishmanHillard?

Results depend on the type of work. Media placement from a pitch might happen within days or weeks. Brand repositioning or reputation repair campaigns typically take several months to show measurable results. Crisis communications can show results within hours or days, depending on the situation and the media response.

Can FleishmanHillard may provide media coverage?

No PR firm can may provide that journalists will cover a story. FleishmanHillard can pitch stories to media contacts, but editors and reporters make the final decision about what to publish. The agency's value lies in knowing which outlets and journalists are most likely to be interested and in crafting pitches that increase the chances of coverage.

What industries does FleishmanHillard specialize in?

FleishmanHillard has teams focused on healthcare, technology, energy, financial services, consumer goods, public affairs, and other sectors. The firm's website lists its practice areas and the types of clients it serves in each industry. You can review these to see whether the agency has experience in your sector.

How do I know if FleishmanHillard is the right agency for my organization?

Consider whether your organization's size and budget align with the firm's typical client base, whether the agency has experience in your industry, and whether the services it offers match what you need. Reviewing case studies on the firm's website and speaking with the agency directly are the best ways to determine fit.