2017 North America New PR Agencies of the Year

Our 2017 North America PR Agencies of the Year are the result of an exhaustive research process involving more than 150 submissions and 50 face-to-face meetings with the best PR firms across the US and Canada.

Analysis of each of the Agencies of the Year for every category can be accessed via the navigation menu to the right or here.

Winners were unveiled at the 2017 North American SABRE Awards, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York on May 2.

Winner: Vested (Independent)

Billed as a ‘new communications agency for a new financial industry’, Vested was founded in 2015 by CEO Dan Simon and president Binna Kim, who previously led the US offices of Cognito. During its first year of operation, the duo were joined by other ex-Cognito alumni, including COO Ishviene Arora and chief creative officer Ali Wells. The leadership team is rounded out by Kevin Trowbridge, a software consultant who serves as Vested’s chief technology officer.

Vested's spectacular growth (up 317% in 2016 to $3.5m) is underpinned by a commitment to understanding the transformation underway in the financial industry. As technology changes the way people think about financial services, Vested has focused on helping banks, asset managers and other institutions navigate this shift, resulting in significant assignments from Axioma, Backstop Solutions, Bloomberg, Carbon Trade Exchange, Elevate, Golub Capital, Investopedia, MoneyLion, PeerStreet and Xenomorph, along with new business from Clarity Money, D+H, Diebold Nixdorf, The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, Misys, Oakam, Quantitative Brokers, Rockefeller & Co., SmartBiz Loans and WorldRemit.

Now numbering 16 staffers, Vested's approach reflects a willingness to embrace change. Like any new firm, Vested makes much of its model, which involves employee ownership, an unlimited vacation policy and a fresh perspective on an industry that is much-maligned. The agency has established an investment fund, Vested Ventures, that makes direct investments in startups, while Vested's chief economist sells economic and financial forecasting to clients. The firm also plans to enter the news publishing and events businesses soon. That disruptive mentality is also showcased in Vested's client work, notably the 'Business of Star Wars' effort for storied hedge fund Citadel. — AS

Finalist

Reis Group (Independent)

Specializing in health, healthcare, science, and social issues, the Reis Group was founded last year by Sharon Reis and a veteran team of 11, many of whom hail from GYMR Public Relations. Already, the firm has inked a slew of notable client relationships, including The Advisory Board Company/EAB; Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative; American Gastroenterological Association; Banner Health & Banner Alzheimer’s Institute; Blue Shield California Foundation; Duke University’s Leadership Program in Integrative Healthcare; National Academy of Medicine; Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology; Society of Healthcare Epidemiology of America; and, Society of Interventional Radiology.

The Reis Group's approach is underpinned by a collaborative culture that delivers senior counsel, particularly in the critical area of patient engagement. 25-year PR veteran Sharon Reis is supported by Tamara Moore, Lauren Musiol and Hieu Nguyen, with the firm's best work including efforts to establish Banner Alzheimer’s Institute as a national player, and promote Digestive Disease Week. — AS