Backstory

Founded in 2016, Cura Strategies is a woman-owned integrated strategic communications and public affairs agency dedicated to transforming health care. Cura was created to address critical issues facing the healthcare sector in America and provide a voice to advocacy groups and causes with a stake in the big health policy debates. Led by Anne Woodbury, formerly a senior VP at FleishmanHillard and managing director at TogoRun, that objective has been realized; Cura is thriving as a $3.7 million agency with 60% of revenue coming from public affairs, government relations and coalition-building work.

Locations

Cura is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

Performance

Cura’s revenue grew by a remarkable 68% in 2022 to $3.7 million. With a 70% competitive win rate, the firm added 12 new clients including The Leapfrog Group, Advocates for Opioid Addiction Treatment, Calm Health, Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia, Egetis Therapeutics, Healthy Women and Infectious Diseases Society of America Foundation, which joined a client roster populated by the likes of American Congenital Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, CareDx, Children’s National, City of Rockford, IL – Rockford Ready Health Literacy Initiative; IgA Nephropathy Foundation and The Mended Hearts. Last year Cura also saw 13 existing clients increase their spending, resulting in a 39% growth in average client revenue. Headcount rose from 17 to 25 to handle the increased workload.

People & Culture

Over the course of a 29-year career in Washington, Woodbury, who serves as CEO, has secured her stature as a respected healthcare strategist, and earned honors from industry groups for her leadership style. Cura’s senior team also includes senior VP of government relations Scott Leezer, who, in addition to being a seasoned public affairs strategist, launched a fundraising campaign supporting the development of a blood pump used to treat a pediatric heart defect, and is an active speaker on heart disease. Nearly 50% of Cura’s employees have diverse backgrounds in terms of ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation and 71% of Cura’s leadership is women. 2020 saw Cura conduct two third party-led employee surveys including The Quantum Workplace survey, which yielded a net promoter score of 92.9 – 25 points higher than the PR firm national average. 

Thought Leadership & Work

Cura’s most impactful 2022 work included Rockford Ready, an initiative aimed at improving health literacy among the Black and Latinx communities in Rockford, Illinois. Partnering with the city and University of Illinois, Chicago, Cura secured a $3.6 million federal HHS grant for the project, which already has directly reached more than 22,000 Rockford residents — exceeding its goal of directly serving 9,000 people by 211%. Other standout efforts include Cura’s support of Sunstone Therapies in its push to accelerate the adoption of psychedelics in medical settings and the PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation’s campaign to further PKD research and awareness.

— Diana Marszalek

Backstory

Founded in 2002 by Jennifer Curley, who is now supported by former Ketchum exec KayAnn Schoenemann, Curley Company is an independent agency with expertise in public affairs, reputation management, media relations and digital advocacy. Eschewing outside investment, the firm has built its presence through organic growth and reinvested profits, adding up to a vibrant culture and multidisciplinary offering that spans creative design, content creation, digital production and research/analytics. Much of the work revolves around public affairs, with Curley driving advocacy programs that have abolished subminimum wages for people with disabilities; secured tax credits for digital gaming media in New York; passed legislation to expand nutrition programs; and helping provide dental care for underserved residents of Illinois. 

Locations

Curley’s 18-strong workforce is headquartered in Washington DC. 

Performance

Curley grew revenues by an impressive 37% in 2022 to $5.6m, supported by organic client growth of 51%, with headcount up from 11 to 18. The firm remains intentional about the clients it works with, which includes long term partners such as Aspen Dental, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Consumer Data Industry Association, Inova Hospital System, Grant Thornton, New Markets Tax Credits and Stuttering Foundation. In 2022, there was new business from Melwood, in which the firm expanded its core scope to include a $1m+ advertising campaign; the Entertainment Software Association; and, ShiftKey. 

People & Culture

Curley’s leadership team includes Schoenemann, who was named president last year, and her former Ketchum colleague Julie Crimmins, who serves as GM, and Yolanda Malry, who oversees HR and operations. The ‘Curley House Rules’ guide the firm’s culture, and Jennifer Curley literally wrote the book (‘Playing the Long Game’) that codifies the firm’s evolution, culture and purpose. That approach, supported by substantial investment in DE&I, has helped Curley achieve an employee retention rate of 83% — and includes a partnership with the Almond Group to accelerate DE&I advancement. 50% of Curley’s hires in 2022 were racially diverse, including Malry’s arrival on the leadership team. The firm has also reimagined its employee handbook and benefits to include unlimited PTO, 12 weeks parental leave, four weeks paid sabbaticals, an annual wellness stipend, and several other health, wellness and training benefits. 

Thought Leadership & Work

Curley’s investment in training, development and continued learning has helped the firm serve as an outsourced comms team for many of its clients, improving client retention and service. Campaign highlights included Aspen Dental’s Day of Service, and campaigns for Inova Health System and the Entertainment Software Association. 

— Arun Sudhaman

Backstory

Ink is a full-service marketing communications and PR agency specializing in B2B technology and energy. The female-founded, owned and led firm was set up in 2004 by CEO Starr Million Baker and president Kari Hernandez, who felt the industry’s typical client service practices and execution-only approach weren’t driving meaningful value. Their approach is to work side-by-side with clients, building deep knowledge of their businesses and industries to anchor expert guidance, creative problem solving, healthy debate, experimentation with new tactics and measurable success, leading to long-lasting relationships with clients. The agency is committed to supporting B2B tech and energy companies in having positive environmental and societal impact. 

Locations

Ink is headquartered in Austin and has an additional office in Denver, but its remote-first approach means its employees work across the US and Canada.

Performance

Ink’s fee income rose 41% last year to nearly $9.8 million, with the team growing to 52. New work in its energy practice came from Mitsubishi Power Americas, Verde Clean Fuels and Enbridge, with new work in the B2B tech practice coming from Car Connectivity Consortium, TechLink, OpenLending, Arturo.ai and CDS. These joined the likes of Enel North America, Dover Fueling Solutions, Cognite, Khoros, NewRocket and CoreLogic on Ink’s client roster. 

People & Culture

Ink is a women-owned business and an equal opportunity employer to people of color, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people, veterans and individuals with disabilities. The agency strives to be an inclusive place to work, with commitments including donating money and time to organizations making a difference, ensuring diversity, inclusivity and racial awareness and sensitivity in counsel to clients and among its vendors, and mentoring to build diversity in the communications industry. The agency is a member of the Diversity Action Alliance for under-represented groups in PR and communications. Senior hires last year included ESG and energy program manager Mallory Baker, research director Dylan Cinti, and front-end web developer Manuel Llosas.   

Thought Leadership & Work

Ink’s work with furniture rental firm CORT to celebrate its 50th anniversary was nominated for a SABRE award, and other standout work over the year included helping automated lending services provider Open Lending establish credibility beyond its niche industry of automotive lenders; working with the Bluetooth Special Interests Group – a client for 20 years – launch Auracast, an update aimed at revolutionizing how people use wireless headphones; and transforming clean energy leader Enel’s storytelling around clean electrification via a content-driven integrated campaign. In 2022, the agency published 44 pieces of thought leadership, including an interactive e-book covering the state of the media, guides to top tech and energy journalists, and a series of blog posts on topics such as the evolution of analyst relations, employee experience and employer branding, communications during recession, using data reports to fuel integrated programs, how to communicate in an evolving energy transition, reaching clean energy investors, and cybersecurity

— Maja Pawinska Sims

Backstory

When Chicago PR vet Catherine Merritt launched Spool in 2018, she didn’t think the world needed another agency. But Merritt did believe the world needed a new type of agency, one staffed by industry leaders (many of whom come with big agency backgrounds), no tolerance policies (Spool resigned one of its biggest clients due to clashing values) and elevated support such as three months paid family leave for freelancers as well as staff. Spool focuses on disruptive consumer brands ready to go big. The firm has launched its own venture arm, realizing Merritt's goal of establishing and growing an investment portfolio, and startup arm, earning Spool a 2023 IN2 SABRE Award for being Disruptive Agency of the Year. 

Locations

Spool is based in Chicago. 

Performance

Spool has grown rapidly in its short history, with fee income rising 82% in 2022 to $3.7 million. What was a three-person team in 2019 is now an operation backed by 25 full-timers who last year handled new business from Alliant Credit Union, Home Chef, Double Good, Upbounders, Noel Group, Louisiana Fish Fry and Lakeshore Recycling Services, on top of existing clients Fresh Thyme Market, Capital Brands (nutribullet and magic bullet), American Dental Association, The General, Bicycle Playing Cards (The United States Playing Card Company) and Hro (Cartamundi).  In 2022, Spool launched its investment and startup arms to invest in companies leading with impact and partner with startups making changes around the world. Spool Ventures, the agency’s investment arm, invests in and works with brands launched by underrepresented founders and leaders. Spool’s startup arm, Spindle, works with visionary innovators and early-stage companies, giving them access to seasoned marketing pros under custom-designed financial arrangements. Spool’s out-of-the-box activity earned the agency a 2023 In2 SABRE Award for being the Disruptive Agency of the Year and Merritt an In2 for being the Agency Innovator of the Year. 

People & Culture

As Spool’s client roster expands, Spool employees are able to share in the firm's value through a phantom stock plan program launched last year. Built on the idea of work-life balance, Spool has made its 4½ day workweek permanent. Fulltime staffers qualify for a paid sabbatical every three years. Spool will reimburse freelancers as well as full-timers for travel needed to access abortion or gender-affirming procedures. 2022 also saw Spool implement a larger DEI strategy that included updating the agency’s website to include language encouraging all to apply to open positions at Spool, regardless of experience. Spool employees have also participated in anti-racist bias training.

Thought Leadership & Work

You likely didn’t have mashed potato or mac and cheese smoothies on your 2022 Thanksgiving menu, but Spool successfully piqued food and lifestyle media’s interest in the novel side dishes, which covered in Delish, Foodsided, Nerdist and more. Spool also supported The General’s new partnership with the NBA G League and Ignite, one of the basketball minor league’s teams. Spool’s efforts drove awareness of the partnership including the docuseries “The Break, presented by The General” which showcased players’ stories — which was the 2022-2023 season’s most-covered G League story other than a game or event.

— Diana Marszalek

Backstory

The TASC Group is not your average communications firm — built as it is to focus on progressive values and social advocacy campaigns and causes. Led by founder Larry Kopp and president Rida Bint Fozi, the firm’s 20-year track record includes high-profile campaigns for Trayvon Martin’s family and foundation; crisis communications for Park51; and, supporting the victims of J&J’s talc products. 

Locations

TASC’s 18-strong workforce is headquartered in New York. 

Performance

TASC’s revenue has more than tripled since the first quarter 2020, and grew 25% in 2022 to more than $3m. Underpinning that expansion has been new business from the Lipman Center at Columbia School of Journalism, NFTE, Conversationlist, No Labels, and Gathering for Justice. They join an existing client roster that features NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Mount Sinai Hospital, Fearless Futures, Eagle Academy for Young Men, Destination Tomorrow, Hunter Arnold, Beanstalk Farms, Global Glow, Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary and Dictionary.com. 

People & Culture

Kopp brings nearly 35 years experience in the advocacy and nonprofit sectors, while Bint Fozi has worked her way up after joining the firm as an intern more than a decade ago. Unsurprisingly, the firm is highly diverse, and its commitment to DE&I includes a $10,000 diversity scholarship at the City College of New York.

Thought Leadership & Work

Kopp is a regular media presence on high-profile PR crises, while TASC frequently makes its views known on key social issues. Campaign highlights include supporting the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary around the 10-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy which claimed Catherine’s life; helping cancer patients successfully bring J&J to account for its baby powder and drywall products; leading comms and thought leadership for the only LGBTQ+ center in the Bronx (Destination Tomorrow); and driving the Oyate Group’s mission to vaccinate more than 40,000 underserved and marginalized New Yorkers in one year. 

— Arun Sudhaman