20 Best PR Firms and Agencies in Michigan
This guide spotlights Michigan’s leading public relations agencies, known for shaping stories that resonate across corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors.
It explores their unique expertise, service offerings, and local influence—while outlining essential evaluation factors such as credibility, experience, service range, measurable impact, and community engagement—to help organizations find the ideal PR partner for meaningful visibility and growth in Michigan distinctive market landscape.
Best PR Firms and Agencies in Michigan
1. Franco
- Detroit, Michigan
- 1964
- 11-50
- PR strategy, media relations, community relations, social media, crisis communications, events, branding/content, measurement.
industries served
Automotive, technology, healthcare, nonprofit, professional services, consumer brands.
A long-established Detroit agency known for integrated PR, digital and creative support—strong fit for organizations that want data-backed storytelling and media results.
2. Identity
- Birmingham, Michigan
- N/A
- 11-50
- Strategic communications, media relations, thought leadership, content strategy, crisis/issues support, social/digital communications.
Industries Served
Automotive & mobility, corporate/B2B, healthcare, education, nonprofit, technology.
A metro-Detroit communications shop often chosen for corporate storytelling, executive visibility and integrated PR programs.
3. Marx Layne & Company
- Farmington Hills, Michigan
- 1987
- 11-50
- Media relations, crisis communications, content & messaging, social media, events, reputation management.
Industries Served
B2B/professional services, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, nonprofits, consumer brands.
A seasoned Michigan PR firm with broad B2B and consumer experience—useful when you need steady media outreach plus reputation support.
4. VVK PR + Creative
- Detroit, Michigan
- 2022
- 11-50
- Public relations, crisis communications, digital strategy, video production, brand content, media training, event support.
Industries Served
Automotive, energy, insurance, IT, agriculture, legal, retail, media, nonprofit, real estate.
A newer Detroit agency built by experienced operators—good for brands that want PR plus strong creative/video execution under one roof.
5. CKC Agency
- Detroit, Michigan
- 1982
- 2-9
- Media relations, publicity campaigns, influencer/partner outreach, content support, promotions.
Industries Served
Lifestyle & consumer, retail, hospitality, events, entertainment, nonprofits.
A boutique, media-first PR team—best for brands that prioritize consistent press placements and local/regional buzz.
6. Bellwether Public Relations
- Lansing, Michigan
- 2004
- 11-50
- Strategic communications, media relations, issue advocacy, crisis communications, digital marketing, influencer marketing, ballot initiatives, community relations, reputation management, special events.
Industries Served
Government/public sector, associations, healthcare & public health, utilities & energy, transportation & infrastructure, education (K–12 & higher ed), insurance, gaming/casino, technology, beverage/CPG, nonprofits.
A Lansing-headquartered PR and advocacy firm (rebranded as Bellwether Public Relations) known for non-partisan, public-facing campaigns and policy-adjacent communications. A strong fit for organizations that need stakeholder alignment, issues management, and measurable public engagement across Michigan.
7. 98Forward
- Detroit, Michigan
- 1998
- 11-50
- Strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, research, DEI-informed messaging, events and community engagement.
Industries Served
Government, transit, healthcare, education, nonprofit, cultural, technology, law, retail, entertainment, manufacturing, hospitality, real estate, insurance.
A legacy Detroit agency (Black-owned, woman-led) with deep community credibility—ideal for institutions and brands that need trust-building communications.
8.The Quell Group
- Detroit, Michigan
- N/A
- 11-50
- Brand communications, media relations, integrated campaigns, content strategy, creative support, corporate communications.
Industries Served
Consumer brands, B2B, nonprofit, professional services, manufacturing, community organizations.
An integrated Detroit agency suited to brands that want PR tightly aligned with brand strategy and creative execution.
- Farmington, Michigan
- 2000
- 101-250
- PR and marketing, creative services, digital/social, content production, integrated campaigns.
Industries Served
Technology, telecom, automotive, B2B services, consumer brands, innovation/startups.
A larger Michigan team for organizations that need multi-channel communications—PR plus creative, digital and campaign delivery at scale.
10. Lambert
- Detroit, Michigan
- 1998
- 51-200
- Strategic communications, public relations, investor relations, public affairs, integrated marketing campaigns.
Industries Served
Automotive & mobility, healthcare & biotech, education, consumer/food & beverage, tourism & hospitality, private equity/M&A, CSR.
A nationally recognized Michigan-headquartered firm—strong for growth-stage to enterprise brands needing PR + investor/public affairs expertise.
11. Sabo PR
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
- 2003
- 1-10
- Media relations, crisis/issues management, stakeholder communications, marketing communications, visual storytelling (photo/video).
Industries Served
Municipalities, education, nonprofits, healthcare, professional services, community organizations.
A West Michigan boutique known for hands-on counsel and storytelling—especially strong for local institutions and mission-driven organizations.
12. 8THIRTYFOUR
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
- 2007
- 2-9
- Integrated communications: PR, digital marketing, branding/design, content, website support, crisis communications.
Industries Served
Nonprofits, consumer brands, startups, professional services, community organizations, B2B.
A scrappy integrated team—great when you want PR paired with brand/digital execution and fast turnarounds.
13.Truscott Rossman
- Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit; Michigan
- 2011
- 11-50
- Strategic communications, issues management, crisis communication, litigation comms, government affairs, ballot initiatives, digital media.
Industries Served
Public affairs, advocacy, government, legal/litigation, nonprofits, regulated industries, corporate communications.
A go-to Michigan firm for high-stakes issues—useful for organizations navigating policy, reputational risk, or complex stakeholder environments.
14. Harbor Strategic
- Lansing, Michigan
- 2019
- 1-10
- Public affairs, media relations, crisis communications, digital/social strategy, grassroots and coalition support.
Industries Served
Public policy, associations, nonprofits, corporations, law firms, advocacy campaigns.
A public-affairs-forward agency—best for organizations needing smart messaging and rapid-response communications around policy or controversy.
15. Marketing Resource Group (MRG)
- Lansing, Michigan
- 1979
- 11-50
- Public relations, public affairs, crisis management, issue advocacy, political consulting, digital & social, events, survey research.
Industries Served
Government/public sector, associations, issue advocacy, healthcare, energy, nonprofit, campaigns.
A veteran Lansing strategic communications firm—particularly strong for public affairs, advocacy, and reputation work in Michigan.
16. Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing
- Detroit, Michigan
- 1984
- 51-200
- Integrated marketing + PR: strategic planning, research, creative/production, media planning/buying, public relations, digital services.
Industries Served
Automotive, healthcare, consumer brands, retail, B2B/professional services, education.
A full-service marketing firm with PR capability—good for brands that want communications, creative and media under one roof.
17. LINC Detroit
- Detroit, Michigan
- 2019
- 2-9
- Integrated marketing communications: public relations, marketing strategy, social media, brand messaging.
Industries Served
Local businesses, lifestyle brands, nonprofits, professional services, community organizations.
A small, integrated Detroit team—best for founder-led brands that want modern PR + social support and a hands-on partner.
18. Love Publicity
- Detroit, Michigan
- 2009
- 2-10
- Traditional PR and media relations, content creation, social media branding, strategic partnerships, event/virtual event support, publicity campaigns and press placements.
Industries Served
Lifestyle, hospitality, restaurants & nightlife, retail/ecommerce, beauty & fashion, arts & culture, events/festivals, nonprofits and community initiatives.
A creative Detroit-based boutique that blends traditional PR with content and social-first visibility. Best for brands and organizations that want culturally relevant storytelling, local + national media outreach, and campaign-style publicity around launches, events, and experiences.
Roar Media is a Miami/Coral Gables full-stack marketing and PR agency that combines data-driven digital performance with traditional earned media and creative.
19. French/West/Vaughan (FWV)
- Detroit, Michigan
- 1997
- 51-200
- Integrated PR + marketing: media relations, strategy, creative, digital, brand communications.
Industries Served
Automotive & mobility, technology, healthcare, food & beverage, transportation, consumer brands, public affairs.
A national PR firm with Detroit presence—good for brands that want Michigan insight plus broader U.S. reach and resources.
20. HART
- Detroit, Michigan
- N/A
- 51-200
- Full-service marketing and communications (including PR/communications strategy), creative, digital, brand campaigns.
Industries Served
Consumer brands, B2B, retail, automotive/industrial, hospitality, nonprofits.
A larger integrated agency with a Detroit footprint—useful when PR needs to connect tightly with creative, digital and brand experience.
How we Picked the Best Michigan PR Agencies for Your Business.
We prioritized agencies with a real Michigan presence (not just a mailing address) and clear experience with local media, community stakeholders, and—where relevant—state and municipal decision-makers.
We favored firms that show they can diagnose a communications problem, craft messaging, and run an integrated plan—rather than relying only on outreach and hoping something sticks.
Agencies that can point to outcomes (coverage quality, reputation lift, stakeholder wins, lead indicators, campaign performance) and explain their approach clearly ranked higher.
Michigan has standout sectors (automotive & mobility, manufacturing, higher ed, healthcare, government/public affairs). We looked for teams that can speak the language of the industries they serve.
We leaned toward agencies that are transparent about who does the work day-to-day and that provide access to senior counsel for strategy, crisis moments, and executive communications.
We preferred firms that commit to consistent reporting, clear KPIs, and a practical workflow for approvals, spokesperson prep, and rapid-response needs.
Five Questions to Ask a Michigan PR Agency Before You Hire.
Ask for examples that match your situation—industry, size, and goals—and request specific outcomes (not just “we got coverage”). Good agencies can explain what changed and why.
Clarify your primary contact, who writes and pitches, and who handles strategy. Ensure senior leaders are involved enough to guide direction and handle escalations.
Even if you don’t expect a crisis, you want to know their process: rapid-response timelines, approvals, spokesperson training, and how they monitor and correct misinformation.
Modern PR works best when it supports demand and trust. Ask how they coordinate messaging and assets across your website, social, newsletters, and campaigns.
A strong agency should outline a 30/60/90-day plan, what will be delivered, and the exact metrics you’ll see—coverage quality, share of voice, traffic lift, inquiries, sentiment, or stakeholder actions.
Things to Watch Out for When Choosing a PR Agency in Michigan.
Choosing the wrong PR partner can cost both time and money. Watch out for these key warning signs:
Large “impressions” numbers can hide weak results. If they can’t connect PR activity to credibility, pipeline, community trust, recruitment, or policy outcomes, be cautious.
Some agencies sell you with senior people and then hand the work to juniors. Make sure roles, time allocations, and escalation paths are documented in the agreement.
No reputable PR firm can guarantee earned media placements. Be wary of promises that sound too certain, or of strategies that depend on low-quality, pay-to-play outlets.
Avoid retainers that don’t spell out what you receive monthly (strategy, outreach, content, reporting). Clear deliverables protect both sides and reduce disappointment.
If an agency has no clear workflow for approvals, spokesperson prep, monitoring, or after-hours response, you may be exposed when something moves fast online or in local news.
