DeSoto & State Communications

Based in Chicago, United States, DeSoto & State Communications has been operating since 2014 from its headquarters in the city’s 60601 zip code. Chicago’s nonprofit, arts, and education sectors are among the most vibrant in the country, and this agency has carved out a distinct role by focusing on organizations that need more than just press releases—they need strategic communications that build long-term visibility and trust. The firm’s location in the heart of the Midwest allows it to serve both local clients and national organizations, with a particular emphasis on mission-driven work.

What DeSoto & State Communications Does

DeSoto & State Communications offers a full spectrum of public relations and communications services, with a strong emphasis on strategy and storytelling. The agency’s core offering is communication strategy, which includes media outreach, media placement, and media relations. They also provide crisis communications and crisis management, particularly for nonprofits that face unique reputational challenges. Content creation is another key area, from story development to social media strategy and digital strategy. The firm is known for its impact campaigns, which are designed to amplify nonprofit missions and drive community engagement. Additionally, they offer organizational planning, organizational support, and turnaround management, helping clients stabilize and grow their communications functions. A distinctive service is their training work: media training for leaders and storytelling workshops equip teams with practical skills to handle interviews, crises, and public speaking.

Who They Serve

The agency’s client roster reflects its deep roots in Chicago’s cultural and educational landscape. DeSoto & State Communications has worked with the American Writers Museum, the Beverly Area Arts Alliance’s annual Beverly Art Walk, the Chicago Academy for the Arts, the Chicago Independent Venue League, and FitzGerald’s Historic Nightclub. They have also partnered with Vanderbilt University and a range of startups and established organizations. This mix of nonprofit, arts, education, and corporate clients shows the agency’s versatility. They are particularly skilled at helping smaller organizations build a public presence from the ground up, while also supporting larger institutions with media strategy for arts and education initiatives. The team of six professionals brings expertise in fundraising and development, design and branding, social media and digital marketing, and strategic operations.

Expertise and Approach

What sets DeSoto & State Communications apart is its focus on nonprofit amplification and community engagement. The agency understands that for mission-driven organizations, public relations is not just about visibility—it’s about driving impact. Their approach to crisis management for nonprofits is tailored to the sensitivities of the sector, where trust and transparency are paramount. The firm also excels at B2B communications, helping corporate clients navigate media relations and storytelling in competitive markets. Their workshops in media strategy, crisis management, and leadership are a practical extension of their consulting work, allowing clients to build internal capacity. By combining strategic communications with hands-on training, DeSoto & State Communications positions itself as a partner that helps organizations tell their stories more effectively, whether through earned media, social media, or direct community outreach.

• Communication strategy and media outreach
• Crisis communications and crisis management for nonprofits
• Content creation, story development, and impact campaigns
• Social media strategy and digital strategy
• Media placement and media relations
• Organizational planning and turnaround management
• Media training for leaders and storytelling workshops
• Fundraising and development support
• Design and branding

Who DeSoto & State Communications Is a Good Fit For

DeSoto & State Communications is a strong match for nonprofit organizations, arts and cultural institutions, educational entities, and mission-driven startups that need more than basic PR—they need a strategic partner who understands their sector’s nuances. The agency is particularly well-suited for clients in Chicago and the broader United States who are looking to amplify their impact, manage a crisis, or build a communications function from scratch. Their focus on training also makes them a good fit for organizations that want to empower their own teams to handle media and public communications with confidence. For any organization that values storytelling, community engagement, and long-term strategic thinking, DeSoto & State Communications offers a tailored, hands-on approach that aligns with their mission.