Rise Strategy Group

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Rise Strategy Group operates at the intersection of public affairs, strategic communications, and advocacy. Founded in 2016, the firm has established itself as a key player in the city's competitive public relations and communications landscape. Chicago, a hub for corporate headquarters, non-profit organizations, and government institutions, provides a rich environment for a firm that specializes in high-stakes messaging and audience engagement. Rise Strategy Group leverages this local context to help clients navigate complex public conversations and build meaningful relationships with stakeholders across the United States.

Core Services and Areas of Expertise

Rise Strategy Group focuses on what it calls "high stakes public strategy," meaning its work often involves sensitive issues, reputational challenges, or campaigns that require precise audience targeting. The firm’s core capabilities span traditional public relations, digital outreach, and community engagement. Key services include media relations and media buying, social media management and paid media advertising, crisis communications and crisis management, content storytelling and video production, and strategic communications planning. The team also offers media training, helping clients prepare for interviews and public appearances. A notable strength is issue advocacy and digital advocacy campaigns, where Rise Strategy Group designs messaging to influence public opinion or policy outcomes. The firm also handles coalition building, community outreach, and community stakeholder relations, which are critical for clients working in regulated industries or with diverse public audiences. Additionally, they provide brand strategy, influencer marketing, and signature event production, rounding out a comprehensive suite of services for organizations that need to amplify their voice in crowded media environments.

Client Base and Sector Focus

The firm serves a mix of corporate, government, and nonprofit clients, reflecting the breadth of its expertise. For corporate clients, Rise Strategy Group often manages media relations campaigns, public messaging, and crisis response, particularly for companies facing regulatory scrutiny or community opposition. Government clients benefit from the firm’s public affairs knowledge, including coalition building and digital advocacy campaigns, to advance policy goals or communicate with constituents. Nonprofit organizations turn to Rise Strategy Group for community engagement, content storytelling, and media campaign management, especially when launching initiatives that require broad public support. The firm’s experience with diversity and inclusion services also positions it well for clients seeking to align their communications with social equity goals. Across all sectors, Rise Strategy Group emphasizes building bridges between organizations and their audiences, using a mix of earned, owned, and paid media to drive results.

Specialized Capabilities in Crisis and Advocacy

Two areas where Rise Strategy Group particularly stands out are crisis communications and issue advocacy. In crisis management, the firm helps clients prepare for and respond to events that threaten their reputation, from product recalls to executive misconduct. Their approach involves rapid response, message discipline, and stakeholder mapping to limit damage and restore trust. For advocacy, Rise Strategy Group designs campaigns that move public opinion or influence decision-makers. This includes digital advocacy campaigns that leverage social media and paid media advertising to reach target audiences, as well as community outreach efforts that build grassroots support. The firm’s team of strategic communications and public affairs professionals brings a mix of media, policy, and campaign experience, enabling them to craft messages that resonate with both elite influencers and general audiences. Media training and media buying are integrated into these efforts, ensuring clients are prepared to engage with journalists and control their narrative across channels.

Rise Strategy Group is a strong fit for organizations facing high-stakes communications challenges—those that need to manage a crisis, launch an advocacy campaign, or build community relationships in a polarized environment. Corporate public affairs teams, government agencies, and nonprofits with ambitious public engagement goals will find value in the firm’s integrated approach. The firm’s Chicago base gives it deep roots in the Midwest, but its digital and media capabilities allow it to operate nationally. For any client seeking a partner that combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution in public relations and communications, Rise Strategy Group offers a proven track record and a team that understands the power of precise, purposeful messaging.