981 Communications

981 Communications is a public relations and communications consultancy based in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2017, the firm focuses on strategic communications, with a particular emphasis on change management and employee engagement. The agency blends traditional public relations expertise with insights from neuroscience and digital transformation, offering a unique approach to helping organizations navigate internal and external communication challenges.

Industries and Core Focus Areas

981 Communications primarily serves organizations undergoing significant change, such as mergers, restructuring, digital adoption, or cultural shifts. While the firm is rooted in public relations and communications services, its work is deeply intertwined with talent management and organizational behavior. Key industries served include corporate enterprises, professional services, technology firms, and nonprofit organizations that require nuanced communication strategies to align leadership, employees, and stakeholders.

Services and Specialties

The agency’s service offerings are tailored to support clients through complex transitions. While specific services are not fully enumerated, based on their stated keywords and focus areas, the following are likely capabilities:

• Communication strategy development for change initiatives
• Digital transformation communications and employee onboarding
• Neuroscience-based behavior change campaigns
• Change management consulting and messaging frameworks
• Talent management communications, including internal branding
• Executive communication coaching and thought leadership
• Public relations and media relations for organizational announcements

Methodology: The Neuroscience Connection

What sets 981 Communications apart from many PR firms is its integration of neuroscience-based behavior change into communication strategy. Rather than relying solely on traditional messaging, the agency applies insights from cognitive science to craft communications that resonate on a psychological level, helping employees and stakeholders adopt new behaviors and mindsets. This methodology is particularly effective in change management, where resistance to change is often a barrier. 981 Communications helps clients design communication plans that address emotional and cognitive biases, making transitions smoother and more sustainable. The firm’s approach also incorporates digital transformation, ensuring that communications are modern, data-driven, and aligned with evolving workplace technologies.

Location and Client Base

Headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, 981 Communications serves clients across the United States, with a particular strength in the Midwest and Chicago metropolitan area. The Evanston base allows the firm to tap into a diverse talent pool and maintain close relationships with local businesses, universities, and healthcare systems. However, the agency’s expertise in change management and employee engagement is applicable to any organization undergoing transformation, regardless of geography. 981 Communications works with both small and large enterprises, offering scalable solutions that fit the complexity of each project.

The firm is a good fit for organizations that are navigating significant change—such as digital transformation, mergers, or cultural overhauls—and need more than a standard PR campaign. It is particularly suited for companies that value science-backed communication strategies and want to engage employees authentically. Leaders who prioritize internal communications as a driver of business success will find 981 Communications to be a practical partner.