JRL Strategies

JRL Strategies was a public relations and communications firm that operated from Emeryville, United States, with a focus on helping mission-driven organizations amplify their impact. Founded in 2015 by former White House spokesperson Joshua Lamont and his father, retired educator and veteran Bob Lamont, the firm specialized in integrated communications, fundraising, and development services. Though it closed in September 2022, the agency left a distinct mark by combining strategic communications expertise with deep nonprofit and advocacy experience, serving clients across the United States and internationally.

Services and Specialties

JRL Strategies offered a range of services tailored to organizations seeking to strengthen their public presence and secure resources. The firm’s core capabilities included media relations, press writing, and crisis communications, leveraging Joshua Lamont’s background as a White House spokesperson to provide high-level strategic counsel. The agency also emphasized fundraising and development, with expertise in corporate and foundation relationships, sponsorship programs, and nonprofit board development. Additionally, JRL Strategies provided speaker and media training, executive visibility support, and internal communications consulting. The firm was also known for its contract and freelance work, offering editing, organizational messaging, and partnerships development. Key services included:

• Public relations and communications strategy
• Media relations and press writing
• Crisis communications
• Fundraising and development
• Corporate and foundation relationships
• Sponsorship programs
• Nonprofit board development
• Speaker and media training
• Executive visibility
• Internal communications
• Editing and organizational messaging
• Partnerships and contract work

Methodology and Approach

JRL Strategies operated with a mission-driven ethos, shaped by the founders’ personal story of caregiving and resilience. The firm’s approach was collaborative and strategic, focusing on aligning communications with organizational goals. Joshua Lamont’s experience in high-stakes government communications informed the agency’s work, particularly in crisis management and media training. The team, which included associates based in New York, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Charleston, South Carolina, worked closely with clients to develop tailored messaging that resonated with key stakeholders. The firm prioritized clear, consistent communication across all channels, from press releases to internal memos, and emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with donors, partners, and the media. JRL Strategies also integrated fundraising and development into its communications work, helping nonprofits articulate their mission to attract support.

Location and Reach

Headquartered in Emeryville, United States, JRL Strategies served clients worldwide, with a particular focus on nonprofit and advocacy organizations. The firm’s location in the San Francisco Bay Area provided access to a vibrant philanthropic and tech community, while its associates in other major U.S. cities allowed for national and international reach. The agency’s work spanned sectors including education, health, social justice, and the arts, and its clients ranged from small grassroots groups to large institutions. Despite its relatively small size, JRL Strategies built a reputation for delivering high-impact results through personalized attention and strategic thinking. The firm’s closure in 2022 marked the end of a unique chapter, but its legacy continues in the communications strategies it helped implement for mission-driven clients.

JRL Strategies was a good fit for organizations that needed a communications partner with deep expertise in both media relations and fundraising. Nonprofits, advocacy groups, and social enterprises seeking to refine their messaging, build media visibility, or secure funding would have found value in the firm’s integrated approach. The agency’s focus on mission-driven work and its founder’s background in government communications made it particularly suited for clients navigating complex public conversations or looking to elevate their executive leadership. While no longer active, JRL Strategies remains an example of how personal commitment and professional expertise can combine to serve a broader purpose.