Schmidt Public Affairs

Based in Alexandria, Virginia, just across the Potomac from Washington, D.C., Schmidt Public Affairs operates at the intersection of public policy, healthcare, and communications. The firm was founded in 2004 and has since established itself as a specialized agency within the competitive public affairs landscape of the United States. Its headquarters at 917 Prince St places it in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, a location that offers proximity to federal policymakers, national media, and key advocacy networks. This geographic advantage is central to the agency’s work, allowing it to serve clients who need to influence government decisions, shape public opinion, and navigate complex regulatory environments.

Core Practice Areas and Services

Schmidt Public Affairs focuses on integrated health policy and healthcare communications, with a strong emphasis on making technical or complex topics accessible to broader audiences. The agency is known for humanizing health policy, positioning healthcare brands, and influencing stakeholders across the political spectrum. While the agency provides a wide range of strategic services, its core offerings typically include:

• Media relations and media campaign development
• Grassroots advocacy and grassroots mobilization
• Strategic planning and campaign management
• Public opinion shaping and issue advocacy
• Digital advocacy and digital marketing
• Healthcare communications and public health communication
• Policy shaping and bipartisan support campaigns
• Insurer overreach campaigns and healthcare funding advocacy

These services are not offered in isolation; Schmidt Public Affairs integrates them into cohesive campaigns that often combine traditional media outreach with grassroots organizing and digital tactics. The firm’s work in healthcare legislation support and issue campaigns reflects a deep understanding of how policy decisions are made in the United States, and how public opinion can be shaped to influence those decisions.

Client Base and Industry Focus

The agency primarily serves clients in the health, wellness, and fitness sectors, as well as B2B organizations that operate at the intersection of healthcare and public policy. Schmidt Public Affairs works with healthcare providers, insurers, pharmaceutical companies, patient advocacy groups, and nonprofit organizations. Its expertise in healthcare communications is particularly valuable for clients facing regulatory challenges, reimbursement issues, or public perception battles. The firm also has experience with advocacy campaigns related to insurer overreach, healthcare funding, and bipartisan support for specific legislation. By blending public relations with public affairs, Schmidt Public Affairs helps clients not only tell their story but also build the coalitions and grassroots support needed to drive policy change.

Strategic Approach and Expertise

What distinguishes Schmidt Public Affairs from many other PR agencies in Alexandria and the broader D.C. area is its focus on integrated health policy communications. The firm’s approach is rooted in strategic planning that accounts for the political, regulatory, and media dynamics of the United States. Schmidt Public Affairs is skilled at crafting messages that resonate with policymakers, the press, and the public simultaneously. Its work in public opinion shaping often involves polling, message testing, and targeted outreach to key influencers. The agency’s experience with grassroots advocacy and digital advocacy means it can mobilize supporters at the local level while maintaining a national media presence. This dual focus on inside-the-Beltway strategy and outside mobilization makes Schmidt Public Affairs a versatile partner for organizations that need to win both legislative and public support.

Who Schmidt Public Affairs Is a Good Fit For

Schmidt Public Affairs is best suited for organizations that operate in or are affected by the healthcare policy landscape in the United States. This includes healthcare providers, insurers, patient advocacy groups, pharmaceutical companies, and health technology firms. The agency is also a strong match for nonprofits and coalitions working on healthcare funding, public health communication, or issue advocacy campaigns. Because of its deep expertise in bipartisan support campaigns and policy shaping, Schmidt Public Affairs is particularly valuable for clients who need to navigate a divided political environment and build consensus around complex health issues. Companies or organizations looking for a public affairs partner that combines strategic communications with grassroots mobilization and media relations will find a capable ally in this Alexandria-based firm.