Public relations agencies in Oregon offer cost-effective solutions for businesses seeking to increase visibility and profitability. Oregon public relations companies creatively use the media to build positive public perception about industry businesses, providing credible, third-party media endorsements.

Because reputation is often a company’s most crucial asset, public relations is a service worth the investment. PR agencies in Oregon provide the experience, skills and resources to increase awareness of your company’s public image, which results in an increased business revenue.

Before starting your Oregon public relations agency search process, take the time to determine your business communication objectives. If you don’t evaluate your current public relations success and challenges, it will be difficult to determine the capabilities needed from Oregon PR agencies.

When selecting a public relations firm in Oregon, research each agency, and evaluate the following:

1. What kind of experience does the Oregon PR offer in your industry?

2. What capabilities and skills does the Oregon public relations agency provide?

3. How much will a PR agency in Oregon cost my business?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose an Oregon public relations firm with experience in your industry

Select public relations firms in Oregon who have a working knowledge of your industry. Ask to see a list of past and present clients. Request a list of the agency's local, regional and national media contacts relevant to your industry.

I recommend: Elure Marketing Group works with clients in a wide array of industries, including retail, healthcare, fashion, not-for-profit, high-tech, biotechnology, hospitality, insurance, information technology, manufacturing, professional services, real estate, finance, and oil and gas. Salmon Creek Public Relations is a full service PR agency specializing in cause-related communication strategies. VanNatta Public Relations provides a listing of its PR clients in association management, public relations, marketing, event planning and public policy consulting disciplines.

Hire Oregon PR firms with proven skills and capabilities

Review capabilities of Oregon PR agencies, and compare the skills offered by the public relations agency with those desired by your business. Ask to see writing samples and press clippings. Find out if the PR firm in Oregon offers capabilities like market research, event planning, in-house design capabilities and crisis management services.

I recommend: Cawood, one of the innovative marketing and PR firms Oregon businesses turn to, provides an online portfolio featuring websites, outdoor, print and TV solutions. Hubbell Communications, LLC, a PR agency in Portland, Oregon with environmentally focused clients, provides online case studies. Inside Source, Inc., is a certified minority agency that offers advertising, graphic design, public relations, marketing and website services.

Select Oregon PR firms that offer competitive pricing

Most public relations firms in Oregon operate through three different billing options. There is a monthly service fee based on hours spent on your account, a project fee for a one-time special project or event, or a retainer fee for consulting services used on an as-needed basis. In general, the price depends on the scope of the project and the number of people assigned to your account.

I recommend: Woloshin Communications, Inc., one of the leading values-driven Portland PR agencies, focuses on return on investment with its clients and maps out all expenses. Olson and Associates, Inc. is a public relations firm focused on pubic speaking opportunities whose cost varies depending on anticipated placements, speakers and the client's budget.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your business is a member of a trade or professional association, ask the association for recommendations of Oregon public relations firms. Often, the association can point your business in the direction of reputable public relations firms in Oregon that specialize in your industry.
• •  Evaluate the relationships developed with employees from public relations Oregon agencies during the selection process. Find out who will be working on your account, and ask to speak with each person prior to signing a contract. You should feel comfortable collaborating with every member of your PR agency account team.