Road Runner always outran Wile E. Coyote. The massive, formidable Death Star was no match for Luke Skywalker’s tiny x-wing fighter. And of course, we all know how David fared against Goliath. In each instance, the little guy triumphed, reminding us that bigger is not always better.

The same holds true when it comes to public relations agencies. Boutique-sized public relations agencies may not boast the large teams and vast service offerings that their larger counterparts do, but when it comes to specialized knowledge, nimbleness, and personal service, selecting the right boutique agency can provide unmatched success.

A Specialized Focus

Often a boutique agency will specialize in select industries where they have expertise. Their team will consist of seasoned employees who have worked within the industry itself or worked for years on accounts for companies in that industry. For example, at Kimball Hughes Public Relations, one of our specialties is insurance. Our team members have worked for numerous insurance clients from a PR agency perspective, have worked in-house for communications teams at insurance companies and even worked as reporters on the insurance beat. Moreover, boutique PR agencies pride themselves on employing experienced professionals to lead accounts; they simply cannot afford to risk their reputations by staffing client work with new or less experienced staff.

A boutique PR agency with a specialty will have knowledge of hot button issues and emerging trends. They will be able to do more than simply promote your brand or your executives, they will have the inside knowledge to be able to position your subject matter experts as thought leaders within the industry. They will know the conferences at which to be seen and secure media interviews that matter to your stakeholders. A specialized PR agency will have strong media contacts within the niche and help to position your leaders as go-to sources for future stories.

A Nimble Approach

Like Jerry the mouse, smaller agencies can be nimble – speedy too, like Road Runner. Without the red tape of a larger agency, a smaller agency can react to news more quickly and prepare a thoughtful response for your team to review and distribute in a timely manner.

A small PR firm will also be a nimble ally in a crisis. In those circumstances and others, you will have direct and prompt access to your agency account manager, someone you know and trust, who understands your organization and your industry who is also ready to help protect your company’s reputation anytime day or night.

That agility also comes in handy when a media strategy is not working. Valuing each and every client relationship as if it were the firm’s only relationship, a smaller agency will constantly be monitoring for results. When those results don’t manifest, they’ll recognize it immediately and pivot to a new strategy.

Personal Service

Finally, when you work with a boutique agency, your daily contact and team are likely to be people you met at the start of your relationship with the agency. The bait and switch is rare with boutique PR agencies. In fact, in many cases, you may know a number of people within the agency and they will know you and be familiar with your company’s needs. Small PR firms work closely with clients and staff to ensure  all team members are in the know so they can quickly spot-fill or act as an extra set of hands when necessary. Further, these folks will make an effort to get to know you and to understand your team’s marketing and communications goals to ensure your team is getting the results your c-suite wants to see.

For smaller PR agencies, clients are truly partners. We value relationships and want to deliver for our clients.  

So, smaller agencies may not wield a multi-story downtown headquarters the size of the Death Star. But they can be a powerful force. Give Kimball Hughes PR a call to talk to us about our specialized expertise, knowledgeable team and proven results.