Heron Agency, an award-winning lifestyle communications agency, has planned and executed over 1500 campaigns, from strategies for major events including the Taste of Chicago, the Race to Mackinac, the Jeff Awards, the Grand Chefs Gala, the Randolph Street Market, the Highland Games, the Chicago Boat & RV Show, and the One of a Kind Show; to corporate clients including Paper Source, Jet’s Pizza, BV Wines, Wow Bao, Bailey’s, Smirnoff Vodka, Orangetheory Fitness, Luna Carpet, Massage Envy, Galaxie Home Improvement, EZ Breathe, the Chicago Wolves; and several non-profit organizations including the National Hellenic Museum, Alliance Francaise Chicago, the American Writers Museum, and more. With an emphasis on entertainment and hospitality, throughout the 19 year history of the firm, Heron Agency has managed campaigns for over 25 hotel brands, and has also represented artists such as Jerry Seinfeld, Louis CK, Janeane Garafalo, Gabriel Byrne, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Ditka, the Beach Boys, Celtic Thunder, and Jewel, among others. As a winner of the PR News Agency Elite Awards and the BESPOKE Communication Awards, Heron Agency’s comprehensive results-driven campaigns help garner attention that leads to real bottom line results.
Min project size
$5,000+
Hourly rate
Undisclosed
Employees
10 - 49
Locations
Chicago, IL
Year founded
Founded 2000
1 Locations
Chicago , IL
No have been added yet...
Pricing Snapshot
Min. project size
$5,000+
Avg. hourly rate
Undisclosed
Rating for cost
5
/5
What Clients Have Said
Heron Agency offers competitive pricing, with project investments ranging from $3,000 to over $100,000, depending on client size and scope. Clients appreciate the value delivered through effective PR strategies and dedicated support, often exceeding expectations in media coverage and audience engagement.
Overall client satisfaction with Heron Agency's services is extremely high. Many clients expressed strong appreciation for the results-driven approach and the tangible benefits they received.
Areas for Improvement
While generally satisfied, one client suggested having multiple versions of press releases tailored to different audiences. Another mentioned the high cost of PR services, especially for small businesses.
Quick and Agile Execution
The agency's ability to move quickly and efficiently, especially under tight timelines, was frequently mentioned. They managed to deliver high-quality results without compromising on standards.
Impressive Media Coverage
Clients consistently praised Heron Agency for securing high-profile media coverage across various platforms, including TV, radio, newspapers, and social media. This coverage led to significant increases in visibility and sales.
Innovative and Creative Solutions
Heron Agency is recognized for their creative and outside-the-box thinking. They implemented imaginative strategies that brought attention to clients' projects in unique ways.
Exceptional Communication Skills
Heron Agency's communication skills were frequently highlighted. Clients noted that the team was always available, responsive, and clear in their updates and interactions.
"Their communication, hard work and attentiveness to detail stood out."
Nov 22, 2019
Event Manager, Matchroom Boxing USA
Kevin Rooney
Arts, entertainment & music
New York City, New York
11-50 Employees
Online Review
Verified
Heron Agency provides public relations and marketing services, securing stakeholders' placement in radio, print, and television media. This has involved event promotion.
Their services effectively spread awareness for the event, resulting in significant ticket sales. Heron Agency has maintained a smooth workflow throughout the engagement.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
Sports Entertainment Firm. My position is Event Manager & Head of Athlete Management.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire Heron Agency?
Assist in the marketing and PR of our event. Which was a two and a half month long campaign that culminated with our professional boxing event on October 12th at Wintrust Arena.
What were your goals for this project?
Create interest/noise about our event. Raise brand awareness on the event as well as our company in the market and to secure good PR and media opportunities for the event participants.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor?
They were recommended by Wintrust Arena staff and we asked around about the work they had done previously with the UFC when they had an event in Chicago
Describe the scope of their work in detail.
PR and Marketing. Secured media hits (Radio, TV, Newspaper, Magazines) for the event participants. Assisted in promotional activation's leading up to the event and during the live event on the 12th.
What was the team composition?
Worked with their entire team from top to bottom.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
The event was one of the biggest selling live gates that we have had since we started promoting boxing events in the US in 2017.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
Amazing. Couldn't have been any better or run more smoothly.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
Their communication, hard work and attentiveness to detail stood out.
Are there any areas for improvement?
Not that we felt.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Public Relations for Theater Company
Public Relations
$10,000 to $49,999
Sep. 2019 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"The ease and pleasantness of working with the company stand out."
Nov 19, 2019
Executive Director, First Folio Theatre
David Rice
Arts, entertainment & music
Oak Brook, Illinois
51-200 Employees
Online Review
Verified
Heron Agency manages a theater's media presence with the aim of spreading awareness. This involves gaining a wide variety of online and print media coverage.
Heron Agency has successfully scheduled live appearances on radio and television, performance reviews, and feature articles. Production attendance is higher than ever, and industry peers have recognized stakeholders' widespread media presence. The team excels at working under pressure.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
I am the Executive Director of First Folio Theatre, a midsized Equity theater located in the Chicago area.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire Heron Agency?
We are always looking to expand our audience reach to bring in new patrons from throughout the Chicago area.
What were your goals for this project?
To increase our visibility and presence through both social and print media.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor?
We have been working with Heron Agency for over a decade. We originally chose them because of the quality of work we observed them providing other theaters in the Chicago area.
Describe the scope of their work in detail.
Heron Agency reaches out to their vast network of media contacts to obtain numerous professional reviewers to attend our productions; to obtain feature articles in both online and print media; to obtain opportunities for live interviews and performances on both radio and TV stations ranging, including WGN, WBBM radio and TV, Fox 32, and many more.
They also work to assure we have listings in dozens and dozens of websites, ranging from the Tribune down to all of the family friendly "What to do this week" websites that have proliferated. In all, they cover all of our media presence.
What was the team composition?
I have specific members of the agency assigned to my account who work closely with me and my staff, but I am also frequently in touch with Noreen Heron, the agency director, who is clearly monitoring the work being provided for all of her clients.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Attendance at our current season is at an all-time high. I am also constantly being asked by other theater companies how we obtain the consistently excellent media presence our theater has, something that all but the largest theaters struggle to maintain.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
I could not ask for better communication and cooperation.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
The ease and pleasantness of working with the company stand out. Despite the fact that all work of this nature involves a great deal of pressure and is always time sensitive, Noreen and the entire staff maintain the most pleasant and positive demeanor I have ever seen.
Are there any areas for improvement?
I cannot imagine asking for more.
RATINGS
5.0
"You would be hard pressed to find a better agency."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"Top notch work from pleasant, efficient, and knowledgable people with great media contacts."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"They are efficient and responsive to my needs and goals, both long-term and short-term."
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