Corporate crisis war room with monitoring screens and emergency lighting

2026 Industry Guide

Best Crisis PR Agencies

Expert-curated guide to the top crisis communications firms that protect reputations, manage emergencies, and navigate high-stakes situations.

Crisis PR is the ultimate test of a communications firm's capabilities. When a company faces a product recall, executive scandal, data breach, or public relations disaster, the response in the first 24-48 hours often determines long-term reputation impact. The best crisis PR agencies combine rapid response capabilities with strategic counsel that protects both immediate and long-term brand value.

Today's crisis landscape is more complex than ever. Social media amplifies problems within minutes, activists can mobilize globally overnight, and stakeholders expect transparent communication in real-time. Leading crisis firms maintain 24/7 response teams, sophisticated monitoring systems, and battle-tested playbooks for every scenario.

This guide evaluates crisis PR agencies based on their track record handling high-profile situations, depth of crisis expertise, response capabilities, and ability to rebuild reputation after incidents. Whether you're preparing for potential crises or managing an active situation, you'll find agencies suited to your needs.

We assessed agencies on their crisis response infrastructure, media training capabilities, litigation support experience, and measurable outcomes in reputation recovery. Our rankings include both global crisis powerhouses and specialized boutiques known for exceptional crisis work.

What to Look For

Top Providers Ranked

Burson

Global communications giant with legendary crisis capabilities. Burson has managed some of the most high-profile corporate crises in history across every industry and geography.

Strengths

Unmatched global crisis infrastructure
Fortune 100 crisis experience
24/7 rapid response teams worldwide
Deep litigation PR expertise

Considerations

Enterprise-level pricing
Large agency bureaucracy
Best suited for major corporations

Best for: Fortune 500 crisis management, global incidents, litigation support

Edelman

World's largest PR firm with robust crisis and risk practice. Edelman combines global reach with deep expertise in managing complex, multi-stakeholder crises.

Strengths

Global reach and resources
Integrated crisis and corporate comms
Strong digital crisis capabilities
Trust expertise and research

Considerations

Premium pricing
Large firm dynamics
Variable team experience

Best for: Global corporations, multi-market crises, trust rebuilding

Teneo

Elite strategic advisory firm with exceptional crisis and CEO counsel capabilities. Known for handling the most sensitive corporate situations at the highest levels.

Strengths

C-suite advisory expertise
High-stakes situation specialists
M&A and activist defense
Discrete, senior-level counsel

Considerations

Ultra-premium positioning
Board-level focus
Selective client acceptance

Best for: CEO-level crises, activist situations, M&A communications

FTI Consulting

Strategic communications practice with unique integration of forensic, legal, and financial expertise. Exceptional in complex situations involving litigation and investigations.

Strengths

Forensic and legal integration
Bankruptcy and restructuring expertise
Investigation support
Financial communications depth

Considerations

Consulting firm culture
Complex situation focus
Premium professional pricing

Best for: Legal crises, financial distress, investigations, restructuring

AMW

Strengths

Rapid response capabilities
Celebrity and high-profile crisis experience
Entertainment and consumer brand expertise
Flexible engagement models

Considerations

Mid-market to enterprise focus
Entertainment industry strength
Growing corporate crisis practice

Best for: Consumer brand crises, celebrity reputation, entertainment industry situations

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Sard Verbinnen & Co

Elite strategic communications firm specializing in high-stakes corporate situations. Known for M&A communications, activist defense, and sensitive corporate matters.

Strengths

M&A and activist defense
Board-level strategic counsel
Financial communications expertise
Discrete handling of sensitive matters

Considerations

Premium boutique pricing
Corporate focus primarily
Selective client base

Best for: M&A communications, activist defense, board-level situations

Kekst CNC

Global strategic communications firm with deep expertise in corporate crises, transactions, and reputation management. Strong presence in financial and corporate communications.

Strengths

Corporate crisis expertise
Transaction communications
Global coordination capabilities
Financial media relationships

Considerations

Corporate focus primarily
Premium positioning
Financial sector strength

Best for: Corporate crises, transactions, financial communications

Sitrick And Company

Legendary crisis firm known for aggressive reputation defense. Sitrick has a storied track record of managing complex, high-profile situations and hostile media environments.

Strengths

Aggressive reputation defense
Hostile media management
High-profile situation experience
Founder-led boutique attention

Considerations

Aggressive approach style
Premium boutique pricing
West Coast base

Best for: High-profile disputes, hostile media, aggressive defense needed

Red Flags to Avoid

No documented experience with your type of crisis
Unable to guarantee rapid response times
Lack of senior-level availability for urgent matters
No established process for legal team coordination
Overpromising specific media outcomes during crises
No proactive crisis preparedness capabilities

Questions to Ask

What is your response time for urgent crisis situations?
Can you describe similar crises you've managed (without naming clients)?
How do you work with our legal team during sensitive matters?
What does your crisis monitoring and early warning capability include?
How do you handle social media crises and online reputation?
What crisis preparedness services do you offer?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do crisis PR agencies charge?

Crisis PR agencies typically charge $15,000-100,000+ monthly for retainer arrangements. Active crisis response often costs $25,000-75,000+ per week depending on intensity. Many firms require crisis retainers ($50,000-200,000 annually) to guarantee availability. Hourly rates for senior crisis counselors range $500-1,500+.

What makes a good crisis PR agency?

The best crisis PR agencies have proven experience with your type of crisis, true 24/7 rapid response capability, strong media relationships, litigation support experience, and the ability to work seamlessly with legal counsel. They should offer both crisis preparedness and crisis response services.

When should a company hire a crisis PR agency?

Ideally, hire a crisis PR agency before you need one—crisis preparedness retainers ensure immediate availability. If you're in an active crisis, engage immediately. Even hours matter. For potential crises (pending litigation, known vulnerabilities), engage early to prepare response strategies.

What's the difference between crisis PR and regular PR?

Crisis PR operates under extreme time pressure, hostile media conditions, and legal constraints. It requires specialized skills: rapid response protocols, experience with negative coverage, litigation coordination, and stakeholder management during emergencies. Regular PR builds reputation; crisis PR protects it under fire.

How quickly can crisis PR agencies respond?

Top crisis PR agencies guarantee response within 1-2 hours for retained clients, with senior counsel available 24/7. For non-retained clients, response time may be 4-24 hours depending on availability. During active crises, agencies staff around the clock with senior professionals.

What types of crises do crisis PR agencies handle?

Crisis PR agencies handle product recalls, executive misconduct, data breaches, workplace incidents, litigation, activist campaigns, social media crises, regulatory issues, and reputation attacks. Specialized firms may focus on specific types like litigation PR, financial crises, or cybersecurity incidents.

How do crisis PR agencies work with lawyers?

Crisis PR agencies coordinate closely with legal counsel, often through joint privilege arrangements. They understand what can and cannot be said publicly, help prepare executives for depositions and testimony, and balance legal protection with reputation management. Many firms have former prosecutors or litigation experience.

Should we have a crisis PR retainer before a crisis happens?

Yes—crisis retainers are highly recommended for companies with reputation risk. Retainers ensure immediate availability, allow crisis preparedness work, and typically cost $50,000-200,000 annually. Without a retainer, firms may be unavailable or require higher fees during your emergency.

What is crisis preparedness in PR?

Crisis preparedness includes vulnerability assessments, crisis plan development, spokesperson media training, simulation exercises, monitoring systems, and response protocols. Good preparedness identifies potential crises before they happen and ensures your team can respond effectively when needed.

How do crisis PR agencies manage social media crises?

Crisis PR agencies deploy social media monitoring, rapid response protocols, influencer engagement, and platform-specific strategies. They manage comment sections, coordinate with platform trust and safety teams, and use paid and organic strategies to control narrative. Digital speed requires real-time response capabilities.

Related Resources

Services

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Disclosure: This guide is published by AMW. Rankings are based on our editorial assessment. AMW is featured in this guide as we believe we offer competitive services. We encourage readers to research multiple providers before making decisions.