Best PR Firms in Orlando: Top Public Relations Agencies in Central Florida
Last reviewed: May 2026
Justin Mauldin | Founder, Salient PR | Justin runs PR strategy and media relations for B2B technology clients and works with journalists and editors daily.
Orlando is one of the most active business markets in the Southeast, and the public relations industry here has grown with it. The region is home to global tourism brands, a fast growing technology and simulation corridor, major health systems, and a development boom along the I-4 corridor. That mix has created strong demand for PR firms that can handle everything from consumer launches and crisis response to corporate reputation and public affairs.
This guide profiles the leading Orlando and Central Florida PR firms, breaks down the industries driving local PR demand, maps the Orlando media landscape, and walks through how to choose the right agency for your business.
Do you need a PR firm based in Orlando?
It depends on your goals. If you want in person meetings, hyper local media relationships, or coverage tied closely to Orlando's tourism, real estate, and civic ecosystem, a local firm is a strong fit. If your priority is simply the best fit for your category and audience, location matters less. Many of today's strongest agencies operate as distributed, fully remote teams. If you want an award winning distributed PR agency that works across AI, cybersecurity, SaaS, and venture backed technology, consider Salient PR.
Key Takeaways
Orlando's PR market spans tourism, technology, healthcare, real estate, aerospace and defense, and public affairs, not just theme parks.
The strongest Orlando agencies range from decades old strategic firms to fast growing modern shops, and several operate statewide across Florida.
"Orlando PR" and "Central Florida PR" are used interchangeably because the I-4 corridor functions as a single connected business and media market.
The local media landscape is anchored by the Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Business Journal, and the major network television stations, which shapes how earned media works in the region.
Choosing a firm comes down to category fit, media relationships, measurement, and budget rather than headquarters location.
For national reach, you can also compare these local options against top PR firms nationally.
Top PR Firms in Orlando, FL
Orlando supports a wide spectrum of public relations firms, from long established strategic communications shops to boutique lifestyle specialists and high growth modern agencies. Before the individual profiles, it helps to know what separates a genuinely strong firm from a generic one.
What makes a top Orlando PR firm:
Track record: A documented history of earned media results, client retention, and industry recognition rather than vague promises.
Category expertise: Real depth in your industry, whether that is tourism, technology, healthcare, real estate, or public affairs, so the team already understands your audience and the relevant reporters.
Media relationships: Working relationships with the specific outlets and journalists who reach your customers, both locally and nationally.
Measurement: A clear approach to defining success, whether that is coverage quality, share of voice, web traffic, leads, or sales, instead of vanity metrics.
Fit and senior attention: Confidence that experienced people, not just junior staff, will actually run your account.
The profiles below cover firms that are headquartered in Orlando, maintain a significant Orlando presence, or actively serve the Central Florida market. Details reflect public information from each firm and third party business directories as of early 2026.
Best Orlando Public Relations Agencies
Salient PR
Founded: 2016, by founder and CEO Justin Mauldin, who previously held roles at Apple and the tech PR agency Mission North (formerly Bateman Group).
Location: Austin, Texas, operating as a distributed, fully remote agency. Salient PR is not headquartered in Orlando, but it works with clients in the Orlando area and nationwide and can handle PR needs remotely, which is increasingly common for technology focused programs.
Specialties: B2B technology public relations, including media relations, thought leadership, executive ghostwriting, and content, with deep focus on AI, cybersecurity, SaaS, DevOps, fintech, crypto, agtech, and martech.
Industries: Venture backed and high growth technology companies, many funded by tier one investors such as Andreessen Horowitz and Kleiner Perkins.
Notable clients: SaaS and technology companies including CircleCI, Vanta, and Campaign Monitor.
Team size: A boutique, founder led team that deliberately limits its client count so the founder stays directly involved on every account.
What makes it distinctive: A founder led model in which Justin Mauldin personally runs each account rather than handing execution to junior staff after the pitch. The agency reports client retention well above the industry norm, and Mauldin has been recognized by Business Insider among the top people in tech PR. For Orlando area technology and venture backed companies that want senior, specialized attention without a local office requirement, it is a strong distributed option.
Curley & Pynn (The Strategic Firm)
Founded: 1984, by Joe Curley and Roger Pynn, two veterans of the Florida Public Relations Association.
Location: Orlando area (Maitland).
Specialties: Strategic public relations and marketing communications, media relations, issues and crisis management, message development, and spokesperson and media training. The firm trademarked both "The Strategic Firm" and its proprietary Message Matrix training process.
Industries: Energy, higher education, technology, and tourism, which the firm describes as the sectors driving Florida's economic growth.
Notable clients: Visit Orlando and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). The firm also supported Visit South Walton's recovery communications after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Team size: A compact senior team. Business directories place its headcount in roughly the 10 to 49 employee range; the firm does not publish an exact number.
What makes it distinctive: One of the longest running independent PR firms in the market, with more than 40 years in operation. President Dan Ward purchased the firm in 2018 after more than two decades as an employee, giving it continuity of culture and leadership.
Wragg & Casas Strategic Communications
Founded: Operating for more than 30 years as an independent Florida firm.
Location: Headquartered in Miami with an office in downtown Orlando.
Specialties: Media relations, issues management, crisis communications, media training, public affairs, litigation support, multicultural marketing, branding, and web and graphic design. The firm offers in house English and Spanish capabilities.
Industries: Corporations, institutions, and government agencies, with strength in bilingual and multicultural outreach across Florida and into Latin America.
Notable clients: U.S. Sugar, which the firm reports as a relationship spanning more than 25 years.
Team size: A mid size independent agency; third party data places its annual revenue in the eight figure range.
What makes it distinctive: Genuine bilingual depth and a public affairs and litigation communications practice that many boutique firms cannot match.
Axia Public Relations
Founded: 2002, by accredited PR practitioner Jason Mudd.
Location: Headquartered in the Jacksonville area (Fernandina Beach) and operates as a distributed national firm. Axia markets actively to Orlando and maintains an Orlando facing presence, but note that it is not Orlando headquartered.
Specialties: Earned, shared, and owned media built around the PESO model, including media relations, crisis communications, thought leadership, social media, online reputation management, and content.
Industries: Medium and large corporations across construction, cybersecurity, insurance, franchising, and professional services.
Notable clients: Past and current work includes franchise and corporate brands such as Rebounderz and the former MPS Group, among others cited in the firm's case studies.
Team size: Directory listings indicate roughly 11 to 50 employees.
What makes it distinctive: A data and ROI driven approach to earned media, plus an emphasis on using PR and SEO together to manage what ranks for a brand's name.
BoardroomPR
Founded: 1989, by Julie Talenfeld, a former South Florida broadcast journalist.
Location: Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale with a statewide footprint that includes an Orlando office on North Orange Avenue, plus Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, and Naples.
Specialties: Media relations, branding, event planning, crisis communications, and integrated digital marketing including SEO and SEM. The firm runs dedicated practice areas, including a notable law firm practice.
Industries: Real estate and development, legal, healthcare, hospitality, and nonprofits.
Notable clients: Real estate and development brands such as Encore and projects including Paramount Fort Lauderdale Beach, plus a broad nonprofit roster.
Team size: Roughly 20 professionals across its Florida offices.
What makes it distinctive: One of Florida's largest independent, woman owned PR firms, with the multi office infrastructure to run statewide campaigns from a single agency.
Otter PR
Founded: 2019, by Scott Bartnick and Dr. Jay Feldman.
Location: Headquartered in Orlando with a second office in St. Petersburg.
Specialties: Results driven media relations, reputation and crisis management, brand auditing, and digital marketing. The firm is known for a guaranteed media placement model and its proprietary process.
Industries: Startups through mid size businesses across technology, healthcare, e-commerce, and personal brands.
Notable clients: Client placements span outlets such as Forbes, The New York Times, and CNBC; the firm does not publish a fixed client roster.
Team size: Grew from two founders to a team of roughly 40 to 60 professionals within its first several years.
What makes it distinctive: A modern, high volume, guaranteed coverage model that has earned top rankings from review platforms including Clutch, G2, and UpCity. It is one of the fastest growing PR firms based in Orlando.
Wellons Communications
Founded: 2006, by Will Wellons, a former newspaper journalist and agency executive.
Location: Orlando area (Longwood).
Specialties: Media relations, social media management, content, crisis communications planning, and thought leadership. The firm's pitch centers on a team of former journalists who understand how newsrooms actually work.
Industries: Hospitality, attractions, and restaurants, with broader work for businesses and nonprofits.
Notable clients: Ripley Entertainment, among others in the attractions and hospitality space.
Team size: A small, senior, multi generational team of former journalists and PR professionals.
What makes it distinctive: Newsroom DNA. The former reporter staffing is a real differentiator for clients who want media relations led by people who have sat on the other side of the pitch.
Point Taken Communications
Founded: 2017, led by president Michelle Gilliam.
Location: Headquartered in Jacksonville and serves the Orlando market and clients nationwide. The firm runs an Orlando focused practice, but note that its headquarters is in Jacksonville rather than Orlando.
Specialties: Media relations, influencer relations, marketing, web design, and social media, with an emphasis on performance and ROI rather than vanity coverage.
Industries: Hospitality, lifestyle, and nonprofit brands.
Notable clients: Hospitality and lifestyle brands plus regional nonprofits; client testimonials include Pet Paradise.
Team size: A boutique senior team. Directory data lists roughly 2 to 10 employees.
What makes it distinctive: A senior strategist on every account and an explicit focus on measurable outcomes such as bookings, leads, and donations.
Uproar PR (Uproar by Moburst)
Founded: 2011, by Mike Harris and Catriona Harris.
Location: Orlando, with historical offices in other US cities.
Specialties: Technology and consumer public relations, media relations, thought leadership, social media, and influencer marketing.
Industries: Technology, consumer products, lifestyle, healthcare, real estate, and fintech.
Notable clients: VizyPay, the Orlando Museum of Art, fintech startup Worth AI, and consumer technology brand Yarbo.
Team size: A mid size agency; it now operates within Moburst's larger structure.
What makes it distinctive: A strong consumer and tech track record and recognition including the Inc. 5000. Note an important 2024 update: Uproar PR was acquired by digital marketing agency Moburst in December 2024 and now operates as Uproar by Moburst, with the Orlando office serving as Moburst's US PR hub.
Consensus Communications
Founded: 1995.
Location: Orlando (South Orange Avenue, downtown).
Specialties: Public relations combined with government relations and lobbying, public affairs, political consulting, ballot initiative and referendum campaigns, issues management, crisis communications, public opinion research, and TV and video production. The firm operates under the OnMessage brand.
Industries: Healthcare, real estate, tourism, agribusiness, environmental, and infrastructure, with a strong public sector and high stakes campaign focus.
Notable clients: Work includes contracts with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which operates Orlando International Airport, along with major Florida companies and industry groups.
Team size: A senior team of roughly 8 to 10 professionals, including veteran Florida political and polling consultants.
What makes it distinctive: One of the few Orlando firms that pairs traditional public relations with full lobbying, political consulting, and ballot campaign capabilities. The Orlando Business Journal has repeatedly ranked it among the largest and leading PR firms in Central Florida.
Appleton Creative
Founded: 1987.
Location: Orlando (Delaney Avenue, near downtown).
Specialties: Full service marketing and advertising with public relations as one division, plus branding, web design and development, SEO, digital marketing, media buying, print, and video production.
Industries: B2B and B2C clients across real estate, travel, consumer, and healthcare.
Notable clients: Work includes brand campaigns for the Florida REALTOR brand, among other regional and national clients.
Team size: Roughly 21 to 50 employees.
What makes it distinctive: A genuinely full service shop. If you want PR managed alongside advertising, video, and web under one roof rather than coordinated across vendors, Appleton fits that model. Led by CEO and owner Diana Larue.
TJM Communications
Founded: 2001, by president and founder Treva Marshall, formerly director of marketing communications at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort.
Location: Oviedo, in the Orlando metro area.
Specialties: Lifestyle public relations, influencer and media relations, storytelling, crisis communications, and social media.
Industries: Travel, hospitality, food, wine, and the convention and event sectors, with global partner reach into Canada, the UK, Europe, and Latin America.
Notable clients: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism, Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen, and Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney.
Team size: A boutique team of roughly 8 to 9 people.
What makes it distinctive: Deep, specialized hospitality and travel expertise, with staff who have direct on property hotel, cruise, and theme park experience. Recognized by HSMAI, PR Daily, and the Florida Public Relations Association.
Central Florida PR Firms & Communications Agencies
Many businesses search for "Central Florida PR firms" rather than Orlando specifically, and in practice the two terms describe the same market. Central Florida is a connected region rather than a single city, and PR campaigns here routinely cross municipal lines.
Geographic scope. The Central Florida PR market covers Orlando, Winter Park, Kissimmee, Sanford, Lake Mary, and the broader metro, and extends out to Daytona Beach on the coast, Melbourne and the Space Coast to the east, and Lakeland toward Tampa. Agencies based in any of these communities regularly serve clients across the whole region.
The I-4 corridor. Interstate 4 is the spine of Central Florida business. It links Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, and the Daytona Beach area, and the stretch through Orlando concentrates the region's tourism, technology, healthcare, and development activity. Because so much of the economy clusters along this route, agencies think in terms of the corridor rather than one downtown.
Why "Central Florida" and "Orlando" overlap. Orlando is by far the largest media market and economic hub in the region, so a firm marketing to "Central Florida" and a firm marketing to "Orlando" are usually targeting the same reporters, the same business community, and the same audiences. For most buyers, the labels are interchangeable.
The talent pipeline. The University of Central Florida (UCF) is one of the largest universities in the country, and its Nicholson School of Communication and Media feeds a steady stream of PR, journalism, and communications talent into local agencies. Valencia College and other regional institutions add to that pipeline. This is a meaningful reason the region sustains so many independent firms.
If your search extends beyond Central Florida, it is also worth comparing nearby markets such as Tampa PR agencies and Miami PR firms, since several Florida firms operate across all three.
Public Affairs & Political PR Firms in Orlando
Public affairs and political communications are a distinct discipline within Orlando PR, and they matter more here than many people assume.
Florida's political weight. Florida is the third most populous state in the country and a perennial focus of national political attention, which raises the stakes for any organization whose interests intersect with policy. For decades it has been treated as one of the most closely watched states in national campaigns.
Tallahassee versus the Orlando media market. The state capital, Tallahassee, sits roughly 250 miles north of Orlando, so legislative and regulatory action happens there. Orlando, however, is the dominant media market for Central Florida, which means the public facing battle over policy issues is often fought through Orlando outlets even when the decisions are made in the capital. Effective public affairs work usually requires both a Tallahassee government relations track and an Orlando media relations track.
What government relations firms handle here. Public affairs practices in the Orlando area work on lobbying coordination, regulatory communications, policy messaging, coalition building, and community and stakeholder engagement. The goal is to align legislative strategy with public opinion and media coverage.
Orlando specific policy issues. The local policy agenda is shaped by the region's economy and includes tourism regulation, theme park and attractions industry policy, real estate development and zoning along a fast growing corridor, and transportation. Transportation in particular is a recurring theme, from the SunRail commuter rail system to the long running I-4 Ultimate highway reconstruction.
Agencies with public affairs capability. Several firms profiled above bring real strength here. Consensus Communications is the clearest example, pairing public relations with full lobbying, political consulting, and ballot initiative work from its downtown Orlando office. Wragg & Casas runs a dedicated public affairs and litigation communications practice, and Curley & Pynn has long handled issues and crisis management for corporate and civic clients. For political and regulatory work specifically, confirm a firm's lobbying registration and government relations track record directly, since public affairs is a specialized discipline distinct from general media relations.
Orlando's Key Industries for PR
Orlando is far more than its theme parks, and the breadth of its economy is exactly why the local PR industry is so deep. These are the sectors driving demand.
Tourism and hospitality. Orlando set a tourism record with 76.7 million visitors in 2025, up from 75.3 million in 2024, according to Visit Orlando. The destination anchors include Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld, along with the Orange County Convention Center, which is one of the largest convention centers in the United States at roughly 7 million square feet and is frequently cited as the second largest in the country. This concentration supports a large ecosystem of agencies specializing in attractions, hotels, restaurants, and convention and event PR.
Technology. Central Florida has a growing technology base, including the Lake Nona Medical City innovation cluster, the regional tech corridor, and a long established modeling, simulation, and training industry tied to defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and L3Harris Technologies. The Central Florida Research Park, adjacent to UCF, is one of the largest research parks in the country. These companies generate steady demand for B2B technology and corporate PR.
Healthcare. Major health systems including Orlando Health and AdventHealth, along with Nemours Children's Hospital, make healthcare a significant PR category. The region also supports a growing set of health technology startups, many connected to Lake Nona.
Real estate and development. Central Florida has been one of the country's fastest growing development corridors, with major activity in Lake Nona, Horizon West, and downtown's Creative Village, plus the construction boom tied to the I-4 corridor. Real estate, construction, and proptech clients are a core part of the local PR mix.
Aerospace and defense. NASA's Kennedy Space Center sits on the Space Coast about an hour east of Orlando, with a commercial launch ecosystem that now includes companies such as Blue Origin and SpaceX. Combined with the region's simulation and defense industry, this gives Orlando a meaningful aerospace and defense communications niche.
Orlando Media Landscape
Understanding which outlets matter is essential to evaluating any Orlando PR firm, because earned media results depend on real relationships with these newsrooms.
Print and digital. The Orlando Sentinel is the region's largest daily newspaper. The Orlando Business Journal is the key outlet for business, real estate, and executive news. Orlando Weekly covers culture and local affairs, Orlando Magazine covers lifestyle, and GrowthSpotter focuses on development and real estate.
Broadcast television. The major stations are WESH 2 (NBC), WFTV Channel 9 (ABC), WKMG News 6 (CBS), and Fox 35 Orlando, along with the cable news channel Spectrum News 13. These stations drive much of the region's high reach broadcast coverage.
Digital and podcasts. Orlando also supports a growing layer of digital first outlets, newsletters, and podcasts covering tourism, theme parks, technology, and local business, which increasingly matter for niche and consumer campaigns.
National outlets. Because of the theme park industry, tourism economy, and Florida politics, national reporters frequently cover Orlando, and several maintain Florida coverage focused on these beats. Strong local firms can use Orlando news hooks to reach national coverage.
This local depth is one reason a firm with genuine Orlando relationships can deliver results that a generalist agency with no regional footprint may struggle to match.
How to Choose a PR Firm in Orlando
Choosing the right firm is less about prestige and more about fit. Use these steps to evaluate your options.
Questions to ask before you hire:
Who specifically will run my account day to day, and how senior are they?
Which Orlando and national outlets do you have active relationships with in my industry?
Can you show recent results for clients similar to us?
How do you define and measure success, and how often will you report it?
What is included in the retainer, and what triggers additional fees?
Know the local media landscape. A capable Orlando firm should be able to speak fluently about the Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Business Journal, Orlando Weekly, and the network television stations including WESH 2, WFTV Channel 9, Fox 35 Orlando, WKMG News 6, and Spectrum News 13, and explain how they would reach the specific outlets that matter to you.
Understand typical pricing. PR pricing varies widely by scope, agency size, and the seniority of the team on your account, so treat any number as a starting range rather than a fixed rate. Across the industry, boutique and limited scope work commonly starts in the low thousands of dollars per month, mid size full service retainers often fall in the range of roughly $3,000 to $15,000 per month, and larger or specialized firms charge well above that. Project based work, such as a single product launch or a defined campaign, is usually priced as a one time fee instead. Always get a written scope and price from each firm before you compare.
Know what makes Orlando different from Tampa and Miami. Orlando PR skews toward tourism, attractions, technology and simulation, healthcare, and development. Tampa has a different business and media mix, and Miami centers on finance, real estate, international business, and a heavily bilingual market. A firm that is excellent in one of these markets is not automatically the right fit for another, so weigh category and market focus, not just the Florida label.
Reputation is also part of the equation. If protecting or rebuilding your brand is a priority, review proven reputation management strategies and, for higher stakes situations, crisis PR strategies before you choose a partner.
Summary
Orlando is a deep and varied PR market that reflects the breadth of the local economy, spanning tourism and hospitality, technology and simulation, healthcare, real estate and development, aerospace and defense, and public affairs. The leading firms range from decades old strategic shops such as Curley & Pynn and Appleton Creative, to statewide players such as BoardroomPR and Wragg & Casas, to fast growing and specialized firms such as Otter PR, Uproar by Moburst, Wellons Communications, and TJM Communications. Because Orlando functions as the hub of a connected Central Florida market along the I-4 corridor, "Orlando PR" and "Central Florida PR" describe essentially the same landscape. The right choice for your business comes down to category expertise, real media relationships, clear measurement, senior attention, and budget rather than headquarters location. If you want a distributed, award winning option focused on AI, cybersecurity, SaaS, and venture backed technology, Salient PR is built for exactly that work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orlando PR Firms
What are the best PR firms in Orlando?
Frequently cited Orlando area PR firms include Curley & Pynn (The Strategic Firm), BoardroomPR, Otter PR, Uproar by Moburst, and Appleton Creative, alongside boutique specialists such as Wellons Communications and TJM Communications. The best choice depends on your industry and goals; businesses seeking a distributed technology focused agency also consider Salient PR.
How much does a PR agency cost in Orlando?
PR pricing varies widely by scope and agency size. Boutique or limited scope work commonly starts in the low thousands of dollars per month, mid size full service retainers often fall in the range of roughly $3,000 to $15,000 per month, and larger or specialized firms charge more. Project based work, such as a single launch or campaign, is usually a one time fee. Always confirm scope and pricing directly with each agency.
What industries do Orlando PR firms specialize in?
Orlando firms most commonly specialize in tourism and hospitality, technology and simulation, healthcare, real estate and development, and public affairs, reflecting the region's core industries. Many firms also serve aerospace and defense clients tied to the nearby Space Coast.
What is the difference between Orlando and Tampa PR firms?
The main difference is market and media focus. Orlando PR skews toward tourism, attractions, technology, healthcare, and development, and works primarily through Orlando outlets such as the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. Tampa firms work a different regional economy and media market. Many Florida firms serve both, but category and market expertise should drive your decision rather than the city label.
Curious to learn more about how Salient PR can elevate your public relations? Visit our website to explore our services and success stories.
