Media Relations

Making news to make an impact.

Our Media Relations team only works with nonprofits, coalitions, and foundations that are committed to making the world a more just and sustainable place. We put forward personal stories, powerful studies, and expert voices in the news on a variety of causes we’re proud to support. Currently, our team is using the power of the press to:

  • Protect our environment and address climate change
  • Advance civil rights for all – including women, immigrants, LGBTQ people, and those in the criminal justice system
  • Advocate for global human rights
  • Hold corporations accountable for the influence they wield over our society

Getting an influential story in news outlets like NPR, La Opinion, CNN, Vox, or the Des Moines Register involves more than blasting a press release to a media list. That’s why our team of nearly 20 PR professionals across the country provides a mix of communications strategies and tools to advance an organization’s goals. We often combine forces with our digital colleagues to make sure a press strategy is working hand-in-hand with social media, digital organizing, and advertising. Our work includes:

  • Media Outreach (from building and maintaining press relationships, to content development, to pitching)
  • Strategic Planning
  • Media Assessments
  • Expert Positioning
  • Message Development
  • Story Collection
  • Media Training
  • Non-English Language Media Outreach
  • Coalition Communications 
  • Stakeholder & Partner Engagement

Since 2015, we’ve been measuring the impact of media hits for nonprofits in our annual M+R Mediamarks Study. Check out our most recent Mediamarks.

Advocating for Immigrant Women and Girls

TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER

Our work with The Tahirih Justice Center focused on assisting immigrant women and girls fleeing violence.

Closing the Gender Gap for Teens

PLAN INTERNATIONAL USA

M+R developed a strategy to elevate Plan International USA’s brand and set the tone for organizational shifts in advocacy and programming.

Expanding Freedom and Democracy

FREEDOM HOUSE

We used earned and social media to help Freedom House further position itself as a leading voice on democracy issues.

Applying Pressure for Peace in Darfur

SAVE DARFUR COALITION

M+R and the Save Darfur Coalition leveraged Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway to further peacekeeping efforts in Darfur, Sudan

Making Our Food Safe

PEW CHARITABLE TRUST

M+R along with The Make Our Food Safe Coalition launched a national campaign to reform federal food safety regulations.

Repeal the Helms Amendment

POPULATION CONNECTION

We’re working with Population Connection to repeal the Helms Amendment—a 1973 law that has banned U.S. foreign aid for safe abortion access.

Fighting Trump’s Transgender Military Ban

GLAD & NCLR

We used media relations and social media to sustain a public conversation about the harms of the Trump administration’s ban on transgender military service, and position GLAD and NCLR’s lead attorneys as key experts fighting this discriminatory policy in the courts.

#ExxonKnew + Pay Up Climate Polluters Campaign

EXXONKNEW

We helped the #ExxonKnew coalition and the Center for Climate Integrity spark a national question and countless investigations and lawsuits about who should pay for climate change: taxpayers or the corporate climate polluters who caused the catastrophe?

Protecting the Right to Protest

STOPPING SLAPP. DEFENDING DISSENT.

We worked with a coalition of leading organizations from many movements to fight the threat posed by SLAPP suits to advocates and nonprofits with messaging, media, and actions.

Equality Pride

GAY & LESBIAN ADVOCATES & DEFENDERS (GLAD)

GLAD has led the fight for the rights of LGBT and HIV+ people in America since the 1970s. We've helped them win in the press, on social media, and even on the SCOTUS steps.

96 Elephants

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

We are in awe of elephants and are sickened that 96 are killed every day. We're working online and with partners to pressure international leaders to end elephant poaching. President Obama and Secretary Clinton have already joined the fight.

Assessing Press Hits

SIERRA CLUB + OXFAM AMERICA

How does your organization compare to your peers? Which messages are (or aren’t) sticking in the press? And which types of media and reporters should you be paying more attention to for your cause?

Online Fundraising + Advocacy

We pioneered the field of online engagement and are still leading the way.

Media Relations

We make news that makes a difference for nonprofits of all sizes. Our press results pressure leaders + build reputations.

Social Media

We grow communities, engage influencers, create content + analyze results on social channels.

Digital Advertising

We build + run search, social, display, and other channels seamlessly integrated into our clients' fundraising, advocacy, and electoral programs to identify, engage, and convert supporters.

M+R Win: Integrated Advocacy Campaigns

We bring all hands on deck when a campaign needs planning + messaging + press + social media + ads. We see across movements and bring partners into alignment. WE PLAY TO WIN.

Analytics + Optimization

We study our clients’ online data + suggest ways they could raise more money + make more impact.

Messaging + Identity

We use formal research + our own creativity to develop message guides, campaign names + identities.