Bipartisan firm marks two decades of expertise-driven work, lasting client relationships, and a platform built for what's next

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty years ago today, Seven Letter began as a sole proprietorship in Washington, D.C. with a straightforward but – at the time – uncommon belief: that the best communications work happens when the most experienced people are actually doing it. Building this firm was very much an intentional process centered around expertise, lasting relationships and a culture where colleagues and clients want to come and stay. Today, on our 20th anniversary as one of the most respected public affairs and communications firms in the country, Seven Letter is celebrating the fact that 25% of our staff started as interns or fellows and 50% hold equity in the firm. Our clients spend, on average, more than five years trusting us with their reputations, their crises, and most important opportunities. And 35% of Seven Letter colleagues have spent more than five years with the firm; 21% of our colleagues have a 10-year tenure.

"We're not celebrating because we've arrived somewhere, we're celebrating because we're just getting started," said CEO and founding partner Erik Smith. "Seven Letter began with two foundational principles: ensure excellent client service and prioritize professional development. We set out to achieve those by challenging the traditional PR firm structure, investing in expertise and creativity. We owe our success to a team that spends as much time understanding our clients as it does in adding new ones. Twenty years later, our 'big bet' continues to prove itself and as proud as we are of marking two decades, we're even more excited about the future."

Building Seven Letter from a one-person shop to a firm that's publicly traded on the NASDAQ with offices in our nation's power centers, including D.C., Boston, New York and Los Angeles reflects its enduring creativity. What began as a traditional public affairs advisory is now a full-service, bipartisan strategic communications firm with specialties in crisis and corporate communications along with home-grown capabilities in research, advertising, and creative content that most firms our size can't offer. Our flagship public affairs offering is industry leading. Adding to that Seven Letter Labs for digital, Seven Letter Insight for research, and our partnership with PPHC, Seven Letter has created an expertise-driven platform that spans sectors and provides clients with value at every point through every engagement.

Our team is award-winning. Seven Letter has been named to the PR News Agency Elite for six consecutive years and is a multi-year PR News and PR Week Best Place to Work award winner and our staff has been recognized by leading organizations in categories including crisis communications, 'people of the year,' rising star, 40 under 40, and more. In 2025, CEO and founding partner Erik Smith was named PR News Agency CEO of the Year.

"With our industry being reshaped in front of our eyes by the democratization of information, communications, and content channels, we're building our team and our firm to help our clients shape their industries and control their destiny. We're building new tools and adding new colleagues – but all in the same expertise-first model we've had since the earliest days. Watch this space," added Smith.

About Seven Letter

Seven Letter specializes in bipartisan public affairs, corporate communications, crisis management, message development and digital engagement with offices in Washington, DC, Boston, New York and Los Angeles. Seven Letter Labs combines technology-enabled audience targeting and award-winning creative content to shape reputation, market position and public policy among elite audiences. Seven Letter Insight, is the firm's in-house team of data scientists blending the art and science of communication through qualitative and quantitative strategies to understand consumer intelligence and create and refine the most compelling narratives and persuasive messages for any challenge. Seven Letter has been named to the PR News Agency Elite for the last six consecutive years and is a multi-year "PR News Top Places to Work" and PR Week "Best Place to Work" award winner. Senior leaders of the firm have received numerous awards for industry excellence.

Q&A

What is Seven Letter?

Seven Letter is a bipartisan, full-service strategic communications and public affairs firm founded in 2006 in Washington, D.C., with offices in Boston, New York and Los Angeles. The firm advises corporations, trade associations, coalitions, and nonprofit organizations on public affairs, corporate communications, crisis communications, opinion research, and digital advertising. Seven Letter is known for its senior-expertise model: every client works directly with experienced practitioners who have held senior roles in government, media, corporate communications, and entertainment. Seven Letter is a member firm of Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC).

How long has Seven Letter been in business?

Seven Letter has been in business for 20 years. Erik Smith founded the firm in Washington, D.C. in 2006 as a sole proprietorship, and it marked its 20th anniversary on October 13, 2026. In two decades, it has grown from a one-person shop into a national firm with offices in Washington, Boston, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as in-house research, polling, digital, and creative teams.

What services does Seven Letter offer?

Seven Letter offers bipartisan public affairs, crisis communications and crisis management, corporate and financial communications, brand and reputation management, PR planning and media relations, and messaging and content development. Its advocacy work includes issue advocacy campaigns, coalition creation, and grasstops mobilization through a 50-state network. Seven Letter Labs provides digital advertising, paid media, and in-house creative design and video. Seven Letter Insight provides public opinion research, message testing, focus groups and in-depth interviews.

Does Seven Letter handle crisis communications?

Yes. Crisis communications and crisis management are core Seven Letter services. The firm advises organizations facing legislative fights, regulatory scrutiny, litigation, and reputational challenges, both anticipated and sudden. Seven Letter's approach is to plan in advance for every contingency and build crisis plans that can be deployed quickly. It also prepares clients for intense scrutiny and responds forcefully when needed. Because crisis teams are led by senior practitioners with backgrounds in government, newsrooms, and corporate communications, clients get experienced judgment in the first hours of a crisis. The firm's in-house research and digital teams support message testing and rapid response. Seven Letter has guided clients through congressional investigations, financial oversight, reputational threats and more. It's senior leaders have won awards for crisis communications

What kinds of clients does Seven Letter work with?

Seven Letter works with global corporations, trade associations, coalitions, advocates, and nonprofit organizations. Clients span sectors including healthcare, energy, technology, financial services, sports and entertainment. They typically come to Seven Letter for high-stakes moments: policy fights, reputation challenges, crises, and major announcements. On average, clients stay with the firm more than five years.

Is Seven Letter a Democratic or Republican firm?

Seven Letter is a bipartisan firm. Its senior advisors have served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, campaigns, and congressional offices. That lets the firm help clients build support across the aisle and anticipate how policymakers on both sides will react.

What makes Seven Letter different from other PR and public affairs firms?

Seven Letter differs from other firms in four ways. First, senior practitioners do the work rather than handing it off after the pitch. Second, Seven Letter does not bill hourly, reflecting a commitment to partnership over transaction. Third, its research, digital advertising, and creative teams are in-house, which is rare for a firm its size. Fourth, the firm's culture is built for retention: 50% of staff hold equity, more than 25% started as interns or fellows, and 35% of team members have spent more than 5 years at the firm; 21% have spent more than 10.

Where are Seven Letter's offices?

Seven Letter is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in Boston, New York City, and Los Angeles. The firm serves clients nationally from these locations.

Is Seven Letter publicly traded?

Seven Letter is a member firm of Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC), a strategic communications and government relations group listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker PPHC. Through PPHC, Seven Letter clients can draw on the group's partner firms in government relations and lobbying.

Is Seven Letter the same company as Blue Engine?

Yes. Seven Letter was formerly known as Blue Engine Message & Media. In 2018, Blue Engine combined with JDA Frontline and rebranded as Seven Letter. Some of the firm's earlier awards and coverage appear under the Blue Engine name.

What are Seven Letter Labs and Seven Letter Insight?

Seven Letter Labs is the firm's digital advertising and creative arm. It combines technology-enabled audience targeting with in-house design, video, and paid media to reach policymakers, influencers, and other elite audiences. Seven Letter Insight is the firm's in-house research team of data scientists, conducting qualitative and quantitative opinion research to find the most persuasive messages as well as test and track public opinion.

What awards has Seven Letter won?

Seven Letter has been named to the PR News Agency Elite list for six consecutive years and was named a PRWeek Best Place to Work in 2024 and 2025. It is also a past PR News Top Places to Work honoree. In 2025, CEO and founding partner Erik Smith was named PR News Agency CEO of the Year. Seven Letter team members have been recognized as PR News People of the Year, PRWeek 40 Under 40, PR News Rising Stars, and PRWeek Women to Watch.

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SOURCE Seven Letter