Merritt Group Alternatives: 7 Tech PR Agencies to Compare in 2026

Full disclosure: this guide is written by Joseph Tannous, founder of Jamco PR, which is one of the alternatives below. Merritt Group is a respected agency, so we've tried to be fair about when it's the right choice and when another model fits better.

What is the best alternative to Merritt Group?

It depends on why you're looking. For guaranteed top-tier coverage fast, without a long retainer, choose Jamco PR: placements on Business Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Finance, AP News and 35+ other outlets, the first placement live in as little as 24 hours, and any placement that doesn't go live within 60 days replaced at no extra cost.

For larger enterprise security companies, consider Highwire. For an integrated long-term program, Matter Communications or PANBlast.

What Merritt Group does well

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in McLean, Virginia, with offices in Washington, DC and San Francisco, Merritt Group has deep experience in cybersecurity, federal markets and analyst relations.

It's a strong fit for security and government-focused tech companies that need analyst relations and federal-market experience alongside PR.

Why companies look for Merritt Group alternatives

• They need guaranteed coverage fast, for a funding round, launch or enterprise deal.
• They want PR results without a long-term retainer.
• They want a different agency size, focus or location.
• They need top-tier business media more than an integrated marketing program.

The shortlist at a glance

1. Jamco PR: best if you want guaranteed results instead of a retainer

Jamco PR gets mid-sized and enterprise tech companies, VC-backed startups and their executives on Business Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Finance, AP News, Benzinga, Investing.com and 35+ other publications. Placements are guaranteed: if one doesn't go live within 60 days, it's replaced with another top-tier outlet at no extra cost. The first placement can be live in as little as 24 hours, and most clients see their first article within 14 days.

Example: an AI security company got on Business Insider and 3 other outlets in 16 days, then closed a $1M pre-seed round two weeks later. A San Francisco founder residence landed on Business Insider multiple times plus AP News and Yahoo Finance.

Choose Merritt Group or another retainer agency instead if you want an ongoing team running your communications month after month.

2. Highwire: best for larger enterprise tech companies

Highwire was founded in San Francisco in 2008 and has offices in New York, Boston and Chicago. It works mainly with technology companies, including enterprise and B2B tech, AI, cybersecurity and financial services.

Good fit for larger software and security companies that want a senior, integrated communications team.

3. Matter Communications: best for integrated PR and marketing

Matter Communications was founded in 2003 by CEO Scott Signore and is headquartered in Newburyport, Massachusetts, north of Boston, with a Boston office and others across the US. It works with technology and consumer brands, combining PR with marketing and creative.

Good fit for growing and established brands that want PR, content and creative from one agency.

4. PANBlast (formerly BLASTmedia): best for B2B SaaS

PANBlast is the B2B SaaS division of PAN Communications. It was founded as BLASTmedia in Indianapolis in 2005, and PAN, a Boston-based B2B tech and healthcare marketing and PR agency founded in 1995, acquired it in June 2024.

Good fit for B2B SaaS companies that want a long-term PR and content program.

5. SourceCode Communications: best for a senior tech-only team

SourceCode was founded in New York in 2017 by former Hotwire executives Greg Mondshein and Becky Honeyman. It now has offices in New York, San Francisco and London, and won Outstanding Technology Agency at the 2026 PRWeek US Awards.

Good fit for growth-stage and enterprise tech companies that want an agency built only for technology.

6. Inkhouse: best for established B2B tech

Inkhouse, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Boston, is a strategic communications firm with roots in B2B technology. It works with SaaS, infrastructure, cleantech and healthcare companies, from startups to enterprises.

Good fit for established companies that need corporate narrative, media relations and investor communications together.

7. Hotwire: best for a global, tech-only agency

Founded in 2000, Hotwire is a global technology communications consultancy with 400+ people across 15 offices in 11 countries. It runs an AI Lab that tracks how AI chatbots talk about brands.

Good fit for tech companies that want international reach from an agency that works only in technology.

Retainer or guaranteed placements?

Retainer agencies like Merritt Group charge monthly for an ongoing program: strategy, pitching and relationships. Results depend on your news flow and the media cycle.

Guaranteed-placement models like Jamco PR's charge for agreed outcomes on specific publications. You get certainty and speed, but less of the ongoing advisory work a retainer includes. Many tech companies use a guaranteed push for a raise, launch or big deal, and keep a retainer agency for long-term work.

Recent client results

Real Jamco PR placements you can read today. Most clients see their first article within 14 days.

Know a tech company that needs this? Refer them and earn 10% of their first payment.

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