SHIFT Communications Alternatives: 7 B2B 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. SHIFT Communications 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 SHIFT Communications does well

SHIFT Communications has offices in Boston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco. It's an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a division of Padilla, which gives it access to a network of around 1,000 people in 23 offices worldwide.

It positions PR as a performance lever for technology and consumer brands, using a "Performance Communications" framework that ties programs to objectives, insights, activation and measured impact. It's a strong fit for companies that want a larger integrated agency with measurement built in.

Why companies look for SHIFT Communications 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 B2B tech specialist rather than an agency that also serves consumer brands.
• They want a smaller senior team or a remote model.

The shortlist at a glance

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

Jamco PR gets B2B tech companies 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: KinoSec, 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.

Choose SHIFT Communications or another retainer agency instead if you want an ongoing team for media relations, analyst relations and thought leadership month after month.

2. Walker Sands: best for PR plus marketing

Founded in 2001, Walker Sands is a B2B marketing and PR agency with offices in Chicago, Boston, Seattle and San Francisco. It combines public relations with strategy, creative, content, digital marketing (including SEO and GEO) and revenue operations.

Good fit for B2B companies that want PR and demand generation coordinated by one team.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Kite Hill PR: best for adtech, martech and enterprise tech

Kite Hill PR was founded in 2013 by CEO Tiffany Guarnaccia and is headquartered in New York. It's a B2B communications and tech PR agency working across enterprise tech, adtech and martech, cybersecurity, fintech, healthtech and climate tech, combining thought leadership, strategy and media relations.

Good fit for B2B and enterprise tech companies, especially in marketing and advertising technology.

6. Corporate Ink: best for niche B2B tech markets

Corporate Ink was founded in Boston in 1989 by former journalist Amy Bermar and has been led by CEO Greg Hakim since 2019. It focuses on B2B tech markets such as SaaS, supply chain, cybersecurity, AI and fintech, takes a buyer-centric, pipeline-driven approach, and is part of the Worldcom Public Relations Group.

Good fit for B2B tech companies in specialist markets that want PR tied to pipeline.

7. Crackle PR: best for senior-only programs with AI search

Crackle PR, led by founder and CEO Parry Headrick, is a fully remote, US-based team of senior strategists. It works with B2B tech companies and combines media relations and analyst relations with GEO and LLM optimization.

Good fit for VC-backed B2B tech companies that want experienced people on every account.

Retainer or guaranteed placements?

Retainer agencies like SHIFT Communications 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 companies use a guaranteed push first, then add a retainer once they have steady news.

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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