About Heron Agency, a Chicago based Experiential Firm

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About Heron, a Chicago-based Experiential Agency

Heron is an award-winning lifestyle communications firm. As a winner of the PR News Agency Elite Awards and the BESPOKE Communication Awards, our comprehensive results-driven campaigns help garner attention that leads to real bottom line results. Our robust campaigns include not only public relations and marketing, but digital elements, social media, influencer relations, and the development of strategic long term alliances and promotions. Each Heron account is managed by a team of seasoned professionals that deliver results in real time, each working to ensure success. We have the bandwidth to deliver unprecedented exposure for clients.
We believe in our reputation, which is why our clients trust us with theirs.

The history of our agency

Heron Agency was founded in 2000 by Noreen Heron. Our Chicago PR firm has planned and executed over 1500 campaigns, from strategies for major events including the Taste of Chicago, the Race to Mackinac, the Jeff Awards, the Grand Chefs Gala, the Randolph Street Market, the Highland Games, the Chicago Boat & RV Show, and the One of a Kind Show; to corporate clients including Paper Source, Jet’s Pizza, BV Wines, Wow Bao, Bailey’s, Smirnoff Vodka, Orangetheory Fitness, Luna Carpet, Massage Envy, Galaxie Home Improvement, EZ Breathe, the Chicago Wolves; and several non-profit organizations including the National Hellenic Museum, Alliance Francaise Chicago, the American Writers Museum, and more. With an emphasis on entertainment and hospitality, throughout the 18-year history of the firm, Heron Agency has managed campaigns for over 25 hotel brands, and has also represented artists such as Jerry Seinfeld, Louis CK, Janeane Garafalo, Gabriel Byrne, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Ditka, the Beach Boys, Celtic Thunder, and Jewel, among others.

At Heron, we go big or go home.  Over our 20-year history, our team has executed publicity stunts for the history books.  We have helped to plan over:

  • 5 Guinness World Record attempts (and successes!)
  • 8 pop up events at major cultural institutions
  • 6 viral social media campaigns
  • 1 flash mob at over 15 key locations in the city of Chicago
  • 2 parades down Wacker Drive
  • Over 100 Festivals
  • Over 500 Grand Openings and Opening Night Events
  • and more!

Our capabilities for experiential activations include:

  • Creative brainstorm of strategy
  • Vendor recommendations and coordination
  • Permit execution
  • Run of Show creation and walkthroughs
  • Celebrity Appearance
  • Dignitary scheduling and coordination
  • Sponsorship and silent auction donation assistance
  • Street Teams
  • Chef Demonstrations
  • Brand Collaborations and Cross Promotional Partnerships
  • Grassroots Marketing
  • Festival Appearance Coordination

What sets this agency apart

• We go beyond producing glossy placements. We develop strategically integrated campaigns that directly impact the bottom line.
• In our 20-year history, when we start with a client, our trajectory is that we grow with them and continue to represent them in various capacities, developing strong allegiances and partnerships.
• We incorporate marketing into every PR campaign, and directly reach out to a multitude of contacts in various categories that target your key demo. We add business matchmaking, alliances, contests, promotions, on location POPs to create awareness.
• We maximize exposure for clients by providing bio forms to key management, and individually pitch each to applicable media outlets including neighborhood, alumni & native of media.
• We are familiar with and utilize SEO principles in all of our materials.
• We are skilled at Crisis Communications.
• We maintain a monthly e-newsletter that is sent to dining and lifestyle enthusiasts with a significant open rate.
• We are in constant communication with our clients, providing links to coverage, potential opportunities and strategic recommendations. You will never question what we are up to.
• We have a reputation for organization and speed. We move quickly, which allows us to always be on top of trends, moving fast to capitalize on news in the moment.
• We represent a variety of entertainment and lifestyle brands, which makes us unique because we are not in one niche category. Our contacts range from travel, to business, hospitality, fashion, and more. This allows us to creatively pitch every facet of the business for a wide array of feature opportunities.

Contact Us:
For more information, please follow the agency on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or call 773-969-5200.