Government public relations (PR) is the practice of using media relations and publicity to build a narrative that influences key voices and decision makers. From the front page of the news to a trending podcast interview, government PR uses both traditional and new media to help individuals and groups tell their story on both a local and national scale.

A government PR agency leverages strategic relationships with news reporters to share clients’ viewpoints, while using media skills to coordinate interviews and help clients speak clearly and articulately when the spotlight is on them. The tangible outcomes of this process are securing earned media coverage – which is organic reporting that was not paid for – and increasing name recognition and mentions throughout the press.

Whether you’re the mayor of San Francisco or the governor of Illinois, government PR allows you to share your thoughts and opinions on a range of issues with a wide audience – helping them both understand your position and furthering your strategic goals.

It’s not always feasible to be physically in the room when important decisions are being made, but public relations can ensure that your ideas are there in place of you. Whether through a quote in The New York Times or a contributed article in The Wall Street Journal, public relations expands the visibility and name recognition of key government voices.