We are so honored to be nominated for PRovoke’s 2021 Agencies of the Year! Out of over 150 submissions, we are among four agencies in North America to reach the finals for the 2021 Consumer PR Agencies of the Year category. Read below to view the finalist report on H&S and why we were selected.

H&S

Launched 24 years ago as a luxury, fashion and lifestyle PR firm by Elizabeth Harrison and Lara Shriftman, H&S had evolved into something quite different by 2021. At least part of that is down to ownership. After selling to Omnicom in 2003, the firm completed an MBO in 2020, buying back its independence but continuing to maintain key relationships with Omnicom agencies, notably Ketchum and BBDO.

Locations

New York (HQ) and Miami.

Focus

H&S retains a core focus on consumer, hospitality and lifestyle, but stands apart from many of its rivals by bringing an elevated level of cultural intelligence, particularly as it pertains to diversity and inclusion. For example, H&S partnered with SaaS player Reframe to improve corporate America’s urgently required ability to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture. That cross-cultural mindset permeates much of the firm’s offering, across fashion, technology, hospitality, entertainment, spirits, and food & beverage.

Performance

Unsurprisingly, 2020 proved a challenging year for H&S, not least because so many of its consumer-focused clients were adversely impacted by the pandemic, resulting in retainer and project cuts. The firm focused on its profit margin, kept its top clients, retained all of its senior leaders and, by the end of the year, had reached its revenue goals and reinstated bonuses. New business reflected H&S’ agility, including such names as Amazon, American Express, Capital Brands, Central Park Tower and Kering, which joined an existing client roster that features Bacardi Rum, Belvedere Vodka, Booking.com, Omega, Steinway & Sons, Volkswagen and Wacoal.

People & Culture

Elizabeth Harrison serves as CEO and the driving force at H&S, supported by chief brand officer Veronica Rodriguez. Of note, 70% of the firm’s leadership team are people of color, while the firm as a whole is 50% diverse, reflecting H&S’ commitment to DE&I. Employees are encouraged to join extracurricular activities that include Book Club and CSR programs. In the wake of #BLM, a group of diverse employees created Culture Club to offer their services to clients struggling to make sense of the new order in the wake of recent social injustice issues. Prior to Covid-19, the agency participated in an in-depth diversity training, sharing personal and professional challenges, while also bringing the agency together with words of support and commitment to do better. H&S also works with PENCIL to support project-based experiences for high school aged students that have expressed interest in working in the PR industry.

Thought Leadership & Work

The firm’s thought leadership work includes its work with Reframe, which aims to transform corporate America culturally to reflect today’s diversity, and featured white papers and panel discussions. H&S’ marketing team relaunched its digital assets alongside the MBO, including an Instagram Live series called Coffee Break, which pairs H&S specialists with journalists, influencers and clients to share insights around their areas of expertise. Campaign highlights included Booking.com’s ‘Love Letters to America’; the extraordinary Color of Change Pedestal Project, which used A&R to transform Confederate statues; Bacardi Conga; and, ‘Book Your Resolution’ for Booking.com.

—Arun Sudhaman