Heron Agency

Business Details

26 Years

experience

Award-Winning PR & Marketing Agency in Chicago

Heron Agency is an award-winning public relations, marketing, and social media agency founded in 2000 by Noreen Heron. Our team of seasoned professionals specializes in creating high-impact, ROI-driven campaigns for hospitality and lifestyle brands. With expertise in public relations, digital marketing, influencer relations, and event planning, we strategically blend integrated strategies to connect brands with local, national, and global audiences. Our proven track record includes securing placements in top-tier media outlets like CNN, The Today Show, and The Wall Street Journal.

We pride ourselves on delivering measurable growth, increased sales, and long-term brand value through tailored campaigns. As an extension of our clients' teams, we combine boots-on-the-ground execution with operational recommendations to ensure lasting visibility and success. Our commitment to innovation, transparency, and client trust has solidified our reputation as a leader in lifestyle communications.

Services

Public Relations Social Media Influencer Relations Digital Marketing Event Planning Brand Development Crisis Communications SEO Strategy Video Production Advertising Campaigns

Details

Year established: 2000

Highlights and features

We have 24 years of experience in lifestyle communications and hospitality marketing.
Our team secures placements in top-tier media including CNN and The Wall Street Journal.
We leverage 500+ media relationships for impactful brand visibility.
Our integrated campaigns combine PR, social media, and digital strategies.
We maintain long-term client partnerships with proven ROI results.

Website

Update Listing

Services

Public Relations

Our PR experts develop press releases and pitch brand stories to key media contacts. With relationships spanning local bloggers to national broadcasts, we secure placements in outlets like CNN, The Today Show, and The Wall Street Journal. Our tenacious approach ensures measurable media coverage that drives brand visibility and credibility for hospitality and lifestyle clients.

Social Media

We create tailored social media strategies across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Our approach combines analytics with creative content to engage target audiences at optimal times. By leveraging emerging apps and trends, we amplify brand presence and foster meaningful consumer interactions for hotels, restaurants, and lifestyle brands.

Influencer Relations

We connect brands with local, regional, and national influencers to shape consumer perceptions. Our network includes YouTubers, vloggers, and industry thought leaders. Through targeted campaigns, we position clients as trusted authorities, driving purchasing decisions and expanding reach through authentic influencer collaborations and custom video content.

Event Planning

From intimate gatherings to large-scale corporate events, we manage every detail with precision. Our industry relationships ensure access to premier venues, designers, and vendors. We specialize in creating memorable experiences for nonprofits, hotels, and theaters while aligning events with brand objectives and audience engagement goals.

Digital Marketing

Our team develops comprehensive digital campaigns across websites, social platforms, and search engines. We create data-driven media plans that maximize ROI through targeted paid advertising and barter opportunities. By analyzing analytics, we optimize strategies to improve web visibility, engagement, and conversion rates for lifestyle and hospitality brands.

People

Noreen Heron

CEO / Founder

Founded Heron Agency in 2000, transforming it into a top lifestyle communications firm. Recognized by Forbes as one of the nation's leading PR firms, she specializes in hospitality PR with 25+ years of experience securing media placements for 1000+ Chicago restaurants and 75+ hotel brands.

Kathy Bryja

Senior Vice President

Manages PR campaigns for hospitality clients, securing national media coverage including The Travel Channel and Food Network. With 6 years at Heron, she specializes in hotel and restaurant promotions, leveraging relationships with top-tier media outlets and marketing brands like Kendra Scott.

Gianna Fontana

Vice President

Leads public relations for national brands like Paper Source and Shake Shack. Secured features in Forbes, Bloomberg Business, and The TODAY Show. Expertise in event planning includes managing components for the Thanksgiving Day Parade and Chicago Boat & RV Show.

Jessica Lundeen

Director of Social Media

Develops data-driven social media strategies to enhance online presence. Former marketing lead at a Chicago ingredients company, she specializes in platform-specific content creation and analytics to boost engagement across digital channels for lifestyle brands.

Questions

What industries does Heron Agency specialize in?

We specialize in hospitality, lifestyle, entertainment, and nonprofit sectors, with expertise in hotels, restaurants, theaters, and consumer brands.

How does Heron measure campaign success?

We track ROI through media placements, engagement metrics, booking increases, and long-term brand value improvements using analytics tools.

Can Heron handle both local and national campaigns?

Yes, we execute campaigns locally in Chicago while extending reach nationally and globally through media and influencer networks.

What sets Heron apart from other agencies?

Our 24 years of hospitality experience, 500+ media relationships, and integrated approach combining PR, social media, and digital strategies deliver measurable results.

Do you work with emerging brands or established companies?

We serve both startups and Fortune 500 companies, tailoring strategies to each brand's unique needs and growth objectives.

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Reviews (4)

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Lou Bank

Nov 06, 2021 Report

I was amazed by the number of press pick-ups the folks at the Heron Agency got for our pop-up event. They'd email me a link; I'd respond with a positive acknowledgement; and I soon discovered my lack of vocabulary, running out of affirmations. How many times can you type, "Awesome!" "Beautiful!" "Fantastic!" "Wonderful!" "Brilliant!" Be warned: if you hire the Heron Agency, you'll need to keep your thesaurus on hand to keep up with their outstanding waork.

Sarah Becker

Oct 28, 2021 Report

This team is always on their A game! Their team of experts have contributed significantly to the success of our new businesses here in Chicago. They know everyone you need to know, they are creative and have illustrated they genuinely care. Heron has exceeded expectations all around they are THE agency to partner with if you are looking to put your business on the map.

Michael DeiCas

Aug 17, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Heron's expansive rolodex of media contacts, professionalism, flexibility and dependability are all top notch, but the best qualities this group of highly recommended publicists bring to the table: they're a pleasure to work with and bring a unique and creative point of view to every pitch and activation. "Great News!"

Robert Habeeb

Aug 03, 2021 Report

We have worked with the Heron Agency on multiple Hotel and Restaraunt projects and regard them as the absolute gold standard. They have delivered bankable results for my businesses every time. I see our association with Heron as a clear competitive advantage in a crowded marketplace. They are very good at what they do. Thank you team Heron for a job well done.
Robert Habeeb, CEO Maverick Hotels and Restaurants