Barokas Communications: Seattle Tech PR Profile, FINN

Barokas Communications is a Seattle technology PR agency founded in September 1998 by Howie Barokas, per his FINN Partners biography. FINN Partners announced on July 12, 2021 that it had acquired the firm, which had offices in Seattle and Denver. Howie Barokas and CEO Karli Barokas joined FINN as managing partners in its Global Tech Practice leadership team, per FINN's release. GeekWire reported that all 20 employees were expected to move to FINN.

Originally published June 2020. Updated October 18, 2026.

Who founded and leads Barokas Communications?

Howie Barokas's FINN biography says he started Barokas PR in September 1998 and that he decided to start his own tech PR agency with the creative aspect of rock and roll radio and none of the BS of a big firm. It describes a first meeting with FINN in August 2019. GeekWire says he started the firm with the mantra "PR Minus the BS." Karli Barokas was CEO when FINN acquired the firm, and FINN's brand page lists both Barokases as managing partners. FINN says the team remains committed to the motto.

Person	Role	Source
Howie Barokas	Founder; managing partner at FINN	FINN; GeekWire
Karli Barokas	CEO; managing partner at FINN	FINN; GeekWire

What happened in the FINN acquisition?

FINN said Barokas would help it capitalize on economic growth in the western region, specifically Seattle and Denver. FINN CEO Peter Finn told O'Dwyer's the addition expands its expertise with earlier stage companies and said FINN had long wanted to be in Seattle and Denver. O'Dwyer's reported the deal lifted FINN's tech fees above $30 million and its tech headcount to about 200, and FINN's brand page repeats the 200-plus colleagues and more than $30 million figures. Karli Barokas told GeekWire the deal gave staff access to resources a smaller agency lacked and a more comprehensive set of services for companies in Seattle. GeekWire described Barokas as a mainstay of Seattle's technology community that represented a large number of the region's tech startups. See EPR's FINN Partners profile for the parent.

Date	Event	Source
September 1998	Howie Barokas starts the firm	FINN biography
August 2019	First meeting with FINN	FINN biography
July 12, 2021	FINN Partners announces the acquisition	FINN release; GeekWire

What does Barokas Communications do?

FINN's release describes a full suite of PR services for early stage, emerging and high-growth technology companies nationally. CityBiz reproduced the firm's description as a custom mix of strategy, messaging and PR services for enterprise, B2B and consumer tech clients. Karli Barokas said after the acquisition clients could draw on FINN's branding, creative, digital marketing and paid advertising capabilities. EPR's technology PR section covers the wider category.

Which clients has Barokas Communications worked with?

GeekWire named magniX, Eviation, Center, 98point6, Airbiquity, the Washington Technology Industry Association and Educative as current clients at the time of the deal.

How does Barokas Communications compare with other technology PR firms?

Barokas is now part of a global network, so the FINN Partners profile is the best scale comparison. For other technology specialists, see the Hotwire profile and the Ketner Group profile, and the PR agency profiles directory lists more firms. The technology PR section covers the sector.

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Related: PR agency profiles, FINN Partners, Technology PR, Hotwire, Ketner Group