CLYDE (Clyde Group): DC Public Affairs Firm Since 2014

Clyde Group, now styled CLYDE, is a Washington, D.C. communications and public affairs agency founded in 2014 by Alex Slater, who is founder and CEO, per DesignRush and PRovoke Media. It calls itself an impact agency. DesignRush describes a team of more than 55 professionals, and PRovoke's 2021 boutique agencies profile describes it as built around media relations and crisis communications.

Originally published February 2021. Updated October 22, 2026.

Who founded and leads Clyde Group?

PRovoke Media describes Slater as a veteran of Glover Park and SKDKnickerbocker who founded Clyde Group in 2014 as a purpose-driven firm focused on media relations and crisis communications. It says 2020 was a watershed year, with growth and new initiatives on diversity, distributed working, pro bono activity and social impact, and that Quinn has helped oversee considerable growth since 2016. Slater's PRSA biography says he was the first employee of the Glover Park Group, left a decade later as managing director of public affairs and grew a public affairs practice at SKDKnickerbocker from 2011. It says he was named to PRWeek's 40 Under 40 in 2016.

Person	Role	Source
Alex Slater	Founder and CEO	DesignRush; PRovoke Media
Michael O'Mara	President and COO	DesignRush
Matt House	Managing director	DesignRush
Aubrey Quinn	Partner and managing director	PRovoke Media; NewsWhip

What is Clyde Group's culture and mission?

In an interview with NewsWhip, a media analytics vendor that counts Clyde Group as a customer, Quinn said Slater defined the mission as being the best agency to work for and the best agency to work with. She said the firm has prioritized work-life balance for staff at the expense of owner profits, that an executive team member is involved in every account, and that it launched Clyde Group Impact, a pro bono effort. She said the firm does a fair amount of crisis work.

What does Clyde Group do?

The firm's job postings describe earned, owned and paid media programs, creative solutions and public affairs for clients who want to move the world forward. DesignRush lists brand and issues advocacy, economic development, education, financial services, healthcare, real estate and technology, with experts in healthcare, public affairs and creative and digital. EPR's public affairs, corporate communications and crisis PR sections cover its disciplines.

Which clients has Clyde Group worked with?

DesignRush's portfolio shows Rover.com, Gilead, NICO, the Yes on 22 ballot campaign and Protect Democracy. The firm's job postings describe offering communications and public affairs services to major corporations, nonprofits, advocacy organizations and trade associations.

What recognition has Clyde Group received?

The firm's job postings say PRovoke named it America's best boutique agency in 2021 and 2022, and a PRovoke 2021 boutique agencies of the year page includes a profile of the firm.

How does Clyde Group compare with other public affairs firms?

CLYDE is a boutique-plus Washington firm, so compare it with BerlinRosen, APCO Worldwide and Global Situation Room. EPR's Washington, D.C. PR firms directory lists more.

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Related: PR agency profiles, Public affairs, Corporate communications, Crisis PR, Washington, D.C. PR firms, 5W Public Relations