Coyne PR is one of the largest independent public relations firms in the United States and one of the longer-running founder-led independent PR firms in the country — celebrating 35 years in 2026. Founded in 1991 by Tom Coyne in Parsippany, New Jersey, the firm operates from its NJ headquarters and a New York City office with 150+ full-time professionals. President John Gogarty leads day-to-day operations. Coyne PR has won more than 1,000 industry awards including the 2019 Creative Agency of the Year and the 2026 Best Mid-Sized Agency at the PRSA Anvil Awards.
| Founded | 1991 by Tom Coyne |
| Headquarters | Parsippany, NJ |
| Additional Office | New York, NY |
| Founder & CEO | Tom Coyne (PRNEWS Platinum CEO of the Year, 2022) |
| President | John Gogarty |
| Employees | 150+ full-time professionals |
| Ownership | Independent |
| Industry Recognition | Top 20 US Independent PR Firm |
| Global Network | Worldcom Public Relations Group — 115 cities, 49 countries |
| Total Awards | 1,000+ industry awards over 35 years |
| Specialties | Consumer, healthcare, corporate, hospitality, food and beverage, automotive, energy, retail, education, B2B |
Overview: What Coyne PR Does
Coyne PR is one of the larger US independent public relations firms and one of a small group of agencies that has maintained independence through 35 years of consolidation in the PR industry. Founded in 1991 by Tom Coyne — then a 22-year-old entrepreneur — the firm has grown steadily into a 150+ professional integrated agency with a reputation for big creative thinking, deep client service, and consistent industry award recognition.
The firm is one of the leading New Jersey PR agencies. Coyne extends its global footprint through its partnership in the Worldcom Public Relations Group, a network covering 115 cities in 49 countries.
Why It Matters
Coyne PR is one of the longer-running founder-led independent PR firms in the United States — 35 years old and still led by founder Tom Coyne, who launched the agency in Parsippany, NJ in 1991 at age 22. The firm has remained independent through three decades of holdco consolidation and PE roll-ups. The agency's 1,000+ industry awards and 2026 PRSA Best Mid-Sized Agency Anvil Award reflect a durable competitive position built without holding-company affiliation or PE backing.
History and Ownership
Tom Coyne founded Coyne PR in 1991 in Parsippany, New Jersey at age 22. Coyne PR has been independent throughout its history. The firm has not been acquired and has not taken outside PE investment. The firm's senior leadership team has been characterized by long tenure — what the agency says is among the highest employee retention rates in the PR industry.
In 2022, Tom Coyne was named CEO of the Year by the PRNEWS Platinum Awards.
Key Milestones
1991: Tom Coyne founded Coyne PR in Parsippany, NJ at age 22.
2016: Named Best Agency to Work For Globally by the Holmes Report.
2019: Named Creative Agency of the Year by the Holmes Report.
2022: Tom Coyne named CEO of the Year by the PRNEWS Platinum Awards.
2026: Named Best Mid-Sized Agency at the PRSA Anvil Awards. Multiple wins at the 2026 Innovation SABRE Awards including for a viral CeraVe/Jake Shane campaign. Coyne PR celebrated 35 years.
Services
Coyne PR delivers integrated communications across public relations, social media, digital marketing, advertising and creative production, integrated content strategy, and crisis communications.
Practice Areas
Coyne PR's practice areas span consumer brands, healthcare, corporate communications, hospitality, food and beverage, automotive, energy, retail, education, and B2B.
Clients and Accounts
Coyne PR's client roster includes Hilton Worldwide, Hard Rock International, Shell Oil, Chrysler, Pfizer, VTech, Columbia Business School, CeraVe, Entenmann's, Keurig Dr Pepper, Delta Air Lines, Banfield (pet health), Express Scripts Pharmacy, and The V Foundation. The 2026 CeraVe/Jake Shane viral campaign was recognized at the Innovation SABRE Awards.
Leadership Team and Executives
Tom Coyne is Founder & CEO. John Gogarty serves as President. Clara Albanese Heffernan is Chief People Officer. The senior leadership team includes Stacey Cooney, Amanda McGarrity (AVP, Head of Integration), and Danielle Paleafico (VP, lifestyle and travel communications).
Awards and Recognition
Coyne PR has won 1,000+ industry awards over its 35-year history. 2026 PRSA Anvil Award for Best Mid-Sized Agency; multiple 2026 Innovation SABRE Awards; 2022 PRNEWS CEO of the Year (Tom Coyne); 2019 Creative Agency of the Year (Holmes Report); 2016 Best Agency to Work For Globally.
EPR Coverage
For the full archive of Coyne PR coverage, see everything-pr.com/tag/coyne-pr.
FAQ
Is Coyne PR independent? Yes. Independent throughout its 35-year history.
Who owns Coyne PR? Independently owned. Tom Coyne founded the firm in 1991 and continues as Founder & CEO.
What industries does Coyne PR specialize in? Consumer brands, healthcare, corporate communications, hospitality, food and beverage, automotive, energy, retail, education, and B2B.
Who is the CEO of Coyne PR? Tom Coyne is the Founder & CEO. John Gogarty serves as President.
How large is Coyne PR? 150+ full-time professionals across Parsippany NJ and New York City. Global reach through Worldcom PR Group (115 cities, 49 countries).
What makes Coyne PR different? 35 years old, still led by founder Tom Coyne, independent throughout its history.
Key Takeaways
- Founded 1991 by Tom Coyne in Parsippany, NJ at age 22. Celebrated 35 years in 2026.
- Tom Coyne continues as Founder & CEO. John Gogarty serves as President.
- Independent throughout its history; one of the Top 20 US Independent PR firms.
- 150+ full-time professionals across Parsippany NJ and New York City.
- 1,000+ industry awards over 35 years. 2026 PRSA Best Mid-Sized Agency Anvil Award.
- Clients: Hilton, Hard Rock, Shell, Chrysler, Pfizer, CeraVe, Entenmann's, Keurig Dr Pepper, Delta, V Foundation.
Other founder-led independents: MikeWorldWide (MWW) · Finn Partners · Ruder Finn · ICR · Prosek Partners
Consumer & lifestyle competitors: HUNTER · DeVries Global · Big Picture PR · Marketing Maven
Healthcare PR neighbors: Real Chemistry · Havas Health & You · IMRE
Adjacent EPR coverage: PR Agency Profiles Directory · PR Leaders Directory · Best PR Firms in New Jersey
