Fenton: Progressive Cause Communications Agency Profile

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Fenton is a communications firm founded in 1982 by David Fenton as the first national agency dedicated exclusively to progressive social change. The firm supports nonprofits, foundations, and social-purpose companies on issue advocacy and political communications.

Founder and Origin

Fenton built the firm's early reputation on campaigns tied to the anti-apartheid movement, helping secure 1990 sanctions against apartheid South Africa and organizing Nelson Mandela's first U.S. press tour. Fenton previously worked as director of public relations at Rolling Stone and co-produced the 1979 No Nukes concerts at Madison Square Garden. The firm is now led by CEO Valarie De La Garza.

Clients and Category Focus

Fenton's client and campaign history spans issue advocacy from the Affordable Care Act in the 2000s to the Green New Deal in the 2010s. Recent work spans reproductive healthcare, voting rights, racial equity, and climate communications for nonprofit and advocacy clients.

Approach

The firm draws its staff from Capitol Hill, the Obama and Clinton political apparatus, and think tanks including Demos and the Economic Policy Institute. That bench is built specifically for advocacy and political communications rather than commercial brand PR.

Services

Core services include issue advocacy campaigns, political communications, coalition-building support, and media strategy for nonprofits, foundations, and social-purpose companies.

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