Highwire is a San Francisco-based public relations and integrated marketing communications agency focused on B2B technology, cybersecurity, AI, healthcare, financial services, and energy, and frontier technologies including robotics, quantum, and climate tech. The agency provides strategic communications, media relations, content, creative, digital marketing, demand generation, intelligence and analytics, and crisis communications. It is led by CEO Michael O'Brien (since May 2025). The firm is independent, with a strategic investment from Shamrock Capital.
Founded: 2008 in San Francisco
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
CEO: Michael O'Brien (since May 2025)
Ownership: Independent; strategic investment from Shamrock Capital (2022)
Offices: San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Boston
Headcount: ~250 professionals post-January 2026 Bliss Group acquisition
Net fees: $41.3M in 2024 — #18 US independent, #6 in O'Dwyer's technology category
Recent acquisitions: The Bliss Group (January 2026); Candor Content (January 2024); Wonderscript (2020); Inner Circle Labs (2018)
Website: highwirepr.com
Overview
Highwire is a strategic marketing communications agency serving technology and innovation companies. Following the January 2026 acquisition of The Bliss Group, the combined firm operates as a 250-plus-professional integrated agency across North America. Per O'Dwyer's, Highwire reported $41.3 million in 2024 net fees, ranking #18 among US independents and #6 in O'Dwyer's technology category.
History and Ownership
Highwire was founded in 2008 in San Francisco. The firm acquired Inner Circle Labs in 2018, Wonderscript in 2020, and Candor Content in January 2024. In September 2022, Highwire received a strategic investment from Shamrock Capital. In January 2026, Highwire acquired The Bliss Group. The combined firm operates under the Highwire banner with 250-plus professionals.
Key Milestones
2008: Founded in San Francisco.
2018: Acquires Inner Circle Labs.
2020: Acquires Wonderscript.
September 2022: Receives strategic investment from Shamrock Capital.
January 2024: Acquires Candor Content.
May 2024: Launches Cybersecurity Crisis Communications Service.
May 2025: Michael O'Brien — former Ketchum Chief Client Officer — appointed CEO.
January 2026: Acquires The Bliss Group. Launches Highwire Health.
Services
Highwire delivers integrated capabilities across strategy and brand narrative development; integrated marketing, social media, demand generation, and full-funnel activation; strategic communications, media relations, and executive visibility; AI-enabled intelligence and analytics; creative; and high-stakes communications. Highwire Health serves consumer health, digital health, healthcare delivery, life sciences, and medtech.
Practice Areas
Highwire's portfolio spans enterprise and B2B technology, AI, cybersecurity, energy and clean tech, financial services, frontier technologies (robotics, quantum, climate tech), and healthcare. The firm operates dedicated sector groups, including the #HWCyberSquad — a cybersecurity communications practice. The May 2024 Cybersecurity Crisis Communications Service offers crisis readiness, monthly issues monitoring, and incident response.
Leadership
Michael O'Brien serves as CEO, joining in May 2025 after 23 years at Ketchum. The senior leadership team includes Cortney Stapleton (Chief Strategy & Business Officer, from Bliss), Michael Byrnes (Chief Growth Officer), Chuck Hemann (Chief Integration Officer), and Michael Roth (General Counsel and Executive Chair of Highwire Health).
Awards and Recognition
Per O'Dwyer's, Highwire reported $41.3 million in 2024 net fees with a #18 ranking among US independents and #6 in O'Dwyer's technology category. Shortlisted for PRovoke Media's 2024 North American Agencies of the Year.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered Highwire since 2010. For the full archive see everything-pr.com/tag/highwire.
FAQ
Is Highwire independent? Yes. Independent with a strategic investment from Shamrock Capital since September 2022.
Who owns Highwire? Shamrock Capital has been a strategic investor since September 2022. The firm operates under CEO Michael O'Brien.
What industries does Highwire specialize in? B2B technology, AI, cybersecurity, healthcare, financial services, energy, clean tech, climate tech, and frontier technologies.
Who is the CEO of Highwire? Michael O'Brien, since May 2025. He joined from Ketchum.
What is Highwire Health? The combined healthcare practice formed from the January 2026 merger of Highwire and The Bliss Group.
What were Highwire's most recent acquisitions? Inner Circle Labs (2018), Wonderscript (2020), Candor Content (January 2024), and The Bliss Group (January 2026).
Key Takeaways
- Founded 2008 in San Francisco.
- Operates 250-plus professionals across San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Boston.
- CEO Michael O'Brien (since May 2025), joining from Ketchum.
- $41.3 million in 2024 net fees, #18 US independent, #6 in technology category (O'Dwyer's).
- Strategic investment from Shamrock Capital (September 2022).
- Practice areas: B2B tech, cybersecurity, AI, healthcare, financial services, energy, frontier tech.
Tech PR peers: Mission North · InkHouse · Method Communications · LaunchSquad · Karbo · Blanc & Otus · Crenshaw Communications · Clarity Global · Bospar · SSPR · Diffusion PR · Idea Grove · Channel V Media
Cybersecurity PR (#HWCyberSquad peers): K2 Global Communications · Kekst CNC (cybersecurity crisis, Chambers Band 1)
Healthcare PR (Highwire Health peers): Real Chemistry · Havas Health & You · IMRE · Sam Brown Inc.
Adjacent EPR coverage: PR Agency Profiles Directory · PR Leaders Directory · Best PR Firms in San Francisco
