Landis Communications: San Francisco PR Agency Profile

Landis Communications is a San Francisco LGBTQ+-owned PR, digital and social media agency founded in 1990 by David Landis and led by president and CEO Sean Dowdall since 2021. In September 2026 it was named to PRNEWS' 2027 Agency Elite Top 120, was a finalist for Ragan's 2026 Zenith Awards Agencies of the Year, and added Out Adventures, dcbel and Trust Onion as clients. It is the San Francisco member of the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN).

Originally published June 2015. Updated November 2, 2026.

In this profile

1. What is Landis Communications?
2. Who leads Landis Communications?
3. How did Landis Communications start and grow?
4. What does Landis Communications do?
5. Which clients has Landis Communications served?
6. What recognition has Landis Communications received?
7. What is the latest Landis Communications news?
8. How does Landis compare with other San Francisco PR firms?

What is Landis Communications?

Landis Communications is a San Francisco public relations, marketing communications, digital and social media agency. It combines senior PR counsel with digital, social, video and search work for healthcare, environmental, technology, nonprofit and consumer organizations, and it uses PRGN for assignments outside the Bay Area. The San Francisco Bay Times has called it one of the last remaining independent communications agencies in the city.

The agency describes itself as celebrating more than 35 years in business, and its own materials use the line "ideas that create change", which reflects its long record with environmental, healthcare and cause-driven clients.

Who leads Landis Communications?

Landis is a past president of PRGN, and Dowdall served as PRGN treasurer from 2016 to 2019, per PRGN and a Two Cents announcement.

How did Landis Communications start and grow?

1. 1990: David Landis founds the agency at his kitchen table in San Francisco.
2. Early 2000s: After the dot-com crash hits its consumer tech, retail and real estate clients, revenue falls from $3.2 million to $800,000 in a year, per Agility PR. The firm then diversifies into healthcare, nonprofits and other sectors.
3. 2016 to 2019: Dowdall serves as PRGN treasurer.
4. October 1, 2021: Landis retires and Dowdall becomes president, per the San Francisco Bay Times.
5. 2025: The agency adds six new clients and earns national industry honors, and Dowdall is named a Business of Pride honoree.
6. September 22, 2026: Landis is named to the PRNEWS 2027 Agency Elite Top 120 and adds three clients.

What does Landis Communications do?

• Public relations and media relations
• Digital, social media and video
• Marketing communications, branding and content marketing
• Generative engine optimization and search-focused content
• International assignments through PRGN partner agencies

Sector focus includes healthcare and pharmaceuticals, technology, environmental and sustainability causes, nonprofits and charities, and consumer brands. EPR's healthcare PR page covers the largest of these.

Which clients has Landis Communications served?

These are reported clients over several years, not a current roster, so ask the agency for current references.

What recognition has Landis Communications received?

What is the latest Landis Communications news?

EPR updates this table when Landis announces a client, honor or leadership change.

How does Landis compare with other San Francisco PR firms?

Landis is a small independent with a global network behind it, unlike the large Bay Area networks. See EPR's San Francisco PR firms, California PR and healthcare PR pages.

Related: PR agency profiles directory · California PR · San Francisco PR firms · Healthcare PR