rbb Communications: PR Firm Profile

Part of EPR's Miami PR Firms Directory · Florida PR Firms · PR Firms Directory · PR Leaders

Updated July 2026. rbb Communications is an independent, woman-led integrated communications agency founded 1975 and headquartered in Miami. Six-time national Agency of the Year. Led by CEO and Managing Partner Christine Barney, APR, since 2001 — appointed first two-term chair of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council (November 2025). Trademarked "Breakout Brand" strategy. Member of PROI Worldwide.

Overview

rbb Communications is an independent, woman-led integrated communications agency founded in 1975 and headquartered in Miami, Florida. The firm has built its reputation around the trademarked "Breakout Brand" strategy — a proprietary framework for helping clients separate from competitors and accelerate growth. With offices in Miami, Los Angeles, New York, and Fort Lauderdale, and membership in PROI Worldwide, rbb serves clients across more than 100 cities in 50 countries. The firm has been named national Agency of the Year six times.

History and Ownership

rbb Communications was founded in 1975. CEO Christine Barney, APR — who came to rbb in 2001 after previously serving as Florida Managing Partner at Weber Shandwick and starting her career at Burson-Marsteller — leads the agency along with President and Co-Founder Lisa K. Ross. The agency is independent, woman-led, and operates with what Barney describes as an "employee-driven" management philosophy that has earned multiple Best Places to Work awards.

Key Milestones

1975: rbb founded in Miami. 2001: Christine Barney joined as CEO. 2016: Barney received the Bill Adams PRSA Lifetime Achievement Award. 2023: rbb won the PRSA Best of the Best Silver Anvil. November 2025: Barney appointed first two-term chair of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council.

Services

Integrated communications with capabilities across Public Relations and Media Relations, Crisis Communications and Issues Management (led by EVP Laura Guitar), Corporate Communications, Digital Marketing and Social Media, Advertising and Creative Services, Research and Insights (feeding Breakout Brand strategy), and Results Measurement (led by EVP Sandra Fine Ericson, APR).

The firm operates with a distinctive client service model: 10% of monthly hours dedicated to courtesy hours beyond billable time, every account owner-led, and a permanent senior leader assigned for continuity.

Leadership

Christine Barney, APR — CEO and Managing Partner. Lisa K. Ross — President, Partner, and Chief Growth Officer, leading the Hospitality Practice. Tina Elmowitz — Chief People Officer and Partner. Partners include Sandra Fine Ericson (EVP Results Measurement), Laura Guitar (EVP Crisis Communications), Jeanine Karp (VP), Josh Merkin (VP), and Maite Velez-Couto (SVP).

Awards and Recognition

Six-time national Agency of the Year. Forbes Top PR Firm. PRSA Best of the Best Silver Anvil (2023). Sun Sentinel and South Florida Business Journal Best Places to Work rankings.

Notable Clients

Hospitality, travel, healthcare, consumer brands, financial services, real estate, and reputation management. Clients include Allegro Resorts, Cleveland Clinic, Hilton, Virgin Voyages, Zumba Fitness, Mrs. Butterworth's Syrup, Thomson Reuters, Masterfoods/M&Ms, Florida Power & Light Company, DHL Express, Bank of America, and Disney on Ice.

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Hubs

Miami PR Firms Directory · Florida PR Firms · PR Firms Directory · PR Leaders · Crisis PR

Related: Bam Communications: PR Firm Profile