Next PR (formerly SSPR) is one of the few independent tech PR firms to survive four decades of industry change. Founded in 1978 by Steve Simon as S&S Public Relations, the firm has operated continuously through every major shift in the PR industry — from the rise of digital media, through the dot-com boom and bust, the social media era, and into the current AI-driven media landscape. CEO Heather Kelly has led the firm since 2015, overseeing two successful rebrands while preserving the agency's founding ethos of senior-led client work. Headquartered in Chicago with offices including a recent Denver expansion, Next PR operates with 99 staff and $15M+ in revenue.
| Founded | 1978 by Steve Simon (originally as S&S Public Relations) |
| Heritage | 47+ years — one of the longest-running independent PR firms in the US |
| Rebrands | 1978 S&S Public Relations → 2015 SSPR → recent rebrand to Next PR |
| CEO | Heather Kelly (since 2015) |
| Headquarters | Chicago, IL |
| Employees | 99 staff across 5 continents |
| Revenue | $15M+ annually |
| Recent Expansion | Denver, Colorado office |
| Ownership | Independent |
| Specialties | Technology, B2B, consumer, healthcare, education, corporate communications |
Overview
Next PR — operating for most of its 47-year history as SSPR — is one of the longest-running independent public relations firms in the United States. The firm has navigated four major industry eras: the founding-era of national PR (1978-1995), the digital and dot-com era (1995-2010), the social media and content marketing era (2010-2020), and the current AI-driven media era (2020-present). Few independent firms have survived all four. Fewer still have completed founder-led-to-CEO-led succession cleanly.
Founded in 1978 by Steve Simon as S&S Public Relations, the firm built a national reputation in technology PR over four decades. In 2015, Heather Kelly took over as CEO and shifted the firm's brand to SSPR. More recently, the firm has rebranded again — to Next PR — under Kelly's continued leadership.
Why Independence Matters
Independence in PR matters because it shapes who an agency serves and how. Independent firms answer to clients, not holding-company quotas, not PE-imposed margin targets, not cross-portfolio account conflicts. Senior practitioners stay closer to the work. Decisions about staffing, hiring, and creative direction are made locally rather than escalated through corporate channels. In an industry where independent firms have sold steadily to holding companies and PE-backed networks for two decades, the small number that remain operating after four decades represent a distinct path — one where firm size and operating model match client need rather than holding-company strategy.
Why It Matters
Next PR's 47-year operating history is itself the defining asset. Few independent PR firms reach four decades, and fewer complete founder-led-to-CEO-led succession cleanly. Founder Steve Simon's 1978 launch, the 2015 transition to CEO Heather Kelly, the SSPR rebrand under her leadership, and the recent Next PR rebrand reflect a continuous evolution that few independents sustain. The firm operates as an established voice in independent tech PR — particularly notable given the broader industry's consolidation trend, where most mid-sized tech firms have sold to holding companies or PE-backed networks.
Survival Through Four Decades of Industry Change
Steve Simon founded the firm in 1978 as S&S Public Relations. Over the next 37 years, Simon built S&S into a national technology PR firm with a reputation for senior counsel and long-tenure client relationships. Simon's founding ethos emphasized building deep media relationships and serving clients with senior-led teams — a model that contrasted with the larger agency commoditization trend.
In 2015, Heather Kelly became CEO. Under her leadership, the firm rebranded from S&S Public Relations to SSPR. Kelly has overseen 10+ years of growth, including geographic expansion into Denver, launch of the Conscious Capitalism program (community engagement and giving back), and consistent recognition as a Top Place to Work.
In its most recent chapter, the firm has rebranded again — to Next PR — under Kelly's continued leadership. The firm's own positioning describes the rebrand as the next chapter of growth while maintaining the firm's foundational identity and CEO continuity. Two rebrands, one continuous operating identity, four decades of independent ownership.
Services
Next PR delivers strategic communications and media relations across earned media, content marketing, executive thought leadership, social media, and integrated PR programs. The firm offers senior-led account teams and is structured to provide each client with a focused public relations plan rather than a one-size-fits-all approach — a positioning rooted in Simon's founding ethos and continued under Kelly.
Practice Areas
Next PR's practice areas span technology and B2B, consumer brands, healthcare, education, and corporate communications. The firm has historically been strong in tech PR — including coverage of pet tech (Whistle), enterprise software, and consumer technology brands — with a national reach driven by senior-led account work.
Representative Clients
Public client work on the firm's portfolio has included Whistle (pet tech, with award-recognized media relations campaign work) and a range of technology, B2B, consumer, and healthcare brands across the firm's four-decade operating history. The firm's primary positioning emphasizes senior-led account work and bespoke client strategy over volume-driven account servicing.
Leadership
Heather Kelly serves as CEO. Founder Steve Simon remains associated with the firm's brand legacy as the agency's originator. The leadership team operates across the firm's Chicago headquarters and the Denver office, with senior practitioners staffing accounts directly.
Awards and Recognition
Next PR has been consistently recognized as a Top Place to Work and has been listed in major industry rankings. The firm's Conscious Capitalism program — emphasizing community engagement, paid volunteer time, and giving back — has been highlighted as a distinctive cultural marker.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered SSPR and Next PR through the firm's rebrand. For the full archive, see everything-pr.com/tag/sspr.
FAQ
Is Next PR independent?
Yes. Next PR (formerly SSPR) is an independent public relations agency. The firm has remained independent throughout its 47-year operating history.
Who owns Next PR?
Next PR is independently owned and operated under CEO Heather Kelly. The firm was founded in 1978 by Steve Simon as S&S Public Relations.
What industries does Next PR specialize in?
Technology and B2B, consumer brands, healthcare, education, and corporate communications. The firm has historically been a tech PR specialist.
Who is the CEO of Next PR?
Heather Kelly has served as CEO since 2015, when she succeeded founder Steve Simon and oversaw the firm's rebrand from S&S Public Relations to SSPR. She continues to lead the firm through its current Next PR rebrand.
How large is Next PR?
Next PR operates with 99 staff across multiple US offices including Chicago (headquarters) and Denver, with team members across 5 continents. The firm reports $15M+ in annual revenue.
What makes Next PR different from competitors?
Next PR is one of the longest-running independent PR firms in the United States — 47+ years and counting since founder Steve Simon launched S&S Public Relations in 1978. Few independents survive four decades; fewer complete founder-to-CEO succession cleanly. The firm's continuity under Heather Kelly since 2015, including two successful rebrands, distinguishes it from peer firms that have sold to holding companies or PE-backed networks during the same period.
Why did SSPR rebrand to Next PR?
The Next PR rebrand reflects the firm's positioning as the next chapter of its growth under CEO Heather Kelly's continued leadership. The firm describes the move as preserving its 47-year roots while signaling forward evolution. The firm's previous rebrand — from S&S Public Relations to SSPR in 2015 — coincided with Kelly's appointment as CEO.
Who founded SSPR?
Steve Simon founded the firm in 1978 as S&S Public Relations. The firm rebranded to SSPR in 2015 under CEO Heather Kelly, and has since rebranded again to Next PR.
Key Takeaways
- Next PR was founded in 1978 by Steve Simon as S&S Public Relations — making it one of the longest-running independent PR firms in the US (47+ years).
- One of the few independent tech PR firms to survive four decades of industry change.
- Heather Kelly became CEO in 2015 and led the rebrand from S&S Public Relations to SSPR. She continues to lead the firm through its current Next PR rebrand.
- Independent ownership throughout the firm's history.
- 99 staff across 5 continents; $15M+ in annual revenue.
- Headquartered in Chicago with offices including Denver, Colorado.
- Recognized as a Top Place to Work; Conscious Capitalism program emphasizes community engagement.
