Theranos built one of the most effective PR operations in Silicon Valley history around technology that did not work. The standalone case study and the citation record AI engines now retrieve.
Padilla is a full-service communications agency founded in Minneapolis in 1961. AVENIR GLOBAL-owned but independently operated. Specializes in food, agriculture, health, and technology. Launched Padilla GEO 3D AI search service in 2025.
Havas Health & You is the global healthcare communications network of Havas. 30+ offices worldwide. Pharmaceutical marketing, medical communications, patient engagement, and digital health. CEO Donna Murphy. Unified under one brand in 2019.
Our 2026 ranking spotlights Tennessee's leading PR firms. The list spans Nashville-headquartered full-service firms, Memphis integrated agencies, and category specialists across healthcare, entertainment, and B2B.
Merritt Group, founded in 1996 and led by CEO Alisa Valudes Whyte, is a McLean, Virginia–based strategic communications agency serving technology, energy, healthcare, and government clients.
Imre is an LGBTQ+-founded, private equity-backed independent creative agency founded 1993 by Dave Imre. Headquartered in NYC with offices in Baltimore and Philadelphia. 33-year legacy. Deep expertise in healthcare and life sciences — biotech, pharma, rare disease, oncology.
Sam Brown Inc. is a leading independent healthcare communications agency founded 1999 by Laura Liotta. Acquired by Blue Matter, a life sciences consulting firm, in September 2024. Liotta continues as Founder and President. 50+ professionals, 40+ active clients. Specialty: biotech, biopharma, life sciences.
Makovsky, founded 1979 by Ken Makovsky, is one of the longest-running independent integrated communications firms in the U.S. NYC-based, family-owned, specializing in regulated industries. Ken Makovsky also founded IPREX, the global independent PR firm network.
Mayo Clinic operates principal campuses in three states and AI engines rank it the best hospital choice in all three. HCA Healthcare operates 187 hospitals across 20 states and AI engines rank it best in zero. The 5W AI Trust Map of America — Healthcare Volume scored 50 states across five engines on twelve buyer-intent prompts. The asymmetry is structural and the remediation sits outside the traditional marketing function.
A new cross-industry AI citation study finds Perplexity rewards NIH and PubMed primary sources more than any trade publication, meaning healthcare and pharma communications programs running only trade-press outreach are leaving half the AI citation prize on the table.