Communication Strategies Group Marks 10 Years of Chicago Public Relations

Chicago, IL, October 28, 2013 --(PR.com)-- In a world where entrepreneurship is a risk heightened by a struggling economy, boutique PR firm Communication Strategies Group, Inc. (www.communication-strategies.com) (CSG) has beat the odds, and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. From educating the public about the dangers of the Asian Longhorned Beetle to positioning high-level executives as experts on CNBC and managing an association’s reputation during a crisis, CSG has successfully partnered with a variety of organizations to reach their goals.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the survival rate of new businesses has steadily declined since the late 90s. Yet CSG, an award-winning strategic communications consulting firm headquartered in Chicago with offices in Milwaukee, attributes two specific approaches to its thriving business model.

"Over the past 10 years the team at CSG has evolved to meet the needs of clients in the rapidly changing technology driven environment,” says Candice Warltier, founder and principal of CSG. “We are passionate about our clients’ issues and deeply committed to their success. It’s been extraordinarily gratifying to have helped so many organizations influence behaviors and affect change. We look forward to the next 10 years,” she adds.

Candice Warltier started the firm in 2003 and was quickly joined by Lynda Baldwin, principal, at CSG in 2005. The principals and a team of seasoned individuals partner with Fortune 500 companies, professional services firms, associations and non-profit organizations. The firm specializes in strategic communications and marketing consulting services, including media relations, social media, brand management, internal communication, crisis communication, spokesperson training, and community outreach.

“We’re managing client reputations in a fast-paced, demanding environment. Over the years, we have elevated the importance of measuring impact. It’s no longer just focused on how we reach the intended audience – it’s what happens next,” explains Lynda Baldwin, principal, Communication Strategies Group. “Combined with the impact of social media on reputation management, this has required boutique firms such as CSG to strike a balance between incorporating the latest methods and sticking to the tried and true basics of effective communications.”

Industry-related organizations including International Association of Business Communicators and Public Relations Society of America have recognized the work of CSG. Creative integrated marketing campaigns, such as “Reality Check,” created for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI), have garnered national attention. Moose International’s “Heard of Moose?” campaign increased regional membership by 46 percent.

As a certified Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Development Center, CSG’s work with client partners including Semler Brossy Consulting Group, NorthShore University HealthSystem, HR+ Survey Solutions, Molecularium Project, and Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation has garnered attention from national media including the WSJ, CNN, Bloomberg, USA Today, The Today Show, and People Magazine, among others.