Crisis management firms help organizations prepare for and respond to events that threaten their reputation, from data breaches and product recalls to litigation, executive misconduct, activist campaigns and viral social media storms. The best firms combine media relations, stakeholder strategy and legal awareness, and can mobilize within hours. This list is for executives and general counsel choosing a crisis partner in 2026.
We reviewed each firm’s website for its crisis and special situations practice, the scale and type of situations it handles, and its preparedness services. Rankings reflect that review, not payment.
Top Crisis Management Firms To Hire
| Firm | Best For | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| Brunswick Group | Global corporations | London, UK |
| FTI Consulting (Strategic Communications) | Crises linked to litigation, restructuring or regulators | Washington, DC |
| Sard Verbinnen & Co | Public companies in special situations | New York, NY |
| Joele Frank | M&A, activism and corporate crises | New York, NY |
| Kekst CNC | Cross-border corporate situations | New York, NY and London, UK |
| Edelman | Brands needing global scale | New York, NY |
| Levick | High-stakes public and legal crises | Washington, DC |
| Red Banyan | Mid-size companies and individuals | Florida |
1. Brunswick Group
Brunswick Group is a global critical issues advisory firm founded in London, with offices across major financial and political centers. It advises large corporations on crises, regulatory scrutiny and reputation, and is often retained by boards for their most sensitive situations.
Key services: crisis management, critical issues advisory, financial communications, public affairs.
2. FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting’s Strategic Communications segment handles crisis communications alongside the firm’s forensic, legal and restructuring experts. That combination suits crises tied to litigation, investigations, cyber incidents or financial distress.
Key services: crisis and litigation communications, cyber incident response communications, restructuring communications.
3. Sard Verbinnen & Co
Sard Verbinnen & Co is a New York strategic communications firm known for crisis, transaction and special situations work for public companies. It is frequently involved in high-profile corporate events where financial and reputational stakes overlap.
Key services: crisis communications, M&A communications, shareholder activism defense, litigation support.
4. Joele Frank
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher is a New York firm specializing in strategic and crisis communications for public companies, with deep experience in mergers, activism and corporate controversies.
Key services: crisis communications, activism defense, M&A communications, investor relations.
5. Kekst CNC
Kekst CNC is a strategic communications firm with offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It handles crises and special situations that cross borders, a strength for multinational companies facing regulators and media in several markets.
Key services: crisis and issues management, corporate reputation, transaction communications, public affairs.
6. Edelman
Edelman is the world’s largest independent communications firm, with a dedicated crisis and risk practice and the annual Edelman Trust Barometer. Its global reach suits brands that need coordinated crisis response across many countries and channels.
Key services: crisis and risk, issues management, corporate reputation, digital monitoring.
7. Levick
Levick is a Washington, DC crisis communications firm that has advised companies, governments and individuals in high-profile public and legal crises. It suits situations where media, regulatory and political pressure arrive at the same time.
Key services: crisis communications, litigation communications, public affairs, digital reputation.
8. Red Banyan
Red Banyan is a Florida-based crisis communications and PR agency that serves companies, nonprofits and individuals nationwide. It is a practical option for mid-size organizations that need experienced crisis support without a global firm’s fees.
Key services: crisis communications, media relations, litigation PR, reputation management.
One Check Worth Making
Retain a crisis firm before you need one. Firms that already know your leadership, legal counsel and likely risk scenarios can respond in the first hours, when most reputational damage happens. Ask about preparedness work such as scenario planning, holding statements and media training, and agree on how the firm will coordinate with your lawyers.
Conclusion
Brunswick, FTI Consulting, Sard Verbinnen, Joele Frank and Kekst CNC are the leading choices for public companies and global corporations, and Edelman brings unmatched global scale. Levick handles high-stakes public and legal crises, and Red Banyan suits mid-size organizations.
If you want to add your company to this list, drop us a line or submit a form in the Best Choices section. After a thorough review, we’ll decide whether it’s an appropriate addition.
