Legacy Meets Progress: Pioneering the Next Era of Crowe PR
It’s hard to believe that Crowe PR is celebrating its 10th anniversary. A decade ago, Anna Crowe took a leap of faith, fueled by equal parts passion and creativity, to create something that she hoped would make a difference in the world of communications. Today, as we look back on this incredible journey, we’re overwhelmed with gratitude for the people, the partnerships and the lessons that have shaped Crowe PR into the award-winning agency it is today.
When Crowe PR was founded in 2015, we could never have imagined the incredible growth we would experience—or the impact we’d have on the brands we’ve partnered with. What started as a one-woman operation in downtown San Diego has transformed into a nationally recognized, award-winning agency with an incredible team and a portfolio of campaigns to be proud of.
The Early Days: Building a Foundation
In those early days, Crowe PR was laser-focused on media relations. It was all about building relationships, securing placements, and helping brands tell their stories in a way that resonated. We still remember the excitement of signing our first contracts, hiring our first employees, and opening our first office space in downtown San Diego. It was a time of rapid learning and growth—both personally and professionally.
By 2017, we were expanding our service offerings to include social media management and influencer marketing. This evolution allowed us to deliver more integrated campaigns for our clients, helping them connect with their audiences in authentic and impactful ways. That same year, we earned our first PRSA Bernays Awards for campaigns with AT&T and Everyday California, which was an incredibly validating moment for the team.
Milestones That Defined Us
Every milestone in our journey tells a story of perseverance and adaptability. In 2018, we forged a lasting partnership with Skrewball Whiskey, helping them grow from a local brand into a global powerhouse. It was a thrilling experience to witness their expansion into international markets and their eventual acquisition by Pernod Ricard. Partnerships like this remind us why we do what we do—to help brands achieve their boldest ambitions.
By 2020, the world had changed dramatically. The pandemic tested us in ways we could never have anticipated, but it also reinforced our commitment to adaptability and service. We embraced a hybrid work model, expanded nationally, and offered pro-bono services to hospitality brands in need. These efforts weren’t just about survival; they were about staying true to our core values of collaboration and authenticity.
Crowe PR’s journey reflects its relentless commitment to adaptability, innovation and meaningful impact. Major company milestones over the last 10 years include:
2015
Crowe PR is founded as a media relations-focused agency, securing its first contracts, hiring first employees and opening first space in downtown San Diego.
2017
Expands service offerings to incorporate social media management and influencer marketing.
Receives two PRSA Bernays Awards for campaigns with AT&T and Everyday California.
Relocates headquarters to San Diego’s East Village to accommodate growth.
2018
Builds out spirits and wine portfolio, following its partnership with Skrewball Whiskey, which the agency helped grow into a global powerhouse over a seven-plus-year partnership; success includes the brand’s acquisition by spirits giant Pernod Ricard and international expansion into Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Wins PRSA Bernay’s PR Team of the Year and Marketing Consumer Products awards for its work with global footwear brand Vivobarefoot.
Opens New York City location.
2019
Founder Anna Crowe debuts her first book titled, “Get Real,” which speaks to the importance of genuine leadership, transparent company culture and creating authentic brands.
Receives two PRSA Bernays Awards for its work with Skrewball Whiskey and At Your Gate travel app.
Grows its healthcare technology division through key medical device and genomics brand partnerships.
2020
Adopts a hybrid work model to expand nationally, growing its team across 10 markets, including Los Angeles, New York, Austin and Nashville.
Supports Covid relief efforts by providing pro-bono services to hospitality brands in need during the pandemic.
2022
Debuts on Inc. Magazine’s esteemed Inc. 5000 List of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in America, with subsequent wins in 2023 and 2024.
Named to San Diego Business Journal’s annual Best Places to Work list, with a subsequent win in 2024.
Forms strategic alliance with Smarty Social Media, a social media marketing agency specializing in healthcare and medical device marketing, to streamline communication and alignment, amplify customer brand awareness and drive enhanced visibility for clients.
Receives recognition by Ragan’s 2022 PR Daily Awards in the Health Care PR Campaign category for its integrated Melanoma Awareness Month campaign with DermTech.
2023
Acquires Eckis Marketing to broaden social media, content creation and design capabilities.
Partners with ParkerWhite, an award-winning B2B and B2C branding and digital marketing firm focused on healthcare and wellness, forming a strategic alliance in the medical technology space.
Joins PRNet’s Top 100 Agencies list and is named a finalist for PR Daily’s Ragan Award for its work with Skrewball Whiskey.
Implements EOS (the Entrepreneurial Operating System) to optimize efficiencies, systematize operations and ensure client and team success.
2024
Engages in a strategic alliance with long-time agency partner Movetic, a national branding firm, to collaboratively support key consumer goods brands, enhancing services for food and beverage, wellness and apparel brands.
Launches Nest University, an internal training and development program designed to help employees excel professionally and personally.
Renames growing hospitality vertical to “Destinations, Resorts and Experiences” to effectively encapsulate key industries serviced.
Recognition and Growth
Over the years, our work has been recognized by esteemed organizations like PRSA, Inc. Magazine, and Ragan’s PR Daily. In 2022, we made our debut on the Inc. 5000 list of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in America—a milestone that reaffirmed our belief in the power of innovation and hard work. We’ve also been named one of San Diego Business Journal’s Best Places to Work, which is a testament to the incredible culture our team has built together.
Strategic alliances have played a significant role in our growth. From partnering with Smarty Social Media and ParkerWhite to acquiring Eckis Marketing, each collaboration has expanded our capabilities and deepened our expertise in key industries like healthcare, consumer goods, and hospitality.
The Next Chapter
As we celebrate this 10-year milestone, we’re reminded that our journey is far from over. Looking ahead, we’re focused on leveraging new technologies, optimizing operations, and continuing to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of our industry. We’ve launched Nest University to invest in the professional and personal growth of our team, and we’ve rebranded our hospitality vertical to better reflect the industries we serve.
But more than anything, we remain committed to our mission: to drive growth for purpose-driven brands and positively impact humanity. Guided by our core values of excellence, authenticity, entrepreneurial spirit and collaboration, we are ready to tackle the next decade with the same passion and dedication that got us here.
To our clients, partners, and team members: thank you for trusting us, challenging us and inspiring us every step of the way. Here’s to the next 10 years of bold strategies, meaningful partnerships and transformative growth. The best is yet to come!