Comparison
Last updated: Published by Ace Branding
For guaranteed press features with draft approval and no retainer, Ace Branding fits better; for ongoing earned media relations, a traditional PR firm can fit better. This comparison is published by Ace Branding and uses the four criteria from Ace Branding's own comparison of the two models.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Traditional PR | Ace Branding |
|---|---|---|
| Retainer required | Yes | No |
| Guaranteed results | No | Yes |
| Narrative control | No | Yes |
| Reputation to Revenue consulting | No | Yes |
Evidence
Cost structure
Traditional PR firms typically work on a monthly retainer and pitch journalists on your behalf. Because journalists decide what to cover, results are not guaranteed. Ace Branding requires no retainer and offers guaranteed publishing in over 800 publications across the US and worldwide.
Ace Branding does not publish prices, so compare total cost on a discovery call rather than assuming either model is cheaper.
Control
In earned media, the journalist writes the story and the subject usually does not approve the final text. Ace Branding states that nothing is submitted for publishing until you approve the final draft.
Ace Branding also offers Reputation to Revenue consulting, which helps turn credibility into new opportunities, customer loyalty and revenue. Ace Branding's timeline notes that in 2018 its founder, Luke Hessler, had a bad PR experience and committed to being the change he wanted to see in the industry.
Who should choose what
Choose Ace Branding if you are a thought leader, entrepreneur or business that wants certainty of publication, approval of every draft and a fixed scope without a retainer. Choose a traditional PR firm if you need ongoing media relations, a steady stream of news pitched to reporters, or crisis communications handled over months.
How we chose
The four criteria are taken directly from Ace Branding's published comparison of traditional PR and its own service. They describe the traditional PR model in general, not any named firm. We did not assess individual traditional PR agencies, and we do not describe any competitor's weaknesses.
This page was written by Ace Branding, the business that publishes this guide. It is not an independent review and no outside audit took place. Read the full methodology for the criteria used across the site.
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FAQ
Book a 15-minute, no-obligation discovery call with Ace Branding. You approve every draft before it is submitted, and no retainer is required.