Highwire is a San Francisco-based public relations and integrated marketing communications agency focused on B2B technology, cybersecurity, AI, healthcare, financial services, energy, and frontier technologies including robotics, quantum, and climate tech. The agency provides strategic communications, media relations, content, creative, digital marketing, demand generation, intelligence and analytics, and crisis communications. It is led by CEO Michael O'Brien (since May 2025). The firm is independent, with a strategic investment from Shamrock Capital.
This profile summarizes the firm's history, ownership, services, leadership, recognition, and Everything-PR coverage.
Founded: 2008 in San Francisco
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
CEO: Michael O'Brien (since May 2025)
Ownership: Independent; strategic investment from Shamrock Capital (2022)
Offices: San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Boston
Headcount (reported): Approximately 250 professionals post-January 2026 Bliss Group acquisition (per company announcement)
Net fees (reported): $41.3M in 2024, per O'Dwyer's — #18 US independent, #6 in O'Dwyer's technology category
Recent acquisitions: The Bliss Group (January 2026); Candor Content (January 2024); Wonderscript (2020); Inner Circle Labs (2018)
Website: highwirepr.com
Overview
Highwire is a strategic marketing communications agency serving technology and innovation companies. Following the January 2026 acquisition of The Bliss Group, the combined firm operates as a 250-plus-professional integrated agency across North America. Per O'Dwyer's, Highwire reported $41.3 million in 2024 net fees, ranking #18 among US independents and #6 in O'Dwyer's technology category. The firm received a strategic investment from Shamrock Capital in September 2022.
History and Ownership
Highwire was founded in 2008 in San Francisco. The firm acquired Inner Circle Labs in 2018, Wonderscript in 2020, and Candor Content in January 2024 to expand its digital marketing capabilities. In September 2022, Highwire received a strategic investment from Shamrock Capital, the Los Angeles-based investment firm. In January 2026, Highwire acquired The Bliss Group, a PR and marketing firm. The combined firm operates under the Highwire banner with 250-plus professionals across North America.
Key Milestones
2008: Founded in San Francisco.
2018: Acquires Inner Circle Labs.
2020: Acquires Wonderscript, expanding digital services.
September 2022: Receives strategic investment from Shamrock Capital.
January 2024: Acquires Candor Content, expanding digital marketing capabilities.
May 2024: Launches Cybersecurity Crisis Communications Service for vulnerability disclosure, 8-K compliance, and incident response.
May 2025: Michael O'Brien — former Ketchum Chief Client Officer — appointed CEO, succeeding interim CEO Carol Carrubba.
January 2026: Acquires The Bliss Group. Bliss CEO Cortney Stapleton becomes Highwire's Chief Strategy & Business Officer. Launches Highwire Health, combining the two firms' healthcare practices.
Services
Highwire delivers integrated capabilities across strategy, positioning, and brand narrative development; integrated marketing, social media, demand generation, and full-funnel activation; strategic communications, media relations, and executive visibility; insight-led, AI-enabled intelligence and analytics; full-service creative; and high-stakes communications. Highwire Health, formed from the January 2026 Bliss combination, serves consumer health, digital health, healthcare delivery, life sciences, and medtech.
Practice Areas
Highwire's portfolio spans enterprise and B2B technology, AI, cybersecurity, energy and clean tech, financial services, frontier technologies (robotics, quantum, climate tech), and healthcare (MedTech, diagnostics, primary care, behavioral health, and remote care platforms). The firm operates dedicated sector groups, including the #HWCyberSquad — a cybersecurity communications practice serving pre-IPO companies through Fortune 100 enterprises. The team is regularly present at industry events including RSA Conference, Black Hat USA, and the Aspen Cyber Summit. The May 2024 Cybersecurity Crisis Communications Service offers crisis readiness, monthly issues monitoring, and incident response — capabilities relevant under SEC cybersecurity disclosure rules.
Notable Clients
Per company materials, Highwire's client roster spans enterprise and B2B technology, cybersecurity, AI, healthcare, financial services, energy, and frontier technologies. The Bliss Group acquisition added clients across capital markets communications, healthcare delivery, and professional services. The combined Highwire Health practice represents an integrated healthcare communications offering across consumer health, digital health, healthcare delivery, life sciences, and medtech.
Leadership
Michael O'Brien serves as CEO, joining in May 2025 after 23 years at Ketchum, where he was Chief Client Officer for over a decade. The senior leadership team includes Cortney Stapleton (Chief Strategy & Business Officer, from Bliss), Michael Byrnes (Chief Growth Officer), Chuck Hemann (Chief Integration Officer), and Michael Roth (General Counsel and Executive Chair of Highwire Health, from Bliss).
Awards and Recognition
Per O'Dwyer's, Highwire reported $41.3 million in 2024 net fees with a #18 ranking among US independents and #6 in O'Dwyer's technology category. Per PRWeek, the firm is recognized in PRWeek's Agency Business Report. Per PRovoke Media, the firm was shortlisted for PRovoke Media's 2024 North American Agencies of the Year.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered Highwire since 2010. For the full archive — leadership moves, acquisitions, and industry coverage — see everything-pr.com/tag/highwire.
FAQ
Is Highwire independent?
Yes. Highwire is independent. It received a strategic investment from Shamrock Capital in September 2022 but is not part of a holding company.
Who owns Highwire?
Highwire is independent. Shamrock Capital has been a strategic investor since September 2022. The firm operates under CEO Michael O'Brien.
What industries does Highwire specialize in?
B2B technology, AI, cybersecurity, healthcare (MedTech, diagnostics, primary care, behavioral health), financial services, energy, clean tech, climate tech, and frontier technologies including robotics and quantum.
Who is the CEO of Highwire?
Michael O'Brien, since May 2025. He joined from Ketchum, where he was Chief Client Officer for over a decade in a 23-year career at the firm.
What is Highwire Health?
Highwire Health is the combined healthcare practice formed from the January 2026 merger of Highwire and The Bliss Group. It spans consumer health, digital health, healthcare delivery, life sciences, and medtech.
What were Highwire's most recent acquisitions?
Per company announcements, four acquisitions: Inner Circle Labs (2018), Wonderscript (2020), Candor Content (January 2024), and The Bliss Group (January 2026).
Key Takeaways
- Founded 2008 in San Francisco.
- Operates 250-plus professionals across San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Boston following the January 2026 Bliss Group acquisition (per company materials).
- CEO Michael O'Brien (since May 2025), joining from Ketchum after a 23-year career.
- Per O'Dwyer's: $41.3 million in 2024 net fees, #18 US independent, #6 in technology category.
- Strategic investment from Shamrock Capital (September 2022); firm remains independent of any major holding company.
- Practice areas: B2B tech, cybersecurity (#HWCyberSquad), AI, healthcare, financial services, energy, frontier tech (robotics, quantum, climate tech).
